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Auditory Phonetics: How We Perceive Speech Sounds

Description: Auditory Phonetics: How We Perceive Speech Sounds
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: phonetics phonology speech perception
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What is the primary function of the auditory system in speech perception?

  1. To detect and analyze sound waves

  2. To generate motor commands for speech production

  3. To store and retrieve words from memory

  4. To interpret the meaning of speech


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The auditory system is responsible for detecting and analyzing sound waves, including those that carry speech information. This allows us to perceive and understand speech.

Which part of the auditory system is responsible for detecting sound waves?

  1. Cochlea

  2. Basilar membrane

  3. Hair cells

  4. Auditory nerve


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear that contains the basilar membrane and hair cells. When sound waves enter the cochlea, they cause the basilar membrane to vibrate, which in turn stimulates the hair cells. The hair cells then convert the mechanical vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.

What is the role of the basilar membrane in speech perception?

  1. To amplify sound waves

  2. To separate sounds by frequency

  3. To convert sound waves into electrical signals

  4. To transmit electrical signals to the brain


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The basilar membrane is a flexible membrane that runs the length of the cochlea. It is lined with hair cells that are tuned to different frequencies. When sound waves enter the cochlea, they cause the basilar membrane to vibrate, and the hair cells that are tuned to the frequencies of the sound waves are stimulated. This allows us to perceive different sounds based on their frequency.

What is the role of the hair cells in speech perception?

  1. To detect sound waves

  2. To amplify sound waves

  3. To convert sound waves into electrical signals

  4. To transmit electrical signals to the brain


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Hair cells are specialized cells that line the basilar membrane in the cochlea. When sound waves cause the basilar membrane to vibrate, the hair cells are stimulated and they convert the mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. These electrical signals are then sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.

What is the role of the auditory nerve in speech perception?

  1. To detect sound waves

  2. To amplify sound waves

  3. To convert sound waves into electrical signals

  4. To transmit electrical signals to the brain


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The auditory nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that carries electrical signals from the hair cells in the cochlea to the brain. These electrical signals represent the frequency and intensity of the sound waves that were detected by the hair cells.

Which part of the brain is responsible for processing speech sounds?

  1. Temporal lobe

  2. Frontal lobe

  3. Parietal lobe

  4. Occipital lobe


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The temporal lobe is responsible for processing auditory information, including speech sounds. It contains several areas that are involved in different aspects of speech perception, such as the primary auditory cortex, which is responsible for detecting and analyzing sound waves, and Wernicke's area, which is responsible for understanding the meaning of speech.

What is the role of the primary auditory cortex in speech perception?

  1. To detect and analyze sound waves

  2. To identify phonemes

  3. To understand the meaning of speech

  4. To produce speech


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The primary auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobe and is responsible for detecting and analyzing sound waves. It receives electrical signals from the auditory nerve and processes them to identify the frequency, intensity, and location of the sound source.

What is the role of Wernicke's area in speech perception?

  1. To detect and analyze sound waves

  2. To identify phonemes

  3. To understand the meaning of speech

  4. To produce speech


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Wernicke's area is located in the temporal lobe and is responsible for understanding the meaning of speech. It receives electrical signals from the primary auditory cortex and processes them to identify words and sentences. It also plays a role in language comprehension and production.

What is the difference between a phoneme and a phone?

  1. Phonemes are abstract units of sound, while phones are concrete sounds.

  2. Phonemes are represented by letters, while phones are represented by symbols.

  3. Phonemes are used in spoken language, while phones are used in written language.

  4. Phonemes are universal, while phones are language-specific.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Phonemes are abstract units of sound that represent the smallest units of speech that can distinguish one word from another. Phones are the concrete sounds that are produced when phonemes are spoken. For example, the phoneme /p/ can be produced as the sound [p] in the word "pat" or as the sound [b] in the word "bat".

How many phonemes are there in the English language?

  1. 26

  2. 44

  3. 60

  4. 80


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

There are 44 phonemes in the English language, including 20 vowel phonemes and 24 consonant phonemes.

What is the difference between a consonant and a vowel?

  1. Consonants are produced with a complete closure of the vocal tract, while vowels are produced with an open vocal tract.

  2. Consonants are produced with a vibration of the vocal cords, while vowels are produced without a vibration of the vocal cords.

  3. Consonants are produced with a high frequency, while vowels are produced with a low frequency.

  4. Consonants are produced with a long duration, while vowels are produced with a short duration.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Consonants are produced when there is a complete or partial closure of the vocal tract, which obstructs the flow of air. Vowels are produced when there is an open vocal tract, which allows air to flow freely.

What is the role of coarticulation in speech perception?

  1. To reduce the number of phonemes that need to be produced.

  2. To make speech more efficient and easier to produce.

  3. To make speech more intelligible and easier to understand.

  4. To allow for variation in speech production.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Coarticulation is the process of producing speech sounds in a continuous manner, without completely articulating each phoneme. This allows for a more efficient and easier production of speech, as well as making speech more intelligible and easier to understand.

What is the difference between top-down and bottom-up processing in speech perception?

  1. Top-down processing is based on prior knowledge and expectations, while bottom-up processing is based on the acoustic signal.

  2. Top-down processing is faster than bottom-up processing.

  3. Top-down processing is more accurate than bottom-up processing.

  4. Top-down processing is more important than bottom-up processing.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Top-down processing in speech perception refers to the use of prior knowledge and expectations to interpret the acoustic signal. Bottom-up processing refers to the analysis of the acoustic signal itself, without relying on prior knowledge or expectations.

What is the McGurk effect?

  1. The illusion of hearing a different sound when a visual stimulus is presented simultaneously with an auditory stimulus.

  2. The illusion of seeing a different object when an auditory stimulus is presented simultaneously with a visual stimulus.

  3. The illusion of feeling a different sensation when an auditory stimulus is presented simultaneously with a tactile stimulus.

  4. The illusion of smelling a different odor when an auditory stimulus is presented simultaneously with an olfactory stimulus.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The McGurk effect is an illusion of hearing a different sound when a visual stimulus is presented simultaneously with an auditory stimulus. For example, if you see someone saying "ba" while hearing the sound "ga", you may perceive the sound as "da".

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