Which observation would most strongly indicate a motor-based impairment over a phonological-only issue?

• A. Consonant cluster reduction
• B. Inability to articulate a range of sounds due to motor limitation
• C. Fronting
• D. Stopping

Answer: (C)

This item is about telling apart a motor-based articulation problem from a phonological pattern. A motor-based impairment is indicated when there’s a genuine limitation in moving the speech articulators, leading to trouble producing a wide range of sounds, not just a few substitutions. So, the observation that would most strongly point to a motor issue is an inability to articulate a broad range of sounds because of motor limitation.

Phonological patterns like fronting, stopping, and consonant cluster reduction reflect systematic substitutions or simplifications in the sound system, often seen even when the speaker’s articulators are capable. They point to how the sound system is organized or learned, rather than to a constraint in producing sounds physically.