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

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the NYSTCE ESOL exam with our practice quizzes. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations to enhance your readiness. Master the test!

Practice this question and more.


What is a labial consonant sound?

  1. Sound produced by the throat

  2. Sound produced by the top and bottom lips coming together

  3. Sound produced by the tongue against the roof of the mouth

  4. Sound that has no voice

The correct answer is: Sound produced by the top and bottom lips coming together

A labial consonant sound is produced by bringing the top and bottom lips together. This articulation relies on both lips to create the auditory effect, resulting in sounds such as "b," "p," and "m." These sounds are classified as labial because they involve the lips as the primary articulators. The other options describe different types of sounds. The option regarding sounds produced by the throat refers to glottal sounds, which involve the vocal cords, while the choice mentioning the tongue against the roof of the mouth refers to alveolar or palatal sounds, where the tongue plays a crucial role. The last option describes voiceless sounds, which may be produced in various ways but do not specifically pertain to labial articulation. Thus, understanding the concept of labial consonants enriches knowledge of phonetics in language instruction, especially for English language learners.