Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

Which type of meter is characterized by a series of three coordinated beats?

1. Hexameter

2. Trimeter

3. Dimeter

4. Pentameter

The correct answer is: Trimeter

The answer is accurate because trimeter is defined as a type of meter that consists of three metrical feet per line. Each foot is typically made up of stressed and unstressed syllables, creating a rhythmic pattern that flows through the poem. In English poetry, trimeter often results in lines that have a jaunty, lively rhythm due to the shorter length, allowing for a quick pace and an energetic feel. Hexameter, on the other hand, contains six metrical feet, making it longer and often more formal in tone, while dimeter only has two feet, resulting in a much shorter line. Pentameter features five metrical feet and is prevalent in various styles of poetry, including Shakespearean sonnets, and carries a more traditional and familiar cadence. The unique quality of trimeter, with its three beats, allows poets to explore different emotional tones and lyrical nuances distinct from these other metrical forms.