Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) Practice Exam

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What defines a diphthong?

  1. A sound made by a single vowel

  2. A sound made by combining two adjacent vowel sounds

  3. A sound that cannot be pronounced

  4. A sound that occurs at the end of a syllable

The correct answer is: A sound made by combining two adjacent vowel sounds

A diphthong is characterized as a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable. This means that it is formed by combining two adjacent vowel sounds that are articulated closely together, resulting in a single phonetic unit. For example, the word "coin" features a diphthong, where the sound transitions smoothly between the "o" and "i" sounds. This definition highlights the nature of diphthongs as specific blendings of vowel sounds, which distinguishes them from a single vowel sound—like those defined in the first option. Additionally, diphthongs are distinct from sounds that cannot be pronounced or those that solely occur at the end of a syllable, as these definitions do not capture the essence of what makes a diphthong a diphthong.

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