Which term describes a sound produced by closing both lips and releasing air, as in /p/ or /b/?

Which term describes a sound produced by closing both lips and releasing air, as in /p/ or /b/?

• A. Bilabial
• B. Alveolar
• C. Labiodental
• D. Palatal

Answer: (A)

This is about the place of articulation—the sound is made with both lips coming together and then releasing air. That description identifies bilabial consonants, and /p/ and /b/ are classic examples of bilabial stops (one voiceless, one voiced). The other terms refer to different articulatory points: alveolar involves the tongue and the ridge behind the teeth; labiodental uses the lower lip against the upper teeth; palatal involves the body of the tongue against the hard palate. So bilabial is the best fit for the described production.

This is about the place of articulation—the sound is made with both lips coming together and then releasing air. That description identifies bilabial consonants, and /p/ and /b/ are classic examples of bilabial stops (one voiceless, one voiced). The other terms refer to different articulatory points: alveolar involves the tongue and the ridge behind the teeth; labiodental uses the lower lip against the upper teeth; palatal involves the body of the tongue against the hard palate. So bilabial is the best fit for the described production.