Which metrical foot has two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed one?

Which metrical foot has two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed one?

• A. Iamb
• B. Anapest
• C. Dactyl
• D. Trochee

Answer: (B)

The pattern being tested is a three-syllable metrical foot where the first two syllables are light (unstressed) and the final syllable carries the emphasis. This is the anapest. A clear example is in-ter-vene, with the stress landing on the last syllable: in-ter-VE-ne. This creates a quick, flowing rhythm often used to propel narration or light verse. The other feet don’t match that exact two-unstressed-then-stressed pattern. An iamb moves from unstressed to stressed (as in de-SERT), a trochee goes stressed then unstressed (TA-ble), and a dactyl starts with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed ones (EL-e-phant). Because none of these follow two light syllables before a strong one, they’re not the pattern described.

The pattern being tested is a three-syllable metrical foot where the first two syllables are light (unstressed) and the final syllable carries the emphasis. This is the anapest. A clear example is in-ter-vene, with the stress landing on the last syllable: in-ter-VE-ne. This creates a quick, flowing rhythm often used to propel narration or light verse.

The other feet don’t match that exact two-unstressed-then-stressed pattern. An iamb moves from unstressed to stressed (as in de-SERT), a trochee goes stressed then unstressed (TA-ble), and a dactyl starts with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed ones (EL-e-phant). Because none of these follow two light syllables before a strong one, they’re not the pattern described.