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Quizzes > Books & Literature

Sonnet Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Form?

Quick, free sonnet form quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Angelica RodriguezUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of sonnet quiz with folded pages quill and poetic symbols on teal background

This sonnet quiz helps you tell Shakespearean from Petrarchan, map rhyme schemes, find the volta, and check iambic pentameter. Sharpen your close reading with our poetry analysis quiz, or review the basics in a quick poetry quiz. Prepping for class? Build confidence with the poetry unit test.

What is the typical rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
AABB CCDD EEFF GG
ABAB ABAB CDE CDE
ABBA ABBA CDE CDE
The Shakespearean sonnet comprises three quatrains followed by a concluding couplet, following the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This structure allows a thematic development over the first 12 lines and resolution in the final two. It has been widely used by English poets since Shakespeare's era. .
How many lines are in a sonnet?
10
16
14
12
By definition, a sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific stanzaic structure. This line count distinguishes it from other fixed verse forms like the octave or limerick. The 14 lines allow for argument or narrative development and a resolution. .
Which meter is most commonly used in English sonnets?
Iambic pentameter
Anapestic trimeter
Trochaic tetrameter
Dactylic hexameter
Iambic pentameter is the most popular meter for English sonnets, consisting of five iambic feet per line. Each iambic foot contains an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, totaling ten syllables per line. This meter closely mirrors natural speech rhythms in English, making it versatile for poets. .
A sonnet is traditionally about which theme?
War
Love
Comedy
Nature exclusively
Love has been the central theme for most traditional sonnets, especially during the Renaissance period. While other themes can appear, love's complexities and emotions are most commonly explored. This focus stems from sonnets' original use to convey personal devotion or romantic expression. .
In a Petrarchan sonnet, the octave typically ends with a what?
Couplet
Sestet
Volta
Quatrain
The Petrarchan sonnet divides into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with the octave typically concluding in a turn or 'volta.' This volta introduces a shift in argument or perspective for the final six lines. It is essential for creating contrast and depth within the poem. .
Which of the following is a common feature of a Spenserian sonnet?
ABBA ABBA CDECDE
Linking rhyme scheme ABAB BCBC CDCD EE
ABCABCDEFDEF GG
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
The Spenserian sonnet, developed by Edmund Spenser, features a unique linking rhyme scheme: ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. Each quatrain connects to the next, culminating in the closing couplet. This structure creates a fluid progression of ideas. .
How many syllables are in a line of iambic pentameter?
14
10
8
12
A line of iambic pentameter contains five iambic feet, each foot comprising an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one. This pattern yields ten syllables per line. Ten syllables provide sufficient space for nuanced expression while maintaining a rhythmic flow. .
What is the "volta" in a sonnet?
A turn in argument or theme
The first quatrain
A specific rhyming scheme
The final rhymed couplet
The volta, or 'turn,' in a sonnet marks a shift in argument, tone, or perspective within the poem. Its placement varies by sonnet form: after the octave in Petrarchan sonnets or before the final couplet in Shakespearean sonnets. Recognizing the volta is crucial for interpreting the poem's structure and meaning. .
Who wrote the sequence of sonnets titled "Amoretti"?
William Shakespeare
Francesco Petrarch
John Milton
Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser authored the sonnet sequence 'Amoretti,' first published in 1595. The collection chronicles his courtship of Elizabeth Boyle, blending personal narrative with Petrarchan influences. 'Amoretti' remains a key work in Elizabethan love poetry. .
Which rhyme scheme is typical of a Miltonic sonnet?
ABBAABBA CDCDCD
ABBA ABBA CDDCEE
ABAB BCBC CDCD EE
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
John Milton adopted the Petrarchan rhyme scheme but often introduced his own variations in the sestet. His sonnets typically follow ABBAABBA in the octave and CDCDCD in the sestet. This scheme is known as the Miltonic sonnet rhyming pattern. .
Identify the metrical foot in the phrase "to BE or NOT to BE."
Dactyl
Anapest
Trochee
Iamb
The phrase 'to BE or NOT to BE' follows an unstressed-stressed pattern for each pair of syllables, characterizing the iambic foot. Iambs are fundamental to iambic pentameter, the prevailing meter in English sonnets. Identifying metrical feet helps deepen appreciation of poetic rhythm. .
Which poetic device is most evident in the line "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
Personification
Alliteration
Metaphor
Rhetorical question
The line 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?' functions as a rhetorical question, inviting readers to consider the comparison without expecting a literal answer. This device engages the audience and introduces the poem's central theme. Rhetorical questions are common in sonnets to create intimacy and reflection. .
In Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, the phrase "bending sickle's compass" uses which device?
Synecdoche
Alliteration
Hyperbole
Personification
In Sonnet 116, 'bending sickle's compass' personifies time by attributing the act of bending a sickle to an abstract concept. This personification underscores time's potential to wear down love but also highlights love's resistance to temporal change. Such devices enrich Shakespeare's thematic exploration of love and time. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Sonnet Structures -

    Learn to distinguish between Shakespearean, Petrarchan, and Spenserian sonnets by recognizing their unique rhyme schemes and stanza arrangements.

  2. Analyze Iambic Pentameter -

    Practice scanning lines to confirm the da-DUM rhythm pattern, ensuring you can spot the five iambic feet that define classic sonnets.

  3. Recognize Poetic Devices -

    Spot common devices such as volta, enjambment, and metaphors to deepen your understanding of how sonnets convey emotion and argument.

  4. Compare Sonnet Variations -

    Evaluate how different sonnet types use meter and rhyme to achieve distinct effects, from the Petrarchan octave-sestet turn to the Shakespearean three-quatrain build-up.

  5. Apply Sonnet Trivia -

    Test and reinforce your poetry knowledge quiz skills by answering targeted questions that challenge your recall of sonnet history and terminology.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Sonnet Structure Breakdown -

    Familiarize yourself with the 14-line framework that defines every sonnet, noting the three quatrains and a final couplet in Shakespearean form versus the octave and sestet in Petrarchan style. Use the "8+6" mnemonic (octave=8 lines, sestet=6 lines) to recall Petrarchan sonnet structure quickly for your types of sonnets quiz. Recognizing these patterns speeds you through sonnet trivia and the broader sonnet quiz.

  2. Iambic Pentameter Essentials -

    Learn the da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM rhythm that makes up iambic pentameter by marking unstressed and stressed syllables in sample lines (e.g., "Shall I comPARE thee TO a SUMmer's DAY?"). Practice with an iambic pentameter quiz that offers real Shakespeare lines to test your ear. Mastery of meter boosts your poetry knowledge quiz scores and deepens your reading enjoyment.

  3. Shakespearean vs. Petrarchan Features -

    Spot the key differences: Shakespearean sonnets use an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme, while Petrarchan sonnets follow ABBAABBA for the octave and various patterns (CDECDE, CDCDCD) for the sestet. Create a simple chart or flashcards to quiz yourself on each rhyme scheme before taking a types of sonnets quiz. This targeted practice makes sonnet trivia questions feel like second nature.

  4. Poetic Devices and Figurative Language -

    Review common devices - such as metaphor, personification, and volta (the "turn" in argument) - and spot examples in famous sonnets like Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 or Petrarch's Sonnet 90. Use the "MVP" mnemonic: Metaphor, Volta, Personification to ensure you cover the big three. Recognizing these devices sharpens your performance on a poetry knowledge quiz and sonnet quiz alike.

  5. Effective Study Techniques -

    Combine active reading with flashcards that pose sonnet trivia questions on structure, meter, and devices. Time yourself on brief iambic pentameter quiz drills to build speed and confidence under timed conditions. Regular, spaced repetition cements concepts for any sonnet quiz or poetry knowledge quiz you encounter.

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