Which type of poetry tells a story about a significant event and is often set to music?

The correct choice highlights the characteristics of a ballad, which is a form of poetry specifically designed to tell a story, often about significant events or romantic tales. Ballads traditionally have a musical quality, making them suitable for singing, which is integral to their historical context. They often employ a simple, repetitive structure, making them memorable and accessible.

While odes are lyrical poems that express praise or admiration, and lyric poetry focuses on the poet’s emotions and thoughts rather than narrative elements, epic poetry does tell stories of grand scale and historical significance but is typically more complex and not necessarily set to music. Therefore, the ballad stands out as the direct answer, due to its storytelling nature combined with a melodic structure.