Which term best describes a lively French dance for two performers in triple time?

• A. Madrigal
• B. Minuet
• C. Galliard
• D. Courante

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is matching dance descriptions to specific Renaissance/Baroque dances by tempo, meter, and social context. A term that embodies a lively, brisk couple dance in triple time is galliard. It is traditionally a fast, energetic dance for two performers, often with jumps and hops, set in triple meter (such as 3/4 or 3/8), and it fits the French courtly milieu that popularized it. The other terms describe different musical or dance forms: Madrigal is a vocal piece with no dance; a minuet is a slower, courtly dance in 3/4; a courante is a court dance in triple time but not as specifically defined as a lively two-person piece. So galliard best matches the description.