Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature Practice Exam

How many lines does a quatrain consist of?

1. Two lines.

2. Four lines.

3. Six lines.

4. Eight lines.

The correct answer is: Four lines.

A quatrain is defined as a stanza or poem that consists of exactly four lines. This structure is common in various forms of poetry, including sonnets and ballads, and is characterized by its flexibility in rhyme schemes. The four lines can follow different rhythmic patterns and can be arranged in a variety of ways, making quatrains versatile for poets to express ideas and emotions. The other choices refer to different types of stanzas: a couplet consists of two lines, a sestet has six lines, and an octave contains eight lines. Recognizing the structure of a quatrain is essential in understanding poetic forms and their distinctive characteristics.