A long narrative poem that relates heroic exploits is

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for a literary term with three features:

• It is a long poem.
• It is narrative, meaning it tells a story.
• It tells of heroic exploits, meaning the brave deeds of a hero.

Step 2: Explain each option

• A. Panegyric: A speech or poem of high praise for a person or thing. It praises but does not tell a long story. In Nigeria, oriki (Yoruba praise poetry) is a good example.
• B. Lyric: A short poem expressing personal feelings or thoughts, such as a sonnet or an ode. It is not a narrative.
• C. Ballad: A narrative poem too, but it is usually short, written in simple stanzas, and often tells a popular story of love, tragedy, or local events. It is not typically a grand heroic tale.
• D. Epic: A long narrative poem, written in an elevated style, about the heroic deeds of a legendary figure, often with national or cultural significance.

Step 3: Match to the question Only the epic combines length, a narrative form, and heroic exploits. Famous examples include:

• The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer
• Paradise Lost by John Milton
• Sundiata (the Mali epic)
• Beowulf

Exam tip: Link each term to a keyword:

• Epic → Extended and Exalted heroic story
• Ballad → short folk story-song
• Lyric → feelings
• Panegyric → praise

When you see "long" and "heroic" together, think epic.