MLAT Phonetic Spelling Clues Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are given the following phonetic key: 'k' = /k/ (as in cat), 'uh' = /ʌ/ (as in cup), 'm' = /m/ (as in map), 'p' = /p/ (as in pet), 'ee' = /iː/ (as in feet), 't' = /t/ (as in top). Which of the following correctly spells the English word 'compete'?

Accepted Answer

kuhmpeet

Answer

The word 'compete' is pronounced /kəmˈpiːt/. The first syllable's vowel sound /ə/ (schwa), is closest to the /ʌ/ sound represented by 'uh'. The second syllable's vowel sound /iː/ is represented by 'ee'. Therefore, the correct phonetic spelling is 'kuhmpeet'.

Question 2

A phonetic system defines the following symbols: 'b' = /b/ (as in bat), 'i' = /ɪ/ (as in bit), 'd' = /d/ (as in dog), 'ee' = /iː/ (as in feet). Given the phonetically spelled word 'bid', what is the corresponding English word?

Accepted Answer

bid

Answer

The symbol 'i' is explicitly defined as representing the short /ɪ/ vowel sound found in the example 'bit'. Therefore, 'bid' corresponds to the English word 'bid'. The word 'bead' would be spelled 'beed' using this system to represent its long vowel sound.

Question 3

In a phonetic script, you learn these symbols: 't'=/t/, 'p'=/p/, and 'a'=/æ/ (as in 'tap'). A special rule is introduced: placing the symbol 'y' at the end of a word changes the preceding 'a' symbol to the /eɪ/ sound (as in 'tape'). Based on these rules, what is the pronunciation of the phonetically spelled word 'tapy'?

Accepted Answer

tape

Answer

According to the rules, 'tap' would be pronounced with the /æ/ sound. The addition of the final 'y' acts as a modifier, changing the sound of the 'a' from /æ/ to /eɪ/. This results in the pronunciation of the English word 'tape'.

Question 4

You are taught that the symbol 'ch' represents the single sound /tʃ/ at the beginning of 'cheese'. You also know: 'r'=/r/ (run) and 'i'=/ɪ/ (sit). Which of the following phonetic spellings correctly represents the English word 'rich'?

Accepted Answer

rich

Answer

The English word 'rich' ends with the /tʃ/ sound. The key states that this entire sound is represented by the single symbol 'ch'. Therefore, 'rich' is the correct and most efficient phonetic spelling. 'ritch' incorrectly separates the 't' and 'ch' sounds.

Question 5

A student is given a phonetic key: 's'=/s/ (sit), 'l'=/l/ (lip), 'ee'=/iː/ (see), 'p'=/p/ (pat), 'i'=/ɪ/ (sit). The student intends to write the English word 'sleep' but instead writes 'slip'. What is the primary error in the student's phonetic spelling?

Accepted Answer

They used 'i' instead of 'ee'.

Answer

The word 'sleep' contains the long vowel sound /iː/, which is represented by 'ee' in this system. The word 'slip' contains the short vowel sound /ɪ/, represented by 'i'. The student used the symbol for the short vowel sound when they should have used the symbol for the long vowel sound.

(MLAT) Modern Language Aptitude Test Practice Test

(MLAT) Modern Language Aptitude Test Practice Test

MLAT Phonetic Spelling Clues Questions and Answers