Nasals are consonant sounds produced with the nasal passage open, allowing air to escape through the nose, including /n/, /m/, and /ng/.

Study for the Western Governors University (WGU) EDUC2251 D669 Early Literacy Methods Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Nasals are consonant sounds produced with the nasal passage open, allowing air to escape through the nose, including /n/, /m/, and /ng/.

Explanation:
Nasals are consonants produced with the nasal passage open, meaning the velum is lowered so air can flow through the nose while the mouth forms a constriction. This is exactly what /n/, /m/, and /ŋ/ do—they let air escape through the nasal cavity rather than exclusively through the oral cavity. This distinguishes them from stops (air is blocked in the mouth at some point), fricatives (air is forced through a narrow gap to create friction), and affricates (a stop followed by a fricative). In English, the main nasal sounds are /m/ (bilabial), /n/ (alveolar), and /ŋ/ (velar), which aligns with the description given.

Nasals are consonants produced with the nasal passage open, meaning the velum is lowered so air can flow through the nose while the mouth forms a constriction. This is exactly what /n/, /m/, and /ŋ/ do—they let air escape through the nasal cavity rather than exclusively through the oral cavity. This distinguishes them from stops (air is blocked in the mouth at some point), fricatives (air is forced through a narrow gap to create friction), and affricates (a stop followed by a fricative). In English, the main nasal sounds are /m/ (bilabial), /n/ (alveolar), and /ŋ/ (velar), which aligns with the description given.

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