Question

What is the structure of a four-line stanza with the rhyme scheme abcb?

1) The first and third lines have eight syllables, and the second and fourth lines have six syllables
2) The first and third lines have six syllables, and the second and fourth lines have eight syllables
3) The first and third lines have eight syllables, and the second and fourth lines have ten syllables
4) The first and third lines have ten syllables, and the second and fourth lines have eight syllables

Answer 1

The correct structure for a four-line stanza with the rhyme scheme ABCB is the ballad stanza form, where the first and third lines have eight syllables, and the second and fourth lines have six syllables.

Step-by-step explanation:

The structure of a four-line stanza with the rhyme scheme ABCB is most closely associated with the ballad stanza, which typically alternates between lines of eight syllables and six syllables. More specifically, this means that the first and third lines, which correspond to the 'A' and 'C' in the rhyme scheme, would typically have eight syllables, and the second and fourth lines, corresponding to the 'B' rhyme, would have six syllables. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is option 3).