Which of the following statements about consonants is true?

The statement that consonants can be both voiced or unvoiced is accurate. Voiced consonants occur when the vocal cords vibrate during the articulation of the sound, such as in the sounds /b/, /d/, and /g/. In contrast, unvoiced consonants are produced without this vocal cord vibration, like in the sounds /p/, /t/, and /k/. This distinction is crucial in phonetics and contributes to the different sounds and meanings in language.

Understanding that consonants encompass both voiced and unvoiced sounds is fundamental in phonetic analysis, as this characteristic affects how we produce and perceive individual sounds in spoken language. Additionally, recognizing the role of voicing supports the development of foundational skills in phonetics, such as distinguishing between sounds in minimal pairs.

The other choices do not hold true within the framework of consonant articulation. For instance, not all consonants are voiced, as demonstrated by the existence of unvoiced consonants. Consonants also typically involve some form of constriction or blockage in the vocal tract during their production, countering the notion that they lack a blockage point. Furthermore, while airflow is necessary for producing sounds, the specifics of how airflow interacts with the vocal tract can vary significantly