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Phonetic Script Association Flashcards

7 cards from real MLAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Phonetic Script Association flashcards as text
  1. In a novel phonetic script, the symbol ⊕ consistently appears at the end of words that rhyme with 'moon.' Which word would most likely end with ⊕?

    Answer: tune

    Words rhyming with 'moon' share the /uːn/ sound, so 'tune' fits the pattern.

  2. A phonetic code uses doubled letters to indicate a long vowel. If 'bit' is written as 'bit,' how would 'beat' be written?

    Answer: beet

    Doubling the vowel letter signals a long vowel, so the long /iː/ in 'beat' becomes 'ee.'

  3. In a script where each consonant cluster is represented by a single unique symbol, which English word would require the MOST symbols under this system?

    Answer: strengths

    'Strengths' contains multiple distinct consonant clusters (str- and -ngths), requiring the most symbols.

  4. A learner sees that the MLAT phonetic symbol ∇ maps to the sound in 'ship' but not 'sip.' What phonetic distinction is being tested?

    Answer: The difference between /ʃ/ and /s/

    'Ship' has the fricative /ʃ/ while 'sip' has /s/, so the symbol marks that specific consonant contrast.

  5. A phonetic script assigns the symbol ◆ to any sound made with the lips pressed together. Which word's first sound would NOT receive ◆?

    Answer: vain

    The /v/ in 'vain' is made with the upper teeth and lower lip, not both lips pressed together.

  6. If a phonetic alphabet marks stress with an accent above the stressed vowel symbol, how many accent marks would the word 'education' require?

    Answer: 1

    'Education' has one primary stress (on 'ca'), so only one accent mark is needed under a primary-stress-only system.

  7. In a test script, the symbol Ω replaces any vowel that is reduced to a schwa in natural speech. Which word would have the MOST Ω symbols?

    Answer: petroleum

    'Petroleum' has multiple unstressed syllables that reduce to schwas in natural American English speech.