Which metrical foot is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one?

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Multiple Choice

Which metrical foot is an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one?

An iamb is a metrical foot made up of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one. This pattern—unstressed, then stressed—defines iambic rhythm, which is the backbone of much English verse, especially in iambic meter and iambic pentameter used by Shakespeare and many poets. For example, in the word "describe," the second syllable carries the stress: de-SCRIBE, an unstressed-stressed pairing. That exact order matches the description in the question. By contrast, a trochee is the opposite: stressed followed by unstressed (as in "HAPPY" where the first syllable is stressed). Anapest extends the pattern to three syllables: unstressed-unstressed-stressed (as in "in-ter-vene"). A dactyl is stressed-unstressed-unstressed (as in "MAG-i-fi-cent").

An iamb is a metrical foot made up of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one. This pattern—unstressed, then stressed—defines iambic rhythm, which is the backbone of much English verse, especially in iambic meter and iambic pentameter used by Shakespeare and many poets. For example, in the word "describe," the second syllable carries the stress: de-SCRIBE, an unstressed-stressed pairing. That exact order matches the description in the question.

By contrast, a trochee is the opposite: stressed followed by unstressed (as in "HAPPY" where the first syllable is stressed). Anapest extends the pattern to three syllables: unstressed-unstressed-stressed (as in "in-ter-vene"). A dactyl is stressed-unstressed-unstressed (as in "MAG-i-fi-cent").

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