Gregorian chant is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Monophonic and unaccompanied
• B. Polyphonic with multiple voices
• C. Instrumental only
• D. Improvised with accompaniment

Answer: (A)

Gregorian chant is defined by its texture: a single melodic line performed without instruments or harmony. This monophonic, unaccompanied approach means everyone sings the same melody together, either in unison or at octaves, with no musical accompaniment. In practice, these chants are vocal pieces used in liturgy, sung in Latin by a choir or soloists, but without instrumental support or chords.

That’s why this description is the best fit: it emphasizes the one-line melodic texture and the absence of accompaniment. It isn’t described as polyphonic, which would involve multiple independent melodies; it isn’t instrumental, and it isn’t typically performed with accompaniment.