Which category does the sound n belong to?

• A. Nasal
• B. Fricative
• C. Stop
• D. Glide

Answer: (A)

This item is testing how we classify consonants by their manner of articulation. The sound n is a nasal: the oral passage is blocked at the place of articulation (the tongue against the alveolar ridge), but the velum is lowered, allowing air to escape through the nasal cavity. That nasal airflow gives it a nasal resonance, and the vocal cords typically vibrate, so it’s voiced. It’s not a fricative, because there isn’t a narrow constriction producing turbulent noise; it’s not a stop, because there isn’t a complete, momentary closure with a release burst; and it’s not a glide, which involves a smooth movement toward a vowel rather than a stopped flow through the nasal cavity.