University of Central Florida (UCF) SPA3112 Basic Phonetics Midterm Practice Exam

The sound produced by constricting airflow completely is classified as a stop. In phonetics, stops are consonant sounds created by momentarily blocking the airflow in the vocal tract, which is then released. This complete closure prevents any air from escaping, creating a burst of sound upon release. Examples of stop sounds include [p], [b], [t], [d], [k], and [g].

In contrast, fricatives involve a narrow constriction that allows for turbulent airflow, generating a continuous sound rather than a complete stop. Nasals are produced with airflow through the nasal cavity while the oral cavity is blocked, and glides involve a more open articulation that allows for airflow without complete closure. Understanding these distinctions is essential for identifying and producing various speech sounds accurately.