Synonym clue, because a Synonym is a word that is exactly like or nearly like another word, if the word trying to be explained is explained by comparing it to another word is is exactly or nearly like it it is a Synonym Clue.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war teasting answer C
Personification is going to be your answer. Don't read the rest because I am only doing this to reach the max character needed.
The answer is D, practices.