Which meter pattern features a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable?

Which meter pattern features a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable?

• A. Pymhic
• B. Spondaic
• C. Dactylic
• D. Trochaic

Answer: (D)

The pattern described is trochaic meter—a two-syllable foot with the stress on the first syllable, giving a strong-weak rhythm. You can hear this in words like GAR-den or TIG-er, where the first syllable carries the beat and the second glides softer. That falling rhythm is what characterizes trochaic feet. By contrast, a pyrrhic pair has two unstressed syllables, a spondaic pair has two stressed syllables, and a dactylic foot starts with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.

The pattern described is trochaic meter—a two-syllable foot with the stress on the first syllable, giving a strong-weak rhythm. You can hear this in words like GAR-den or TIG-er, where the first syllable carries the beat and the second glides softer. That falling rhythm is what characterizes trochaic feet.

By contrast, a pyrrhic pair has two unstressed syllables, a spondaic pair has two stressed syllables, and a dactylic foot starts with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.