Phonetics Quiz

Speech melody refers to the variations in the pitch of the voice. It is the rise and fall in the tone of voice while speaking, which adds expressiveness and emotion to the speech. Pitch refers to the highness or lowness of a sound, and in the context of speech, it determines the frequency of the voice. Therefore, pitch is the most appropriate term to describe the variations in the voice that make up speech melody.

The correct transcription of the word "pretty" is [priti].

The question is asking about the possible variations of kinetic tones based on the direction of the pitch range. The correct answer states that kinetic tones can be fall, rise, fall-rise, or rise-fall, indicating that the pitch can either decrease, increase, have a combination of both, or have a combination of rise and then fall. This answer provides a comprehensive range of possibilities for the direction of the pitch range in kinetic tones.

The transcription [sain] accurately represents the pronunciation of the word "sign". The "ai" combination in the word is pronounced as a long "i" sound, similar to the word "rain".

Complex tones have an implicatory meaning from a semantic point of view. This means that they convey a deeper or hidden message beyond their literal or straightforward interpretation. Implicatory tones often involve implied meanings, suggestions, or indirect communication, allowing for more nuanced and complex expressions.

The correct answer is [sil]. This transcription accurately represents the pronunciation of the word "sill". The brackets indicate that the pronunciation is represented using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). In this case, the word is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a "l" sound.

Timber refers to the unique quality or characteristic of a sound produced by a particular instrument or voice. It is determined by the harmonics and overtones present in the sound, which give it a distinct tonal coloring. In the context of the question, timber is specifically referring to the tonal coloring of the speaker's voice, indicating that it is describing the unique qualities and characteristics of the speaker's voice that contribute to its overall sound.

An intonation group is a whole sentence or part of it that contains at least one accented word which carries a marked change in pitch. It is pronounced without any pause inside it.

The nuclear tone of the non-final group is determined by the degree of its semantic independence and completeness. This means that the tone used in the non-final group is influenced by how much it can stand alone and convey meaning on its own, as well as how complete the meaning is within that group. The choice of tone will vary depending on these factors, as they affect the overall communicative effectiveness of the utterance.

The scale, also known as the Head, starts with the first stressed syllable. This means that the first syllable of the scale is emphasized or given more prominence in terms of stress.

The complex tone "Low Rise + Fall" suggests a combination of mystification and persuasiveness. This tone implies that the speaker or writer is trying to both confuse and convince the audience. They may use intricate language or arguments to create a sense of mystery or ambiguity, while also attempting to persuade or influence the listener or reader. This tone can be effective in engaging the audience and keeping them intrigued while also trying to sway their opinions or beliefs.

The correct answer is "speed of speaking". Tempo refers to the pace or speed at which someone speaks. It determines how fast or slow someone's speech is. It is a measure of the rate at which words are spoken and can vary depending on the individual's speaking style and the context of the communication.

The correct transcription of the word "limb" is [lim].

The correct answer is "Tail". In linguistics, the tail refers to any syllables that come after the nucleus of a tone-unit. The nucleus is the most prominent syllable in terms of pitch and intensity, and the tail consists of any syllables that follow it. This distinction is important in the study of tone and intonation patterns in languages.

The given correct answer is "divided". The explanation for this is that the question states that the Fall-Rise may cover several words, implying that it is divided into multiple parts or segments. Therefore, the form of the Fall-Rise that covers several words is called "divided".

The correct answer is "periodic recurrence of units of different size and level". This answer accurately describes the concept of rhythm, which refers to the pattern of beats or accents in a piece of music or poetry. Rhythm involves the repetition of units, such as notes or syllables, at regular intervals, creating a sense of pattern and structure. These units can vary in size and intensity, adding complexity and interest to the overall rhythm.

The transcription of the word "pint" is [paint].

When the voice at the beginning of a syllable is higher than at its end, it indicates a decrease in pitch over the duration of the syllable. This is known as a falling effect of a pitch change. In other words, the pitch starts high and gradually decreases as the syllable is pronounced.

The correct answer is "less prominent than the second". In a Fall-Rise intonation pattern, the first element (the fall) is phonetically less prominent than the second element (the rise). This means that the pitch of the voice decreases during the fall, indicating a lower level of prominence or emphasis, and then rises during the rise, indicating a higher level of prominence or emphasis.

The term "diffuse" refers to the head with all notional words being stressed. This means that in a phrase or sentence, all the important or meaningful words are emphasized or given stress. This can help to convey the intended meaning and highlight the key points of the statement.

When we "tell" someone something, we are providing them with new information or sharing something they didn't previously know. This could be in the form of sharing facts, details, or personal experiences. "Telling" involves actively conveying information to someone, making it the correct answer in this context. "Highlighting" refers to emphasizing or drawing attention to something, while "referring" means mentioning or directing someone to something else.

Speakers use "High Key" to express things they consider to be contrary to what their hearers expect. These things contrast with something which has already been said or implied, or with something which is implicit in the context.

Emphatic tones are used in speech to enhance the importance or emphasis of specific elements within an utterance or the overall prominence of the utterance itself. By using emphatic tones, speakers can highlight certain words or phrases, conveying their significance or conveying a strong emotion or conviction. Emphatic tones help to grab the listener's attention and make the intended message more impactful and memorable.

The proper highlighted word in the answer is "MOTORBIKE" because it correctly identifies the type of vehicle that was hired.

The correct answer categorizes the types of Heads based on the distribution of relative prominence among semantic items in the prenuclear part of an intonation group. It states that there are three types of Heads: one-peak, double-peak, and several-peak. These types indicate the number of full and partial stresses in the Head, with one-peak having a single prominent stress, double-peak having two prominent stresses, and several-peak having multiple prominent stresses.

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The correct answer is "descending" because the head, which is formed with a series of stressed and unstressed syllables, is pronounced with each following stressed syllable being pronounced lower than the preceding one. This means that the pitch or tone of the stressed syllables decreases as you move through the head.

The combination of "High Rise + High Rise" suggests a repetition or doubling of the same element, which often leads to a sense of surprise or incredulity. This is because it is unexpected to have two high-rise buildings in close proximity or to encounter multiple instances of something that is typically rare or unusual. Therefore, the correct answer is "surprise, incredulity."

The complex tone "Fall Rise + Fall" indicates a sense of contrast. This tone suggests a change in pitch, starting with a fall, then rising, and finally falling again. This pattern creates a contrast between the initial fall and the subsequent rise, leading to a sense of contrast or juxtaposition in the overall tone.

The correct answer is "Highlighting." In the context of the question, prominence refers to the emphasis or importance given to certain elements in speech. When a speaker distributes prominence strategically, they are highlighting specific aspects of their utterance to convey their intended meaning effectively.

The correct answer is "level" because a series of stressed and unstressed syllables in the head are all pronounced on the same level. This means that there is no variation in the stress or emphasis placed on each syllable, resulting in a flat or level pronunciation.

Pre-head refers to all unstressed and partially stressed syllables that come before the first fully stressed syllable in a word. This term is commonly used in linguistics to describe the syllabic structure of words and the patterns of stress within them. The pre-head syllables provide a buildup of tension and anticipation before the main stressed syllable, helping to create rhythm and emphasis in speech.

Speakers use fall-rise tones in parts of utterances which contain ideas they think their hearers already know about or have experience of. This tone pattern indicates that the speaker is presenting information that is shared by both themselves and the hearers. It is used to signal that the speaker is referring to something that both parties are familiar with and can understand in the context of the conversation.

The term "Irregular Prehead" is applied to any prehead which is displaced in pitch from the normal position in the lower half or near the middle of the voice range. This means that the prehead, which is the initial part of a speech sound, is not in its usual position in terms of pitch. It is either higher or lower than expected. This irregularity in the prehead can affect the overall tone and quality of the voice.

The proper highlighted word in the answer is "hired".

Referring refers to the parts of utterances that contain ideas which the hearers already know about or have experience of. It involves mentioning or pointing to something that is familiar to the listener, allowing for effective communication and understanding. This helps in avoiding unnecessary repetition and allows for efficient communication by building on shared knowledge or experiences.

The rising tone is the appropriate referring tone for the dominant speaker to choose, but it would be inappropriate for the non-dominant speaker to use it. The rising tone typically indicates a question or uncertainty, and it can convey a lack of confidence or deference to the listener. In a dominant position, using a rising tone may suggest a lack of authority or assertiveness. However, for a non-dominant speaker, using a rising tone could be seen as submissive or seeking approval, which may not be appropriate in certain situations.

Nuclear shift refers to the displacement of the nuclear tone, which is typically placed on the last notional word in an utterance, to a word at the beginning or middle of the utterance. This shift in the placement of the nuclear tone is used to emphasize or highlight a particular word or phrase in the sentence. It helps to draw attention to the important information and adds emphasis to the speaker's intended meaning.

The correct answer is "stepping, sliding, scandеnt". In pitch movement within each stress-group, the heads may exhibit a stepping pattern, where the pitch rises or falls in a step-like manner. They may also show a sliding pattern, where the pitch smoothly glides up or down. Additionally, the heads can display a scandеnt pattern, where the pitch gradually ascends.

The term "nuclear tone" refers to the change in pitch that occurs in the last stressed syllable and the following unstressed ones. This change in pitch is a characteristic feature of certain tonal languages, where the pitch contour of a syllable can affect its meaning. The other options, "Head/Scale" and "Pre-head," do not specifically refer to this pitch change in the last stressed syllable and unstressed ones.

The correct answer is "Head / Scale". In prosody, a "head" refers to the first fully stressed syllable in a series of stressed and unstressed syllables. A "scale" refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that follow the head. This pattern may vary in pitch and typically ends before the last stressed syllable. Therefore, "Head / Scale" accurately describes the series of stressed and unstressed syllables in this context.

The term "ascending" accurately describes the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in the head. In an ascending pattern, each stressed syllable is pronounced higher than the preceding one, creating a rising or ascending rhythm. This contrasts with a descending pattern where each stressed syllable is pronounced lower than the preceding one. The term "stepping" does not accurately describe the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, so it is not the correct answer.

The complex tone "Fall + Fall Rise" indicates an apologetic flavor. This tone starts with a fall in pitch and then rises slightly before falling again. It conveys a sense of regret or apology, as the rise in pitch after the initial fall indicates a desire to reconcile or make amends. This tone is commonly used when someone is expressing remorse or seeking forgiveness.

The term "low key" refers to information that has the same meaning as the information that came immediately before or after it. It signifies that the information is not significantly different or stands out, but rather maintains a consistent or similar meaning.

The falling-rising nuclear tone in speech typically conveys a friendly meaning. This tone is often used to signal warmth, friendliness, and approachability. It can help create a positive and welcoming atmosphere in a conversation. The rising-falling pitch pattern suggests a rise in friendliness or enthusiasm followed by a gentle fall, indicating a friendly intention. This tone can be used to establish rapport and build a friendly connection with the listener.

The question is asking about the possible contours of pitch movement over the Head. Pitch refers to the perceived frequency of a sound, and the Head is likely referring to a musical composition or a specific section of a musical piece. The answer choices describe different types of pitch movement: descending (going down in frequency), ascending (going up in frequency), and level (maintaining a constant frequency). These options cover the range of possible pitch movements that can occur in a musical composition.

In poetry, the head refers to the initial stressed syllable of a line, followed by one or more unstressed syllables. These unstressed syllables are pronounced at the same level as the preceding stressed syllable. This rhythmic pattern is known as "stepping," where the stress is emphasized and the unstressed syllables are pronounced more softly. Therefore, the correct answer is "stepping."

The term "sliding" accurately describes the concept of the head in poetry, where stressed and unstressed syllables are pronounced with varying levels of pitch or volume. This creates a sliding effect in the rhythm of the poem. The other options, "descending" and "stepping," do not accurately capture this concept.

The complex tone "Fall + Fall" suggests a sense of insistence, energy, and dogmatism. This combination implies a strong and forceful tone, where the speaker is determined and unwavering in their beliefs or arguments. The repetition of the word "Fall" emphasizes the intensity and passion behind the tone, conveying a sense of conviction and assertiveness.

Speakers use falling tones in part of utterances which contain information they think is new for their hearer. This falling tone indicates that the speaker is making a statement or providing new information. It helps to signal that the speaker is confident about the information they are sharing and that it is not already known to the listener. This tone may also be used in response to a question, where the speaker is providing an answer that the listener does not already have.