Speech Organs: Function of Vocal Cords

Questions and Answers

What are the vocal cords compared to?

Two small metal bars (correct)

Two hollow tubes of bone

Two flat strips of rubber (correct)

Two round balls of cartilage

Where are the vocal cords located?

Along the esophagus

Across the nasal passage

Across the air passage (correct)

Behind the tongue

What are the vocal cords made of?

Bone tissue

Muscle fiber

Elastic cartilage

Elastic tissue (correct)

How many vocal cords are there?

Two Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the vocal cords?

Flat Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the alveolar ridge in English language?

It plays a crucial role in producing consonant sounds. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following consonant sounds is not made with the tongue near the alveolar ridge?

/x/ Signup and view all the answers

What happens when producing consonant sounds like /t d n l r s z d3…/?

The tongue touches or gets close to the alveolar ridge. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the tongue placed when producing consonant sounds like /t d n l r s z d3…/?

Near the alveolar ridge Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of consonant sounds like /t d n l r s z d3…/?

They are made with the tongue touching or close to the alveolar ridge. Signup and view all the answers

What are the vocal cords made of?

Elastic Tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the gap between the vocal cords called?

The Glottis Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the vocal cords when producing a voiceless sound?

They are drawn apart Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the vocal cords when producing a voiced sound?

They are pulled together Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the glottis?

To control airflow Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the vocal cords in sound production?

They create the sound waves Signup and view all the answers

What role does the soft palate play in producing sounds?

It allows air to pass behind it or above it into the nasal cavity. Signup and view all the answers

Which sounds are produced when the soft palate is lowered?

/n/, /m/, /ing/ Signup and view all the answers

What sounds can be produced when the soft palate is raised?

All sounds in oral speech. Signup and view all the answers

Which teeth are more important in producing English speech sounds?

Upper front teeth. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to airflow when the soft palate is closed?

Air flows through the mouth only. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the soft palate when it is in its lowered position?

It allows breath to pass behind it and into the nasal cavity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sounds is produced when air passes through the nasal cavity?

The sound of /m/. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the soft palate when we produce the sounds /m/, /n/, and /ing/?

It remains lowered. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the soft palate in breathing?

To control the direction of airflow. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the soft palate when we swallow?

It is raised to block off the nasal cavity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Speech Organs in English

Vocal cords: two small bands of elastic tissue that can be moved towards each other to meet and cover the windpipe, or drawn apart to create a gap called the glottis.

Glottis and Sound Production

Glottis: the opening between the vocal cords.
Voiceless sounds: made with vocal cords drawn apart, allowing air to pass freely with no vibration.
Voiced sounds: made with vocal cords pulled together, restricting airflow and producing vibration.

The Role of the Tongue

Many consonant sounds (/t d n l r s z d3/) are made by touching or approaching the alveolar ridge with the tongue.

The Soft Palate

In a lowered position, the soft palate allows breath to pass behind it and up into the nasal cavity, producing nasal sounds like /m/, /n/, and /ing/.
In a raised position, the soft palate directs airflow towards the mouth, producing oral sounds.
The soft palate plays a crucial role in determining the type of sound produced (oral or nasal).

The Teeth in Speech

The two upper front teeth are used to some extent in English speech, while the lower front teeth are not important.

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Description

Learn about the speech organs and how the vocal cords work in producing speech sounds. Understand the role of these two small bands of elastic tissue.