Which symbol among the given is a vowel?

Which symbol among the given is a vowel?

• A. /u:/
• B. /v/
• C. /f/
• D. /s/

Answer: (A)

In this case, the main idea is telling apart vowels from consonants using IPA symbols. A vowel is produced with an open vocal tract and without a constriction that creates friction; vowels are the voiced sounds with distinctive tongue position and lip rounding, often shown by vowel symbols in IPA. The symbol /u:/ fits this: it represents a long back high rounded vowel, with the colon indicating length. The other symbols are different kinds of consonants: /v/ and /f/ are labiodental fricatives (air is forced through a narrow gap between the lip and teeth), and /s/ is an alveolar fricative (air passes along the tongue and alveolar ridge to make noise). Because /u:/ is a vowel sound and the others are consonant sounds, the vowel is the correct choice.