Question

"Forgetfulness" by Billy Collins. Then answer the question.

Which statement describes a structural characteristic of the poem?

A. Each line has 10 syllables.
B. It does not follow a formal structure.
C. It has seven stanzas of equal length.
D. Every other line contains a rhyme.

EASY PTS

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. it does not follow a formal structure.

Let us first go through all of these options in order to determine the structural characteristics of Forgetfulness, by Billy Collins.

Option A is incorrect - if you count the syllables in each line, you will see that the first one has 11, the second one 13, and so on - so, not 10.

Option C is also incorrect - there are actually 8 stanzas, and they are not of equal length.

Option D is also incorrect - there are no rhymes in this poem.

So, by the process of elimination, the correct answer is B - this poem doesn't follow a formal structure - it is rather a free verse poem containing stanzas of varying lengths.

Answer 2

B. It does not follow a formal structure is correct.