Which two characteristics suggest that the excerpt is from a ballad? the stanzas feature a simple end-rhyme scheme. the excerpt uses iambic pentameter consistently. the lines alternate between iambic tetrameter and trimeter. the excerpt uses elevated language for comic effect.

The correct answers are The stanzas feature a simple end-rhyme scheme.

and The lines alternate between iambic tetrameter and trimeter.

Explanation:

Regardless of what the excerpt is, two of the characteristics of ballads are that their language is simple, especially in old traditional ballads and that ballad stanzas have four lines, which rhyme in abcb. The goal is to form a rhyme between the second and fourth lines.

Another feature is that the ballad lines are altered between iambic tetrameter and trimeter. Originally, ballads were expected to be lyrics with music for dancing, that's why rhymes are so marked.

The fact that iambic tetrameter and trimeter are used implies that they were written in quartets with a regular ABCB rhyming scheme.

Currently, the meaning of ballad is used to refer to any slow love song.

o h y e a h y e a

- "the die is cast; i have consented to return if we are not destroyed. thus are my hopes blasted by cowardice and indecision; i come back ignorant and disappointed. it requires more philosophy than i possess to bear this injustice with patience. i have lost my hopes of utility and glory; i have lost my friend."