The tall houses rose like what in the simile describing their shape?

• A. Like smooth glass towers.
• B. Like a colonnade of granite.
• C. Like stepped and amputated pyramids.
• D. Like sleeping giants.

Answer: (C)

Describing the skyline with a simile that compares the tall houses to stepped and amputated pyramids emphasizes an angular, tiered silhouette with a truncated top. This image conveys a harsh, monumental look built in stair-step levels, but with the peaks cut off, giving a flat-topped, geometric profile. That combination captures the imposing, unnatural architecture often depicted in dystopian settings. The other descriptions would suggest different shapes or moods—smooth glass towers imply sleekness, a colonnade suggests regular columns, and sleeping giants personify the buildings rather than focus on their architectural form. So the stepped and amputated pyramids best match the intended visual effect.