Match each type of meter with its description.

iambic

dactylic

trochaic

anapestic
match with

stressed/unstressed arrangement

unstressed/stressed arrangement

unstressed/unstressed/stressed arrangement

stressed/unstressed/unstressed arrangement

1. iambic = unstressed/stressed arrangement

An iamb is a metrical foot that contains two syllables - the first one is unstressed, and the one that follows it is stressed. An example would be:

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. (the bolded syllables are stressed).

Iamb is usually coupled with a pentameter to create iambic pentameter which Shakespeare often used in his poetry and plays.

2. dactylic = stressed/unstressed/unstressed arrangement

A dactyl is a metrical foot that contains three syllables - the first one is long (stressed), and it is followed by two short (unstressed) syllables. An example would be:

Just for a handful of silver he left us and...

This is a metrical foot that is most commonly found in the English language.

3. trochaic = stressed/unstressed arrangement

A trochee is a metrical foot that contains two syllables - the first one is stressed, and it is followed by an unstressed syllable. An example would be:

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December

A trochee is a direct opposite of an iamb (being completely different from it).

4. anapestic = unstressed/unstressed/stressed arrangement

An anapest is a metrical foot that contains three syllables - the first two are short (unstressed), and they are followed by a long (stressed) syllable. An example would be:

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Just like a trochee is a direct opposite of an iamb, anapest is a direct opposite of a dactyl.

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