Which of the following is an example of a simile?

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words "like" or "as" to highlight a particular quality or characteristic. The correct answer, which states, "Her smile was like a ray of sunshine," directly employs the word "like" to compare the brightness and warmth of her smile to that of sunshine, enhancing the imagery and emotional impact of the description.

In contrast, the other options utilize different literary devices; for example, "The wind howled through the trees" is a personification, attributing human qualities to the wind. "He ran faster than the wind" uses a comparative structure but does not include "like" or "as," thus it is a hyperbolic statement rather than a simile. Lastly, "Time flies when you're having fun" employs metaphorical language to imply that time appears to move quickly during enjoyable moments, but it does not use "like" or "as," disqualifying it as a simile.