Select the most more appropriate option to fill in the blank.
To use a sporting__________ , middle age is like half time at a hockey match.

analogy

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank is analogy.

An analogy is a comparison between two things that are not alike in most respects, but that share some important similarities. In this case, the analogy is between middle age and half time at a hockey match. Both are times when people take stock of their progress, make adjustments, and prepare for the second half.

The other options are not as appropriate.

• Device is a tool or mechanism that is used to achieve a particular purpose. It is not the best word to describe an analogy because it does not capture the sense of comparison.
• Antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word. It is not the best word to describe an analogy because it does not capture the sense of similarity.
• Synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word. It is not the best word to describe an analogy because it does not capture the sense of comparison.