Question

complete the rhyme scheme.
a b b c
i had not known before
forever was so long a word.
the slow stroke of the clock of time
i had not heard.
from paul laurence dunbar, \forever\
submit

Explanation:

First, identify rhyming words: "before" and "word" do not rhyme; "time" and "heard" do not rhyme. Wait, correct rhyming check: "before" (ends with /ɔːr/) and "heard" (ends with /ɜːrd/) do not rhyme. Wait, recheck: "word" (wɜːrd) and "heard" (hɜːrd) rhyme. "Before" (bɪˈfɔːr) has a different end sound, "time" (taɪm) is unique. Assign the first line scheme A. The second line (word) rhymes with the fourth line (heard), so they get B. The third line (time) has no rhyme, so it gets C.

Answer:

1. I had not known before: A
2. Forever was so long a word: B
3. The slow stroke of the clock of time: C
4. I had not heard: B