Which sounds are classified as plosive sounds?

• A. /s/, /z/, /f/, /v/
• B. /p/, /k/, /t/, /g/
• C. /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/
• D. /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/

Answer: (C)

Plosive sounds, also known as stops, are characterized by a complete stoppage of airflow followed by a sudden release. This can be observed in the sounds /p/, /b/, /t/, and /d/.

To further understand why these sounds are classified as plosives:

• The sounds /p/ and /b/ are produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract using the lips. The /p/ sound is voiceless, meaning the vocal cords do not vibrate, while /b/ is voiced.

• The sounds /t/ and /d/ involve the tongue contacting the alveolar ridge (the bony ridge in the roof of the mouth just behind the upper front teeth). Similar to /p/ and /b/, /t/ is voiceless and /d/ is voiced.

The distinctive feature of plosives is that they require both a closure (or stop) of airflow and a release, which causes a burst of sound—this is not present in the other options where the sounds do not exhibit the same complete blockage and sudden release characteristics.