Consonant Sounds

70 questions

All types70 Multiple choice33 Matching16 Fill in the blank21

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined in the given word: chasm?

choir

charity

chauffeur

chivalry

Show answer & explanation

Answer: choir

Answer

The correct option is 'choir', as the underlined letters 'ch' in 'chasm' represent the consonant sound /k/.

The underlined letters 'ch' in 'chasm' are pronounced as the voiceless velar plosive /k/. Among the options, 'choir' is the only word where 'ch' also produces the sound /k/ (/kwaɪə/).

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letters in the stem word.

In the word 'chasm' (/kæzəm/), the underlined letters 'ch' produce the voiceless velar plosive consonant sound /k/.

Word etymology of Greek origin often results in 'ch' being pronounced as /k/ rather than /tʃ/.

Analyze the pronunciation of the underlined/initial 'ch' in each option.

'choir' is pronounced /kwaɪə/ (starts with /k/); 'charity' is pronounced /ˈtʃærəti/ (starts with /tʃ/); 'chauffeur' is pronounced /ˈʃəʊfə/ (starts with /ʃ/); 'chivalry' is pronounced /ˈʃɪvəlri/ (starts with /ʃ/).

Distinguishing between orthographic representations ('ch') and their actual phonetic realizations (/k/, /tʃ/, /ʃ/) is necessary.

Match the option that shares the exact consonant sound /k/.

'choir' contains the consonant sound /k/.

Both 'chasm' and 'choir' realize 'ch' as the voiceless velar plosive /k/.

Key Concept

Consonant Sound Identification: Digraph 'ch' Phonetic Variations

Estimated Time:1m 0s

Question 22Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined in the word below:

draught

Which of the following words contains the same consonant sound as the underlined letter(s)?

triumph

ghastly

drought

plough

Show answer & explanation

Answer: triumph

Answer

The correct option is 'triumph' because both 'draught' and 'triumph' contain the voiceless labiodental fricative sound /f/.

The underlined digraph 'gh' in 'draught' is pronounced as the consonant sound /f/. Among the given choices, the word 'triumph' is the only word that contains this exact consonant sound, represented by the letters 'ph'.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic sound of the underlined letter(s) in the target word.

In the word 'draught' (/drɑːft/), the underlined digraph 'gh' represents the voiceless labiodental fricative consonant sound /f/.

Correct phonetic identification requires distinguishing between silent 'gh' patterns and those pronounced as /f/.

Analyze the pronunciation of each option to find the matching consonant sound.

'triumph' is pronounced /ˈtraɪʌmf/, where the digraph 'ph' represents the /f/ sound. 'ghastly' contains /g/, while 'drought' and 'plough' feature a silent 'gh'.

Finding the matching option requires identifying alternative orthographic representations (like 'ph') for the /f/ sound.

Key Concept

Orthographic Representations of the Consonant Sound /f/

Estimated Time:1m 0s

Question 23Question →

From the word below, identify the consonant sound represented by the underlined letter:

azure

Which of the following options has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the underlined letter?

measure

mission

razor

assist

Show answer & explanation

Answer: measure

Answer

measure

In the word 'azure', the letter 'z' produces the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/. The word 'measure' features the exact same consonant sound /ʒ/ represented by the letter 's'.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic symbol for the underlined letter in the target word

In 'azure', the underlined letter 'z' represents the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/.

Determining the precise phonetic sound of the target item is the first step in matching consonant sounds.

Analyze the consonant sounds produced by the corresponding letters in each option

'measure' contains /ʒ/; 'mission' contains /ʃ/; 'razor' contains /z/; 'assist' contains /s/.

Comparing orthographic representations with their actual IPA phonetic transcriptions isolates the identical sound.

Select the option with the matching consonant sound

'measure' matches 'azure' as both contain the consonant sound /ʒ/.

Both words share the identical consonant sound /ʒ/ despite being spelled with different letters ('z' vs 's').

Key Concept

Identification of the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/

Question 24Question →

Complete the statement below by identifying the correct phonetic consonant sound for each specified word.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word *of*, the letter 'f' represents the consonant sound , whereas in the word *off*, the letters 'ff' represent the consonant sound .

Show answer & explanation

Answer

In 'of', the letter 'f' represents the voiced labiodental fricative sound /v/. In 'off', the double letters 'ff' represent the voiceless labiodental fricative sound /f/.

In standard English pronunciation, the single letter 'f' in 'of' is pronounced as the voiced sound /v/, while the double 'ff' in 'off' is pronounced as the voiceless sound /f/.

Step-by-Step Solution

Examine the phonetic realization of the letter 'f' in the preposition 'of'.

The word 'of' is phonetically transcribed as /ɒv/ in standard English, meaning 'f' represents the voiced consonant sound /v/.

The word 'of' is an exceptional case in English spelling where orthographic 'f' represents a voiced sound rather than a voiceless one.

Examine the phonetic realization of 'ff' in the word 'off'.

The word 'off' is phonetically transcribed as /ɒf/, meaning 'ff' represents the voiceless consonant sound /f/.

The digraph 'ff' consistently corresponds to the voiceless labiodental fricative sound /f/.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Consonant Sound Contrast

Estimated Time:1m 0s

Question 25Question →

Below are four English words containing specific consonant spellings. Pair each word on the left with its corresponding International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) consonant sound symbol on the right. Which pairs correctly associate each word with its target consonant sound?

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct pairings are: 'archangel (spelling: 'ch')' matches /k/, 'champagne (spelling: 'ch')' matches /ʃ/, 'procedure (spelling: 'd')' matches /dʒ/, and 'cough (spelling: 'gh')' matches /f/.

The pairings match the precise phonetic articulation of each highlighted spelling in standard English: 'archangel' uses 'ch' for /k/, 'champagne' uses 'ch' for /ʃ/, 'procedure' uses 'd' for /dʒ/, and 'cough' uses 'gh' for /f/.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the pronunciation of 'archangel'

The word is transcribed as /ˈɑːkˌeɪn.dʒəl/, showing that 'ch' makes the /k/ sound.

Greek-derived words such as 'archangel' often realize 'ch' as /k/ rather than /tʃ/.

Analyze the pronunciation of 'champagne'

The word is transcribed as /ʃæmˈpeɪn/, showing that 'ch' makes the /ʃ/ sound.

French loanwords in English typically retain the French /ʃ/ pronunciation for 'ch'.

Analyze the pronunciation of 'procedure'

The word is transcribed as /prəˈsiː.dʒər/, showing that 'd' makes the /dʒ/ sound.

When 'd' is followed by an unaccented 'u', palatalization turns the alveolar plosive /d/ into the affricate /dʒ/.

Analyze the pronunciation of 'cough'

The word is transcribed as /kɒf/, showing that 'gh' makes the /f/ sound.

In words ending in '-ough' like 'cough' or 'rough', the digraph 'gh' regularly produces the voiceless fricative /f/.

Key Concept

Orthographic Realization of English Consonant Sounds

Question 26Question →

Which of the options lettered A to D contains the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the underlined letter in the word 'casual'?

fissure

beige

chivalry

censor

Show answer & explanation

Answer: beige

Answer

The word 'beige' contains the same consonant sound (/ʒ/) as the underlined letter in 'casual'.

The underlined letter 's' in 'casual' represents the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/. The word 'beige' contains the exact same sound, realized through the spelling 'ge' at the end of the word.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the target consonant sound

The underlined letter 's' in 'casual' represents the voiced postalveolar fricative sound, phonetically transcribed as /ʒ/.

Accurate phonetic identification of the target word is essential before examining the options.

Analyze the phonetic composition of each option

'fissure' uses /ʃ/, 'beige' uses /ʒ/, 'chivalry' uses /ʃ/, and 'censor' uses /s/.

Determining the precise consonant sound produced by the relevant letters in each candidate word isolates the matching sound.

Select the option with the matching sound

The word 'beige' ends with the /ʒ/ sound (spelled 'ge'), matching 'casual'.

Both words share the identical /ʒ/ sound despite using different orthographic representations ('s' vs 'ge').

Key Concept

Voiced Postalveolar Fricative (/ʒ/) Articulation

Question 27Question →

Complete the statement below regarding English consonant sound pronunciation.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word 'comb', the final letter 'b' is .

Show answer & explanation

Answer

In the word 'comb', the final letter 'b' is silent.

In the word 'comb', the letter 'b' is silent, so the word is pronounced as /kəʊm/ without producing the voiced bilabial plosive /b/.

Step-by-Step Solution

Examine the phonetic transcription of the word 'comb'.

The phonetic transcription is /kəʊm/.

The word ends with the bilabial nasal sound /m/.

Determine the realization of the written letter 'b'.

The letter 'b' is silent.

In standard English phonology, a written 'b' following 'm' at the end of a syllable/root word is not articulated.

Key Concept

Silent Consonants

Estimated Time:30s

Question 28Question →

In Oral English, spelling patterns often disguise the actual phonetic realization of consonants. Which of the following words contains the same consonant sound as the one represented by the underlined letter in a<u>z</u>ure?

casual

breeze

chasm

mission

Show answer & explanation

Answer: casual

Answer

casual

The underlined letter 'z' in 'azure' is articulated as the voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/. Among the given options, 'casual' also articulates its internal consonant 's' as /ʒ/ (/ˈkæʒuəl/), providing an exact phonetic match.

Step-by-Step Solution

Determine the exact phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letter in the target word.

The letter 'z' in 'azure' (/ˈæʒə/) represents the voiced postalveolar fricative phoneme /ʒ/.

Correct identification of the target phoneme /ʒ/ is required before examining the options.

Transcribe and analyze the corresponding consonant sounds in the options.

'casual' produces /ʒ/ (/ˈkæʒuəl/); 'breeze' produces /z/ (/briːz/); 'chasm' produces /z/ (/ˈkæzəm/); 'mission' produces /ʃ/ (/ˈmɪʃn/).

Analyzing Received Pronunciation (RP) transcriptions isolates orthographic spelling from actual sound.

Select the option sharing the identical consonant phoneme.

'casual' shares the /ʒ/ sound with 'azure'.

Both words contain the /ʒ/ sound despite using different graphemes ('z' vs 's').

Key Concept

Voiced Postalveolar Fricative (/ʒ/) Identification

Question 29Question →

Match each word containing an underlined consonant spelling on the left with the word on the right that contains the exact same consonant sound.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The correct matches pair 'rough' with 'graphic' (/f/), 'choir' with 'chemist' (/k/), 'scene' with 'psalm' (/s/), and 'badge' with 'giant' (/dʒ/).

Each item on the left is accurately matched to an item on the right based on sharing the identical consonant sound: /f/ in 'rough' and 'graphic', /k/ in 'choir' and 'chemist', /s/ in 'scene' and 'psalm', and /dʒ/ in 'badge' and 'giant'.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic sound of the underlined consonant in each word on the left.

'gh' in 'rough' = /f/; 'ch' in 'choir' = /k/; 'sc' in 'scene' = /s/; 'dg' in 'badge' = /dʒ/.

English orthography uses varied letter combinations to represent the same consonant phonemes.

Analyze the sound corresponding to the target consonant in each item on the right.

'ph' in 'graphic' = /f/; 'ch' in 'chemist' = /k/; 'ps' in 'psalm' = /s/; 'g' in 'giant' = /dʒ/.

Matching requires identifying identical consonant phonemes regardless of spelling differences.

Pair the corresponding words sharing identical consonant sounds.

rough pairs with graphic; choir pairs with chemist; scene pairs with psalm; badge pairs with giant.

Each pair shares the same underlying consonant sound.

Key Concept

Consonant Sounds and Orthographic Variations

Question 30Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter underlined in the word: of.

Stephen

off

cough

orphan

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Stephen

Answer

The word with the same consonant sound is 'Stephen'.

The correct answer is the word 'Stephen' because the digraph 'ph' in this proper noun is articulated as the voiced labiodental fricative /v/, which is identical to the pronunciation of 'f' in the preposition 'of' (/ɒv/).

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letter in the prompt word.

In the word 'of', the letter 'f' is pronounced as the voiced labiodental fricative /v/.

The word 'of' is a grammatical exception where 'f' produces the voiced sound /v/ rather than the voiceless sound /f/.

Analyze the consonant sound produced by the relevant letters in each option.

'Stephen' contains /v/, while 'off', 'cough', and 'orphan' all contain /f/.

The digraph 'ph' in 'Stephen' is pronounced /v/, matching the target sound.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Consonants (/v/ vs /f/)

Estimated Time:45s

Question 31Question →

Complete the following statements by providing appropriate words that satisfy the specified phonetic criteria for English consonant sounds.

Fill in the blanks below

The letter 'p' is silent when pronouncing the word , whereas the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/ is heard in the word .

Show answer & explanation

Answer

For the first blank, an appropriate word with a silent 'p' is 'receipt' (or 'pneumonia', 'psychology'). For the second blank, a word containing the voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/ is 'vision' (or 'measure', 'pleasure').

In English phonetics, the letter 'p' is silent in words such as 'receipt', 'psychology', and 'pneumonia'. The sound /ʒ/ represents a voiced postalveolar fricative, present in words like 'vision', 'measure', 'pleasure', and 'beige'.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify silent consonant patterns for the letter 'p'.

Words derived from Greek prefixes like 'pneu-' or 'psych-', or Latin-derived words like 'receipt', feature an unpronounced/silent initial or medial 'p'.

English orthography retains silent letters in specific historical and etymological contexts.

Analyze the phonetic representation of the consonant sound /ʒ/.

The sound /ʒ/ is a voiced postalveolar fricative found in words such as 'vision', 'measure', 'leisure', and 'beige'.

This sound contrasts with its voiceless counterpart /ʃ/ (as in 'mission' or 'shoe') and affricate /dʒ/ (as in 'judge').

Key Concept

Consonant Sound Identification and Silent Letters

Estimated Time:1m 30s

Question 32Question →

Fill in the blanks to identify the consonant sounds produced in the given words.

Fill in the blanks below

The final consonant letter 's' in the word 'cats' represents the sound , while the final letter 's' in the word 'dogs' represents the sound .

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The final consonant 's' in 'cats' represents the voiceless sound /s/, while the final 's' in 'dogs' represents the voiced sound /z/.

In English phonetics, the pronunciation of the ending '-s' depends on whether the preceding consonant sound is voiced or voiceless. In 'cats', the sound preceding '-s' is the voiceless /t/, so '-s' takes the voiceless sound /s/. In 'dogs', the sound preceding '-s' is the voiced /g/, so '-s' takes the voiced sound /z/.

Step-by-Step Solution

Examine the sound preceding the final 's' in 'cats'.

The sound before 's' is the voiceless alveolar stop /t/.

Following a voiceless consonant sound, the plural suffix '-s' is pronounced as the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/.

Examine the sound preceding the final 's' in 'dogs'.

The sound before 's' is the voiced velar stop /g/.

Following a voiced consonant sound, the plural suffix '-s' assimilates and is pronounced as the voiced alveolar fricative /z/.

Key Concept

Voiced and Voiceless Consonant Contrast in Suffixes

Question 33Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter underlined in the given word: hallelujah?

judge

gesture

yacht

major

Show answer & explanation

Answer: yacht

Answer

yacht

The correct answer is 'yacht' because both the underlined 'j' in 'hallelujah' and the initial 'y' in 'yacht' represent the voiced palatal approximant consonant sound /j/.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic sound of the underlined letter in the target word.

In the word 'hallelujah', the underlined letter 'j' represents the voiced palatal approximant sound /j/ (as in 'yes').

The spelling 'j' in 'hallelujah' is borrowed from Hebrew via Germanic/Latin transcription where 'j' represents the semi-vowel /j/ rather than the typical English affricate /dʒ/.

Analyze the consonant sounds in each option to find the matching /j/ sound.

'yacht' begins with the consonant sound /j/. Options like 'judge', 'gesture', and 'major' all feature the affricate sound /dʒ/.

Finding the word with the identical consonant sound requires ignoring spelling visual traps and focusing purely on articulation.

Key Concept

Consonant Sounds: Palatal Approximant /j/ vs. Voiced Postalveolar Affricate /dʒ/

Estimated Time:1m 0s

Question 34Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letters underlined in the word: chef

machine

church

character

yacht

Show answer & explanation

Answer: machine

Answer

The correct answer is machine because both 'chef' and 'machine' share the same consonant sound /ʃ/ represented by the letters 'ch'.

The underlined letters 'ch' in 'chef' represent the consonant sound /ʃ/. Similarly, in 'machine', the letters 'ch' are pronounced as /ʃ/, making it the exact phonetic match.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letters in the target word.

The letters 'ch' in the word 'chef' produce the voiceless postalveolar fricative sound /ʃ/.

Words borrowed from French such as 'chef' frequently retain the /ʃ/ sound for the 'ch' spelling.

Examine the pronunciation of the underlined sound in each option.

'machine' is pronounced with /ʃ/, 'church' with /tʃ/, 'character' with /k/, and 'yacht' has a silent 'ch'.

Comparing phonetic transcriptions identifies which option shares the target sound /ʃ/.

Select the option matching the target sound.

'machine' accurately matches the /ʃ/ consonant sound.

Both 'chef' and 'machine' utilize the /ʃ/ pronunciation for the 'ch' digraph.

Key Concept

Consonant sound identification and French-derived 'ch' spellings (/ʃ/)

Estimated Time:45s

Question 35Question →

From the words lettered A to D, which word has the same consonant sound as the one represented by the underlined letters in the word 'southern'?

clothe

growth

breath

healthy

Show answer & explanation

Answer: clothe

Answer

clothe

The underlined letters 'th' in 'southern' represent the voiced dental fricative /ð/. The option 'clothe' (/kləʊð/) also features the voiced dental fricative sound /ð/.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic sound of the underlined letters in the stem word.

The underlined letters 'th' in 'southern' represent the voiced dental fricative sound, /ð/.

Although the root word 'south' is pronounced with the voiceless sound /θ/, the derivative 'southern' shifts to the voiced sound /ð/.

Analyze the consonant sound produced by 'th' in each option.

'clothe' is pronounced with the voiced sound /ð/ (/kləʊð/), whereas 'growth' (/ɡrəʊθ/), 'breath' (/brɛθ/), and 'healthy' (/ˈhɛlθi/) are all pronounced with the voiceless sound /θ/.

Comparing the phonetic transcriptions isolates the option that shares the voiced dental fricative consonant sound.

Select the option that matches the target consonant sound.

'clothe' is the matching word.

Both 'southern' and 'clothe' share the voiced dental fricative sound /ð/.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Consonant Sounds (/ð/ vs /θ/)

Question 36Question →

Match each word in the left column with the word in the right column that contains the exact same target consonant sound represented by the specified letter(s).

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Show answer & explanation

Answer

'chasm' matches with 'character' (both /k/); 'righteous' matches with 'statue' (both /tʃ/); 'prestige' matches with 'casual' (both /ʒ/); 'soothe' matches with 'breathe' (both /ð/).

Each left-hand word is paired with a right-hand word containing the exact same phonetic consonant sound regardless of spelling differences: /k/ in 'chasm' and 'character', /tʃ/ in 'righteous' and 'statue', /ʒ/ in 'prestige' and 'casual', and /ð/ in 'soothe' and 'breathe'.

Step-by-Step Solution

Transcribe the target sound in 'chasm'

The letters 'ch' in 'chasm' produce the voiceless velar plosive /k/ (as in /ˈkæzəm/).

Identify the non-standard spelling where 'ch' represents /k/ rather than /tʃ/.

Transcribe the target sound in 'righteous'

The letters 'te' in 'righteous' produce the voiceless postalveolar affricate /tʃ/ (as in /ˈraɪtʃəs/).

Recognize palatalization before suffixal vowels.

Transcribe the target sound in 'prestige'

The letters 'ge' in 'prestige' produce the voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/ (as in /prɛˈstiːʒ/).

Identify French loanword phonology where 'ge' realized as /ʒ/ rather than /dʒ/.

Transcribe the target sound in 'soothe'

The letters 'th' in 'soothe' produce the voiced dental fricative /ð/ (as in /suːð/).

Distinguish voiced /ð/ from its voiceless counterpart /θ/ as in 'sooth'.

Match left items to corresponding right items sharing identical phonemes

Match /k/ ('chasm') to 'character'; /tʃ/ ('righteous') to 'statue'; /ʒ/ ('prestige') to 'casual'; /ð/ ('soothe') to 'breathe'.

Confirm phoneme alignment across distinct orthographic representations.

Key Concept

Orthographic-Phonetic Mapping of Consonant Sounds

Question 37Question →

Complete the statement below by providing the correct phonetic representations of the consonant sound combinations.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word 'axiom', the letter 'x' represents the voiceless consonant cluster , whereas in the word 'examine', the letter 'x' represents the voiced consonant cluster .

Show answer & explanation

Answer

In 'axiom', the letter 'x' represents the voiceless consonant cluster /ks/, while in 'examine', it represents the voiced consonant cluster /gz/.

In Oral English, the letter 'x' yields two primary consonant clusters depending on stress and surrounding phonetic environment. In 'axiom', the letter 'x' produces the voiceless cluster /ks/. In 'examine', because 'x' precedes a stressed vowel sound, both elements voice to form /gz/.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of the letter 'x' in the word 'axiom'.

The letter 'x' in 'axiom' precedes an unstressed vowel sound and is pronounced with the voiceless velar plosive /k/ followed by the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/, forming /ks/.

When 'x' appears before an unstressed syllable or at the end of a root word, it typically retains its voiceless cluster pronunciation.

Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of the letter 'x' in the word 'examine'.

The letter 'x' in 'examine' occurs before a stressed vowel, causing the plosive and fricative components to become voiced: /g/ and /z/, forming /gz/.

Intervocalic 'x' followed by a stressed vowel undergoes voicing assimilation from /ks/ to /gz/.

Key Concept

Phonetic realization of orthographic 'x' as voiceless (/ks/) versus voiced (/gz/) consonant clusters

Estimated Time:1m 30s

Question 38Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the letter(s) underlined in the word: wealth?

path

bathe

clothe

breathe

Show answer & explanation

Answer: path

Answer

The word 'path' has the same consonant sound (/θ/) as the underlined letters in 'wealth'.

The underlined letters 'th' in the word 'wealth' produce the voiceless dental fricative sound /θ/. The word 'path' also produces this exact same voiceless consonant sound /θ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic sound of the underlined letters in the stem word.

The letters 'th' in 'wealth' are pronounced as the voiceless dental fricative sound /θ/.

Determining the correct phoneme is required to match it with the options.

Analyze the pronunciation of each option's 'th' spelling.

'path' ends with /θ/, while 'bathe', 'clothe', and 'breathe' all end with the voiced counterpart /ð/.

Differentiating between the voiceless /θ/ and voiced /ð/ sounds reveals which option shares the stem's sound.

Select the option that matches the stem sound /θ/.

'path' is the correct match.

Both 'wealth' and 'path' contain the voiceless consonant sound /θ/.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Consonants (/θ/ vs /ð/)

Question 39Question →

Complete the sentence below by providing the correct phonetic representation of the specified consonant sound.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word 'think', the letters 'th' produce the voiceless consonant sound , whereas in 'this', the letters 'th' produce the voiced consonant sound .

Show answer & explanation

Answer

The letters 'th' in 'think' represent the voiceless dental fricative sound /θ/, whereas in 'this' they represent the voiced dental fricative sound /ð/.

In English phonetics, the spelling 'th' represents two distinct dental fricative consonant sounds: the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ as heard in 'think', 'theatre', and 'path', and the voiced dental fricative /ð/ as heard in 'this', 'that', and 'clothe'.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the sound produced by 'th' in the word 'think'.

Pronouncing 'think' demonstrates that the vocal cords do not vibrate during the 'th' sound, identifying it as the voiceless dental fricative /θ/.

Voiceless consonants are articulated without vocal cord vibration.

Analyze the sound produced by 'th' in the word 'this'.

Pronouncing 'this' demonstrates vocal cord vibration during the 'th' sound, identifying it as the voiced dental fricative /ð/.

Voiced consonants require active vocal cord vibration during articulation.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Dental Fricative Contrast (/θ/ vs /ð/)

Estimated Time:45s

Question 40Question →

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word that has the SAME CONSONANT SOUND as the one represented by the underlined letter in the word 'anxiety'. Which of the following words contains this consonant sound?

complex

dismal

luxury

exercise

Show answer & explanation

Answer: dismal

Answer

The word 'dismal' contains the same consonant sound /z/ as represented by the letter 'x' in 'anxiety'.

In the word 'anxiety' (/æŋˈzaɪəti/), the letter 'x' is pronounced as the voiced alveolar fricative /z/. Similarly, in 'dismal' (/ˈdɪzməl/), the letter 's' represents the voiced sound /z/. Therefore, both words share the exact same consonant sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the phonetic pronunciation of the underlined letter in the target word.

In the word 'anxiety' (/æŋˈzaɪəti/), the underlined letter 'x' is pronounced as the voiced alveolar fricative sound /z/.

When 'x' appears in 'anxiety', spelling conventions mask its phonetic realization as the voiced fricative /z/.

Analyze the phonetic realization of the target consonants in each option.

'complex' contains /ks/; 'dismal' contains /z/; 'luxury' contains /kʃ/; 'exercise' contains /ks/.

Different orthographic spellings (such as 's' and 'x') can represent the identical phonetic consonant sound /z/.

Match the target sound /z/ to the correct option.

'dismal' (/ˈdɪzməl/) contains the voiced alveolar fricative sound /z/ represented by the letter 's'.

Both 'anxiety' and 'dismal' share the identical consonant sound /z/.

Key Concept

Phonetic realization of the voiced alveolar fricative /z/ across different orthographic spellings

Estimated Time:1m 0s

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