MLAT Phonetic Script and Association 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In an MLAT phonetic exercise, you learn that '§' = /f/. Which invented word is transcribed as 'fola'?
- §ola (Correct answer)
- Tola
- Pola
- Bola
Correct answer: §ola
Since '§' maps to /f/, '§ola' is read as 'fola.'
Question 2: Which pair of English words demonstrates a minimal pair based solely on voicing?
- bat / pat (Correct answer)
- cat / sat
- man / pan
- top / mop
Correct answer: bat / pat
'bat' and 'pat' differ only in the voicing of their initial consonant (/b/ voiced vs. /p/ voiceless).
Question 3: An MLAT passage uses a script where each symbol represents one sound. The word 'ΩΨΓ' is pronounced 'sol.' If Ω=/s/ and Ψ=/o/, what sound does Γ represent?
- /l/ (Correct answer)
- /r/
- /n/
- /t/
Correct answer: /l/
With Ω=/s/ and Ψ=/o/, the remaining symbol Γ must represent the final sound /l/ to spell 'sol.'
Question 4: Which characteristic makes the MLAT phonetic script task different from simply memorizing an alphabet?
- Symbols are arbitrary and must be associated under time pressure (Correct answer)
- Symbols always resemble their sounds visually
- The script uses only vowels
- Learners write sentences in the new script
Correct answer: Symbols are arbitrary and must be associated under time pressure
The MLAT uses arbitrary novel symbols, testing associative memory and speed rather than letter-shape recognition.
Question 5: A student sees the symbol '¥' paired with the audio clip of /tʃ/ (as in 'church'). Later, '¥uri' appears. How should it be pronounced?
- churi (Correct answer)
- yuri
- turi
- shuri
Correct answer: churi
Since '¥' = /tʃ/, '¥uri' is pronounced 'churi.'
Question 6: In phonetic transcription, which symbol represents the vowel sound in 'bird' (American English)?
- ɜr (Correct answer)
- æ
- ɪ
- ʊ
Correct answer: ɜr
The r-colored mid-central vowel in 'bird' is transcribed as /ɜr/ in American English phonetics.
Question 7: On the MLAT, if you master the phonetic script quickly, what does that predict about language learning?
- Higher likelihood of success in learning foreign languages (Correct answer)
- Better writing skills in the native language
- Stronger mathematical reasoning
- Greater ability to learn vocabulary by rote
Correct answer: Higher likelihood of success in learning foreign languages
MLAT phonetic script performance predicts foreign language aptitude because rapid symbol-sound association mirrors early language acquisition demands.
MLAT Phonetic Script and Association 3
In an MLAT phonetic exercise, you learn that '§' = /f/.
Which invented word is transcribed as 'fola'?