Question

identifying the structure of a sonnet
match each element of a sonnet with the correct description.
iambic pentameter
pentameter
meter
iamb
five iambs that alternate between stressed and unstressed syllables
a metrical foot consisting of a stressed and an unstressed syllable
a line of poetry with five metrical feet
the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem

Explanation:

• Iambic pentameter: A line of poetry with five iambs (each iamb is a metrical foot with an unstressed then stressed syllable), so it matches "five iambs that alternate between stressed and unstressed syllables".
• Pentameter: "Penta-" means five, so a line with five metrical feet, matching "a line of poetry with five metrical feet".
• Meter: Defined as the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem, so it matches "the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem".
• Iamb: A metrical foot with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one, matching "a metrical foot consisting of a stressed and an unstressed syllable" (note: technically iamb is unstressed then stressed, but the option's wording is close and this is the only match for iamb).

Answer:

• iambic pentameter → five iambs that alternate between stressed and unstressed syllables
• pentameter → a line of poetry with five metrical feet
• meter → the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a poem
• iamb → a metrical foot consisting of a stressed and an unstressed syllable