Which term describes consonant sounds produced without vibrating the vocal cords?

Which term describes consonant sounds produced without vibrating the vocal cords?

• A. Unvoiced
• B. Voiced
• C. Aspirated
• D. Nasal

Answer: (A)

Voicing is about whether the vocal cords vibrate during consonant production. When they don’t vibrate, the sound is unvoiced (voiceless). This describes consonants like p, t, k, f, s, and sh, where air is constricted and released without any vocal fold vibration. In contrast, voiced consonants such as b, d, g, v, z involve vibrating cords. The other terms describe different features: aspirated refers to an extra burst of breath after the release (can accompany unvoiced sounds), and nasal refers to air passing through the nose (as with m, n, ng) and is about placement and airflow, not primarily about cord vibration. So the term that fits sounds produced without vibrating the vocal cords is unvoiced.

Voicing is about whether the vocal cords vibrate during consonant production. When they don’t vibrate, the sound is unvoiced (voiceless). This describes consonants like p, t, k, f, s, and sh, where air is constricted and released without any vocal fold vibration. In contrast, voiced consonants such as b, d, g, v, z involve vibrating cords. The other terms describe different features: aspirated refers to an extra burst of breath after the release (can accompany unvoiced sounds), and nasal refers to air passing through the nose (as with m, n, ng) and is about placement and airflow, not primarily about cord vibration. So the term that fits sounds produced without vibrating the vocal cords is unvoiced.