Identify the figure of speech in the following lines :
Then soars like a ship with only a sail.

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct answer to the question is Option 2: Simile.

1. **Explanation for Option 2 (Simile):**
   A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using the words "like" or "as." In the given line, "Then soars like a ship with only a sail," the comparison is made between the subject that is soaring and a ship with only a sail. The use of the word "like" explicitly indicates that this is a simile. The line suggests that the subject's soaring is similar to the way a ship moves with the aid of its sail, emphasizing the grace and ease of the movement.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 1 (Metaphor):** A metaphor is a figure of speech that implies a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as." It suggests that one thing is another. Since the line uses "like" to make the comparison, it does not fit the definition of a metaphor.

- **Option 3 (Assonance):** Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words. The line in question does not focus on the repetition of vowel sounds but rather on a comparison using "like," which is characteristic of a simile, not assonance.

- **Option 4 (Paradox):** A paradox is a statement that appears self-contradictory or illogical but may reveal a deeper truth. The line does not present a contradictory idea or statement; instead, it provides a straightforward comparison using "like," which is typical of a simile, not a paradox.

In conclusion, the use of "like" in the line clearly indicates that the figure of speech is a simile, making Option 2 the correct answer.