Which one of the following words clearly has a trochaic stress pattern when spoken in isolation?

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Multiple Choice

Which one of the following words clearly has a trochaic stress pattern when spoken in isolation?

Explanation:
Trochaic stress means the first syllable bears the stronger emphasis, giving a strong-weak rhythm when the word is spoken in isolation. zebra fits this pattern: ZE-bra, with primary stress on the first syllable and the second syllable reduced and unstressed, producing a clear strong-weak beat. enough is pronounced e-NOUGH, so the emphasis falls on the second syllable, making it iambic rather than trochaic. The other two words also begin with a stressed syllable, but zebra’s straightforward, single-morpheme form and the distinctly reduced second syllable make its trochaic rhythm the most apparent in isolation.

Trochaic stress means the first syllable bears the stronger emphasis, giving a strong-weak rhythm when the word is spoken in isolation. zebra fits this pattern: ZE-bra, with primary stress on the first syllable and the second syllable reduced and unstressed, producing a clear strong-weak beat. enough is pronounced e-NOUGH, so the emphasis falls on the second syllable, making it iambic rather than trochaic. The other two words also begin with a stressed syllable, but zebra’s straightforward, single-morpheme form and the distinctly reduced second syllable make its trochaic rhythm the most apparent in isolation.

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