Phonetics Test

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1. Weak forms are used mainly when the word is unstressed

Explanation

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.

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About This Quiz
Phonetics Test - Quiz

This PHONETICS TEST assesses understanding of English phonetic concepts such as stress patterns, yod coalescence, liaison, and intrusive 'r'. It is designed to evaluate the learner's knowledge of phonetic assimilation and timing in English, crucial for language proficiency.

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2. Yod  coalescence is a wind of assimilation

Explanation

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.

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3. Liaison should not be applied in English.

Explanation

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.

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4. Suffix-ette belongs to suffixes which carry the stress

Explanation

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.

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5. Suffix 'graphy' influences stress in the stem of a word

Explanation

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.

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6. Prepositions if found at the end of a utterance, appear in their strong form

Explanation

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.

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7. The linking "r" is used only after certain vowels

Explanation

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.

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8. In case of morphologically simple words there is a tendency to stress? Diphthongs and the ones, which end with more than one consonant

Explanation

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.

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9. Every English word has both primary and secondary stress

Explanation

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.

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10. Alveolar consonants are stable, i.e. not likely to undergo elision or assimilation

Explanation

Alveolar consonants are not stable and are likely to undergo elision or assimilation.

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11. In longer words often more syllables than one must be stressed

Explanation

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.

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12. The articles never occur in their strong forms

Explanation

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.

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13. In English stressed syllables tend to occur at equal intervals of time

Explanation

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.

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14. Suprasegmental phonetics deals with the sounds produced in the upper part of the vocal tract

Explanation

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.

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15. English is a syllable timed language

Explanation

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.

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16. The antepenultimate syllable is the second syllable from the end of a word

Explanation

The statement is false because the antepenultimate syllable is actually the third syllable from the end of a word, not the second.

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17. In longer words with late stress we might have three winds of stress

Explanation

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.

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18. Words with identical spelling, e.g. abstract or produce have an early stress? Nouns and adjectives

Explanation

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.

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19. An English foot can begins either with a stressed or unstressed syllable

Explanation

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.

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20. The intrusive r occurs whenever one word ends and another begins with a vowel

Explanation

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.

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Weak forms are used mainly when the word is unstressed
Yod  coalescence is a wind of assimilation
Liaison should not be applied in English.
Suffix-ette belongs to suffixes which carry the stress
Suffix 'graphy' influences stress in the stem of a word
Prepositions if found at the end of a utterance, appear in their...
The linking "r" is used only after certain vowels
In case of morphologically simple words there is a tendency to stress?...
Every English word has both primary and secondary stress
Alveolar consonants are stable, i.e. not likely to undergo elision or...
In longer words often more syllables than one must be stressed
The articles never occur in their strong forms
In English stressed syllables tend to occur at equal intervals of time
Suprasegmental phonetics deals with the sounds produced in the upper...
English is a syllable timed language
The antepenultimate syllable is the second syllable from the end of a...
In longer words with late stress we might have three winds of stress
Words with identical spelling, e.g. abstract or produce have an early...
An English foot can begins either with a stressed or unstressed...
The intrusive r occurs whenever one word ends and another begins with...
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