Which symbol corresponds to the unvoiced labiodental fricative listed first?

• A. /u:/
• B. /v/
• C. /ɑ:/
• D. /f/

Answer: (B)

Voicing and place of articulation determine this sound. An unvoiced labiodental fricative is made by bringing the lower lip to the upper teeth and forcing air through a narrow gap without vibrating the vocal folds. The symbol that represents this sound in IPA is /f/, as in the English word “fine.” The other options either represent vowels (/u:/, /ɑ:/) or a voiced labiodental fricative (/v/), which involves vocal-fold vibration. So the correct symbol for the unvoiced labiodental fricative is /f/.