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Orals : Consonant /s/ and /z/ - SS1 English Past Questions and Answers - page 1

1

Which of the following words begins with the /s/ sound?

 

A

zoo

B

sail

C

zebra

D

zone

correct option: b
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2

How are the /s/ and /z/ sounds produced?

A

By vibrating the vocal cords while air passes through the mouth

B

By clamping the lips together and releasing a burst of air

C

By forcing air through a small opening between the tongue and upper teeth

D

By curling the tongue and vibrating it against the roof of the mouth

correct option: c
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3

Which of the following words contains the /z/ sound?

A

HISS

B

BUS

C

JAZZ

D

SUN

correct option: c
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4

Which of the following statements is true?

 

A

The /s/ sound is voiced, while the /z/ sound is unvoiced.

B

The /s/ and /z/ sounds are both voiced consonants.

 

C

The /s/ sound is unvoiced, while the /z/ sound is voiced.

D

The /s/ and /z/ sounds are both unvoiced consonants.

correct option: c
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5

Describe the production of the /s/ and /z/ sounds, and provide examples of words that begin with each sound?.

The /s/ and /z/ sounds are both produced by forcing air through a small opening between the tongue and upper teeth. The difference between the two sounds is that the /s/ sound is voiceless, meaning that the vocal cords do not vibrate, while the /z/ sound is voiced, meaning that the vocal cords do vibrate. This creates a buzzing or humming sound for the /z/ sound. Examples of words that begin with the /s/ sound include "snake", "soup", and "smile". Examples of words that begin with the /z/ sound include "zebra", "zipper", and "zoo".

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6

Discuss how the /s/ and /z/ sounds are used in English, and provide examples of how they can change the meaning of words?.

The /s/ and /z/ sounds are used in many English words to distinguish between singular and plural forms, or to distinguish between different tenses of verbs. For example, "cat" is singular, while "cats" is plural, and "miss" is present tense, while "missed" is past tense. The /s/ sound is typically used to indicate the plural or the third person singular form of a verb, while the /z/ sound is typically used to indicate possession or contraction. For example, "dogs" is plural, while "dog's" indicates possession, and "it's" is a contraction of "it is".

The /s/ and /z/ sounds can also change the meaning of words when used in certain contexts. For example, "close" with an /s/ sound means near or nearby, while "close" with a /z/ sound means to shut or seal. Similarly, "raise" with an /s/ sound means to lift or elevate, while "raise" with a /z/ sound means to bring up or promote. The correct pronunciation of these sounds can be crucial for clear communication and avoiding misunderstandings.

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