Check for Understanding – Finding Meter in Poetry

Help: • Iambic Pentameter – 5 iambs in a line • Anapest – Two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed beat • Anapestic Tetrameter – 4 anapests per line • Anapestic Pentameter – 5 anapests per line

1. Which of these lines is in iambic pentameter? a. But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?/ It is the East, and Juliet is the sun. b. Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon. / Who is already sick and pale with grief. c. And today the Great Yertle. / That marvelous he / is king of the mud d. She walks in beauty, like the night / of cloudless climes and starry skies e. Both a and b

2. Which of these lines is NOT iambic pentameter? a. And I do love thee: therefore, go with me. b. And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. c. Now is the winter of our discontent. d. I was alone for years on end.

3. Which of these is an anapest? a. Understand b. Unrest c. Forget d. Curious

4. Which of these lines is in anapestic tetrameter? a. And today that Great Yertle, / That marvelous he/ is king of the mud/ that is all he can see. b. She sits and glances out the window gray/ the glass just mocks and fogs her weary eyes c. Thy scarlet rise, thy wistful blur/ I delve into thine purest passion d. There is a place of solace / a meadow near a mill / where cranes come to gather

KEY

Help: • Iambic Pentameter – 5 iambs in a line • Anapest – Two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed beat • Anapestic Tetrameter – 4 anapests per line • Anapestic Pentameter – 5 anapests per line

1. Which of these lines is in iambic pentameter? a. But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?/ It is the East, and Juliet is the sun. b. Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon. / Who is already sick and pale with grief. c. And today the Great Yertle. / That marvelous he / is king of the mud d. She walks in beauty, like the night / of cloudless climes and starry skies e. Both a and b

2. Which of these lines is NOT iambic pentameter? a. And I do love thee: therefore, go with me. b. And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. c. Now is the winter of our discontent. d. I was alone for years on end.

3. Which of these is an anapest? a. Understand b. Unrest c. Forget d. Curious

4. Which of these lines is in anapestic tetrameter? a. And today that Great Yertle, / That marvelous he/ is king of the mud/ that is all he can see. b. She sits and glances out the window gray/ the glass just mocks and fogs her weary eyes c. Thy scarlet rise, thy wistful blur/ I delve into thine purest passion d. There is a place of solace / a meadow near a mill / where cranes come to gather