MLAT Phonetic Spelling Clues 2

Question 1

A phonetic key shows the word 'fayt'. Which English word does this represent?

Accepted Answer

fate

Answer

The long 'a' sound followed by 't' corresponds to 'fate', where the silent 'e' lengthens the vowel.

Question 2

In an MLAT phonetic key, which symbol most commonly represents the sound in the word 'ship' (the 'sh' sound)?

Accepted Answer

ʃ

Answer

The IPA symbol ʃ represents the voiceless palato-alveolar sibilant, the 'sh' sound in 'ship'.

Question 3

A key gives: 'dʒ = the sound in jump'. The phonetic spelling 'dʒentle' represents which word?

Accepted Answer

gentle

Answer

The 'dʒ' sound is the voiced affricate heard at the start of 'gentle', making 'dʒentle' = gentle.

Question 4

Which phonetically spelled word matches 'caught'?

Accepted Answer

kawt

Answer

'Caught' is pronounced with the 'aw' vowel sound, so 'kawt' is the correct phonetic rendering.

Question 5

A phonetic spelling guide lists 'ŋ' for the sound at the end of 'sing'. The phonetic form 'riŋ' represents which word?

Accepted Answer

ring

Answer

The ŋ symbol stands for the velar nasal, the final sound in 'ring', so 'riŋ' = ring.

(MLAT) Modern Language Aptitude Test Practice Test