Rhyme schemes and Usage

What is the rhyme scheme of the following stanza? The sun went down behind the hill, The evening air grew very chill, The birds were quiet in the nest, And it was time to take a rest.

• ABAB

• AABB

• ABCA

• ABCB

Answer explanation

To find the rhyme scheme, we label the rhyming words at the end of each line. The first two lines rhyme ('hill' and 'chill'), so they are both 'A'. The last two lines rhyme ('nest' and 'rest'), so they are both 'B'. This creates an AABB pattern.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

Match each rhyme scheme notation to its description.

• The first line rhymes with the third, and the second rhymes with the fourth.

• AABB

• The first two lines rhyme, and the last two lines rhyme.

• ABCB

• The first line rhymes with the fourth, and the two middle lines rhyme.

• ABBA

• Only the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

• ABAB

Answer explanation

Each notation is matched to a description of its rhyming pattern. ABAB is alternate rhyme, AABB is couplet rhyme, ABCB is a common ballad stanza, and ABBA is enclosed rhyme.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

A humorous, five-line poem that follows a strict AABBA rhyme scheme is known as what type of poem?

• A sonnet

• A haiku

• A limerick

• A free verse poem

Answer explanation

A limerick is defined by its five-line structure and AABBA rhyme scheme, and it is typically humorous. A sonnet has 14 lines, a haiku has 3 lines, and free verse has no set rhyme scheme.

Sort these short stanzas into the correct rhyme scheme categories: AABB or ABAB.

Groups:

(a) AABB

,

(b) ABAB

• My dog is big and brown, / He likes to run around.

• The sky is blue, / The grass is green, / The world is new, / A lovely scene.

• The cat sat on the mat, / He looked a little fat.

• I wish I had a boat, / To sail across the sea, / I'd wear a heavy coat, / And you could come with me.

Answer explanation

The stanzas are sorted based on their end rhymes. 'mat'/'fat' and 'brown'/'around' are AABB. 'blue'/'new' and 'green'/'scene' is ABAB, as is 'boat'/'coat' and 'sea'/'me'.

What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza? The clouds drift by up in the air, A lonely bird flies to its nest, Without a worry or a care, It's time to settle down and rest.

• AABB

• ABCB

• ABBA

• ABAB

Answer explanation

The first and third lines rhyme ('air' and 'care'), creating the 'A' rhyme. The second and fourth lines rhyme ('nest' and 'rest'), creating the 'B' rhyme. This alternating pattern is ABAB.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

If your friend writes a poem that doesn't have a regular pattern of rhyme or rhythm, what kind of poem is it?

• A sonnet

• Free verse

• A ballad

• A limerick

Answer explanation

Free verse is the term for poetry that does not adhere to a consistent rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. The other options are all forms with specific structural rules.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

Match each poetic term to its correct definition.

• Words that look like they should rhyme based on spelling but do not (e.g., 'love' and 'move').

• Slant Rhyme

• A rhyme involving a word in the middle of a line and another at the end of the line or in the middle of the next.

• Eye Rhyme

• Words that have similar but not identical sounds (e.g., 'shape' and 'keep').

• Internal Rhyme

Answer explanation

Slant rhyme uses words with similar, but not perfect, sounds. Internal rhyme occurs within a line or between the middle of two lines. Eye rhyme is based on spelling similarity, not pronunciation.

What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza? I looked up at the moon, It was a lovely sight, And I hoped that very soon, It would be just as bright.

• AABB

• ABAB

• ABCA

• ABCB

Answer explanation

The first and third lines rhyme ('moon' and 'soon'), and the second and fourth lines rhyme ('sight' and 'bright'). This alternating pattern creates an ABAB rhyme scheme.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

When a teacher asks you to identify a poem's rhyme scheme using letters like A, B, and C, what does each new letter signify?

• A new stanza is beginning.

• A new rhyming sound is introduced.

• The line has more than ten syllables.

• The line contains figurative language.

Answer explanation

In rhyme scheme notation, the first end sound is 'A'. Any line that rhymes with it is also 'A'. The first new, non-rhyming end sound is 'B', and so on. A new letter marks a new rhyme.

Sort these poetic terms into the categories: 'Elements of Rhythm' or 'Elements of Structure'.

Groups:

(a) Elements of Rhythm

,

(b) Elements of Structure

• Rhyme Scheme

• Stanza

• Meter

• Line Break

Answer explanation

Rhyme scheme and meter relate to the sound and rhythm of the poem. Stanza (a group of lines) and line break (where a line ends) are elements of the poem's physical structure on the page.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4