ABLE Pronunciation and Phonetics 3

Question 1

In English phonology, what is the term for the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that creates the rhythm of speech?

Accepted Answer

Stress-timed rhythm

Answer

English is described as stress-timed, meaning stressed syllables occur at roughly regular intervals regardless of how many unstressed syllables fall between them.

Question 2

What does the term 'place of articulation' refer to in phonetics?

Accepted Answer

The location in the vocal tract where airflow is obstructed to produce a sound

Answer

Place of articulation describes where in the mouth or throat the active articulator makes contact or comes closest to the passive articulator to produce a sound.

Question 3

Which phonetic symbol represents the vowel sound in the word 'bird' in standard American English?

Accepted Answer

/ɜːr/

Answer

The vowel in 'bird' in American English is represented as /ɜːr/, a mid-central vowel with r-coloring (rhotic quality).

Question 4

A language learner substitutes /w/ for /v/ when speaking English, saying 'wery' for 'very'. This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A phonemic substitution due to L1 interference

Answer

Phonemic substitution due to L1 interference occurs when a learner replaces a target-language sound with the closest equivalent from their native language.

Question 5

What is 'linking' in connected speech, as in the pronunciation of 'an orange' sounding like 'a-no-range'?

Accepted Answer

Connecting the final consonant of one word to the initial vowel of the next

Answer

Linking occurs when a word ending in a consonant is immediately followed by a word starting with a vowel, causing the consonant to attach to the next syllable.

(ABLE) Assessment Board for Language Examinations Practice Test

(ABLE) Assessment Board for Language Examinations Practice Test

ABLE Pronunciation and Phonetics 3