Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Practice Exam

What is a syllable?

1. A basic unit of meaning

2. A letter of the alphabet

3. A basic unit of speech sounds

4. A written representation of a phoneme

The correct answer is: A basic unit of speech sounds

A syllable is defined as a basic unit of speech sounds. It consists of one or more sounds and typically includes a vowel sound, which serves as the nucleus. Additionally, syllables can be organized around consonant sounds that may come before or after the vowel. The understanding of syllables is crucial in various areas of language and literacy, including phonetics, reading, and writing. For example, the word "basket" has two syllables: "bas" and "ket." Each of these parts contributes to the overall pronunciation of the word, showcasing how syllables function as segments of sound in spoken language. This understanding aids in phonological awareness, which is essential for developing reading and spelling skills. While other choices involve important concepts in language, they do not directly define what a syllable is.