MLAT Phonetic Script Association 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The MLAT presents a symbol chart where ✿ = the first sound in 'thought.' Which other word's initial sound would also be represented by ✿?
- thin (Correct answer)
- tin
- din
- sin
Correct answer: thin
The first sound in 'thought' is the voiceless dental fricative /θ/, which also begins the word 'thin.'
Question 2: A phonetic script reserves one symbol for all vowels that appear in unstressed syllables. In 'banana,' how many syllables would receive this special symbol?
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 1
- 3
- 0
Correct answer: 2
In 'banana' (/bəˈnænə/), the first and third syllables are unstressed and contain a schwa, so two syllables get the special symbol.
Question 3: An invented alphabet assigns unique symbols to phonemes, not letters. How many unique symbols would 'knight' require?
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 6
- 4
- 5
Correct answer: 3
'Knight' is pronounced /naɪt/, containing three phonemes: /n/, /aɪ/, and /t/.
Question 4: A test script shows that symbol ☐ marks any consonant where airflow is completely blocked before release. Which sound would NOT use ☐?
- /s/ (Correct answer)
- /p/
- /t/
- /k/
Correct answer: /s/
/s/ is a fricative where airflow is partially obstructed but never fully stopped, so it would not use ☐.
Question 5: In a phonetic task, symbol pairs that differ by one feature are shown in adjacent columns. ☀ = /d/ and ★ = /t/. What single feature separates them?
- Voicing (Correct answer)
- Place of articulation
- Manner of articulation
- Aspiration pattern
Correct 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.
Question 6: A phonetic script uses a subscript dot to mark retroflex sounds (tongue curled back). Which English sound would most likely carry this dot?
- The /r/ in American English 'car' (Correct answer)
- The /l/ in 'let'
- The /n/ in 'no'
- The /s/ in 'see'
Correct 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.
Question 7: A learner is given: ⬟=/æ/, ⬡=/ɑ/, ⬢=/ʌ/. Which symbol represents the vowel in 'cut'?
- ⬢ (Correct answer)
- ⬟
- ⬡
- None of these
Correct answer: ⬢
The vowel in 'cut' is /ʌ/ (the 'uh' sound), which maps to ⬢ in the given chart.
MLAT Phonetic Script Association 4
The MLAT presents a symbol chart where ✿ = the first sound in 'thought.' Which other word's initial sound would also be represented by ✿?