Voiced and Unvoiced Sounds

Hey there! Let's play a fun game with words. Say the words below and help Ava, Emma, and Abigail decide if the underlined part of the word is voiced or unvoiced. Can you help them out?

• The underlined part is voiced.

• The underlined part is unvoiced.

• The underlined part is neither voiced nor unvoiced.

• The underlined part is both voiced and unvoiced.

Answer explanation

The underlined part is voiced because it involves vocal cord vibration during its articulation. Voiced sounds include consonants like 'b' and 'd', which are produced with this vibration.

Imagine you're in a library with Ethan and Lily, and you need to communicate without making a sound. What type of sound, that doesn't use the vocal cords, would you use?

• whisper

• shout

• sing

• hum

Answer explanation

A whisper is a sound produced without using the vocal cords, relying instead on breath. In contrast, shouting, singing, and humming all involve vocal cord vibration.

Imagine you're on stage with Lily and Hannah, and you need to make sure your voice reaches the back of the auditorium. What should you do?

• project

• whisper

• mumble

• shout

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'project' because it means to speak loudly and clearly, ensuring the voice reaches the back of the auditorium. 'Whisper' and 'mumble' are too quiet, while 'shout' may be too harsh.

Imagine Aiden is an actor preparing for a role as a character from a distant land. What might he need to master to make his performance believable?

• accent

• costume

• script

• stage

Answer explanation

An actor portraying a character from a different area often needs to adopt an accent to authentically represent that character's background and speech patterns, making 'accent' the correct choice.

Hey Aiden and Abigail, can you guess which type of control is often considered the secret to a great voice?

• breath

• pitch

• volume

• tone

Answer explanation

Breath control is essential for producing a great voice, as it supports sustained notes and proper vocal technique. Without adequate breath control, pitch, volume, and tone can suffer, making it the foundational element of vocal performance.

Imagine Ava and Rohan are in a singing contest. ______ is how high or low their voices sound when they sing.

• pitch

• volume

• tone

• speed

Answer explanation

Pitch refers to how high or low a voice sounds, distinguishing it from volume (loudness), tone (quality), and speed (rate of speech). Therefore, the correct answer is pitch.

During a fun drama class, Lily and Scarlett were practicing their lines. If Lily's voice lacks inflection, it is said to be ______. Can you help her out?

• monotone

• melodic

• dynamic

• expressive

Answer explanation

A voice that lacks inflection is described as 'monotone.' This term indicates a uniform pitch without variation, contrasting with 'melodic,' 'dynamic,' and 'expressive,' which all imply changes in tone or emotion.

Imagine you're in a sound-making contest with Ava and Liam! When air is pushed out of the lungs and through the larynx, the ______ team up with the palates, the bony ridge, and the teeth to create amazing sounds. Can you guess which part it is?

• vocal cords

• tongue

• epiglottis

• uvula

Answer explanation

The vocal cords, located in the larynx, vibrate as air is pushed through them, producing sound. They work with the palates, bony ridge, and teeth to articulate speech, making them the correct choice.

Even in the bustling school play, Mason and Ava knew that their stage whispers must be loud enough to be heard while still sounding like whispers. Can you guess what they were perfecting?

• stage whispers

• silent gestures

• quiet thoughts

• soft murmurs

Answer explanation

The phrase 'stage whispers' refers to a specific type of whisper used in theater that is audible yet soft, fitting the context of being loud enough to be heard while still sounding like whispers.

Imagine Anika and Noah are in a play, and Anika says Noah's voice sounds like his nose is pinched. What kind of voice is Noah using?

• nasal

• hoarse

• muffled

• shrill

Answer explanation

A voice is labeled 'nasal' when it sounds as if the actor's nose is pinched, resulting in a sound that resonates through the nasal passages. This distinguishes it from hoarse, muffled, or shrill voices.