TOPIK TOPIK Korean Pronunciation and Phonology 2

Question 1

How many basic vowels are in the Korean alphabet (Hangul)?

Accepted Answer

10

Answer

There are 10 basic vowels in Hangul.

Question 2

What is the Korean phonological process called when ㄱ, ㄷ, or ㅂ become nasal sounds before ㄴ or ㅁ?

Accepted Answer

Nasalization (비음화)

Answer

Nasalization (비음화) converts stop consonants ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ to [ㅇ], [ㄴ], [ㅁ] respectively before nasal consonants.

Question 3

Which sound change explains why '같이' is pronounced [가치] in Korean?

Accepted Answer

Palatalization (구개음화)

Answer

Palatalization (구개음화) causes ㄷ or ㅌ before the vowel ㅣ to shift to [ㅈ] or [ㅊ].

Question 4

In Hangul, what is the placeholder consonant used when a syllable begins with a vowel sound?

Accepted Answer

ㅇ

Answer

ㅇ is used as a silent placeholder in the initial position of a syllable that starts with a vowel.

Question 5

Korean has three series of stops and affricates — plain, aspirated, and tensed. Which series produces the 'pp' sound as in 빠르다?

Accepted Answer

Tensed (경음)

Answer

The tensed (경음) series, written with double consonants like ㅃ, produces the tense 'pp' sound.

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Practice Test