Final answer:
The basic repeating pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry is known as meter, with iambic pentameter being a common example.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Poetic Meter
The most basic repeating pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry is known as meter. Meter is the rhythmical pattern that is traditional in poetry, creating a beat much like music. Within this pattern, each unit of stressed and unstressed syllables is called a foot. A common example of meter is iambic pentameter, which consists of five sets of iambs - each iamb being a pair of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.
Meter plays a significant role in giving poetry its musical quality and is often subconscious to the reader, much like the rhythm internalized from nursery rhymes. Consistently repeating patterns of meter contribute to the rhythm of the story being told through the poem. Moreover, poets sometimes deviate from a strict meter to add variety or emphasis to certain lines, making the poem more interesting and dynamic.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is d) Meter.