Eleanor Rigby is rendered by what kind of ensemble?

• A. An all-acoustic string octet
• B. A full symphony orchestra
• C. A rock quartet with two guitars
• D. A choir with a piano

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is recognizing how the song is arranged instrumentally. Eleanor Rigby is carried by a small, all-acoustic string ensemble, specifically an octet of string players, rather than by rock band instruments. The eight-string setup—typically arranged as four violins, two violas, and two cellos—provides a spare, somber texture that defines the track’s mood. There are no electric guitars, drums, or keyboard-driven rhythms, and there’s no choir; the vocal sits cleanly over the restrained string backdrop. That string-only arrangement gives the piece its distinctive, classical-influenced sound within a pop song.

So the correct description isn’t a rock quartet, a full symphony orchestra, or a choir with piano; it’s the intimate, all-acoustic string octet that supports the vocal without extra amplification or heavy percussion, creating the mournful, intimate atmosphere that characterizes the recording.