Which meter's pattern is described as strong-weak, that is, stressed followed by unstressed syllable?

Which meter's pattern is described as strong-weak, that is, stressed followed by unstressed syllable?

• A. Trochaic
• B. Iambic
• C. Anapestic
• D. Dactylic

Answer: (A)

Understanding meter means listening for which syllables carry the emphasis. A trochaic pattern is strong-weak: each foot has two syllables with the first one stressed and the second unstressed. That gives a rhythm that starts with a heavier beat and then slides to a lighter one. For example, in the common pronunciation of garden, GAR-den, the emphasis falls on GAR, then softens on den. In contrast, iambic would be weak-strong (unstressed-then-stressed), anapestic would be two unstressed followed by a stressed syllable (unstressed-unstressed-stressed), and dactylic would be stressed-unstressed-unstressed. Because the described pattern is stressed first, it is trochaic.

Understanding meter means listening for which syllables carry the emphasis. A trochaic pattern is strong-weak: each foot has two syllables with the first one stressed and the second unstressed. That gives a rhythm that starts with a heavier beat and then slides to a lighter one. For example, in the common pronunciation of garden, GAR-den, the emphasis falls on GAR, then softens on den. In contrast, iambic would be weak-strong (unstressed-then-stressed), anapestic would be two unstressed followed by a stressed syllable (unstressed-unstressed-stressed), and dactylic would be stressed-unstressed-unstressed. Because the described pattern is stressed first, it is trochaic.