The primary constriction between the tongue and the alveolar ridge.

• A. Palatal
• B. Velar
• C. Alveolar
• D. Glottal

Answer: (C)

Think of articulation as where the tongue makes its main contact to shape the sound. The alveolar ridge is the bony strip just behind the upper front teeth. When the tongue tip (or sometimes the blade) rises to touch or come close to that ridge, the primary constriction occurs there, producing alveolar sounds such as t, d, s, z, n, and l. That’s why this option is the best answer.

Other places involve different contact areas: the palate behind the teeth is the palatal region (as in sh and y sounds), the soft palate further back is the velar region (as in k and g), and the glottis at the vocal cords is the glottal region (as in h or a glottal stop).