Lesson Four | Sight and Sounds of Greek Words (Module B)

4 

Sight and Sounds of Greek Words (Module B) 

Consonants, Vowels, and Diphthongs 

Phonology (Part 4) 

Lesson Four Overview 

4.0 Introduction, 4-1 

4.1 Phonetical Classification of Greek Consonants, 4-1 

4.2 The Nine Stop Consonants, 4-3 

4.3 The Continuant Consonants, 4-8 

Study Guide, 4-16 

4.0 Introduction 

Lessons One and Two introduced the sight and sounds of the twenty-four Greek 

alphabetical letters. Lesson Three further laid the foundation for Greek 

phonology with introductory terminology concerning the seventeen Greek 

consonants, the seven vowels, and eleven diphthongs. Building on this 

foundation, Lesson Four organizes the seventeen Greek consonants into their 

two basic phonetical classifications, the stop and continuant consonants. 

The best phonological approach to these basic consonantal classifications is to 

classify them according to which speech organ (throat, teeth or lips) is used while 

pronouncing them. This largely determines the consonant’s phonological family 

to which it belongs, which in future lessons predicts what morphological changes 

these same consonants will undergo within words. Whereas the sight and 

sounds of these Greek consonants have already been presented in the previous 

three lessons, their organizational classification has not. 

If you find some portions of this lesson difficult, reread the difficult sections 

several times, but not to an excess. Competency of NTGreek does not depend 

upon learning everything the first time it is presented! Becoming skilled in 

NTGreek does however, demand practice, resolve, and perseverance. 

4.1 Phonetic Classification of Greek Consonants 

The most functional phonetical classification of consonants is according to which 

speech organ (throat, teeth and lips) is used in their pronunciation. The 

consonants are divided in the chart below into two broad categories: the nine 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Phonology (Part 4) NTGreek In Session

LESSON 4: Sight and Sounds of Greek Words (Module B) 4-2 


stops and the twelve continuants. The consonants are subdivided again 

according to the nature of the sound and vocal organs used in producing them. 

The chart should be carefully studied for future reference. It will be referred to in 

later lessons whenever consonantal changes are encountered. Not only should 

the chart be understood from left to right, but also from top to bottom. 

Explanations of the terms used in the chart follow. 

S 

T 

O 

P 

S 

C 

O 

N 

T 

I 

N 

U 

A 

N 

T 

S 

Classes are the 

three positions of 

breath closure. 

O 

r 

d 

e 

r 

s 

(voiced) 

CLASSES 

Palatal Dental Labial 

The nine “stops” are divided into 

three “classes” and three “orders”. 

The orders express both the degree 

of the vibration in the vocal cords 

(unvoiced) 

Sibilant (voiced) 

(aspirate) 

(unvoiced) 

Compound 

(voiced) 

(unvoiced) 

 

 

 

 

Nasal (voiced) 

Liquid (voiced) 

Semi- (voiced) 

consonants 

and force in the expiratory breath. 

Sound is formed by slowing down 

or briefly stopping the flow of air 

through the mouth. 

A sibilant is a hissing sound when 

the breath in the mouth is 

narrowed. Voiced has the 

sound as the “s” in “is”; if unvoiced, 

is the “s” sound as in “sit”. 

Compounds are a combination of a 

palatal, dental or labial + . Like 

sigma above, notice that is both 

voiced and unvoiced. When 

voiced, is pronounced as “dz”. 

The sound of nasal continuants is 

forced up toward the nasal cavity 

The liquids fall between the classes 

and the air passage is mostly open. 

These letters serve at times as a 

vowel or a consonant. 

If the chart is carefully studied now, it will save untold hours of future frustration 

when these same consonants undergo predictable consonantal changes within 

words. Study diligently now, or suffer defeat and possible insanity later! 




4.2 The Nine “Stop” Consonants 

A stop consonant is one whose sound is formed by slowing down or abruptly 

stopping the flow of air through the mouth before being released with an 

expulsion of breath and sound. The nine stop consonants are gamma, kappa, 

chī, delta, tau, thēta, bēta, pī, and phī. The stops are classified according to 

which speech organ (throat, teeth and lips) is predominately operational. 

The nine stops are subdivided into three orders and three classes. The classes 

are vertically determined by the three possible positions of breath closure used in 

producing them: palatal (throat), dental (teeth), and labial (lips). Stops belonging 

to the same class are considered cognate; therefore, a cognate consonant is 

associated with a particular class. 

The orders are horizontally determined by whether the stop is voiced, unvoiced, 

or aspirated. Consonants that belong to the same order are considered 

coordinate; therefore, a coordinate consonant is associated with a particular 

Palatals derive their name from the use 

of the roof of the mouth’s soft palate. 

order. A consonant is voiced when 

the vocal chords vibrate as the air 

passes through. As a simple 

exercise, place your fingers on your 

voice box and pronounce the voiced stops. You will feel the vocal cords vibrate if 

pronouncing these consonants properly. Stops are unvoiced when the vocal 

chords are slack in pronunciation. Aspiration denotes that pronunciation is 

accompanied with a strong emission of breath which results in an “h” sound. 

The correlation between the nine stops is conveniently represented below in the 

chart. This arrangement is commonly called the Square of Stops. 

O 

R 

D 

E 

R 

S 

Palatal 

CLASSES 

Dental Labial 

Voiced Coordinate 

Unvoiced Coordinate 

Aspirate Coordinate 

Cognate Cognate Cognate 




The Square of Stops’ chart is now further explained. The chart’s explanation 

moves from left to right (their classes: palatal, dental, and labial), and then from 

top to bottom (their order: voiced, unvoiced, and aspirate). 

Classes are the three 

possible positions of 


Three Classes 


The above chart reflects the three possible positions of breath closure when 

pronouncing the stops: palatal, dental, and labial. The progression from left to 

right begins with the sound produced in the back of the oral cavity in the throat, 

moving toward the front with the tongue and teeth, and then the lips. 


Voiced 1 1 1 Unvoiced 2 2 2 Aspirate 3 3 3 1. Consonants pronounced with the aid of the vocal cords are voiced 

consonants. The vocal cords vibrate as the air passes through the oral 

cavity. Gamma, delta, and bēta belong to this order. 

2. Consonants pronounced without the aid of the vocal cords are unvoiced 

consonants. The vocal cords do not vibrate as the air passes through the 

oral cavity. Kappa, tau, and pī belong to this order. 

3. Consonants pronounced with a strong emission of breath are aspirate 

consonants. Chī, thēta, and phī belong to this order. These consonants 

are grouped with and treated as stop consonants because when their 

phoneme interacts with adjacent sounds in words, they behave like stops. 

Gamma belongs to the same voiced order and is coordinate 

with the consonants delta and bēta. Kappa belongs to the 

same unvoiced order and is coordinate with the consonants 

tau and pī. Chī belongs to the same aspirated order and is 

coordinate with thēta and phī. 




4.2.1 The Palatal Stops (Gamma, Kappa, Chī) 

Palatal stop consonants belong to the same class because they are formed in 

back of the throat by the closure of the tongue near or touching the hard palate in 

the oral cavity. Palatal stop consonants are distinct according to their separate 

order as voiced (gamma), unvoiced (kappa), and aspirate (chī). 


Voiced 

Unvoiced 

Aspirate 

4.2.1.1 Gamma 

 

Gamma may be a voiced stop consonant or a nasal continuant. Its pronunciation 

as a voiced stop is like the hard “g” in “gate.” However, when the consonant 

occurs before itself or another palatal stop consonant (and ) or xsī 

(), the combination undergoes phonemic change and is pronounced as a nasal 

continuant consonant. Its phonemic change will be studied later in §4.3.3.1. 

4.2.1.2 Kappa 

Kappa is an unvoiced stop consonant because the vocal cords are not used 

while pronouncing its phonetic value. 

4.2.1.3 Chī 

“Unvoiced” never means a consonant is not pronounced. Although 

consonants may undergo phonemic changes, there are not any true 

silent consonants in Greek words. The vocal cords are inactive while 

pronouncing the three unvoiced stops, although it is difficult to discern 

because the voice is used in sounding the accompanying vowel. 

Chī is an aspirated stop consonant and its phonetic sound is easily confused with 

kappa unless remembered that the breath is not entirely cut off with chī. Chī 

appears to correspond orthographically with the English letter “x”, however its 

phonetic value does not. Chī is a Greek letter that does not actually correspond 

to any English alphabetical letter. 




Chī’s phonetic sound approximates the “ch” in the English words “chemist,” 

“chiasmus,” and the “k” in “kiosk. Breath flows with the consonant and is not 

interrupted as with the unvoiced stop consonant of kappa. Try this: form the 

mouth for kappa and then pronounce “h” through it. The emission of breath 

should produce a strong aspirated “kh”. 

A consonant’s name is formed with the help of a vowel, but its phonetic 

value does not include that vowel. For example, chī is the name for the 

letter , but when chī appears in a word, its phonetic value is simply 

“kh” without the vowel sound “i”. 

It may be helpful to hear the distinction between kappa and chī. 

 

 

4.2.2 The Dental Stops (Delta, Tau, Thēta) 

Dental stop consonants belong to the same class because they are formed with 

the tip of the tongue behind the upper teeth. Some prefer the term “alveolar” as 

more accurate, since the tongue is placed against the alveolar ridge rather than 

only the teeth. “Dental” will be used in this grammar since the word “teeth” is 

easier for most to associate with “dental”. 


Voiced 

Unvoiced 

Aspirate 

Each of the three dental consonants is distinct according to its separate order as 

voiced (delta), unvoiced (tau), and aspirate (thēta). 

Practice the following words that have these dental stop consonants. They are 

presented in their respective orders. 




(voiced) 

 

 

 

(unvoiced) 

 

 

 

(aspirate) 

 

 

4.2.3 The Labial Stops (Bēta, Pī, Phī) 

Labial stop consonants belong to the same class because they are formed by 

closing, nearly closing, or rounding the lips. The lips are essential for the 

airflow’s momentary restriction. As a simple exercise, try to say these 

consonants without the use of the lips. 


Voiced 

Unvoiced 

Aspirate 

Each of the three labial consonants is distinct according to its separate order as 

voiced (bēta), unvoiced (pī), and aspirate (phī). Practice the following words 

which have these labial stop consonants. 

(voiced) 

 




 

(unvoiced) 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Phonology (Part 4) NTGreek In Session 

 

 

 

(aspirate) 

 

4.3 The Continuant Consonants 

Stop consonants and their orders were discussed in §4.2. The focus now turns 

to a second major phonetic classification of Greek consonants: the continuants. 

Continuant consonants restrict the passage of air (but not stopped), causing 

friction while the sound continues. The continuants are subdivided into the 

sibilant, compound, nasal, liquid, and the so-called semi-consonants. The semiconsonants 

will receive further attention in later lessons. 

Sibilant 

Compound 


voiced A sibilant is a hissing sound when 


unvoiced 

 



the is the “s” sound as in “sit”. 

voiced Compounds are a combination of a 

palatal, dental, or labial + . Like 


voiced and unvoiced. 

unvoiced 

Nasal voiced 1 

2 3 

Liquid unvoiced 

Semiconsonants 

 







The continuant sounds may be released through the mouth or the nose. If 

released through the mouth, the continuant’s sound is a hissing noise (the “s”



sound as in “sit”). Breath is forced through a narrow passage between the tip of 

the tongue and the teeth so that resulting friction produces a hissing sound. 

These consonants are sibilant consonants. Sigma is the only simple or pure 

sibilant in Greek, and zēta, xsī, and psī are considered as compound sibilants. 

If a sound is released through the nose, its sound produces one of three nasal 

consonants respective to its class. Observe that all nasals are voiced, and 

sometimes gamma is a nasal, whereas mū and nū are always nasal consonants. 

1. If gamma comes before another palatal stop (kappa, gamma, or chī) or xsī, 

its phonemic sound is a voiced gamma-nasal. 

2. If the continuant is nū, its phonemic sound is a voiced nū-nasal. 

3. If the continuant is mū, its phonemic sound is a voiced mū-nasal. 

Finally, two liquid continuant sounds are also in Greek: lambda and rhō. They 

allow breath to pass through the oral cavity without friction. They actually 

acquired their name from the rippling nature of the sound. 

With this brief introduction to continuant consonants, the five subcategories will 

now be discussed in greater depth, beginning with the sibilant consonant. 

4.3.1 The Sibilant Consonant (Sigma) 

Sigma is the only “pure” sibilant consonant. Its sound is by bringing the tip of the 

tongue near the teeth, allowing air to pass over the tongue that produces a 

hissing (< Latin sibilans, “to hiss”). 

When sigma is voiced, it has the “z” sound as the “s” in “is.” It is voiced before 

the voiced consonants gamma, bēta, delta, and mū. When sigma is unvoiced, it 

has the phonemic “s” sound as in “sit.” 

(voiced) 

 

(unvoiced) 

 




Zēta, xsī, and psī are considered by some as compound sibilants, for they make 

a slight hissing sound because of their composite sound nature. However, it is 

better to categorize these consonants as compound consonants and not as 

sibilant consonants, because of their interaction with other consonants when 

words undergo predictable phonetic consonantal changes. 

4.3.2 The Compound Consonants (Zēta, Xsī, Psī) 

Compound consonants fuse two individual phonetic sounds into one letter. 

Depending on whether the pure sibilant sigma is voiced or unvoiced determines 

the resultant compound consonant’s sound. The following combinations of a 

stop consonant and a sibilant produce its respective compound phonetic sound. 

Palatal: (voiced stop) + (unvoiced) = “xs” sound 

(unvoiced stop) + (unvoiced) = “xs” sound 

(aspirate stop) + (unvoiced) = “xs” sound 

Dental: (voiced stop) + (voiced) = “dz” sound 

(unvoiced stop) + (unvoiced) = “dz” sound 

(aspirate stop) + (unvoiced) = “dz” sound 

Labial: (voiced stop) + (unvoiced) = “ps” sound 

(unvoiced stop) + (unvoiced) = “ps” sound 

(aspirate stop) + (unvoiced) = “ps” sound 

The significance of compound consonants will become apparent in future lessons 

when words undergo predictable phonetic consonantal changes. It is important 

to become acquainted with their phonetic sounds in respect to syllabification. 

The blended phonetic sounds of compound consonants break apart, while at the 

same time, bridging syllables when they occur within words. However, the 

consonant itself actually belongs to only one syllable. For example, has 

two syllables, . When pronouncing , it sounds more like 

(the second sigma is voiced, hence the “dz” sound). 

 

(voiced) 

 

() () () () 




 

(unvoiced) 

 

(unvoiced) 

 

(unvoiced) 

 

() () () () () () 

 

() () () () 

 

() () () () () 

Voiced zēta is never the first letter in a word. It will be helpful to remember that 

the voiced compound consonant zēta is a combination of voiced delta + voiced 

sigma. When zēta is unvoiced, it has the simple “z” sound, whereas both xsī and 

psī are always unvoiced because of the unvoiced sigma. 

Some grammars consider compound consonants as “double consonants.” This 

only leads to confusion later when syllabification is discussed. For now, know 

the distinction between single, double, compound consonants, and consonantal 

clusters as defined below. 

4.3.2.1 Single consonants (, , , etc.) that are not part of a double consonant, 

compound consonant, or does not belong to a consonantal cluster. Two single 

consonants may follow one another (as in the fourth and sixth examples below). 

 

 

 

4.3.2.2 Double consonants (, , , etc.) are a pair of identical consonants 

in juxtaposition with one another and each consonant has its own phonemic 

sound. Syllable division always occurs between double consonants. Syllable 

division (syllabification) will be comprehensively examined in Lesson Five. For 

now, observe how the four words below are divided. 




 

Notice also that when possible, a new syllable begins with a consonant. 

 

 

4.3.2.3 Compound Consonants (zēta, xsī, psī) are single consonants that have a 

compound phonetic sound. 

4.3.2.4 Consonantal clusters are two or more adjacent consonants that are 

never divided while pronouncing a word. There are more than fifty consonantal 

clusters in NTGreek. They usually retain the sound they have separately, except 

that they are rapidly blended together. A complete list of consonantal clusters 

will be cited in Lesson Five. 

4.3.3 The Nasal Consonants (Gamma, Nū, Mū) 

Three continuant consonants are “nasal” because their sound is forced up into 

the nasal cavity and released through the nose. All three nasal consonants are 

always voiced and are divided into their respective classes of palatal (gamma), 

dental (nū), and labial (mū). 

Try this: lightly pinch your nose with your forefinger and thumb to restrict the flow 

of air while pronouncing these consonants. It is impossible to pronounce them 

since air is forced up and flows into the nasal cavity. 

4.3.3.1 The nasal-gamma has already been discussed as a palatal stop 

consonant (cf. §4.2.1.1). It is pronounced like the hard “g” as in “gate.” However, 

four other possible phonetic sounds are related with this continuant consonant. 

When gamma occurs before another palatal stop (gamma, kappa, chī) or xsī, it 

undergoes a phonemic change. The following examples illustrate the different 

possible gamma-nasal combinations. 

1. When gamma immediately occurs before another gamma (), the double 

consonant combination produces the nasal sound of “ng” as in the English 

words “thing”, “king” or “finger”. 




 

() () () () 

2. When gamma immediately precedes the palatal consonant kappa (), the 

consonantal combination produces the nasal sound of “nch” as in “anchor”. 

 

() () () () () 

 

3. When gamma immediately precedes the palatal consonant chī (), the 

consonantal combination is pronounced like but only with more breath. 

 

() () () () () 

4. When gamma immediately precedes the compound consonant xsī (), the 

consonantal combination produces the nasal sound of “nks” as in the English 

words “inks” and “oinks,” or the “nx” as in “lynx.” 

 

() () () () 

4.3.3.2 The nasal-nū is a dental continuant consonant. The tongue is pressed 

against the alveolar ridge with its sound forced up through the nasal cavity. It is 

voiced like all nasal continuants. 

 

()() () () () () () 




 

() () () () () () 

Observe that every above syllable has something in common. Whether it 

is a single or multi-syllable word, every Greek syllable (like English) must 

only contain either one vowel or diphthong. 

4.3.3.3 The nasal-mū is a labial continuant consonant. The sound of the letter 

is formed by the rounding of the lips, with most of the sound allowed to pass 

through the nasal cavity instead of the mouth. Like all nasal continuants, mū 

makes the nose resonate with a slight vibration. Like the other two nasal 

continuants, the nasal mū is also voiced. 

 

() () () () () () () 

 

() () () () () 

4.3.4 The Liquid Consonants (Lambda, Rhō) 

Lambda and Rhō are continuant liquids. Their phonemic sounds are produced 

by allowing the air to pass through the oral cavity without friction. As with all 

continuatives, it is possible to continue their sound as long as desired. In some 

cases, this may affect how long a double lambda or rhō is sustained. 

In some Greek grammars, mū and nū are also considered liquid consonants. 

4.3.4.1 The Liquid Lambda is produced by both placing the tip of the tongue 

against the alveolar ridge of the mouth, or against the teeth, and allowing the 

sound to pass around the side of the tongue. Lambda falls somewhere between 

the palatal and dental sounds because of the initial placement of the tongue. Its 

phonetic sound is produced exactly like the English “L”. 




4.3.4.2 The Liquid Rhō 

Rhō was originally trilled by the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth 

while at the same time allowing the “rr” sound to pass around it. A similar 

phonemic sound in not in the English language. Most nonnative speakers will 

pronounce the rhō as a palatal by almost allowing the tip of the tongue to touch 

the roof of the mouth (or rolled back) and saying the sound “rr”. 

Whenever rhō begins a word, it is aspirated to aid in its pronunciation. 

When pronounced in a word, its aspiration is almost negligible. As the 

spelling of its name indicates (rhō), a flow of breath accompanies the 

letter, however, only so when it begins a syllable. 

4.3.5 The Semi-Consonants (Iōta, Upsīlon, Rhō) 

Greek grammars customarily refer to certain sounds as semi-consonants or 

semi-vowels in addition to the seventeen consonants because of their phonemic 

sound-shifts in certain Greek words. These letters are iōta, upsīlon, and rhō. 

Sometimes, these letters may serve double duty, as both a consonant and vowel. 

Of these three letters, only iōta receives attention here, because the other letters 

pertain to the development of the Greek phonological system, and not its stage in 

New Testament Greek. 

Whenever iōta precedes a long vowel at the beginning of a word, its phonetic 

sound is a voiced palate like the “i” in “onion” or “minion.” The phonetic value 

resembles the English “y” as in “yes” or “yam,” and its phonetic sound goes with 

the following long vowel (as one syllable). 

 

 




4 

Study Guide 



Exercise One: Short Answer. Briefly answer the following questions. 

1. What are the two major phonetic classifications of consonants? 

2. What are the nine “stop” consonants? 

3. What constitutes a “stop” consonant? 

4. Classify the following stop consonants according their class and order. 

a. - f. - 

b. - g. - 

c. - h. - 

d. - i. - 

e. - 

5. What determines whether a consonant is “voiced” or “unvoiced”? 




6. What constitutes a “palatal stop” and how many are there? 

7. What constitutes a “dental stop” and how many are there? 

8. What constitutes a “labial stop” and how many are there? 

9. Gamma coordinates with what other voiced stops? 

10. Kappa coordinates with what other unvoiced stops? 

11. Chī coordinates with what other aspirated stops? 

12. Chī is cognate with what other palatal stops? 

13. Thēta is cognate with what other dental stops? 




14. Phī is cognate with what other labial stops? 

15. Fill in the following “Square of Stops” chart with the appropriate consonants. 


Voiced 

Unvoiced 

Aspirate 

16. What does “aspiration” indicate while pronouncing an aspirated consonant 

and to which English sound does it correspond? 

17. What makes a consonant a continuant consonant? 

18. What are the five-continuant subcategories consonants? 

19. What consonant is the only pure sibilant in Greek? Why? 

20. What are the three compound consonants? 




21. Before the three palatal stops , and , the gamma undergoes a 

phonemic change. How are these combinations pronounced? 

a. 

b. 

c. - 

d. - 

22. Fill in the following chart with the appropriate consonants. 

S 

T 

O 

P 

S 

C 

O 

N 

T 

I 

N 

U 

A 

N 

T 

S 




O 

r 

d 

e 

r 

s 

CLASSES 




(voiced) The orders express both the degree 


(unvoiced) 


(aspirate) 

(unvoiced) 

Compound 

(voiced) 

(unvoiced) 

 

 

 




consonants 











guttural, dental or labial + . Like 













23. What are the three nasal consonants and why are they called “nasals”? 

Exercise Two: True or False Questions 

1. All consonants may be classified as either a stop or continuant consonant. 

There are NO exceptions. True False 

2. The stop consonants are subdivided according to the nature of their sound 

and vocal organs used in producing them. True False 

3. Gamma may be classified as either a voiced palatal stop or as a voiced nasal 

continuant. True False 

4. The two liquid voiced continuants are lambda and rhō. True False 

5. The three aspirate stop consonants are phī, chī, and xsī. True False 

6. The three palatal stop consonants are gamma, kappa, and chī. 

True False 

7. The three labial stop consonants are bēta, pī, and thēta. True False 

8. The three nasal voiced continuant consonants are gamma, mū and nū. 

True False 

9. A cognate consonant is associated with a particular order. True False 

10. A coordinate consonant is associated with a particular order. True False 

11. The three orders are voiced, unvoiced, and aspirate. True False 

12. The three classes are palatal, dental, and aspirate. True False 

13. Gamma belongs to the same voiced order and is coordinate with the stop 

consonants delta and bēta. True False 




14. Kappa belongs to the same unvoiced order and is coordinate with the stop 

consonants tau and pī. True False 

15. Chī belongs to the same aspirated order and is coordinate with thēta and 

phī. True False 

16. A stop consonant pronounced with the aid of the vocal cords is called 

“unvoiced.” True False 

17. A stop consonant pronounced with a strong emission of breath is called 

“aspirate.” True False 

18. The palatal consonant stops belong to the same class because they are 

formed in back of the throat by the closure of the tongue near or touching 

the hard palate in the oral cavity. True False 

19. Gamma may be either a voiced consonant stop or a nasal continuant. 

True False 

20. Because Greek consonants undergo phonemic changes, some consonants 

are not pronounced (“silent consonants”). True False 

Exercise Three: Multiple Choice. Choose the best answer. 

1. Which consonant has a final form (i.e., when it ends a word)? 

a. kappa c. sigma 

b. phī d. gamma 

2. Which of the following belong to the stop consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

3. What is associated with aspiration? 

a. a strong emission of breath c. the palate 

b. the lips d. the teeth 




4. Which of the following are the three orders? 

a. voiced, unvoiced, and aspirate c. palatal, dental, and labial 

b. nasal, sibilant, and compound d. aspirate, sibilant, and voiced 

5. Kappa belongs to the same unvoiced order and is coordinate with which 

consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

6. Thēta belongs to the same aspirated order and is coordinate with which 

consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

7. Bēta belongs to the same voiced order and is coordinate with which 

consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

8. Compound consonants belong to which consonant classification? 

a. liquid c. nasal 

b. continuants d. stops 

9. What are the three semi-consonant continuant consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

10. What are the independent and indispensable sounds in speech? 

a. nasal c. consonants 

b. vowels d. breathing marks 




11. Which example is an illustration of an iōta adscript? 

a. c. = 

b. d. = 

12. Which of the following are diphthongs? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

13. Which word has a diaeresis? 

a. c. 

b. d. none of these 

Exercise Four: Transposition of letters. Transpose the following Greek capital 

letters into their corresponding small letters, and the small letters into their 

corresponding capital letters. 

1. _______________ 7. _____________ 

2. ___________ 8. ________ 

3. ___________ 9. _____________ 

4. ________________ 10. _______________ 

5. ___________________ 11. ______________ 

6. ________________ 12. ___________ 


4 

Study Guide ANSWER KEY 



Exercise One: Short Answer. Briefly answer the following questions. 

1. What are the two major phonetic classifications of consonants? 

Stops and Continuants 

2. What are the nine “stop” consonants? 

Gamma, delta, bēta, kappa, tau, pī, chī, thēta, and phī. 

3. What constitutes a “stop” consonant? 

A stop consonant is formed by the slowing down or abruptly stopping the 

flow of air through the mouth before being released with an expulsion of 

breath and sound. 

4. Classify the following stop consonants according their class and order. 

a. - 

palatal, unvoiced 

b. - palatal, voiced 

c. - dental, unvoiced h. - 

f. - labial, unvoiced 

g. - dental, aspirate 

labial, aspirate 

d. - palatal, aspirate i. - dental, voiced 

e. - labial, voiced 

5. What determines whether a consonant is “voiced” or “unvoiced”? 

The vocal cords vibrate when saying a voiced consonant; vocal cords do 

not vibrate when saying an unvoiced consonant. 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Study Guide Answer Key NTGreek In Session

LESSON 4: Study Guide Answer Key SA4:2 

Sight and Sounds of Words (Module B) 

6. What constitutes a “palatal stop” and how many are there? 

A consonant formed in back of the throat by the closure of the tongue with 

the soft palate in the oral cavity. The three palatal stops are gamma, 

kappa, and chī. 

7. What constitutes a “dental stop” and how many are there? 

A dental stop is formed with the tip of the tongue behind the upper teeth or 

placed against the alveolar ridge. The three dental stops are delta, tau, 

and thēta. 

8. What constitutes a “labial stop” and how many are there? 

A labial stop is formed by closing or nearly closing during the rounding of 

the lips. The three labial stops are bēta, pī, and phī. 

9. Gamma coordinates with what other voiced stops? 

Delta and bēta 

10. Kappa coordinates with what other unvoiced stops? 

Tau and pī 

11. Chī coordinates with what other aspirated stops? 

Thēta and phī 

12. Chī is cognate with what other palatal stops? 

Kappa and gamma 

13. Thēta is cognate with what other dental stops? 

Delta and tau 




14. Phī is cognate with what other labial stops? 

Bēta and pī 

15. Fill in the following chart with the appropriate consonants. This chart is 

commonly called the “Square of Stops”. 


Voiced 

Unvoiced 

Aspirate 

16. What does “aspiration” indicate in connection with pronouncing an aspirated 

consonant and to which English sound does it correspond? 

Aspiration denotes the consonant’s pronunciation is accompanied with a 

strong emission of breath. It corresponds to the English “h” sound. 

17. What makes a consonant a continuant consonant? 

The passage of air is restricted (but not stopped), causing friction while the 

sound continues. 

18. What are the five-continuant subcategories consonants? 

Sibilant, compound, nasal, liquid, and the semi-consonants 

19. What consonant is the only pure sibilant in Greek? Why? 

Sigma is the only pure sibilant. The compound consonants zēta, xsī, and 

psī have an additional sound which does not make a “hissing” sound. 

20. What are the three compound consonants? 

Zēta, xsī, and psī 




21. Before the three palatal stops () and , the gamma undergoes a 

phonemic change. How are these combinations pronounced? 

a. ng ”thing”, “king” or “finger” 

b. nch ”anchor” 

c. - like but with more breath (the is an aspirated stop) 

d. - nks “inks”, “oinks” or the “nx” as in “lynx” 

22. Fill in the following chart with the appropriate consonants. 

S 

T 

O 

P 

S 

C 

O 

N 

T 

I 

N 

U 

A 

N 

T 

S 




O 

r 

d 

e 

r 

s 

(voiced) 

CLASSES 




The orders express both the degree 


(unvoiced) 


(aspirate) 

(unvoiced) 

Compound 

(voiced) 

(unvoiced) 

 

 

 

 




consonants 











guttural, dental or labial + . Like 













23. What are the three nasal consonants and why are they called “nasals”? 

The three nasal consonants are gamma-nasal, nu-nasal and mu-nasal. 

Their sound is forced up into the nasal cavity and released through the 

nose. 

Exercise Two: True or False Questions. Choose whether the statement is true 

or false. 

1. All consonants may be classified as either a stop or continuant consonant. 

There are NO exceptions. False 

2. The stop consonants are subdivided according to the nature of their sound 

and vocal organs used in producing them. True 

3. Gamma may be classified as either a voiced palatal stop, or as a voiced nasal 

continuant. True 

4. The two liquid voiced continuants are lambda and rhō. True 

5. The three aspirate stop consonants are phī, chī, and xsī. False 

6. The three palatal stop consonants are gamma, kappa, and chī. True 

7. The three labial stop consonants are bēta, pī, and thēta. False 

8. The three nasal voiced continuant consonants are gamma, mū and nū. 

True 

9. A cognate consonant is associated with a particular order. False 

10. A coordinate consonant is associated with a particular order. True 

11. The three orders are voiced, unvoiced, and aspirate. True 

12. The three classes are palatal, dental, and aspirate. False 

13. Gamma belongs to the same voiced order and is coordinate with the stop 

consonants delta and bēta. True 




14. Kappa belongs to the same unvoiced order and is coordinate with the stop 

consonants tau and pī. True 

15. Chī belongs to the same aspirated order and is coordinate with thēta and 

phī. True 

16. A stop consonant pronounced with the aid of the vocal cords is called 

“unvoiced”. False 


“aspirate”. True 

18. The palatal consonant stops belong to the same class because they are 

formed in back of the throat by the closure of the tongue near or touching 

the hard palate in the oral cavity. True 

19. Gamma may be either a voiced consonant stop, or a nasal continuant. 

True 

20. Because Greek consonants undergo phonemic changes, some consonants 

are not pronounced (“silent consonants”). False 

Exercise Three: Multiple Choice. Choose the best answer. 

1. Which consonant has a final form (i.e., when it ends a word)? 

a. kappa c. sigma 

b. phī d. gamma 

2. Which of the following belong to the stop consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

3. With what sound is aspiration associated? 

a. a strong emission of breath c. the palate 

b. the lips d. the teeth 




4. Which of the following are the three orders? 

a. voiced, unvoiced, and aspirate c. palatal, dental, and labial 

b. nasal, sibilant, compound d. aspirate, sibilant, and voiced 

5. Kappa belongs to the same unvoiced order and is coordinate with which 

consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

6. Thēta belongs to the same aspirated order and is coordinate with which 

consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

7. Bēta belongs to the same voiced order and is coordinate with which 

consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

8. Compound consonants belong to which consonant classification? 

a. liquid c. nasal 

b. continuants d. stops 

9. What are the three semi-consonant continuant consonants? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

10. What are the independent and indispensable sounds in speech? 

a. nasal c. consonants 

b. vowels d. breathing marks 




11. Which example is an illustration of an iōta adscript? 

a. c. = 

b. d. = 

12. Which of the following are diphthongs? 

a. c. 

b. d. 

13. Which word has a diaeresis? 

a. c. 

b. d. none of these 

Exercise Four: Transposition of letters. Transpose the following Greek capital 

letters into their corresponding small letters, and the small letters into their 

corresponding capital letters. 

1. 7. 

 

2. 8. 

3. 9. 

4. 10. 

5. 11. 

6. 12. 


Lesson 4: Sight and Sounds of Words (Module B) 


Study Level One: Phonetic Letter Recognition 

Instructions. The left-hand column lists sixteen Greek letters and 

combination of letters. Circle the closest appropriate phonetic sounding 

English letter or letter combination from the choices given. 

1. ps pf ph ds 

2. g p r rh 

3. gh yg y g 

4. pf ps ds xs 

5. dg q w d 

6. y n v u 

7. x xs kh ds 

8. ng nch nks gch 

9. r rt p ph 

10. sh s z d 

11. nch nks gk ngk 

12. xs z st zd 

13. ng gg nks nx 

14. ng nks gxs nch 

15. te dt t th 

16. t th tx ts 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Phonetic Letter Recognition NTGreek In Session

Lesson 4: Sight and Sounds of Words (Module B) SA4:10 


________________________________________________________________ 

ANSWER KEY 

1. ps pf ph ds 

2. g p r rh 

3. gh yg y g 

4. pf ps ds xs 

5. dg q w d 

6. y n v u 

7. x xs kh ds 

8. ng nch nks gch 

9. r rt p ph 

10. sh s z d 

11. nch nks gk ngk 

12. xs z st zd 

13. ng gg nks nx 

14. ng nks gxs nch 

15. te dt t th 

16. t th tx ts 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Phonetic Letter Recognition NTGreek In Session



Study Level One: Consonant Quiz 

The following quiz tests over general knowledge concerning the different 

classifications of consonants studied in Lesson Four. 

1. A combination of the throat, teeth, and lips are used when pronouncing 

the different Greek consonants. True False 

2. The dental consonants are consonants that primarily rely upon the lips 

for pronunciation. True False 

3. The two broad classification divisions between consonants are “stops” 

and “continuants”. True False 

4. The three semi-consonants are iōta, rhō, and upsīlon. True False 

5. The three dental stop consonants are delta, tau, and kappa. 

True False 

6. A stop consonant pronounced without the aid of the vocal cords is 

called unvoiced. True False 


an aspirate consonant. True False 

8. Gamma belongs to the same voiced order and is coordinate with the 

consonants delta and bēta. True False 

9. There are no cognate consonants in NTGreek. True False 

10. There are no coordinate consonants in NTGreek. True False 

11. Gamma, kappa, and chī are palatal consonant stops and all belong to 

the same class because they are formed in back of the throat by the 

closure of the tongue near or touching the hard palate in the oral 

cavity. True False 

12. There are only eight stop consonants in NTGreek. True False 

13. Gamma may be either a voiced stop consonant or a nasal continuant. 

True False 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Consonant Quiz NTGreek In Session



________________________________________________________________ 

14. The phonetic sound of approximates the “sh” in the English words, 

“should”, “sure”, and the “k” in “kept”. True False 

15. A consonant’s name is formed with the help of a vowel. True False 

16. A consonant’s phonetic value does not include a vowel sound. 

True False 

17. The three stop consonant orders are palatal, dental, and labial. 

True False 

18. The three stop consonant classes are voiced, unvoiced, and aspirate. 

True False 

19. A continuant consonant is a consonant wherein the passage of air is 

completely stopped. True False 

20. Continuant consonants are sometimes called "factors." True False 

21. Continuant consonants are subdivided into the sibilant, compound, 

nasal and liquid, and semi-consonants. True False 

22. The sound of nasal continuants is forced up toward the nasal cavity. 

True False 

23. Semi-consonants may serve at times as a vowel or a consonant. 

True False 

24. A compound consonant is a single consonant with a compound 

phonetic sound. True False 

25. When gamma occurs before another palatal stop, there is no effect 

upon its pronunciation. True False 

26. The nasal mū is a labial continuant consonant. True False 

27. Whenever iōta precedes a long vowel at the beginning of a word, its 

phonetic sound is like the “i” in “onion” or “minion”. True False 




________________________________________________________________ 

ANSWER KEY 

1. A combination of the throat, teeth, and lips are used when pronouncing 

the different Greek consonants. True 

2. The dental consonants are consonants that primarily rely upon the lips 

for pronunciation. False 

3. The two broad classification divisions between consonants are “stops” 

and “continuants”. True 

4. The three semi-consonants are iōta, rhō, and upsīlon. True 

5. The three dental stop consonants are delta, tau, and kappa. False 

6. A stop consonant pronounced without the aid of the vocal cords is 

called unvoiced. True 


an aspirate consonant. True 

8. Gamma belongs to the same voiced order and is coordinate with the 

consonants delta and bēta. True 

9. There are no cognate consonants in NTGreek. False 

10. There are no coordinate consonants in NTGreek. False 

11. Gamma, kappa, and chī are palatal consonant stops and all belong to 

the same class because they are formed in back of the throat by the 

closure of the tongue near or touching the hard palate in the oral 

cavity. True 

12. There are only eight stop consonants in NTGreek. False 

13. Gamma may be either a voiced stop consonant or a nasal continuant. 

True 




________________________________________________________________ 

14. The phonetic sound of approximates the “sh” in the English words, 

“should”, “sure”, and the “k” in “kept”. False 

15. A consonant’s name is formed with the help of a vowel. True 

16. A consonant’s phonetic value does not include a vowel sound. 

True 

17. The three stop consonant orders are palatal, dental, and labial. False 

18. The three stop consonant classes are voiced, unvoiced, and aspirate. 

False 

19. A continuant consonant is a consonant wherein the passage of air is 

completely stopped. False 

20. Continuant consonants are sometimes called "factors." False 

21. Continuant consonants are subdivided into the sibilant, compound, 

nasal and liquid, and semi-consonants. True 

22. The sound of nasal continuants is forced up toward the nasal cavity. 

True 

23. Semi-consonants may serve at times as a vowel or a consonant. True 

24. A compound consonant is a single consonant with a compound 

phonetic sound. True 

25. When gamma occurs before another palatal stop, there is no effect 

upon its pronunciation. False 

26. The nasal mū is a labial continuant consonant. True 

27. Whenever iōta precedes a long vowel at the beginning of a word, its 

phonetic sound is like the “i” in “onion” or “minion”. True 




Study Level Two: Phonetic Letter Group Recognition 

I. The left-hand column lists eighteen Greek words. Circle the closest 

appropriate phonetic sounding English word from the choices given. 

 

1. odd top aid eyed 

2. vik nik nix vix 

3. COME COMB CUFF CHAFF 

4. thump tooth that pout 

5. bic bike bum dock 

6. scope scab skate sky 

7. tap top tack thumb 

8. Pepsi lips dabs poppy 

9. foot flack fool flap 

10. bay beg boy peg 

11. BIG DIG PIG POKE 

12. yacht jog gag gang 

13. BIFF BIG DIG DOG 

14. FOLK PHONE FOX BOX 

15. gain group yard grain 

16. sell stop left sells 

17. roof rope puff pout 

18. strains stint stains stoops 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Phonetic Letter Group Recognition NTGreek In Session



___________________________________________________________________ 

II. The left-hand column lists twenty English words. Circle the closest 

appropriate phonetic sounding Greek word from the choices given. 

1. ox 

2. thin 

3. broke 

4. scope 

5. scrape 

6. weak 

7. cute 

8. soup 

9. paid 

10. oil 

11. weed 

12. mute 

13. coop 

14. queen 

15. sweep 

16. take 

17. boy 

18. toil 

19. doubt 

20. thigh 




___________________________________________________________________ 

ANSWER KEY 

 

 

 

1. odd top aid eyed 

2. vik nik nix vix 

3. COME COMB CUFF CHAFF 

4. thump tooth that pout 

5. bic bike bum dock 

6. scope scab skate sky 

7. tap top tack thumb 

8. Pepsi lips dabs poppy 

9. foot flack fool flap 

10. bay beg boy peg 

11. BIG DIG PIG POKE 

12. yacht jog gag gang 

13. BIFF BIG DIG DOG 

14. FOLK PHONE FOX BOX 

15. gain group yard grain 

16. sell stop left sells 

17. roof rope puff pout 

18. strains stint stains stoops 




___________________________________________________________________ 

II. The left-hand column lists twenty English words. Circle the closest 

appropriate phonetic sounding Greek word from the choices given. 

1. ox 

2. thin 

3. broke 

4. scope 

5. scrape 

6. weak 

7. cute 

8. soup 

9. paid 

10. oil 

11. weed 

12. mute 

13. coop 

14. queen 

15. sweep 

16. take 

17. boy 

18. toil 

19. doubt 

20. thigh 




Study Level Two: Phonetic Sound Recognition 

Instructions. Circle the word or words that are identical in phonetic 

pronunciation as the key word in boldface type in the left-hand column. 

Example: 

Key Word 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. (short) 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

 

 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Phonetic Sound Recognition NTGreek In Session



________________________________________________________________ 

ANSWER KEY 

Key Word 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. (short) 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Phonetic Sound Recognition NTGreek In Session



Study Level Two: Word Search Puzzle 

X S P K L W D H M A E E C C S 

Z L I C N X T M C Y T I O Y W 

T N A N O S N O C A B N O S H 

C J C W N M G M R B T O R D C 

D R U A F N P I Y I J E D L V 

E F S L A C P O N J D C I A V 

U A D T I S B U U R O L N I L 

L L E E A Q A K O N D A A B D 

V A A T B N U N R R D S T A E 

O T T R T V O I C E D S E L C 

W A P N U B R H D A K E D X I 

E O X R E T S U L C E S H E O 

L Z N U E D T Q Y V T J P F V 

N J A C N O Z U T H M U T F N 

S I B I L A N T G Z U Q G F U 

ASPIRATE CLASSES CLUSTER 

COGNATE COMPOUND CONSONANT 

CONTINUANT COORDINATE DENTAL 

GUTTURAL LABIAL LIQUID 

NASAL ORDERS SIBILANT 

UNVOICED VOICED VOWEL 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Word Search Puzzle NTGreek In Session



________________________________________________________________ 

ANSWER KEY 

+ + + + + + + + + + + E C C + 

+ + + C + + + + C + T + O + + 

T N A N O S N O C A + N O S + 

+ + + + N M G + R + T + R + + 

+ + + A + N P I + I + E D L + 

+ + S L A + P O N + D C I A + 

+ A + T I S + U U R + L N I + 

L L E + A Q A + O N + A A B D 

V A A + + N U + + + D S T A E 

O + T R T V O I C E D S E L C 

W + + N U + + + D + + E + + I 

E + + R E T S U L C + S + + O 

L + + + + D T + + + + + + + V 

+ + + + + + + U + + + + + + N 

S I B I L A N T G + + + + + U 

(Over, Down, and Direction) 

ASPIRATE (5,8,NE) LABIAL (14,10,N) 

CLASSES (12,6,S) LIQUID (4,6,SE) 

CLUSTER (10,12,W) NASAL (5,4,SW) 

COGNATE (9,2,SW) ORDERS (9,8,NE) 

COMPOUND (4,2,SE) SIBILANT (1,15,E) 

CONSONANT (9,3,W) UNVOICED (15,15,N) 

CONTINUANT (14,1,SW) VOICED (6,10,E) 

COORDINATE (13,1,S) VOWEL (1,9,S) 

DENTAL (6,13,NW) 

GUTTURAL (9,15,NW) 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Word Search Puzzle NTGreek In Session



Study Level Three: Crossword Puzzle 

Across Down 

1. 2. 

3. vocal cords do not vibrate 4. stops in same order 

6. stops determined vertically 5. sound is not stopped 

8. vocal cords vibrate 7. air accompanies 

10. hissing sound 8. not a consonant 

11. throat sound 

12. undivided two or more 

consonants 

13. stops in the same class 

14. teeth 

16. not a vowel 

17. not a continuant 

9. 

12. stops vertically determined 

15. use of the lips 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Crossword Puzzle NTGreek In Session



______________________________________________________________ 

ANSWER KEY 

Across 

1. nasal 

3. unvoiced 

6. orders 

8. voiced 

10. sibilant 

11. guttural 

12. cluster 

13. cognate 

14. dental 

16. consonants 

17. stop 

Down 

2. liquid 

4. coordinate 

5. continuant 

7. aspirate 

8. vowel 

9. compound 

12. classes 

15. labial 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Crossword Puzzle NTGreek In Session



Study Level Three: Matching Proper Names 

The left-hand column lists sixty Greek proper names and titles of New Testament 

people and places in alphabetical order. Match the correct Greek proper name to 

its English counterpart listed in the right-hand column in the blank provided. 

1. _____________ Tamar 

2. _____________ Emmaus 

3. _____________ Isaiah 

4. _____________ Thomas 

5. _____________ Israel 

6. _____________ Lazarus 

7. _____________ Elizabeth 

8. _____________ Andrew 

9. _____________ Galilee 

10. _____________ Abraham 

11. _____________ Abel 

12. _____________ Thecla 

13. _____________ Jacob 

14. _____________ Clopas 

15. _____________ Agrippa 

16. _____________ Gehenna 

17. _____________ Isaac 

18. _____________ David 

19. _____________ Barnabas 

20. _____________ Zebedee 

21. _____________ Jerusalem 

22. _____________ Babylon 

23. _____________ Gamaliel 

24. _____________ Caesar 

25. _____________ Claudius 

26. _____________ Theudas 

27. _____________ Theophilus 

28. _____________ Zechariah 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Matching Proper Names NTGreek In Session



__________________________________________________________________ 

29. _____________ Dorcas 

30. _____________ Messiah 

31. _____________ Rahab 

32. _____________ Solomon 

33. _____________ Paul 

34. _____________ Christ 

35. _____________ Noah 

36. _____________ Martha 

37. _____________ Lois 

38. _____________ Peter 

39. _____________ Patmos 

40. _____________ Mary 

41. _____________ Lot 

42. _____________ Ruth 

43. _____________ Saul 

44. _____________ Onesimus 

45. _____________ Rome 

46. _____________ Tabitha 

47. _____________ Timothy 

48. _____________ Zion 

49. _____________ Silas 

50. _____________ Moses 

51. _____________ Nazareth 

52. _____________ Nicodemus 

53. _____________ Pilate 

54. _____________ Nicopolis 

55. _____________ Samuel 

56. _____________ Philip 

57. _____________ Stephen 

58. _____________ Sapphira 

59. _____________ Philemon 

60. _____________ Magog 




__________________________________________________________________ 

ANSWER KEY 

1. Abel 

2. Abraham 

3. Agrippa 

4. Andrew 

5. Babylon 

6. Barnabas 

7. Galilee 

8. Gamaliel 

9. Gehenna 

10. David 

11. Dorcas 

12. Elizabeth 

13. Emmaus 

14. Zechariah 

15. Zebedee 

16. Isaiah 

17. Tamar 

18. Thecla 

19. Theophilus 

20. Theudas 

21. Thomas 

22. Jacob 

23. Jerusalem 

24. Isaac 

25. Israel 

26. Caesar 

27. Claudius 

28. Clopas 

29. Lazarus 

30. Lois 




__________________________________________________________________ 

31. Lot 

32. Martha 

33. Mary 

34. Messiah 

35. Magog 

36. Moses 

37. Nazareth 

38. Nicodemus 

39. Nicopolis 

40. Noah 

41. Onesimus 

42. Patmos 

43. Paul 

44. Peter 

45. Pilate 

46. Rahab 

47. Ruth 

48. Rome 

49. Samuel 

50. Sapphira 

51. Saul 

52. Silas 

53. Zion 

54. Solomon 

55. Stephen 

56. Tabitha 

57. Timothy 

58. Philemon 

59. Philip 

60. Christ 




Study Level Three: Quiz 

Answer the questions below. This is a “closed book” quiz, which means that you 

may not look at the material presented in Lesson Three while taking the quiz. Be 

careful, there may be more than one answer correct for each question or statement. 

The time limit to answer all of these questions is twenty minutes. 

1. The two major phonetic classifications of Greek consonants are: 

a. stops and dentals c. stops and orders 

b. stops and continuants d. stops and cognates 

2. The three major classes of the stop consonants are: 

a. palatal, dentals and labials c. guttural, dentals and labials 

b. cognates, dentals and labials d. voiced, unvoiced and aspirated 

3. The three orders of the stop consonants are: 

a. voiced, unvoiced and aspirated c. classes, cognate and aspirate 

b. aspirate, cognate and dental d. guttural, dental and labial 

4. The stop consonants belonging to the same class are considered: 

a. cognate c. voiced and aspirate 

b. coordinate d. none of the above 

5. The arrangement of the nine stops in Lesson Four is commonly called: 

a. the circle of fire c. the circle of nines 

b. the square of stops d. the circle of stops 

6. The nine stops are subdivided into: 

a. three orders and three classes c. two orders and two classes 

b. voiced, orders and nasals d. voiced, unvoiced and liquids 

© 1996 – 2012 by William Ramey • Quiz NTGreek In Session



___________________________________________________________________ 

7. A stop consonant produced with the aid of the vocal cords is called: 

a. voiced c. aspirate 

b. unvoiced d. all of the above 

8. A stop consonant produced without the aid of the vocal cords is called: 


b. unvoiced d. none of the above 

9. A stop consonant produced with a strong emission of breath is called: 


b. unvoiced d. bad breath 

10. The palatal stops are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

11. The dental stops are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

12. The labial stops are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

13. The continuant consonants are subdivided into: 

a. sibilants, compounds, nasals, and throat lozenges 

b. compound, labials, discs, liquids, and semi-consonants 

c. sibilant, compound, nasal, liquid, and semi-consonants 

d. North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Antarctica 




___________________________________________________________________ 

14. If a continuant consonant is released through the nose, it is a: 

a. nasal c. liquid 

b. compound d. none of the above 

15. A compound consonant is: 

a. two single consonants in a row 

b. a single consonant with a compound phonetic sound 

c. two or more consonants in a row 

d. two identical consonants in a row 

16. The liquid continuant consonants are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

 

17. The compound consonants are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

18. True or False. The liquid continuant consonants are always voiced. 

19. True or False. The compound continuant consonants are always voiced. 

20. True or False. Sigma is the only “pure” sibilant consonant. 

21. True or False. Sigma is sometimes voiced and sometimes unvoiced. 

22. True or False. Zeta is sometimes voiced and sometimes unvoiced. 

23. True or False. The nasal continuants are always voiced. 




___________________________________________________________________ 

ANSWER KEY 

1. The two major phonetic classifications of Greek consonants are: 

a. stops and dentals c. stops and orders 

b. stops and continuants d. stops and cognates 

2. The three major classes of the stop consonants are: 

a. palatal, dentals and labials c. gutturals, dentals and labials 

b. cognates, dentals and labials d. voiced, unvoiced and aspirated 

3. The three orders of the stop consonants are: 

a. voiced, unvoiced and aspirated c. classes, cognate and aspirate 

b. aspirate, cognate and dental d. guttural, dental and labial 

4. The stop consonants belonging to the same class are considered: 

a. cognate c. voiced and aspirate 

b. coordinate d. none of the above 

5. The arrangement of the nine stops in Lesson Four is commonly called: 

a. the circle of fire c. the circle of nines 

b. the square of stops d. the circle of stops 

6. The nine stops are subdivided into: 

a. three orders and three classes c. two orders and two classes 

b. voiced, orders and nasals d. voiced, unvoiced and liquids 

7. A stop consonant produced with the aid of the vocal cords is called: 


b. unvoiced d. all of the above 




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8. A stop consonant produced without the aid of the vocal cords is called: 


b. unvoiced d. none of the above 

9. A stop consonant produced with a strong emission of breath is called: 


b. unvoiced d. bad breath 

10. The palatal stops are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

11. The dental stops are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

12. The labial stops are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

13. The continuant consonants are subdivided into: 

a. sibilants, compounds, nasals, and throat lozenges 

b. compound, labials, discs, liquids, and semi-consonants 

c. sibilant, compound, nasal, liquid, and semi-consonants 

d. North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Antarctica 

14. If a continuant consonant is released through the nose, it is a: 

a. nasal c. liquid 

b. compound d. none of the above 




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15. A compound consonant is: 

a. two single consonants in a row 

b. a single consonant with a compound phonetic sound 

c. two or more consonants in a row 

d. two identical consonants in a row 

16. The liquid continuant consonants are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

 

17. The compound consonants are: 

a. c. 

b. d. 

18. True or False. The liquid continuant consonants are always voiced. 

19. True or False. The compound continuant consonants are always voiced. 

20. True or False. Sigma is the only “pure” sibilant consonant. 

21. True or False. Sigma is sometimes voiced and sometimes unvoiced. 

22. True or False. Zēta is sometimes voiced and sometimes unvoiced. 

23. True or False. The nasal continuants are always voiced.

Lesson Four | Sight and Sounds of Greek Words (Module B)

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