Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

What does a 'blank verse' typically lack?

1. A fixed rhythm

2. A rhyme scheme

3. An emotional tone

4. A narrative structure

The correct answer is: A rhyme scheme

A blank verse typically refers to unrhymed poetry that usually follows a specific meter, most commonly iambic pentameter. The defining characteristic of blank verse is indeed the absence of a rhyme scheme, which distinguishes it from other forms of poetry that employ specific rhyming patterns. This structure allows for a more natural flow of speech and can convey complex emotions and ideas without the constraints of rhyme. While blank verse has a fixed rhythm, such as the regular meter of iambic pentameter, the lack of a rhyme scheme is what sets it apart from other verse forms. The other options do not accurately represent what blank verse lacks, as it can certainly convey emotional tones and narratives, and it adheres to a rhythmic structure.