Voiced and Voiceless

What is Voiced Consonant?

• A consonant sound produced with complete closure or constriction in the vocal tract.

• A consonant sound produced with no vocal cord vibration

• A consonant sound produced with vibration of the vocal cords.

• A consonant sound produced with airflow through the nasal passages.

Answer explanation

Voiced consonants are a category of speech sounds in phonetics and phonology. These consonant sounds are produced by allowing air to flow through the vocal tract while the vocal cords simultaneously vibrate. The vocal cords are small, flexible muscles in the larynx, commonly referred to as the voice box. When producing voiced consonants, these vocal cords come together and vibrate, creating a buzzing or humming sound that is characteristic of such sounds.

Which one of these sounds is Voiceless?

• d

• t

• ng

• m

Answer explanation

Voiceless consonants are those sounds that do not involve vibration of the vocal cords during their production. In this case, "t" is a voiceless sound because it is created without the vibration of the vocal cords.

Which of these sounds is Voiced?

• s

• sh

• t

• z

Answer explanation

Voiced consonants require vibration of the vocal cords while they are being produced. In this case, "z" represents a voiced sound because, during its articulation, the vocal cords come together and vibrate. In contrast

What is Voiceless consonant?

• A consonant sound produced with vibration of the vocal cords.

• A consonant sound produced with airflow through the nasal passages.

• A consonant sound produced without vibration of the vocal cords.

• A consonant sound produced with full closure or constriction in the vocal tract.

Answer explanation

Voiceless consonants are a category of speech sounds that are produced without the vibration of the vocal cords. When articulating voiceless consonants, the vocal cords do not come together and vibrate, creating a sound that lacks the characteristic buzzing or humming quality found in voiced consonants.

What kind of sounds is the "th" in the word "those"?

• Voiced

• Voiceless

Answer explanation

In the English language, the "th" sound can appear in two different forms: voiced and voiceless. In the word "those," the "th" sound is the voiced variant. This means that when producing the sound, the vocal cords come together and vibrate. In contrast, the voiceless "th" sound, as in the word "think," is produced without vocal cord vibration. The distinction between voiced and voiceless "th" sounds is essential in English phonology, as it affects the pronunciation and meaning of words in the language.

Which of the following sounds is a voiceless consonant?

• /t/ as in "cat"

• /v/ as in "van"

• ) /d/ as in "dog"

• /z/ as in "zebra"

Answer explanation

The /t/ sound is voiceless because it does not involve the vibration of the vocal cords.

In the International Phonetic Alphabets (IPA), which symbol represents a sound produced without vocal cord vibration?

• /ʒ/

• /d/

• /z/

• /m/

Answer explanation

The symbol /ʒ/ represents a voiceless sound, indicating no vocal cord vibration during its production.

Which IPA symbol represents a voiced sound with vocal cord vibration?

• /θ/

• /z/

• /s/

• /ð/

Answer explanation

The symbol /ð/ represents a voiced sound, indicating vocal cord vibration during its production.

What type of consonant is the "sh" sound in the word "shoe"?

• Voiced

• Voiceless

Answer explanation

The "sh" sound in the word "shoe" is voiceless, meaning it is produced without vocal cord vibration.

Which of the following is an example of a voiced consonant?

• /z/ as in "zebra"

• /s/ as in "snake"

• /k/ as in "cat"

• /p/ as in "pen"

Answer explanation

The /z/ sound is voiced because it involves the vibration of the vocal cords.