Poetry Meter Quiz

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Date:

Instructions: Challenge yourself with questions about rhythm, meter, and the musical patterns found in poetry

1.
What is 'meter' in poetry?
A
The number of words in a line
B
The topic of a poem
C
The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of verse
D
The rhyme scheme of a poem
2.
What is an 'iamb' in poetry?
A
Two unstressed syllables in a row
B
A stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable
C
An unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable
D
Two stressed syllables in a row
3.
What meter is most commonly used in Shakespeare's plays?
A
Iambic pentameter
B
Trochaic tetrameter
C
Dactylic hexameter
D
Anapestic trimeter
4.
How many metrical feet are in a line of 'pentameter'?
A
Five
B
Four
C
Six
D
Three
5.
What is a 'trochee'?
A
A stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable
B
Three syllables with stress on the first
C
Two unstressed syllables
D
An unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable
6.
The word 'GARDEN' (GAR-den) has the rhythm of which metrical foot?
A
Dactyl
B
Anapest
C
Iamb
D
Trochee
7.
What is a 'dactyl'?
A
Two stressed syllables in a row
B
A stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables
C
An unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable
D
Two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed one
8.
Homer's 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' are written in which classical meter?
A
Trochaic tetrameter
B
Anapestic dimeter
C
Dactylic hexameter
D
Iambic pentameter
9.
What is an 'anapest'?
A
A stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables
B
Three stressed syllables in a row
C
A stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable
D
Two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable
10.
What is 'free verse'?
A
Poetry written for free distribution
B
Poetry that follows strict iambic pentameter
C
Poetry with exactly ten syllables per line
D
Poetry that does not follow a regular meter or rhyme scheme
11.
How many metrical feet are in a line of 'tetrameter'?
A
Two
B
Three
C
Four
D
Five
12.
What is a 'spondee'?
A
A three-syllable foot with stress on the middle syllable
B
A single stressed syllable standing alone
C
A metrical foot consisting of two stressed syllables
D
A metrical foot consisting of two unstressed syllables
13.
What is 'scansion'?
A
The topic or subject of a poem
B
The process of translating a poem into another language
C
A type of rhyme scheme
D
The analysis of a poem's metrical patterns
14.
What is 'blank verse'?
A
Poetry that uses only one-syllable words
B
Poetry with no words
C
Poetry with no particular form
D
Unrhymed iambic pentameter
15.
What is 'enjambment' in poetry?
A
A type of rhyme
B
The continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line without pause
C
The repetition of meter across stanzas
D
A complete stop at the end of a line

Answer Key

Question 1

C. The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of verse

Question 2

C. An unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable

Question 3

A. Iambic pentameter

Question 4

A. Five

Question 5

A. A stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable

Question 6

D. Trochee

Question 7

B. A stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables

Question 8

C. Dactylic hexameter

Question 9

D. Two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable

Question 10

D. Poetry that does not follow a regular meter or rhyme scheme

Question 11

C. Four

Question 12

C. A metrical foot consisting of two stressed syllables

Question 13

D. The analysis of a poem's metrical patterns

Question 14

D. Unrhymed iambic pentameter

Question 15

B. The continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line without pause

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