Which statement best defines an extended metaphor?

• A. It runs across several sentences or the entire passage to unify ideas.
• B. It compares two things in a single line.
• C. It uses sensory details to describe a setting.
• D. It is a hidden reference that only readers notice.

Answer: (A)

An extended metaphor is a sustained comparison that stays in view across multiple sentences or even the entire passage, using that single idea to shape how the ideas are developed. Instead of a quick, one-off line, the figurative comparison—often introduced early and then elaborated with imagery, events, and details—unbinds and unifies the themes as the writing proceeds.

This is why the statement about running across several sentences or the whole piece to unify ideas is the best match. It describes how the metaphor provides a continuous thread that ties different parts of the text together, giving coherence and deeper meaning.

In contrast, a single-line metaphor appears in only one line and doesn’t influence the rest of the writing. Imagery that appeals to the senses describes things but isn’t necessarily a sustained figurative comparison. An allusion quietly nods to another work or figure, but it doesn’t extend a metaphor throughout the text.