When the consonants T, P or K are followed by stress as in cake, toy and push, the initial sound is

• A. Aspirated
• B. Unaspirated
• C. Voiced
• D. Glottalized

Answer: (A)

Aspirated vs unaspirated stops are being tested here: when voiceless plosives p, t, k are released at the start of a stressed syllable, English typically produces an audible puff of air. In cake, toy, and push, the initial consonant begins the syllable and the syllable is stressed, so the release is accompanied by a noticeable breath. That is why the initial sound is aspirated. It’s not voiced—the vocal cords don’t vibrate during the release; it isn’t glottalized—the release isn’t replaced by a glottal stop; and it isn’t unaspirated, which would lack that breathing sound after the release. A quick test is to place your hand near your mouth and say these words to feel the puff of air.