Massachusetts Speech-Language
Pathology Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
Pdf
1. A 4-year-old child presents with delayed expressive language and
difficulty producing /s/ and /r/ sounds. Which intervention is most
evidence-based?
A. Auditory bombardment only
B. Oral-motor exercises exclusively
C. Phonological therapy targeting error patterns
D. Cognitive-linguistic therapy focused on syntax
Rationale: Phonological therapy targets systematic error patterns
and is evidence-based for multiple speech sound errors in young
children.
2. A patient with Broca’s aphasia shows nonfluent speech and poor
repetition but good comprehension. During reading aloud, what is
expected?
A. Fluent, paraphasic reading
B. Normal rate with phonological errors
C. Slow, effortful reading with omitted words
D. Fluent reading with intact prosody
Rationale: Broca’s aphasia affects speech production and repetition,
and reading aloud is typically slow and effortful.
3. Which assessment allows real-time visualization of vocal fold
vibration?
A. Acoustic fundamental frequency analysis
B. Laryngeal videostroboscopy
, C. Electromyography of laryngeal muscles
D. Perceptual voice evaluation
Rationale: Videostroboscopy provides a strobe view of vocal fold
vibration for clinical voice assessment.
4. A 2-year-old with limited gestures, no joint attention, and minimal
social reciprocity most likely has:
A. Speech delay due to hearing loss
B. Autism spectrum disorder
C. Childhood apraxia of speech
D. Selective mutism
Rationale: Core features of autism include deficits in social
communication such as limited gestures and joint attention.
5. Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is best described as:
A. Peripheral hearing loss
B. Impaired central processing despite normal peripheral hearing
C. Complete hearing loss in one ear
D. Conductive hearing loss from middle ear pathology
Rationale: CAPD reflects deficits in neural processing of auditory
information in the brain.
6. An adult with monotone speech, reduced loudness, and difficulty
initiating speech likely has:
A. Wernicke’s aphasia
B. Flaccid dysarthria
C. Hypokinetic dysarthria
D. Apraxia of speech
Rationale: Hypokinetic dysarthria, often linked to basal ganglia
dysfunction, results in reduced loudness and monotone voice.
7. A 6-year-old with inconsistent consonant and vowel productions
across attempts should be evaluated for:
A. Phonological delay
B. Stuttering
C. Childhood apraxia of speech
D. Dysarthria
Rationale: Inconsistent errors and sequencing problems are hallmark
signs of apraxia of speech.
, 8. The Preschool Language Scale (PLS-5) is designed to assess:
A. Articulation only
B. Receptive and expressive language skills
C. Auditory processing
D. Voice quality
Rationale: The PLS-5 evaluates language comprehension and
expression in young children.
9. After cleft palate repair, therapy should emphasize:
A. Oral-motor exercises alone
B. Voice therapy for pitch
C. Velopharyngeal function and articulation
D. Auditory discrimination tasks
Rationale: Post-repair speech therapy focuses on velopharyngeal
closure and correct articulation.
10. Which structure primarily coordinates motor planning for
speech?
A. Broca’s area
B. Wernicke’s area
C. Supplementary motor area and cerebellum
D. Auditory cortex
Rationale: The supplementary motor area and cerebellum are
essential for sequencing and planning motor speech movements.
11. A 3-year-old with limited syntax but typical play skills most likely
has:
A. Intellectual disability
B. Autism spectrum disorder
C. Specific language impairment
D. Hearing loss
Rationale: SLI involves language deficits with otherwise typical
cognitive and social skills.
12. Muscle tension dysphonia is characterized by:
A. Vocal fold paralysis
B. Hyperfunctional voice and hoarseness
C. Spasmodic dysphonia
D. Vocal nodules
Pathology Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. A 4-year-old child presents with delayed expressive language and
difficulty producing /s/ and /r/ sounds. Which intervention is most
evidence-based?
A. Auditory bombardment only
B. Oral-motor exercises exclusively
C. Phonological therapy targeting error patterns
D. Cognitive-linguistic therapy focused on syntax
Rationale: Phonological therapy targets systematic error patterns
and is evidence-based for multiple speech sound errors in young
children.
2. A patient with Broca’s aphasia shows nonfluent speech and poor
repetition but good comprehension. During reading aloud, what is
expected?
A. Fluent, paraphasic reading
B. Normal rate with phonological errors
C. Slow, effortful reading with omitted words
D. Fluent reading with intact prosody
Rationale: Broca’s aphasia affects speech production and repetition,
and reading aloud is typically slow and effortful.
3. Which assessment allows real-time visualization of vocal fold
vibration?
A. Acoustic fundamental frequency analysis
B. Laryngeal videostroboscopy
, C. Electromyography of laryngeal muscles
D. Perceptual voice evaluation
Rationale: Videostroboscopy provides a strobe view of vocal fold
vibration for clinical voice assessment.
4. A 2-year-old with limited gestures, no joint attention, and minimal
social reciprocity most likely has:
A. Speech delay due to hearing loss
B. Autism spectrum disorder
C. Childhood apraxia of speech
D. Selective mutism
Rationale: Core features of autism include deficits in social
communication such as limited gestures and joint attention.
5. Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is best described as:
A. Peripheral hearing loss
B. Impaired central processing despite normal peripheral hearing
C. Complete hearing loss in one ear
D. Conductive hearing loss from middle ear pathology
Rationale: CAPD reflects deficits in neural processing of auditory
information in the brain.
6. An adult with monotone speech, reduced loudness, and difficulty
initiating speech likely has:
A. Wernicke’s aphasia
B. Flaccid dysarthria
C. Hypokinetic dysarthria
D. Apraxia of speech
Rationale: Hypokinetic dysarthria, often linked to basal ganglia
dysfunction, results in reduced loudness and monotone voice.
7. A 6-year-old with inconsistent consonant and vowel productions
across attempts should be evaluated for:
A. Phonological delay
B. Stuttering
C. Childhood apraxia of speech
D. Dysarthria
Rationale: Inconsistent errors and sequencing problems are hallmark
signs of apraxia of speech.
, 8. The Preschool Language Scale (PLS-5) is designed to assess:
A. Articulation only
B. Receptive and expressive language skills
C. Auditory processing
D. Voice quality
Rationale: The PLS-5 evaluates language comprehension and
expression in young children.
9. After cleft palate repair, therapy should emphasize:
A. Oral-motor exercises alone
B. Voice therapy for pitch
C. Velopharyngeal function and articulation
D. Auditory discrimination tasks
Rationale: Post-repair speech therapy focuses on velopharyngeal
closure and correct articulation.
10. Which structure primarily coordinates motor planning for
speech?
A. Broca’s area
B. Wernicke’s area
C. Supplementary motor area and cerebellum
D. Auditory cortex
Rationale: The supplementary motor area and cerebellum are
essential for sequencing and planning motor speech movements.
11. A 3-year-old with limited syntax but typical play skills most likely
has:
A. Intellectual disability
B. Autism spectrum disorder
C. Specific language impairment
D. Hearing loss
Rationale: SLI involves language deficits with otherwise typical
cognitive and social skills.
12. Muscle tension dysphonia is characterized by:
A. Vocal fold paralysis
B. Hyperfunctional voice and hoarseness
C. Spasmodic dysphonia
D. Vocal nodules
