SHS 250 Final Exam ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | SHS 250 Communication
Sciences | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Anatomy & Physiology of Speech
Q1: Which structure is primarily responsible for regulating vocal pitch?
A. Thyroarytenoid muscle
B. Cricothyroid muscle [CORRECT]
C. Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
D. Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] The cricothyroid muscle tilts the thyroid cartilage forward, tensing and elongating
the vocal folds to increase pitch. A – The thyroarytenoid shortens and relaxes the vocal folds, generally
lowering pitch. C – The posterior cricoarytenoid is the primary abductor (opener) of the vocal folds for
breathing. D – The lateral cricoarytenoid adducts (closes) the vocal folds for phonation but does not
significantly change length for pitch.
Q2: During quiet breathing, the vocal folds are in which position?
A. Adducted (midline)
B. Abducted (open) [CORRECT]
C. Tightened
D. Vibrating
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: [CORRECT] During respiration, the vocal folds are abducted (opened) to allow air to pass
freely into the trachea and lungs. A – Adducted position is used for phonation (speaking) or holding
breath. D – Vibration only occurs during phonation when folds are adducted.
Q3: The hard palate and the soft palate (velum) are part of which speech subsystem?
A. Respiratory
B. Phonatory
C. Articulatory [CORRECT]
D. Resonatory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] The palate acts as an articulator, contacting the tongue to form speech sounds,
and the velum directs airflow. A – The respiratory system includes the lungs, diaphragm, and rib cage. B
– The phonatory system is the larynx. D – While the velum is crucial for resonance (oral vs. nasal),
structurally it is categorized under the articulatory system in most anatomical divisions for speech.
Q4: Which cranial nerve innervates the intrinsic muscles of the larynx (except the cricothyroid) and is
responsible for vocal fold adduction and abduction?
A. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus) [CORRECT]
C. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
D. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] The Vagus nerve (CN X) branches into the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and
superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) to control laryngeal muscles. A – CN IX controls stylopharyngeus and taste
posterior 1/3 tongue. C – CN XII controls tongue movement. D – CN VII controls facial expression.
Q5: The primary active structure for inspiration (breathing in) is the:
A. Internal intercostal muscles
B. Diaphragm [CORRECT]
, C. Abdominal muscles
D. Transverse abdominis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] The diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing thoracic volume to draw air in. A
– Internal intercostals are used for forced expiration. C/D – Abdominal muscles are used for forced
expiration or power breathing.
Q6: Which of the following describes the manner of articulation for the sound /s/?
A. Stop
B. Fricative [CORRECT]
C. Affricate
D. Glide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] /s/ is produced by forcing air through a narrow constriction, creating friction noise
(Fricative). A – Stops (/p, b, t, d/) involve complete blockage. C – Affricates (/tʃ, dʒ/) start as stops and
release as fricatives. D – Glides (/w, j/) are produced with little obstruction.
Q7: The place of articulation for the sound /k/ is:
A. Alveolar
B. Palatal
C. Velar [CORRECT]
D. Glottal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] /k/ is produced by the back of the tongue contacting the velum (soft palate). A –
Alveolar sounds use the tongue tip and alveolar ridge (/t, d, n/). B – Palatal sounds involve the hard
palate (/ʃ, ʒ, tʃ/). D – Glottal sounds are made at the vocal folds (/h/).
Q8: Which muscle is the primary adductor (closer) of the vocal folds?
2026/2027 | SHS 250 Communication
Sciences | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Anatomy & Physiology of Speech
Q1: Which structure is primarily responsible for regulating vocal pitch?
A. Thyroarytenoid muscle
B. Cricothyroid muscle [CORRECT]
C. Posterior cricoarytenoid muscle
D. Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] The cricothyroid muscle tilts the thyroid cartilage forward, tensing and elongating
the vocal folds to increase pitch. A – The thyroarytenoid shortens and relaxes the vocal folds, generally
lowering pitch. C – The posterior cricoarytenoid is the primary abductor (opener) of the vocal folds for
breathing. D – The lateral cricoarytenoid adducts (closes) the vocal folds for phonation but does not
significantly change length for pitch.
Q2: During quiet breathing, the vocal folds are in which position?
A. Adducted (midline)
B. Abducted (open) [CORRECT]
C. Tightened
D. Vibrating
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: [CORRECT] During respiration, the vocal folds are abducted (opened) to allow air to pass
freely into the trachea and lungs. A – Adducted position is used for phonation (speaking) or holding
breath. D – Vibration only occurs during phonation when folds are adducted.
Q3: The hard palate and the soft palate (velum) are part of which speech subsystem?
A. Respiratory
B. Phonatory
C. Articulatory [CORRECT]
D. Resonatory
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] The palate acts as an articulator, contacting the tongue to form speech sounds,
and the velum directs airflow. A – The respiratory system includes the lungs, diaphragm, and rib cage. B
– The phonatory system is the larynx. D – While the velum is crucial for resonance (oral vs. nasal),
structurally it is categorized under the articulatory system in most anatomical divisions for speech.
Q4: Which cranial nerve innervates the intrinsic muscles of the larynx (except the cricothyroid) and is
responsible for vocal fold adduction and abduction?
A. Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus) [CORRECT]
C. Cranial Nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
D. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] The Vagus nerve (CN X) branches into the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and
superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) to control laryngeal muscles. A – CN IX controls stylopharyngeus and taste
posterior 1/3 tongue. C – CN XII controls tongue movement. D – CN VII controls facial expression.
Q5: The primary active structure for inspiration (breathing in) is the:
A. Internal intercostal muscles
B. Diaphragm [CORRECT]
, C. Abdominal muscles
D. Transverse abdominis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] The diaphragm contracts and flattens, increasing thoracic volume to draw air in. A
– Internal intercostals are used for forced expiration. C/D – Abdominal muscles are used for forced
expiration or power breathing.
Q6: Which of the following describes the manner of articulation for the sound /s/?
A. Stop
B. Fricative [CORRECT]
C. Affricate
D. Glide
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: [CORRECT] /s/ is produced by forcing air through a narrow constriction, creating friction noise
(Fricative). A – Stops (/p, b, t, d/) involve complete blockage. C – Affricates (/tʃ, dʒ/) start as stops and
release as fricatives. D – Glides (/w, j/) are produced with little obstruction.
Q7: The place of articulation for the sound /k/ is:
A. Alveolar
B. Palatal
C. Velar [CORRECT]
D. Glottal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: [CORRECT] /k/ is produced by the back of the tongue contacting the velum (soft palate). A –
Alveolar sounds use the tongue tip and alveolar ridge (/t, d, n/). B – Palatal sounds involve the hard
palate (/ʃ, ʒ, tʃ/). D – Glottal sounds are made at the vocal folds (/h/).
Q8: Which muscle is the primary adductor (closer) of the vocal folds?
