Examkin

Consonant Sounds

70 questions

All types70Multiple choice33Matching16Fill in the blank21
Question 41Question →

Identify the correct phonetic consonant sound sequence produced by the underlined letters. What phonetic sound sequence is represented by the underlined letters 'cc' in the word 'flaccid'?

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In the word 'flaccid', the underlined letters 'cc' are phonetically realized as the consonant sound sequence .
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Answer

The underlined letters 'cc' in 'flaccid' represent the voiceless consonant sound sequence /ks/.
In Received Pronunciation and standard English phonetics, the letter pair 'cc' followed by the front vowel 'i' generates two distinct consonant sounds: the voiceless velar plosive /k/ followed by the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/, giving the complete sequence /ks/ as in /ˈflæk.sɪd/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the orthographic context of the double consonant 'cc' in 'flaccid'.
The letters 'cc' are immediately followed by the front vowel 'i'.
In English phonology, the pronunciation of 'c' or 'cc' depends heavily on the vowel that follows it.
2
Apply English phonetic rules for 'cc' preceding front vowels ('i', 'e', 'y').
The first 'c' is realized as the voiceless velar plosive /k/, while the second 'c' softens before 'i' to become the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/.
When 'cc' occurs before front vowels, it does not coalesce into a single /k/ sound (as in 'accommodate'), but forms the cluster /ks/ (as in 'flaccid' /ˈflæk.sɪd/ or 'accent' /ˈæk.sənt/).

Key Concept

Phonetic realization of orthographic double consonants ('cc') before front vowels
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 42Question →

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: monarch.

Show answer & explanation

Answer: ache

Answer

ache
In the word 'monarch', the underlined digraph 'ch' represents the voiceless velar plosive sound /k/. The word 'ache' also uses the digraph 'ch' to represent the identical consonant sound /k/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the consonant sound represented by the underlined letters in the target word.
The underlined letters 'ch' in 'monarch' (/ˈmɒnək/) represent the voiceless velar plosive sound /k/.
Phonetic analysis reveals that 'ch' in words of Greek origin often carries the /k/ sound.
2
Analyze the sound produced by the letters 'ch' across all options.
'ache' is pronounced /eɪk/ with /k/; 'church' is pronounced /tʃɜːtʃ/ with /tʃ/; 'chef' is pronounced /ʃef/ with /ʃ/; 'yacht' is pronounced /jɒt/ where 'ch' is silent.
Comparing phonetic transcriptions identifies which word shares the target sound.
3
Select the option containing the matching /k/ sound.
'ache' contains the exact same consonant sound /k/ as 'monarch'.
Both words use the spelling digraph 'ch' to represent the sound /k/.

Key Concept

Consonant sound identification and orthographic variants of the /k/ sound
Question 43Question →

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:

breathe?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: clothing

Answer

clothing
The underlined letters 'th' in 'breathe' represent the voiced dental fricative consonant /ð/. Among all choices, 'clothing' is the only word pronounced with the identical voiced consonant sound /ð/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letters in the target word.
The underlined letters 'th' in 'breathe' /briːð/ represent the voiced dental fricative consonant sound /ð/.
Determining the exact phonetic sound of the stem word is necessary for comparison.
2
Analyze the consonant sound of the digraph 'th' in each given option.
'clothing' is pronounced /ˈkləʊðɪŋ/ with /ð/; 'breath' is /brɛθ/ with /θ/; 'panther' is /ˈpænθə/ with /θ/; 'stealth' is /stɛlθ/ with /θ/.
Distinguishing voiced /ð/ from voiceless /θ/ isolates the correct sound match.
3
Select the option that shares the identical consonant sound /ð/.
'clothing' is the only option containing the voiced dental fricative /ð/.
Matching identical phonetic sounds fulfills the exam prompt requirement.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Dental Fricatives (/ð/ vs /θ/)
Question 44Question →

Match each word in the left column with the correct phonetic consonant sound produced by its underlined letter(s) in the right column.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

monarch
chute
choir
schism

Matches

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Answer

'monarch' matches /k/, 'chute' matches /ʃ/, 'choir' matches /kw/, and 'schism' matches /s/.
Each word features a distinct phonetic realization of consonant digraphs: 'monarch' utilizes the velar plosive /k/, 'chute' uses the postalveolar fricative /ʃ/, 'choir' is articulated with the cluster /kw/, and 'schism' reduces the initial trigraph to the alveolar fricative /s/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of the underlined digraph in 'monarch'.
The final digraph 'ch' sounds like /k/ as in 'cat'.
Greek-derived words ending in '-arch' commonly realize 'ch' as /k/.
2
Determine the sound produced by the underlined digraph in 'chute'.
The initial digraph 'ch' sounds like /ʃ/ as in 'shoe'.
Words of recent French origin retain the /ʃ/ pronunciation for orthographic 'ch'.
3
Identify the sound cluster of 'ch' in 'choir'.
The initial 'ch' produces the phonetic sequence /kw/ as in 'quire'.
The irregular historical evolution of 'choir' results in an initial /kw/ articulation.
4
Determine the sound of the initial trigraph 'sch' in 'schism'.
The 'sch' spelling yields the simple /s/ consonant sound as in 'sister'.
In standard modern Received Pronunciation and English phonetics, 'schism' is pronounced starting with /s/.

Key Concept

Phonetic Realization of Consonant Digraphs and Silent Elements
Question 45Question →

Complete the statement below by filling in the correct phonetic symbol representing the consonant sound produced by the underlined letter(s).

Fill in the blanks below

In the word 'exaggerate', the letter 'x' is phonetically realized as the voiced consonant sequence .
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Answer

The phonetic realization of the letter 'x' in 'exaggerate' is the consonant sound sequence /ɡz/.
In the word 'exaggerate', the letter 'x' represents the voiced consonant cluster /ɡz/ because it occurs immediately before an accented vowel sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the phonetic transcription of the target word 'exaggerate'.
The word 'exaggerate' is transcribed phonetically as /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/.
Determining the correct IPA transcription reveals the exact consonant sound cluster produced.
2
Analyze the sound pattern rule for orthographic 'x'.
When 'x' precedes a stressed vowel sound (as in 'exaggerate', 'examine', or 'exert'), it produces the voiced cluster /ɡz/.
The voicing assimilates to the surrounding voiced vowel sounds, contrasting with voiceless environments where 'x' is pronounced /ks/.

Key Concept

Phonetic Realization of Orthographic 'x'
Question 46Question →

Which of the following correct pairings links each given word (with underlined consonant spellings) to its corresponding phonetic consonant sound?

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

schism (underlined: sch)
rough (underlined: gh)
vision (underlined: s)
soldier (underlined: d)

Matches

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Answer

'schism' matches /s/, 'rough' matches /f/, 'vision' matches /ʒ/, and 'soldier' matches /dʒ/.
Each word correctly aligns with its exact consonant phoneme: 'schism' has /s/, 'rough' has /f/, 'vision' has /ʒ/, and 'soldier' has /dʒ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sound of the underlined trigraph 'sch' in 'schism'.
The spelling 'sch' in 'schism' yields the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/.
In English words of Greek origin like 'schism', 'sch' produces the simple /s/ consonant sound.
2
Identify the sound of the underlined digraph 'gh' in 'rough'.
The terminal digraph 'gh' produces the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/.
In words such as 'rough', 'tough', and 'cough', the grapheme 'gh' is phonetically realized as /f/.
3
Determine the sound of the underlined letter 's' in 'vision'.
The intervocalic 's' produces the voiced post-alveolar fricative /ʒ/.
The spelling 's' preceding suffix '-ion' undergoes palatalization to yield /ʒ/.
4
Examine the sound of the underlined letter 'd' in 'soldier'.
The letter 'd' produces the voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/.
Palatalization transforms the alveolar plosive /d/ into the affricate /dʒ/ in 'soldier'.

Key Concept

Orthographic variations and non-standard grapheme-to-phoneme mappings in English consonant sounds.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 47Question →

Fill in each blank with the correct phonetic symbol representing the consonant sound of the underlined letter(s).

Fill in the blanks below

In the word 'laugh', the underlined digraph 'gh' represents the consonant sound , whereas in the word 'shepherd', the underlined letter sequence 'ph' represents the consonant sound .
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Answer

The letters 'gh' in 'laugh' produce the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/, while 'ph' in 'shepherd' produces the voiceless bilabial plosive /p/.
The correct phonetic sound for 'gh' in 'laugh' is /f/, as seen in standard IPA transcriptions (/lɑːf/). The correct phonetic sound for 'ph' in 'shepherd' is /p/, as the word derives historically from 'sheep-herd' (/ˈʃɛpəd/).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pronunciation of the underlined digraph 'gh' in 'laugh'.
The word 'laugh' is pronounced /lɑːf/, where 'gh' articulates as the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/.
English etymology maps certain historical 'gh' spellings to the /f/ sound at the end of words.
2
Analyze the pronunciation of the underlined letter sequence 'ph' in 'shepherd'.
The word 'shepherd' originates from 'sheep-herd' and is pronounced /ˈʃɛpəd/, where 'ph' articulates as the voiceless bilabial plosive /p/.
In compound words like 'shepherd', 'p' and 'h' belong to separate morphemes, so 'ph' does not form the Greek-derived /f/ digraph sound.

Key Concept

Orthographic variations and morphophonemic rules of English consonant sounds
Question 48Question →

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:

guest

Show answer & explanation

Answer: guitar

Answer

guitar
The underlined letter 'g' in 'guest' represents the voiced velar plosive /ɡ/. The word 'guitar' also articulates the letter 'g' as /ɡ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letter in the stem word.
In the word 'guest', the letter 'g' represents the hard voiced velar plosive sound /ɡ/.
The digraph 'gu' before 'e' preserves the hard /ɡ/ sound.
2
Analyze the consonant sound of the target letters in each given option.
'germ' produces /dʒ/, 'guitar' produces /ɡ/, 'genius' produces /dʒ/, and 'gnaw' has a silent 'g'.
Different spelling patterns and historical origins determine whether 'g' is pronounced as /ɡ/, /dʒ/, or left silent.
3
Match the option that shares the exact same consonant sound /ɡ/.
'guitar' shares the /ɡ/ sound with 'guest'.
Both words use the letter 'g' (followed by 'u') to represent the voiced velar plosive /ɡ/.

Key Concept

Hard vs Soft Consonants (/ɡ/ vs /dʒ/) and Silent Letters
Question 49Question →

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

breathe

Show answer & explanation

Answer: worthy

Answer

The word with the same consonant sound is 'worthy'.
In the word 'breathe', the underlined digraph 'th' produces the voiced dental fricative sound /ð/. Among the given options, 'worthy' is the only word in which 'th' also represents the voiced sound /ð/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the consonant sound represented by the underlined letters in the target word.
The underlined digraph 'th' in the verb 'breathe' represents the voiced dental fricative sound, phonetically transcribed as /ð/.
Determining the exact phonetic sound of the underlined element is necessary to compare it against the options.
2
Analyze the pronunciation of the digraph 'th' in each provided option.
'breath' has /θ/ (voiceless), 'path' has /θ/ (voiceless), 'growth' has /θ/ (voiceless), and 'worthy' has /ð/ (voiced).
Phonetic analysis reveals which option shares the identical voiced consonant sound /ð/.
3
Select the matching option.
'worthy' contains the voiced dental fricative /ð/, identical to 'breathe'.
Matching identical phonetic consonant sounds satisfies the question requirement.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Dental Fricatives (/ð/ vs /θ/)
Question 50Question →

Complete the statement by providing the correct phonetic consonant sound represented by the underlined letter(s) in each word.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word 'monarch', the digraph 'ch' represents the consonant sound , whereas in the French loanword 'cache', the letters 'che' represent the consonant sound .
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Answer

The consonant sound in 'monarch' is /k/, and the consonant sound in 'cache' is /ʃ/.
The word 'monarch' contains the voiceless velar plosive sound /k/, while 'cache' contains the voiceless postalveolar fricative sound /ʃ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic realization of the digraph 'ch' in 'monarch'.
In words of Greek origin like 'monarch', the spelling 'ch' corresponds to the voiceless velar plosive /k/.
Etymology influences consonant pronunciation; Greek loanwords with 'ch' are typically pronounced as /k/ rather than /tʃ/.
2
Identify the phonetic realization of 'che' in 'cache'.
In words of French origin like 'cache', the spelling 'che' corresponds to the voiceless postalveolar fricative /ʃ/.
French loanwords preserve the fricative /ʃ/ sound for the 'ch'/'che' spelling pattern.

Key Concept

Phonetic variation of the consonant digraph 'ch' across etymological origins (/k/ vs /ʃ/)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 51Question →

Match each word containing underlined letter(s) on the left with the correct phonetic consonant sound it represents on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

ch in choir
wh in whistle
s in measure
mb in tomb

Matches

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Answer

'ch in choir' matches 'The voiceless velar plosive /k/'; 'wh in whistle' matches 'The voiced labio-velar approximant /w/'; 's in measure' matches 'The voiced post-alveolar fricative /ʒ/'; and 'mb in tomb' matches 'The voiced bilabial nasal /m/'.
Each word features a distinct orthographic representation for its consonant sound: 'ch' in 'choir' is pronounced /k/, 'wh' in 'whistle' is pronounced /w/, 's' in 'measure' is pronounced /ʒ/, and 'mb' in 'tomb' ends in the silent-b nasal sound /m/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sound produced by 'ch' in 'choir'
Despite the 'ch' spelling, 'choir' is pronounced /ˈkwaɪər/, meaning 'ch' represents the /k/ sound.
Identify orthographic exceptions where 'ch' yields /k/ instead of /tʃ/ or /ʃ/.
2
Analyze the sound produced by 'wh' in 'whistle'
'whistle' is pronounced /ˈwɪs.əl/, making the initial sound /w/.
Identify initial digraph pronunciations where 'h' is silent.
3
Analyze the sound produced by 's' in 'measure'
'measure' is pronounced /ˈmeʒ.ər/, where 's' forms the /ʒ/ sound.
Recognize intervocalic 's' producing the voiced palato-alveolar/post-alveolar fricative /ʒ/.
4
Analyze the sound produced by 'mb' in 'tomb'
'tomb' is pronounced /tuːm/, meaning the 'b' is silent and only the nasal sound /m/ is articulated.
Apply the rule for silent 'b' following 'm' at the end of root words.

Key Concept

Phonetic realization of consonant spellings and silent letters
Question 52Question →

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:

machine

Show answer & explanation

Answer: chivalry

Answer

The word with the same consonant sound as the underlined 'ch' in 'machine' is 'chivalry'.
In the word 'machine', the underlined letters 'ch' represent the voiceless palato-alveolar fricative consonant sound /ʃ/. Among the choices, the word 'chivalry' uses the exact same consonant sound /ʃ/ for its 'ch' spelling.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letters in the target word.
The underlined digraph 'ch' in 'machine' (/məˈʃiːn/) represents the voiceless palato-alveolar fricative sound /ʃ/.
Correct phonetic identification of the target sound is necessary to compare with the options.
2
Analyze the pronunciation of the 'ch' spelling in each option.
'chivalry' is pronounced /ˈʃɪvəlri/ (/ʃ/ sound); 'character' is pronounced /ˈkærəktə/ (/k/ sound); 'charity' is pronounced /ˈtʃærəti/ (/tʃ/ sound); 'chaos' is pronounced /ˈkeɪɒs/ (/k/ sound).
Distinguishing between loanword pronunciations (/ʃ/), classical Greek derivatives (/k/), and native English/French affricates (/tʃ/) helps isolate the matching sound.
3
Select the option that contains the matching /ʃ/ sound.
'chivalry' correctly shares the /ʃ/ consonant sound with 'machine'.
Both words adopt French orthographic conventions where 'ch' represents /ʃ/.

Key Concept

Consonant Digraph Variant Sounds (/ʃ/ vs /k/ vs /tʃ/ for orthographic 'ch')
Estimated Time:45s
Question 53Question →

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:

path

Show answer & explanation

Answer: wealth

Answer

wealth
The underlined letters 'th' in 'path' represent the voiceless dental fricative consonant sound /θ/. Among the choices, 'wealth' also contains the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ at the end, making it the correct phonetic match.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the consonant sound represented by the underlined letters in the target word
The underlined letters 'th' in 'path' represent the voiceless dental fricative sound, phonetically transcribed as /θ/.
Determining the exact phonetic sound of the target word is necessary before evaluating the options.
2
Analyze the consonant sound produced by 'th' in each given option
'Teethe', 'loathe', and 'soothe' all feature the voiced dental fricative /ð/, whereas 'wealth' features the voiceless dental fricative /θ/.
Comparing the phonetic realization of 'th' across options isolates the word with the matching consonant sound.
3
Select the option with the matching consonant sound
'Wealth' is the correct match because both 'path' and 'wealth' end with the voiceless dental fricative /θ/.
Matching /θ/ in 'path' with /θ/ in 'wealth' satisfies the question criteria.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Dental Fricative Consonants (/θ/ vs /ð/)
Question 54Question →

In Oral English, orthographic representations of consonants can vary depending on word origin and phonetic context. Which consonant sound or sound property does the letter 'g' represent in each of the following words? Match each word on the left with its correct phonetic consonant sound on the right.

Click a left item, then click its matching right item

Items

resign
gist
guarantee
genre

Matches

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Answer

'resign' matches Silent consonant /∅/ (unpronounced); 'gist' matches Voiced postalveolar affricate /dʒ/; 'guarantee' matches Voiced velar plosive /g/; 'genre' matches Voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/.
Each word demonstrates a distinct realization of the letter 'g': 'resign' contains a silent 'g', 'gist' realizes the soft affricate /dʒ/, 'guarantee' realizes the hard velar plosive /g/, and 'genre' reflects the French loanword fricative /ʒ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of 'resign'.
The word 'resign' is transcribed phonetically as /rɪˈzaɪn/, where the letter 'g' is unpronounced.
Identify silent consonant patterns in English spellings.
2
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of 'gist'.
The word 'gist' is transcribed phonetically as /dʒɪst/, where 'g' represents the affricate /dʒ/.
Recognize soft 'g' pronunciation before front vowels.
3
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of 'guarantee'.
The word 'guarantee' is transcribed phonetically as /ˌɡærənˈtiː/, where 'g' represents the hard plosive /g/.
Identify standard voiced velar plosive sound.
4
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of 'genre'.
The word 'genre' is transcribed phonetically as /ˈʒɒ̃rə/, where 'g' represents the fricative /ʒ/.
Recognize loanword phonetic features from French.

Key Concept

Consonant Sounds and Orthographic Variations
Question 55Question →

Complete the statement below by supplying the correct phonetic symbol for the consonant sound represented by the digraph in each word.

Fill in the blanks below

In the word 'character', the digraph 'ch' produces the consonant sound , whereas in the word 'charlatan', 'ch' produces the consonant sound .
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Answer

blank_1: /k/; blank_2: /ʃ/
The digraph 'ch' has different consonant pronunciations based on word origins: in 'character' (Greek origin), it represents the voiceless velar plosive /k/, while in 'charlatan' (French origin), it represents the voiceless postalveolar fricative /ʃ/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic pronunciation of the digraph 'ch' in 'character'
The word 'character' is pronounced /ˈkærəktə(r)/, where 'ch' represents the voiceless velar plosive sound /k/.
In words of Greek origin such as 'character', 'chorus', and 'chemistry', the digraph 'ch' typically sounds as /k/.
2
Identify the phonetic pronunciation of the digraph 'ch' in 'charlatan'
The word 'charlatan' is pronounced /ˈʃɑːlətən/, where 'ch' represents the voiceless post-alveolar fricative sound /ʃ/.
In words borrowed from French such as 'charlatan', 'chef', and 'chiffon', the digraph 'ch' is pronounced as /ʃ/.

Key Concept

Phonetic Variations of Digraph 'ch' (/k/ vs /ʃ/)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 56Question →

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:

casualty

Show answer & explanation

Answer: precision

Answer

precision
In the target word 'casualty', the underlined letter 's' represents the voiced postalveolar fricative consonant sound /ʒ/. The word 'precision' also uses the letter 's' to represent this exact phonetic sound (/ʒ/).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the target consonant sound in the stem word.
In the word 'casualty', the underlined letter 's' is pronounced as the voiced postalveolar fricative sound /ʒ/.
Determining the exact phonetic transcription of the target sound is necessary before evaluating options.
2
Analyze the phonetic pronunciation of each option to locate the /ʒ/ sound.
The word 'precision' contains the /ʒ/ sound represented by the letter 's' (prɪˈsɪʒn), whereas 'passion' and 'session' contain /ʃ/, and 'casserole' contains /s/.
Comparing phonetic transcriptions isolates the matching consonant sound regardless of spelling differences.

Key Concept

Voiced Postalveolar Fricative Consonant Sound (/ʒ/)
Estimated Time:45s
Question 57Question →

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

Show answer & explanation

Answer: breeze

Answer

The word 'breeze' contains the same consonant sound (/z/) as the underlined letter 's' in 'business'.
The underlined letter 's' in 'business' is pronounced as the voiced alveolar fricative /z/. The word 'breeze' also features the voiced alveolar fricative /z/, making it the exact phonetic match.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic consonant sound produced by the underlined letter in the prompt word.
In the word 'business' (/ˈbɪznəs/), the underlined letter 's' is pronounced as the voiced alveolar fricative /z/.
The orthographic letter 's' occurring between a vowel and a voiced consonant in this position is articulated as /z/.
2
Analyze the consonant sound produced in each option.
'price' contains /s/, 'breeze' contains /z/, 'dense' contains /s/, and 'precious' contains /ʃ/ and /s/.
Evaluating each option's phonetic structure allows isolation of the target /z/ sound.
3
Select the option that matches the target consonant sound.
'breeze' is the correct match.
Both the underlined letter in 'business' and the word 'breeze' share the identical voiced consonant sound /z/.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Consonant Contrast (/z/ vs /s/)
Question 58Question →

Complete the statement by supplying the correct phonetic symbol for the consonant sound represented by the underlined letters.

Fill in the blanks below

The digraph 'th' in the word 'clothing' represents the voiced dental fricative consonant sound transcribed phonetically as //.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

The consonant sound represented by 'th' in 'clothing' is the voiced dental fricative /ð/.
In Oral English, the digraph 'th' in 'clothing' produces a voiced dental fricative sound, which is transcribed phonetically using the symbol /ð/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the pronunciation of the digraph 'th' in the word 'clothing'.
The vocal cords vibrate during the articulation of 'th' in 'clothing', making it a voiced sound.
This contrasts with the voiceless 'th' sound found in words like 'cloth' or 'thought'.
2
Determine the corresponding International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbol.
The symbol for the voiced dental fricative is /ð/.
In standard phonetic transcription, /ð/ represents the voiced dental fricative, whereas /θ/ represents the voiceless dental fricative.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Dental Fricatives (/ð/ vs /θ/)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 59Question →

Complete the statement by identifying the correct phonetic symbol for the consonant sound in each word.

Fill in the blanks below

In the preposition 'of', the consonant letter 'f' represents the voiced labiodental fricative //, whereas in the word 'off', the double letter 'ff' represents the voiceless labiodental fricative //.
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Answer

The consonant sound in 'of' is represented by the phonetic symbol /v/, and the sound in 'off' is represented by /f/.
The letter 'f' in the word 'of' is realized phonetically as the voiced fricative /v/, whereas the double letter 'ff' in 'off' corresponds to the voiceless fricative /f/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Examine the phonetic realization of the letter 'f' in the word 'of'.
The letter 'f' in 'of' is pronounced with vocal cord vibration, making it the voiced labiodental fricative /v/.
English orthography uses the letter 'f' in 'of' as an exceptional spelling for the voiced sound /v/.
2
Examine the phonetic realization of the letters 'ff' in the word 'off'.
The letters 'ff' in 'off' are pronounced without vocal cord vibration, producing the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/.
The digraph 'ff' reliably represents the voiceless consonant sound /f/.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Consonant Contrast and Orthographic Exceptions
Question 60Question →

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 below?

breathe

Show answer & explanation

Answer: soothing

Answer

The word 'soothing' contains the same voiced dental fricative sound /ð/ as the underlined letters in 'breathe'.
The underlined digraph 'th' in 'breathe' is pronounced as the voiced dental fricative consonant sound /ð/. Among the options, 'soothing' also contains this voiced sound /ð/.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the phonetic consonant sound of the underlined letters in the target word
The underlined letters 'th' in the verb 'breathe' represent the voiced dental fricative sound /ð/.
In 'breathe' (/briːð/), the vocal cords vibrate when producing the 'th' sound.
2
Analyze the consonant sound represented by 'th' in each option
'breath', 'length', and 'growth' contain the voiceless dental fricative /θ/, while 'soothing' contains the voiced dental fricative /ð/.
Phonetic transcriptions: breath (/breθ/), length (/leŋθ/), growth (/ɡrəʊθ/), and soothing (/ˈsuːðɪŋ/).
3
Match the target sound to the correct word
The word 'soothing' shares the exact voiced dental fricative sound /ð/.
Both 'breathe' and 'soothing' articulate the voiced dental fricative /ð/.

Key Concept

Voiced vs. Voiceless Dental Fricatives (/ð/ vs. /θ/)
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