Syllable Structure Quiz

Which statement is FALSE?

• A minimum syllable is a single vowel in isolation

• The syllable may be defined both phonetically and phonologically

• There are some cases that a word can end with more than 4 consonants

• The center of a syllable has little or no obstruction to airflow and sounds comparatively loud

Which syllable has an onset?

• ill /ɪl/

• out /aʊt/

• pay /peɪ/

• owl /aʊl/

Phonetically, syllables are usually described as consisting of:

• 3 parts

• 4 parts

• 5 parts

• 6 parts

When is a syllable said to have a zero onset?

• When it begins with a consonant.

• When it begins with a vowel.

• When it has no final consonant.

• When it contains a consonant cluster.

What is the typical structure of a four-consonant cluster in English?

• Pre-final + Final + Post-final 1 + Post-final 2.

• Initial + Final + Pre-final + Post-initial.

• Pre-initial + Post-initial + Post-final 1 + Post-final 2.

• Final + Final + Pre-final + Post-final 2.

In a three-consonant cluster at the beginning of a syllable, what role does s play?

• Initial consonant.

• Pre-initial consonant.

• Post-initial consonant.

• Final consonant.

Which of the following syllables demonstrates a pre-final + final + post-final consonant structure?

• banks

• bets

• bumped

• texts

Which of the following is an example of a syllable with a pre-initial + initial consonant cluster?

• play

• sting

• split

• smoke

Which rule explains assigning as many consonants as possible to the onset of a syllable?

• Ease of articulation rule.

• Sonority hierarchy rule.

• Maximal Onset Principle.

• Coda simplification rule.

According to the sonority hierarchy rule, the correct sonority pattern in an English syllable is:

• Rising from Onset to Peak, then falling to Coda.

• Falling from Onset to Peak, then rising to Coda.

• No specific pattern is required.

• All sounds in the syllable must have the same sonority.