Phonetics Test
Questions and Answers
- 1.
In longer words with late stress we might have three winds of stress
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
In longer words with late stress, we do not have three winds of stress. This statement implies that longer words have three syllables with stress occurring on the final syllable. However, this is incorrect. Longer words can have stress on different syllables depending on their pronunciation and word structure. Therefore, the correct answer is false.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Yod coalescence is a wind of assimilation
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Yod coalescence refers to the phonological process in which the sound /j/ (represented by the letter "y") merges or assimilates with a preceding consonant. This means that the /j/ sound is no longer pronounced separately, but instead becomes part of the preceding consonant. Therefore, the statement "Yod coalescence is a wind of assimilation" is true, as it accurately describes the process of assimilation that occurs in yod coalescence.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Liaison should not be applied in English.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Liaison should be applied in English. In phonetics, liaison refers to the pronunciation of a normally silent consonant at the end of a word when the following word begins with a vowel sound. This is common in French, but it also occurs in English in certain cases. For example, in the phrase "an apple," the /n/ sound at the end of "an" is pronounced before the vowel sound in "apple." Therefore, the statement "Liaison should not be applied in English" is incorrect.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The intrusive r occurs whenever one word ends and another begins with a vowel
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement is false because the intrusive "r" occurs when a word ends with a vowel sound and the following word begins with a vowel sound, not just whenever one word ends and another begins with a vowel.Rate this question:
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- 5.
English is a syllable timed language
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
English is not a syllable-timed language. It is a stress-timed language, which means that the time between stressed syllables is relatively equal, while the time between unstressed syllables can vary. In syllable-timed languages, each syllable is given equal time and emphasis. This distinction is important for understanding the rhythm and flow of the language.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The articles never occur in their strong forms
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement suggests that articles (a, an, the) never occur in their strong forms. However, this is not true. Articles do not have strong or weak forms like some other parts of speech. They are used in their standard form regardless of the context or emphasis. Therefore, the correct answer is False.Rate this question:
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- 7.
In English stressed syllables tend to occur at equal intervals of time
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In English, stressed syllables tend to occur at equal intervals of time. This means that when speaking, stressed syllables are generally pronounced with a consistent duration or length. This is a characteristic of English pronunciation and helps to create rhythm and emphasis in speech.Rate this question:
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- 8.
An English foot can begins either with a stressed or unstressed syllable
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
English feet in poetry always begin with a stressed syllable, not an unstressed one. In English meter, each foot consists of one stressed syllable followed by one or more unstressed syllables. Therefore, the correct answer is False.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Weak forms are used mainly when the word is unstressed
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Weak forms are used mainly when the word is unstressed. This means that certain words can have different pronunciations depending on their importance in a sentence. In weak forms, the vowel sounds are often reduced or changed to a schwa sound, making them less prominent and easier to pronounce quickly. This is common in connected speech, where words that are not emphasized tend to be pronounced with weak forms. Therefore, it is true that weak forms are used mainly when the word is unstressed.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Prepositions if found at the end of a utterance, appear in their strong form
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Prepositions in English typically appear before the noun or pronoun they modify. However, in certain situations, prepositions can be placed at the end of a sentence or clause. When this occurs, they are known as "prepositions at the end" or "terminal prepositions." In these cases, prepositions are usually used in their strong form, which means they are not split or separated from the noun or pronoun they relate to. Therefore, the statement "Prepositions if found at the end of a utterance, appear in their strong form" is true.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Suffix-ette belongs to suffixes which carry the stress
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true because the suffix "-ette" is a diminutive suffix that is used to indicate a smaller or lesser version of something. When this suffix is added to a word, it typically carries the stress and emphasizes the smaller or lesser quality of the word. Therefore, "Suffix-ette" belongs to the group of suffixes that carry the stress.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Every English word has both primary and secondary stress
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
English words do not necessarily have both primary and secondary stress. While some words do have primary stress, indicated by a higher pitch or volume, not all words have secondary stress. Secondary stress is a less prominent stress pattern and is not present in every word. Therefore, the statement that every English word has both primary and secondary stress is false.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Alveolar consonants are stable, i.e. not likely to undergo elision or assimilation
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Alveolar consonants are not stable and are likely to undergo elision or assimilation.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Suffix ‘graphy’ influences stress in the stem of a word
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The suffix '-graphy' influences stress in the stem of a word. This means that when '-graphy' is added to a word, it affects the syllable that receives the primary emphasis or stress. This is true because the addition of '-graphy' changes the structure of the word and can shift the stress to a different syllable.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Suprasegmental phonetics deals with the sounds produced in the upper part of the vocal tract
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Suprasegmental phonetics actually refers to the aspects of speech that go beyond individual sounds, such as stress, intonation, and rhythm. It does not specifically deal with the sounds produced in the upper part of the vocal tract. Therefore, the correct answer is false.Rate this question:
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- 16.
In longer words often more syllables than one must be stressed
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In longer words, it is often necessary to stress more than one syllable. This is because longer words tend to have multiple syllables, and each syllable needs to be stressed to properly pronounce the word. Stressing syllables helps to give the word its correct rhythm and emphasis. Therefore, the statement "In longer words often more syllables than one must be stressed" is true.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The antepenultimate syllable is the second syllable from the end of a word
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement is false because the antepenultimate syllable is actually the third syllable from the end of a word, not the second.Rate this question:
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- 18.
The linking “r” is used only after certain vowels
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true because in English, the letter "r" is typically only pronounced after certain vowels. This is known as the "r-controlled vowel" phenomenon. After vowels like "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u," the "r" sound is often heard, as in words like "car," "her," "bird," "for," and "fur." However, after other vowels like "u" in "cut" or "o" in "hot," the "r" sound is not typically pronounced. Therefore, the statement is correct.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Words with identical spelling, e.g. abstract or produce have an early stress? Nouns and adjectives
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement claims that words with identical spelling, such as abstract or produce, have an early stress. However, this is not true. In English, stress placement is not determined by the spelling of a word, but rather by its syllable structure and its part of speech. Therefore, words with identical spelling can have different stress patterns depending on whether they are used as nouns or adjectives.Rate this question:
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- 20.
In case of morphologically simple words there is a tendency to stress? Diphthongs and the ones, which end with more than one consonant
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In morphologically simple words, there is a tendency to stress diphthongs and words that end with more than one consonant. This means that these types of words are more likely to have the primary stress placed on them.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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May 07, 2018Quiz Created by
Sabry_lara
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