Phonetics Quiz (2018 set)

In the International Phonetic Alphabet, which sound does the symbol /t/ represent?

• Voiceless dental fricative

• Voiceless palatal affricate

• Voiceless alveolar plosive

• Voiceless labio-dental approximant

Answer explanation

In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the symbol /t/ represents a voiceless alveolar plosive. This sound is produced by obstructing airflow at the alveolar ridge, then releasing it, which matches the definition of a plosive.

What is the place of articulation for the sound /ʧ/?

• Velar

• Bilabial

• Labio-dental

• Post-alveolar

Answer explanation

/ʧ/ is produced by placing the tongue just behind the alveolar ridge, making it a post-alveolar sound. This distinguishes it from other places of articulation like velar or bilabial.

What is the manner of articulation for the sound /j/?

• Flap

• Trill

• Glide

• Liquid

Answer explanation

The sound /j/ is produced with a relatively open vocal tract, allowing for smooth airflow, which characterizes it as a glide. Unlike flaps or trills, glides involve a transition between vowel sounds, making 'glide' the correct choice.

Which of the following words can be described as containing a fricative?

• Hour

• Weird

• Grasp

• Tempt

Answer explanation

The word 'Hour' contains a fricative sound represented by the 'h' at the beginning. Fricatives are produced by forcing air through a narrow channel, which is not present in 'Weird', 'Grasp', or 'Tempt'.

How many sound segments are there in the word wednesday?

• 9

• 8

• 7

• 6

Answer explanation

The word 'wednesday' has 6 distinct sound segments: /w/, /ɛ/, /n/, /z/, /d/, and /eɪ/. Therefore, the correct answer is 6.

What voiced consonant has the same place of articulation as /s/ and the same manner of articulation as /p/?

• /g/

• /z/

• /d/

• /ʤ/

Answer explanation

The voiced consonant /z/ shares the same place of articulation (alveolar) as /s/ and the same manner of articulation (fricative) as /p/. Other options do not match both criteria.

What voiceless consonant has the same place of articulation as /ʤ/ and the same manner of articulation as /f/?

• /p/

• /r/

• /θ/

• /ʃ/

Answer explanation

/ʃ/ is a voiceless consonant produced at the same place of articulation (postalveolar) as /ʤ/ and has the same manner of articulation (fricative) as /f/. Thus, /ʃ/ is the correct answer.

How is voicing made?

• by using the Pulmonic Airstream Mechanism

• by rapidly opening and closing the vocal folds

• by opening or closing gesture of the velum/soft palate

• by directing the air to flow out of the vocal tract through the mouth or nose

Answer explanation

Voicing is produced by rapidly opening and closing the vocal folds, which creates vibrations in the airflow. This is essential for producing voiced sounds, distinguishing it from voiceless sounds where the vocal folds do not vibrate.

Which of the following is an active articulator inside the oral cavity?

• velum

• palate

• tongue

• alveolar ridge

Answer explanation

The tongue is an active articulator because it can move and shape sounds by making contact with other structures in the oral cavity, unlike the velum, palate, and alveolar ridge, which are passive articulators.

Which word contains a diphthong?

• sea

• take

• bereave

• prerogative

Answer explanation

The word 'sea' contains the diphthong 'ea', which is a combination of two vowel sounds in one syllable. The other options do not contain diphthongs.