Questions: Which characteristic is African? call and response clay instruments clearly marked phrases simple meters

The answer is call and response.

Call and response is a characteristic that is strongly associated with African music. It is a form of musical dialogue where a leader sings or plays a phrase (the "call") and a group or another musician responds with a corresponding phrase (the "response"). This technique is prevalent in many African musical traditions and has influenced various music genres worldwide, including gospel, blues, and jazz.

While clay instruments can be found in various cultures, they are not uniquely characteristic of African music. Many cultures around the world use clay to make musical instruments, such as ocarinas and drums.

Clearly marked phrases are a feature of many musical traditions globally and are not specific to African music. This characteristic refers to the distinct and recognizable segments within a piece of music.

Simple meters, such as 2/4 or 4/4 time signatures, are common in many musical traditions around the world, including Western music. African music often features complex rhythms and polyrhythms, which can go beyond simple meters.