MLAT Phonetic Spelling Clues 5

Question 1

A phonetic clue pairs 'grone' with 'groan'. If the same key is used, what does 'mone' represent?

Accepted Answer

moan

Answer

Since 'grone' = 'groan', the pattern 'one' encodes the long O sound, so 'mone' = 'moan'.

Question 2

The MLAT tests your ability to learn phonetic rules quickly. If rule 1 says 'ii = long E', what does 'miit' represent?

Accepted Answer

meet

Answer

Applying rule 1, 'ii' = long E, so m + ii + t = 'meet'.

Question 3

A phonetic exercise shows: 'həˈraɪzən'. Which word is this?

Accepted Answer

horizon

Answer

Schwa + 'r' + long I (aɪ) + 'z' + schwa + 'n' gives the three-syllable word 'horizon'.

Question 4

Which pair of words share the SAME vowel phoneme despite having different spellings?

Accepted Answer

meet / meat

Answer

'Meet' and 'meat' both contain the long E phoneme (iː), demonstrating that different spellings can represent one sound.

Question 5

A phonetic key marks the 'zh' sound (as in 'measure') with the symbol 'ʒ'. Which phonetic string represents 'treasure'?

Accepted Answer

treʒər

Answer

'Treasure' contains the voiced fricative ʒ in the middle (the 'zh' sound), giving 'treʒər'.

(MLAT) Modern Language Aptitude Test Practice Test