Vowel Sounds

Front

What is a vowel sound?

Back

A vowel sound is a sound in speech that is produced without any significant constriction or blockage of airflow in the vocal tract. Vowel sounds are typically represented by the letters A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y.

Front

What is the difference between long and short vowel sounds?

Back

Long vowel sounds are pronounced the same as the name of the letter (e.g., 'a' in 'cake'), while short vowel sounds are pronounced differently (e.g., 'a' in 'cat').

Front

Give an example of a word with a long 'a' sound.

Back

An example of a word with a long 'a' sound is 'cake'.

Front

What is the long 'o' sound?

Back

The long 'o' sound is pronounced like the letter 'o' itself, as in the words 'snow' and 'hold'.

Front

Provide an example of a word with a long 'e' sound.

Back

An example of a word with a long 'e' sound is 'tree'.

Front

What is a diphthong?

Back

A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable, such as the 'oy' in 'boy'.

Front

How do you identify a long vowel sound in a word?

Back

A long vowel sound can often be identified by the presence of a silent 'e' at the end of the word, as in 'cake' or 'hope'.

Front

What is the same vowel sound as in 'name'?

Back

The same vowel sound as in 'name' is found in the word 'pay'.

Front

List the five vowel letters in the English alphabet.

Back

The five vowel letters in the English alphabet are A, E, I, O, and U.

Front

What is the role of vowel sounds in syllables?

Back

Vowel sounds are the nucleus of syllables, meaning every syllable must contain at least one vowel sound.