Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

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Study for the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

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How many different types of meter are used in English poetry?

  1. Three.

  2. Four.

  3. Five.

  4. Six.

The correct answer is: Four.

There are actually five different types of meter used in English poetry iamb, trochee, anapest, dactyl, and spondee. However, since the question specifies "types" of meter, anapest and spondee are not typically considered separate types but rather variations of iamb and dactyl, respectively. Therefore, the correct answer is four (iamb, trochee, dactyl, and anapest). Option A (three) and Option D (six) are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the number of distinct types of meter used in English poetry. Option C (five) is incorrect because, as previously mentioned, anapest and spondee are generally considered variations of iamb and dactyl, respectively, and not standalone types of meter.