Which statement best defines metre and rhythm in poetry?

• A. Rhythm is a fixed sound pattern that never changes in a poem.
• B. Metre is the regular pattern of stressed/unstressed syllables; rhythm is the actual pace and flow; together they shape pace and emphasis.
• C. Metre and rhythm are the same thing.
• D. Rhythm defines the punctuation of a poem.

Answer: (B)

Metre is the regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that lies behind a line, while rhythm is how that pattern actually sounds in practice—the pace and flow you hear when you read the poem aloud. Metre gives a structural framework, a predictable beat, and rhythm is the real-time movement, including tempo, emphasis, and variations caused by line breaks, pauses, and punctuation. Together they shape how a line feels and where emphasis falls.

The other ideas miss the distinction: rhythm isn’t a fixed pattern that never changes, and metre isn’t the same as rhythm. Punctuation can influence rhythm, but it doesn’t define metre, which is the patterned backbone that metres provide.