About this Study Set
This study set covers Phonetics through
15 practice questions.
Exploring phonetic facts about space, planets, and the universe. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 15 questions from the
Phonetics of the Cosmos study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
Which planet's name is derived from the Roman god of war, and its name starts with a voiceless bilabial stop sound?
-
A
Jupiter
-
B
Mars
-
C
Saturn
-
D
Venus
2
The largest planet in our solar system, 'Jupiter', begins with a voiced velar stop sound. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'j' sound as in 'jump'
-
B
The 'j' sound as in 'measure'
-
C
The 'g' sound as in 'go'
-
D
The 'ch' sound as in 'church'
3
The 'Moon', Earth's natural satellite, starts with a voiced alveolar nasal sound. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'm' sound as in 'man'
-
B
The 'n' sound as in 'no'
-
C
The 'ng' sound as in 'sing'
-
D
The 'l' sound as in 'love'
4
The star 'Sun', our solar system's center, begins with a voiceless alveolar sibilant. What is this sound?
-
A
The 's' sound as in 'sun'
-
B
The 'z' sound as in 'zoo'
-
C
The 'sh' sound as in 'ship'
-
D
The 'th' sound as in 'thin'
5
The planet 'Venus', named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, starts with a voiced labiodental fricative sound. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'v' sound as in 'vine'
-
B
The 'w' sound as in 'water'
-
C
The 'f' sound as in 'fire'
-
D
The 'th' sound as in 'this'
6
The dwarf planet 'Pluto' has a name starting with a voiceless bilabial stop. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'p' sound as in 'play'
-
B
The 'b' sound as in 'boy'
-
C
The 'm' sound as in 'moon'
-
D
The 'f' sound as in 'fly'
7
The planet 'Earth' has a name starting with a vowel sound produced with the tongue tip near the alveolar ridge. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'er' sound as in 'earth'
-
B
The 'ee' sound as in 'see'
-
C
The 'oo' sound as in 'food'
-
D
The 'ay' sound as in 'say'
8
The planet 'Saturn', known for its rings, starts with a voiceless alveolar stop. What is this sound?
-
A
The 's' sound as in 'saturn'
-
B
The 'z' sound as in 'zebra'
-
C
The 't' sound as in 'top'
-
D
The 'd' sound as in 'dog'
9
The gas giant 'Neptune' begins with a sound made with the tongue tip touching the alveolar ridge. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'n' sound as in 'nose'
-
B
The 'm' sound as in 'mouth'
-
C
The 'l' sound as in 'lips'
-
D
The 'r' sound as in 'run'
10
The planet 'Uranus' has a name starting with a vowel sound produced with the tongue high and forward. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'yoo' sound as in 'you'
-
B
The 'uh' sound as in 'up'
-
C
The 'ah' sound as in 'father'
-
D
The 'aw' sound as in 'law'
11
The red planet 'Mars' begins with a voiced alveolar trill, or a flap sound in some dialects. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'r' sound as in 'red'
-
B
The 'l' sound as in 'light'
-
C
The 'w' sound as in 'way'
-
D
The 'y' sound as in 'yes'
12
The planet 'Mercury' starts with a voiced postalveolar affricate sound. This is the 'ch' sound as in 'church'.
-
A
True, it starts with the 'ch' sound.
-
B
False, it starts with a 'k' sound.
-
C
False, it starts with an 'm' sound.
-
D
False, it starts with a 'g' sound.
13
The term 'Galaxy' begins with a voiced velar stop. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'g' sound as in 'galaxy'
-
B
The 'j' sound as in 'gem'
-
C
The 'k' sound as in 'kite'
-
D
The 'ch' sound as in 'loch'
14
The word 'Comet' begins with a voiceless velar stop. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'k' sound as in 'cat'
-
B
The 'g' sound as in 'go'
-
C
The 'c' sound as in 'cent'
-
D
The 's' sound as in 'star'
15
The vastness of the 'Universe' starts with a vowel sound made with the mouth open and the back of the tongue lowered. What is this sound?
-
A
The 'uh' sound as in 'universe'
-
B
The 'ee' sound as in 'see'
-
C
The 'oo' sound as in 'moon'
-
D
The 'ay' sound as in 'say'
