Which term describes a consonant produced by a complete closure of the vocal tract followed by a release; includes /p/ /b/ /t/ /d/ /k/ /g/?

Which term describes a consonant produced by a complete closure of the vocal tract followed by a release; includes /p/ /b/ /t/ /d/ /k/ /g/?

• A. Velar
• B. Dental
• C. Nasal
• D. Plosive

Answer: (D)

Stops, or plosives, are consonants produced by a complete closure of the vocal tract that momentarily traps air, then releases it in a burst. The sounds p, b, t, d, k, and g are classic examples of this manner of articulation, spanning different places of articulation (bilabial, alveolar, velar) but sharing the same release mechanism. Because the defining feature is the total oral closure followed by a release, the right term for this set is plosive. Velar refers to where the constriction occurs (at the soft palate), which only covers some of these sounds. Nasal describes a different airflow pattern where air exits through the nose, not a released burst. Dental would indicate a constriction at the teeth, which doesn’t describe the whole group.

Stops, or plosives, are consonants produced by a complete closure of the vocal tract that momentarily traps air, then releases it in a burst. The sounds p, b, t, d, k, and g are classic examples of this manner of articulation, spanning different places of articulation (bilabial, alveolar, velar) but sharing the same release mechanism. Because the defining feature is the total oral closure followed by a release, the right term for this set is plosive.

Velar refers to where the constriction occurs (at the soft palate), which only covers some of these sounds. Nasal describes a different airflow pattern where air exits through the nose, not a released burst. Dental would indicate a constriction at the teeth, which doesn’t describe the whole group.