Final answer:
The figurative language used to describe New York City as a 'melting pot of cultures' in the excerpt from 'My Day at the Market' is a metaphor.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the excerpt from the text "My Day at the Market," the figurative language used by the author when describing New York City as a "melting pot of cultures" is a metaphor. This term does not involve a direct comparison using "like" or "as" (which would make it a simile), nor does it attribute human qualities to non-human subjects (which would characterize personification). Instead, it offers an implied comparison between the mix of cultures in NYC and a literal pot where different elements are melted together to create something new and cohesive. Therefore, the correct answer is B) Metaphor.