Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Foundations of Reading Practice Exam

What is a diphthong?

1. A vowel produced by the tongue shifting positions during articulation

2. A consonant sound at the beginning of a syllable

3. A vowel sound that remains constant during articulation

4. A type of morpheme that changes meaning

The correct answer is: A vowel produced by the tongue shifting positions during articulation

A diphthong is defined as a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable, resulting from the movement of the tongue during articulation. This shifting positions differentiates diphthongs from simple vowels, which maintain a singular quality throughout their production. The characteristic of a diphthong involves a noticeable change in the vowel sound as it progresses, embodying the dynamic quality that distinguishes it from other vowel sounds that are produced with a consistent tone. The other choices highlight concepts that do not align with the definition of a diphthong. Consonants, morphemes, and constant vowel sounds represent distinct linguistic elements that do not illustrate the specific phenomenon of a diphthong, which is centered around the unique vowel articulation.