Segment the two-syllable word candle into its phonemes.

Segment the two-syllable word candle into its phonemes.

• A. /k/ /æ/ /n/ /d/ /ə/ /l/ (two syllables: can-dle)
• B. /k/ /æ/ /n/ /d/ /l/ (two syllables: can-dle)
• C. /k/ /æ/ /n/ /d/ /ə/ /l/ (two syllables: can-dle)
• D. /k/ /æ/ /n/ /d/ /ɔ/ /l/ (two syllables: can-dle)

Answer: (A)

Breaking a word into phonemes means sounding out every distinct sound in order. Candle is pronounced with two syllables: can-dle. The sounds you hear in order are /k/ for the initial consonant, /æ/ the short a in can, /n/ the n that ends the first syllable, then /d/ starting the second syllable, /ə/ the schwa vowel in the second syllable, and /l/ the final l. Put together, /k/ /æ/ /n/ /d/ /ə/ /l/ matches candle as it’s spoken, typically heard as /ˈkæn.dəl/. This shows why the correct presentation includes the schwa in the second syllable and the final /l/. The second syllable needs a vowel sound, usually /ə/, rather than a different vowel like /ɔ/, and leaving out the schwa or misplacing sounds would not reflect the actual pronunciation.

Breaking a word into phonemes means sounding out every distinct sound in order. Candle is pronounced with two syllables: can-dle. The sounds you hear in order are /k/ for the initial consonant, /æ/ the short a in can, /n/ the n that ends the first syllable, then /d/ starting the second syllable, /ə/ the schwa vowel in the second syllable, and /l/ the final l. Put together, /k/ /æ/ /n/ /d/ /ə/ /l/ matches candle as it’s spoken, typically heard as /ˈkæn.dəl/.

This shows why the correct presentation includes the schwa in the second syllable and the final /l/. The second syllable needs a vowel sound, usually /ə/, rather than a different vowel like /ɔ/, and leaving out the schwa or misplacing sounds would not reflect the actual pronunciation.