Rhyme schemes and Usage

Read the stanza below. What is its rhyme scheme? The sun is high up in the sky, (A) A fluffy cloud is floating by, (A) The birds begin to sing a song, (B) And will be singing all day long. (B)

• ABAB

• AABB

• ABCA

• ABCD

Answer explanation

The last words of the first two lines ('sky' and 'by') rhyme (AA), and the last words of the last two lines ('song' and 'long') rhyme (BB). This creates an AABB rhyme scheme.

Match each type of poem to its correct description.

• A funny 5-line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme.

• Limerick

• A poem that does not have a regular rhyme scheme or meter.

• Sonnet

• A 14-line poem that follows a specific, strict rhyme scheme.

• Free Verse

Answer explanation

Each poem type is matched with its defining characteristic. A limerick is a humorous five-line AABBA poem, a sonnet is a structured 14-line poem, and free verse is defined by its lack of a consistent rhyme scheme.

When you are marking a rhyme scheme, what do the letters (A, B, C) represent?

• The number of words in each line.

• The different rhyming sounds at the end of each line.

• The topic of each stanza.

• The first letter of the last word in each line.

Answer explanation

Letters are used to track the pattern of rhymes. Lines that end with the same rhyming sound are given the same letter.

Sort the following stanzas into the correct category based on their rhyme scheme: 'Has a Rhyme Scheme' or 'Does Not Have a Rhyme Scheme'.

Groups:

(a) Has a Rhyme Scheme

,

(b) Does Not Have a Rhyme Scheme

• I had a dream so strange and new, / I flew above the ocean blue.

• The winter wind is cold and bites, / Through long and dark December nights.

• The old wooden chair / sits on the porch, / waiting.

• Sunlight filters through the leaves, / a quiet moment.

Answer explanation

The stanzas with rhyming end words ('bites'/'nights', 'new'/'blue') are sorted into 'Has a Rhyme Scheme.' The stanzas without rhyming end words are a form of free verse and are sorted into 'Does Not Have a Rhyme Scheme.'

Identify the rhyme scheme for the following short poem. My homework is all done, (A) I'll go outside and play, (B) It's time to have some fun, (C) It's a beautiful day! (B)

• AABB

• ABAB

• ABCB

• ABCD

Answer explanation

The last words of the second and fourth lines ('play' and 'day') rhyme, but the first and third do not. This creates an ABCB pattern.

Which of the following stanzas follows an ABAB rhyme scheme?

• I love to read a book, / It takes me far away. / Just take a little look, / And you can come and play.

• The moon is very bright. / It shines upon the ground. / It gives the world its light, / And never makes a sound.

• My dog is soft and brown, / His tail wags all the time. / He's the best friend in town, / And costs less than a dime.

• I have a brand new bike, / It is a shiny red. / I ride it when I like, / Before I go to bed.

Answer explanation

In this stanza, 'brown' (A) rhymes with 'town' (A), and 'time' (B) rhymes with 'dime' (B). The rhymes alternate, creating an ABAB pattern. The other options are AABB or ABCB.

Match each rhyme scheme notation to the pattern it describes.

• Two rhyming couplets, where lines 1 & 2 rhyme, and lines 3 & 4 rhyme.

• ABBA

• Enclosed rhyme, where lines 1 & 4 rhyme, enclosing lines 2 & 3 which also rhyme.

• ABAB

• Alternating rhyme, where lines 1 & 3 rhyme, and lines 2 & 4 rhyme.

• AABB

Answer explanation

Each notation is a shorthand for a specific rhyming pattern. AABB represents two consecutive rhyming pairs. ABAB represents alternating rhymes. ABBA represents a rhyming pair enclosed by another rhyming pair.

What is the most important rule for identifying a poem's rhyme scheme?

• Look at the first word of every line.

• Count the number of syllables in each line.

• Listen to the sound of the last word of each line.

• Find all the similes and metaphors in the poem.

Answer explanation

A rhyme scheme is determined by the pattern of rhyming words at the end of the lines, so focusing on the sound of the last word is the correct method.

Sort these poem descriptions into the categories: 'Fixed Rhyme Scheme' or 'No Fixed Rhyme Scheme'.

Groups:

(a) Fixed Rhyme Scheme

,

(b) No Fixed Rhyme Scheme

• A funny five-line limerick with an AABBA pattern.

• A poem about a tree where the line endings don't rhyme.

• A short poem that sounds like everyday conversation.

• A fourteen-line sonnet with an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG pattern.

Answer explanation

Limericks and sonnets are defined by their specific, fixed rhyme schemes. Poems that don't have rhyming line endings or sound like conversation are examples of free verse, which has no fixed rhyme scheme.

Read the stanza below. What is its rhyme scheme? The sun sinks low, a fiery light, The birds all settle in the tree, And I can see the moon so free, Before the world is dark as night.

• AABB

• ABAB

• ABBA

• ABCB

Answer explanation

To find the rhyme scheme, we label the end rhyme of each line. The first line ends with 'light' (A). The second line ends with 'tree' (B), which does not rhyme with 'light'. The third line ends with 'free' (B), which rhymes with 'tree'. The fourth line ends with 'night' (A), which rhymes with 'light'. This creates the pattern ABBA.