Question

Choose the word which can be substituted for the given words/sentence.
Part-song for several voices without instrumental accompaniment.
a) Ballad
b) Madrigal
c) Panegyric
d) Limeric

Answer 1

Hint: ‘Part-song for several voices without instrumental accompaniment’ is a form of choral music that is composed of a song written for several vocal parts.

Complete answer:
Option a ‘Ballad’ refers to a poem or song which narrates a story in short stanzas. Traditional ballads have been typically passed on orally from one generation to the next as part of the folk culture because their author is unknown. This is not the word for the given phrase. Thus, option ‘a’ is incorrect.
Option b ‘Madrigal’ refers to a secular part song, a part-song for several voices which is played without instruments that were popular especially in the 16th and 17th centuries. This is similar in meaning to the phrase given to us in the question. Thus, option b ‘Madrigal’ is the correct answer.
Option c ‘Panegyric’ refers to a formal speech or published text in the praise of someone or something. This is not similar in meaning to the given phrase in the question. Thus, the option ‘c’ is incorrect.
Option d ‘Limerick’ refers to a small (five-lined) poem that is often humorous or, light or humorous verse of 6 lines. This is not similar to the given phrase and hence cannot replace it. Thus, option ‘d’ is incorrect too.

Note:
A madrigal form is a strict poetic format. Other options given are also some form of literary terms. Option a and d too are in poetic format but not strict ones. They differ from Madrigal.