MLAT Phonetic Script and Association 2

Question 1

In a phonetic script exercise, the symbol 'θ' represents the sound in which English word?

Accepted Answer

think

Answer

The symbol 'θ' represents the voiceless dental fricative, as in 'think,' not the voiced version in 'this,' 'then,' or 'those.'

Question 2

A learner is told that the symbol [ʃ] maps to a specific sound. Which word demonstrates this phoneme?

Accepted Answer

shell

Answer

[ʃ] represents the voiceless palato-alveolar fricative, heard at the start of 'shell.'

Question 3

If symbol 'Δ' is defined to mean the sound /k/, which invented word would be pronounced 'kari'?

Accepted Answer

Δari

Answer

Since 'Δ' = /k/, 'Δari' would be read as 'kari.'

Question 4

On the MLAT, a new phonetic symbol 'ℜ' is paired with the sound /b/. Which transcription stands for 'bana'?

Accepted Answer

ℜana

Answer

Replacing /b/ with 'ℜ' in 'bana' yields 'ℜana.'

Question 5

Which phonetic concept best describes the difference between /p/ in 'pit' and /p/ in 'spit'?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration

Answer

The /p/ in 'pit' is aspirated (a puff of air follows), while the /p/ in 'spit' is unaspirated.

(MLAT) Modern Language Aptitude Test Practice Test