Phonics III Entry Quiz

Which of the following is a type of voicing?

• Bilabial

• Voiced

• Plosive

• Velar

Answer explanation

The term 'voiced' refers to sounds produced with vibration of the vocal cords, making it a type of voicing. In contrast, 'bilabial', 'plosive', and 'velar' describe places or manners of articulation, not types of voicing.

Which of the following is a place of articulation?

• Fricative

• Nasal

• Alveolar

• Semi-vowel

Answer explanation

The term 'alveolar' refers to a place of articulation where the tongue contacts the alveolar ridge, making it the correct choice. In contrast, 'fricative' and 'nasal' describe manners of articulation, while 'semi-vowel' refers to a type of sound.

Which of the following is a manner of articulation?

• Labio-dental

• Glottal

• Affricate

• Voiceless

Answer explanation

An affricate is a manner of articulation that begins as a stop and releases as a fricative, such as in the sounds 'ch' in 'church'. Labio-dental refers to place of articulation, glottal is a type of sound, and voiceless describes voicing.

Which of the following is a voiceless bilabial plosive?

• b

• p

• d

• g

Answer explanation

The voiceless bilabial plosive is produced without vocal cord vibration and involves both lips. Among the options, 'p' is the only voiceless bilabial plosive, while 'b' is voiced, and 'd' and 'g' are not bilabial.

What is the manner of articulation for the sound 'n'?

• Plosive

• Fricative

• Nasal

• Affricate

Answer explanation

The sound 'n' is produced by allowing air to escape through the nose while the mouth is closed, which classifies it as a nasal sound. In contrast, plosive, fricative, and affricate sounds involve different airflow mechanisms.

Which sound is a voiced alveolar fricative?

• s

• z

• ʃ

• ʒ

Answer explanation

The voiced alveolar fricative is represented by the sound 'z'. It is produced by vibrating the vocal cords while forcing air through a narrow channel at the alveolar ridge, unlike 's' which is voiceless.

What is the common feature among these sounds?

/p/ /b/ and /m/

• Bilabial

• Nasal

• Alveolar

• Labio-dental

Answer explanation

The sounds /p/, /b/, and /m/ are all produced by bringing both lips together, making them bilabial consonants. This is the common feature among them, distinguishing them from alveolar or labio-dental sounds.

Identify the voiceless velar plosive from the options below.

• g

• k

• t

• d

Answer explanation

The voiceless velar plosive is produced without vocal cord vibration and is articulated at the soft part of the roof of the mouth. Among the options, 'k' is the only voiceless velar plosive, while 'g' and 'd' are voiced, and 't' is alveolar.

What is the common feature among these sounds?

/t/, /d/, /n/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/

• Bilabial

• Velar

• Alveolar

• Dental

Answer explanation

The sounds /t/, /d/, /n/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, and /ʒ/ are all produced at the alveolar ridge, making 'Alveolar' the common feature among them. Other options like bilabial, velar, and dental refer to different places of articulation.

Which of the following is a horizontal position in the parameters of classification for vowels?

• Open

• Central

• High

• Close