Which of the following describes the position of 'ʌ'?

The correct description of the vowel 'ʌ' is Mid, Central, Lax. This vowel, commonly found in words like "cut" or "mud," is articulated with the tongue at a mid-height position in the mouth, aligning it within the central region of the vowel space. The term "lax" indicates that this vowel is produced with less tension in the vocal tract compared to tense vowels, allowing for more relaxed articulation.

Recognizing the characteristics of 'ʌ' as a mid-central lax vowel helps in understanding its phonetic properties in contrast to other vowel classifications. In phonetics, vowels are categorized based on height (high, mid, low), backness (front, central, back), and tension (tense, lax). The property of being lax means it is produced with a more relaxed configuration of the articulators, distinguishing it from tense vowels, which require more muscular effort.

The other descriptions do not accurately match 'ʌ', as they either indicate incorrect height, central position, or tension level, thus misrepresenting the vowel's true phonetic nature. Understanding these subtleties is essential for correctly identifying and categorizing vowels in phonetic studies.