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Phonetics Comprehension Questions

The document discusses phonetic comprehension questions. It covers topics like the parts of the vocal tract including three cavities, articulators which are the active speech organs, points of articulation which are the passive organs. It discusses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which was invented in 1888 to symbolize sounds. Speech sounds are classified into three groups - consonants which involve obstruction, and vowels. Places of articulation for consonants and characteristics used to describe vowels are also covered.

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Isabel Mendoza Santiago
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24 views2 pages

Phonetics Comprehension Questions

The document discusses phonetic comprehension questions. It covers topics like the parts of the vocal tract including three cavities, articulators which are the active speech organs, points of articulation which are the passive organs. It discusses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which was invented in 1888 to symbolize sounds. Speech sounds are classified into three groups - consonants which involve obstruction, and vowels. Places of articulation for consonants and characteristics used to describe vowels are also covered.

Uploaded by

Isabel Mendoza Santiago
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHONETICS COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. How many cavities are there in the human vocal tract?

It includes the oral cavity, the nasal cavity and the pharyngeal cavity (in the throat, behind the tongue).

2. What parts of the vocal tract are called articulators?

They are called active speech organs or articulators.

3. What parts of the vocal tract are called points of articulation?

The passive organs of speech are called points of articulation.

4. When was the IPA invented? Who invented it?

In 1888, interest in the scientific description of speech sounds led to phonetic Association International
(IPA) to develop a phonetic alphabet to symbolize the sounds of all languages

5. What are three groups sounds of speech are classified into?

The consonants and vowels.

6. Which of these groups are produces with some obstruction?

The consonants are produced by obstructing the flow of air through the vocal tract. There are a number
of places where these obstructions can take place.

7. How many pairs of voiced / unvoiced consonants are there in English?

8. Write the places of articulation.

 Lips ( labial )
 Teeth ( dental )
 Alveolar ridge ( alveolar)
 Hard palate ( palatal)
 Soft palate ( velar)
 Throat ( glottal)

9. The manner of articulation of some consonants implies complete obstruction. How is this manner
called?

Explosive / Stop Plosive sounds are prepared by forming a complete obstruction to the flow of air
through the mouth and nose
10. What is the difference between fricative and affricate manner of articulation.

Fricative A fricative is the type of consonant formed by forcing air through a narrow gap so that a
sibilant sound is created.

Affricate is an explosive immediately followed by a fricative in the same place of articulation.

11. What does it mean when we say that the sound is nasal?

A nasal consonant is a consonant in which air escapes only through the nose.

12. How many characteristics are used to describe vowels and what are they?

13. What is the difference in articulation between close and open vowel sounds?

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