Which meter type consists of two consecutive syllables that are equally stressed?

• A. Pymhic
• B. Spondaic
• C. Dactylic
• D. Trochaic

Answer: (B)

Two syllables with equal emphasis in a row form a spondaic foot. This pattern gives a strong, weighty beat because both syllables carry the same level of stress, making the sound of the word feel nearly as heavy on each syllable. In practice, spondaic feet are used to create a deliberate, clunky, or emphatic effect in a line. A classic example is heartbeat, where the two syllables can bear similar emphasis, producing that steady, drum-like feel. This distinguishes it from iambic (unstressed followed by stressed), trochaic (stressed followed by unstressed), or dactylic (a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed ones). A two-syllable foot that has both syllables stressed fits the definition of spondaic.