Question

question 12 of 12

which feature is commonly found in ballads?

a. an exciting story and a fast beat
b. deep praise of a specific subject
c. three stanzas with an abab rhyme scheme
d. a rhyming couplet at the end

Explanation:

Identify the defining characteristics of a ballad

Ballads are narrative poems originally meant to be sung, characterized by a musical rhythm (often alternating iambic tetrameter and trimeter) and a plot-driven story.

Evaluate the given options

• A. An exciting story and a fast beat: Matches the narrative nature and rhythmic, song-like quality of traditional ballads.
• B. Deep praise of a specific subject: Describes an ode, not a ballad.
• C. Three stanzas with an abab rhyme scheme: Ballads do not have a strict limit of three stanzas.
• D. A rhyming couplet at the end: Typically describes Shakespearean sonnets or specific stanza resolutions, not a defining feature of ballads.

Select the correct option

Option A correctly identifies the core features of a ballad.

Answer:

• (A) An exciting story and a fast beat (Correct answer)
• (B) Deep praise of a specific subject
• (C) Three stanzas with an abab rhyme scheme
• (D) A rhyming couplet at the end