NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

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What does the sound 'h' in linguistics refer to?

A voiced sound produced by vocal cords
A silent letter in English words
A sound produced with a burst of air
A vowel sound in syllables

The correct answer is: A sound produced with a burst of air

The sound 'h' in linguistics refers to a sound produced with a burst of air, making it a voiceless glottal fricative. This explanation is consistent with the way 'h' is articulated; it is produced by expelling air from the lungs through the open vocal cords without vibrating them. This is why the sound can be recognized as airy, distinct from other more vocalized sounds. The notion that 'h' is a voiced sound is inaccurate because 'h' does not involve the vocal cords vibrating. Additionally, characterizing 'h' as a silent letter doesn't capture its phonetic role in English since 'h' is actively pronounced in most contexts. Lastly, labeling 'h' as a vowel sound is misleading, as 'h' functions as a consonant rather than creating the syllabic sounds typically associated with vowels. Thus, the description of 'h' as producing a burst of air most accurately reflects its phonetic characteristics.