Phonetic Script Association Flashcards

The MLAT presents a symbol chart where ✿ = the first sound in 'thought.' Which other word's initial sound would also be represented by ✿?

Answer: thin

The first sound in 'thought' is the voiceless dental fricative /θ/, which also begins the word 'thin.'

A phonetic script reserves one symbol for all vowels that appear in unstressed syllables. In 'banana,' how many syllables would receive this special symbol?

Answer: 2

In 'banana' (/bəˈnænə/), the first and third syllables are unstressed and contain a schwa, so two syllables get the special symbol.

An invented alphabet assigns unique symbols to phonemes, not letters. How many unique symbols would 'knight' require?

Answer: 3

'Knight' is pronounced /naɪt/, containing three phonemes: /n/, /aɪ/, and /t/.

A test script shows that symbol ☐ marks any consonant where airflow is completely blocked before release. Which sound would NOT use ☐?

Answer: /s/

/s/ is a fricative where airflow is partially obstructed but never fully stopped, so it would not use ☐.

In a phonetic task, symbol pairs that differ by one feature are shown in adjacent columns. ☀ = /d/ and ★ = /t/. What single feature separates them?

Answer: Voicing

/d/ and /t/ are both alveolar stops with identical place and manner; the only difference is that /d/ is voiced and /t/ is voiceless.

A phonetic script uses a subscript dot to mark retroflex sounds (tongue curled back). Which English sound would most likely carry this dot?

Answer: The /r/ in American English 'car'

American English /r/ is often produced with a retroflex or bunched tongue, making it the closest candidate for a retroflex marker.

A learner is given: ⬟=/æ/, ⬡=/ɑ/, ⬢=/ʌ/. Which symbol represents the vowel in 'cut'?

Answer: ⬢

The vowel in 'cut' is /ʌ/ (the 'uh' sound), which maps to ⬢ in the given chart.