Which term describes spoken language where words run together to form a continuous stream of sound?

• A. Connected speech
• B. Echo
• C. Exponent
• D. Extensive reading

Answer: (A)

Connected speech describes how spoken language is produced in a continuous stream, with words and sounds blending together through linking, reduction, and assimilation. This is why native speakers often sound like they’re running words together—phrases such as “going to” become “gonna” and “do you” can sound like “dya.” Recognizing connected speech helps explain why speech isn’t just a sequence of separate words, but a fluid flow of sound. The other terms don’t capture this phenomenon: echo is repeating sounds, not blending them; exponent is a math term; extensive reading refers to reading a lot, not how speech sounds are produced.