Arrange the manners of articulation of English consonants by degree of stricture, from greatest to least:

1. A. Close approximation
2. B. Intermittent closure
3. C. Complete closure with sudden release
4. D. Complete closure with slow release
5. E. Open approximation

1. AA, D, C, E, B
2. BC, D, A, E, B
3. CC, A, D, B, E
4. DA, D, C, B, E

Pick an option to check yourself, or open the answer below.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. C, D, A, E, B

Explanation

Per the key: plosives → affricates → fricatives → approximants → trills and taps.

Note: Phoneticians usually rank intermittent closure (trill or tap) above open approximation; the key puts it last.