A consonant sound made by a sudden release of air from between the tongue and the alveolar/tooth ridge is called what?

• A. Alveolar plosive
• B. Velar fricative
• C. Bilabial nasal
• D. Glottal stop

Answer: (A)

An alveolar plosive occurs when the airflow is completely blocked at the alveolar ridge (the area just behind the upper front teeth) and then released suddenly, creating a sharp burst of air. This place of articulation pairs with a stop or plosive manner, which is why sounds like the English t and d fit here—the tongue makes firm contact with the alveolar ridge and then releases, producing a momentary air burst. The other options don’t match because a velar fricative would involve the velum and a narrow channel that creates continuous friction, not a sudden burst; a bilabial nasal uses both lips with air escaping through the nose; and a glottal stop closes at the vocal folds rather than at the tongue against the alveolar ridge, followed by a release.