NES English Language Arts (ELA) (301) Practice Test

Which short narrative song, often sung, tells a simple, sentimental story?

Ballad Epic Lyric Sonnet

Correct Answer:

Ballad

Explanation:

This question assesses recognizing a ballad—the short narrative song that tells a simple, sentimental story. Ballads are traditional songs or poems that recount a straightforward tale, often about love, loss, or danger, in plain language and with a memorable rhythm. They’re designed to be sung and frequently include a refrain or repetition that helps listeners remember the story. This makes them distinct from other forms: an epic is a long, sprawling narrative about heroic deeds; a lyric centers on the speaker’s feelings and emotions rather than telling a story; a sonnet is a fixed 14-line poem with a specific rhyme and meter.

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