Choose the correct one-word substitute for: 'One who writes traditional poems'.

Correct — A. The trigger word is traditional. A bard is a poet, traditionally one who composed and recited verse, often epics, within an oral tradition.

Of the four writers offered, it is the word defined by poetry and by tradition together → option (a).

Why the others are wrong

• (b)
  Lyricist — Lyricist names a writer of song words, for films, musicals or popular music. It is defined by the music the words are set to, not by a poetic tradition.
• (c)
  Dramatist — Dramatist is a writer of plays. Plays can be written in verse, but the word names the form, drama, not poems.
• (d)
  Essayist — Essayist is a writer of essays, short prose pieces on a subject. Prose is the opposite of verse, so this is furthest from the definition.

One-word substitution for a writer turns on what they write: plays make a dramatist, essays an essayist, song words a lyricist.

The definition here is 'one who writes traditional poems'. Bard answers both halves: it names a poet, and it carries the sense of an old tradition of composing and reciting verse.

The word is Celtic in origin, with forms such as Welsh bardd and Irish bard.

Key facts

• A bard is a poet, traditionally one who recited epics in an oral tradition.
• Shakespeare is known as the Bard of Avon, after his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon.
• A lyricist writes the words of songs, a dramatist writes plays and an essayist writes essays.
• The word is Celtic in origin: Welsh bardd, Irish bard.

Common traps

• Choosing Lyricist because a lyric is a kind of poem, when a lyricist writes the words for songs

No directly related past PYQ was found.