Which terms describe the two structural components of a classic 'limerick', a popular light-verse subgenre of lyric poetry?
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Correct answer: Five lines rhyming aabba: lines 1, 2, 5 anapestic trimeter, lines 3, 4 anapestic dimeter
A limerick is a distinct form of light or humorous short lyric verse consisting of a single five-line stanza. It follows a strict aabba rhyme scheme and an accentual rhythm dominated by anapests (two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable). The structural bounce is produced by the contrast between the longer three-beat lines (1, 2, and 5) and the shorter two-beat lines (3 and 4).
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