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General American English is characterized as a single, rigidly defined accent spoken uniformly across the United States.
Answer: False
Explanation: The notion of General American English as a single, rigidly defined accent spoken uniformly across the United States is inaccurate; it represents a continuum of speech patterns rather than a monolithic entity.
The term 'General American' is sometimes employed as an alternative to 'Standard American English,' although linguists engage in debate regarding the implications of the term 'standard.'
Answer: True
Explanation: The designation 'Standard American English' is sometimes used interchangeably with 'General American,' yet the term 'standard' itself is a subject of linguistic discussion concerning its potential hierarchical implications.
Canadian English accents are generally considered distinct from and unrelated to the General American accent.
Answer: False
Explanation: Canadian English accents are frequently considered to fall within the broader umbrella of General American, particularly when contrasted with British English dialects. They share many features with GA.
The term 'General American' was first disseminated by American English scholar George Philip Krapp in 1925.
Answer: True
Explanation: George Philip Krapp is credited with first disseminating the term 'General American' in 1925.
Modern linguists view General American as a single, monolithic accent with no internal variation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contemporary linguistic understanding posits General American as a continuum of speech rather than a single, monolithic accent, acknowledging internal variation.
Nationwide media, particularly radio and television, adopted and promoted a rhotic Northern U.S. pronunciation as a prestigious standard.
Answer: True
Explanation: The influence of nationwide media, especially broadcasting, played a role in promoting a rhotic Northern U.S. pronunciation as a prestigious standard, often referred to as 'Broadcast English'.
Which of the following best describes General American (GA) English?
Answer: An umbrella term for a majority American accent perceived as lacking strong regional markers.
Explanation: General American is understood as a broad category encompassing accents perceived as lacking strong regional markers, rather than a single, uniform accent.
According to the source, which regions are most associated with the General American accent?
Answer: North Midland, Western New England, and Western regions.
Explanation: The North Midland, Western New England, and Western regions are identified as areas most closely associated with the General American accent.
The term 'General American' was popularized in the 1930s by which linguist?
Answer: John Samuel Kenyon
Explanation: John Samuel Kenyon is credited with popularizing the term 'General American' in the 1930s.
Which of the following is an alternative term sometimes used for General American, despite potential linguistic concerns?
Answer: Standard American English
Explanation: 'Standard American English' is an alternative term sometimes used for General American, though the term 'standard' itself is debated.
Which of the following is a characteristic of General American English described in the source?
Answer: The 'wine-whine' merger, pronouncing /w/ and /hw/ identically.
Explanation: The 'wine-whine' merger, where /w/ and /hw/ are pronounced identically, is described as a characteristic of General American English.
The source suggests that Canadian English accents:
Answer: Are often considered part of the General American umbrella.
Explanation: The source indicates that Canadian English accents are frequently categorized within the broader scope of General American.
The /r/ sound in General American English is typically pronounced as a trill, similar to the Spanish 'rr'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The /r/ phoneme in General American English is typically realized as an approximant (post-alveolar or retroflex), not as a trill.
Rhoticity signifies that the /r/ sound is *not* pronounced after vowels in American English accents.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rhoticity, conversely, indicates the pronunciation of the /r/ sound in all historical positions, including after vowels, as is characteristic of most American English accents.
Rhoticity, the pronunciation of /r/ after vowels, is a feature largely absent in most American English accents.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rhoticity, the pronunciation of /r/ after vowels, is a defining characteristic of *most* American English accents, not one that is largely absent.
What is a key characteristic of the /r/ phoneme in General American English?
Answer: It is pronounced as an approximant (post-alveolar or retroflex).
Explanation: The /r/ phoneme in General American is characteristically pronounced as a postalveolar or retroflex approximant.
The term 'rhoticity' in American English refers to:
Answer: The pronunciation of the /r/ sound in all historical positions.
Explanation: Rhoticity denotes the pronunciation of the /r/ sound in all positions where it historically occurred in the lexicon.
The historical reason cited for the prevalence of rhoticity in American English is:
Answer: Maintenance of features from early British settlers and reinforcement from Scotch-Irish immigrants.
Explanation: Rhoticity in American English is largely attributed to the retention of features from early British settlers and the influence of subsequent Scotch-Irish immigration.
General American English lacks the /p/, /b/, and /m/ consonant phonemes found in other English dialects.
Answer: False
Explanation: General American English possesses the consonant phonemes /p/, /b/, and /m/, which are fundamental to the phonological system of English.
Yod dropping in General American English involves the deletion of the /j/ sound after consonants such as /t/, /d/, and /n/.
Answer: True
Explanation: Yod dropping is indeed characterized by the omission of the /j/ sound following certain consonants, notably /t/, /d/, and /n/, in General American English.
The /t/ sound in General American is always pronounced distinctly, even when it occurs between vowels.
Answer: False
Explanation: In General American English, the /t/ sound between vowels often undergoes processes such as flapping or glottalization, rather than being pronounced distinctly.
Flapping in General American causes /t/ and /d/ sounds between vowels to become more strongly aspirated.
Answer: False
Explanation: Flapping transforms /t/ and /d/ sounds between vowels into an alveolar flap, not a more strongly aspirated sound.
The distinction between 'clear L' and 'dark L' is highly pronounced and consistently maintained in most General American accents.
Answer: False
Explanation: Most General American accents exhibit less distinction between 'clear L' and 'dark L,' often tending towards a more consistently 'dark L' sound.
In General American, the vowel in 'tune' is pronounced without the initial /j/ sound (yod dropping).
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement accurately describes yod dropping, a common feature in General American where the /j/ sound is omitted after certain consonants, including in words like 'tune'.
The /t/ sound between vowels in General American English often becomes a flap [ɾ] or a glottal stop [ʔ].
Answer: True
Explanation: This accurately describes the common realization of intervocalic /t/ in General American English as either an alveolar flap or a glottal stop.
Which sound is typically deleted in 'yod dropping' in General American English?
Answer: The /j/ sound (as in 'yes')
Explanation: Yod dropping specifically involves the deletion of the /j/ sound, commonly found after alveolar consonants.
What phonetic process causes 'ladder' and 'latter' to sound the same in General American English?
Answer: Flapping
Explanation: Flapping is the phonetic process that causes the intervocalic /t/ and /d/ sounds in words like 'ladder' and 'latter' to be realized identically.
How does the pronunciation of 'L' in General American typically compare to many British accents?
Answer: GA has less distinction and tends towards a 'dark L' more consistently.
Explanation: General American accents generally exhibit less contrast between clear and dark 'L,' often favoring a more consistently velarized ('dark') articulation.
Which of the following consonant phonemes is NOT listed as present in General American English?
Answer: Uvular stops (q, ɢ)
Explanation: Uvular stops are not part of the standard consonant inventory of General American English; the listed phonemes (/t/, /d/, /θ/, /ð/, /h/) are present.
What is the typical realization of the /t/ sound between vowels in General American English?
Answer: A glottal stop [ʔ] or an alveolar flap [ɾ].
Explanation: Intervocalic /t/ in General American English commonly becomes an alveolar flap [ɾ] or a glottal stop [ʔ].
Which phonetic feature is described as the deletion of the /j/ sound after alveolar consonants like /t/, /d/, /n/ in stressed syllables in General American?
Answer: Yod Dropping
Explanation: Yod Dropping is the phonetic feature described as the deletion of the /j/ sound after alveolar consonants in stressed syllables in General American English.
General American English uses only monophthongs (pure vowels) and does not feature diphthongs.
Answer: False
Explanation: General American English utilizes both monophthongs and diphthongs in its vowel system.
Vowel length is a key feature that distinguishes word meanings in General American English.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vowel length is not phonemic in General American English; it does not typically distinguish word meanings.
The 'father-bother merger' leads to the vowels in 'father' and 'bother' being pronounced distinctly in most General American accents.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'father-bother merger' results in the vowels of 'father' and 'bother' being pronounced identically in most General American accents.
The 'cot-caught merger' is a feature where speakers pronounce the vowels in 'cot' and 'caught' identically.
Answer: True
Explanation: This accurately defines the 'cot-caught merger,' a common phenomenon in many General American accents.
The LOT-CLOTH split is characterized by the vowel in 'cloth' being pronounced the same as the vowel in 'cot'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The LOT-CLOTH split refers to accents where the vowel in 'cloth' is distinct from 'cot,' often merging with the 'caught' vowel, and occurs in accents that have *not* undergone the cot-caught merger.
The weak vowel merger causes unstressed vowels like the 'i' in 'kit' and the 'a' in 'about' to sound the same.
Answer: True
Explanation: This describes the weak vowel merger, where unstressed vowels such as /ɪ/ (KIT) and /ə/ (ABOUT) converge phonetically.
General American English pronunciation of the /u/ vowel (as in 'too') is typically more central than in Received Pronunciation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The /u/ vowel in General American is generally less central than its counterpart in Received Pronunciation.
The PALM vowel (/ɑː/) in General American English is typically pronounced as a rounded vowel, similar to the LOT vowel in Received Pronunciation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The PALM vowel in General American is typically unrounded, and its pronunciation often merges with the LOT vowel, differing from the rounded LOT vowel in Received Pronunciation.
In General American, the LOT vowel (/ɑ/) is usually pronounced as a rounded vowel, distinct from the PALM vowel.
Answer: False
Explanation: In General American, the LOT vowel is typically unrounded and often merges with the PALM vowel, contrasting with the rounded LOT vowel found in some other dialects.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a main category of vowels in General American English?
Answer: Nasalized vowels
Explanation: The primary categories of vowels in General American English are monophthongs, diphthongs, and R-colored vowels; nasalized vowels are not typically listed as a distinct main category.
Is vowel length phonemic in General American English?
Answer: No, vowel duration does not change word meaning.
Explanation: Vowel length is not phonemic in General American English, meaning duration does not alter lexical meaning.
The 'father-bother merger' results in the vowels of which pair of words sounding the same?
Answer: Father / Bother
Explanation: The 'father-bother merger' specifically refers to the identical pronunciation of the vowels in the word pair 'father' and 'bother'.
Which merger involves the vowels in 'cot' and 'caught' being pronounced identically?
Answer: The cot-caught merger
Explanation: The 'cot-caught merger' is the phonetic phenomenon where the vowels in 'cot' and 'caught' are realized identically.
The 'weak vowel merger' in General American English affects the pronunciation of:
Answer: Unstressed vowels like /ɪ/ (KIT) and /ə/ (ABOUT).
Explanation: The weak vowel merger specifically impacts unstressed vowels, leading to the phonetic convergence of sounds like /ɪ/ (KIT) and /ə/ (ABOUT).
How does the typical pronunciation of the /u/ vowel in General American compare to Received Pronunciation?
Answer: GA /u/ is generally less central than RP /u/.
Explanation: The /u/ vowel in General American tends to be phonetically less central compared to its realization in Received Pronunciation.
The 'cot-caught merger' is most prevalent in which regions of North America?
Answer: The American West, Great Plains, and parts of the Northeast.
Explanation: The 'cot-caught merger' is notably prevalent in the American West, the Great Plains, and certain areas of the Northeast.
The 'LOT-CLOTH split' is relevant in accents that:
Answer: Have NOT undergone the cot-caught merger.
Explanation: The LOT-CLOTH split is a feature found in accents that have not undergone the cot-caught merger, maintaining a distinction between the vowels in 'lot' and 'cloth'.
Pre-nasal TRAP tensing in General American English involves:
Answer: The vowel in 'trap' (/æ/) becoming tense and raised before /m/, /n/, or /ŋ/.
Explanation: Pre-nasal TRAP tensing describes the raising and tensing of the /æ/ vowel before nasal consonants in General American English.
The PALM vowel (/ɑː/) in General American is typically realized as:
Answer: An unrounded back vowel [ɑ], often merging with the LOT vowel.
Explanation: The PALM vowel in General American is typically realized as an unrounded back vowel [ɑ], frequently merging with the LOT vowel.
The 'wine-whine merger' results in words like 'wine' and 'whine' being pronounced differently in General American.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'wine-whine merger' leads to the identical pronunciation of words like 'wine' and 'whine' in General American English.
The 'Mary-marry-merry merger' is a completed sound change affecting all General American speakers identically.
Answer: False
Explanation: While widespread, the 'Mary-marry-merry merger' is considered to be in transition and does not affect all General American speakers identically.
'Canadian raising' affects diphthongs like the one in 'PRICE', making it sound different before voiceless consonants.
Answer: True
Explanation: Canadian raising is a phenomenon where the diphthong /aɪ/ (as in PRICE) is raised before voiceless consonants, a feature observed in some General American accents.
The 'hurry-furry merger' means that the vowels in 'hurry' and 'furry' are pronounced differently in most American accents.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'hurry-furry merger' results in the vowels in 'hurry' and 'furry' being pronounced identically in most American accents.
The 'mirror-nearer merger' affects the pronunciation of vowels before the /r/ sound.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'mirror-nearer merger' is a phenomenon characterized by the convergence of vowels preceding the /r/ sound in words like 'mirror' and 'nearer'.
The 'wine-whine merger' in General American English means that:
Answer: Both 'wine' and 'whine' are pronounced identically, usually as /waɪn/.
Explanation: The 'wine-whine merger' results in the homophony of words like 'wine' and 'whine,' typically by realizing both with the /w/ sound.
The 'Mary-marry-merry merger' refers to the identical pronunciation of vowels in which set of words?
Answer: Mary, marry, merry
Explanation: The 'Mary-marry-merry merger' describes the phenomenon where the vowels in these three specific words are pronounced identically.
'Canadian raising' is a phenomenon where the diphthong in which word is raised before voiceless consonants?
Answer: Price
Explanation: Canadian raising specifically affects the diphthong in words like 'price' (/aɪ/), causing it to be raised before voiceless consonants.
The 'hurry-furry merger' means that the vowels in 'hurry' and 'furry' are typically pronounced:
Answer: Identically, usually as [ə].
Explanation: The 'hurry-furry merger' results in the identical pronunciation of the vowels in 'hurry' and 'furry,' typically realized as [ə].