Which of the following is NOT an example of a stop sound?

The choice of /h/ as the answer is appropriate because it does not belong to the category of stop sounds. Stop sounds, also known as plosive sounds, are produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract, which creates a build-up of air pressure that is released suddenly. This is characteristic of the sounds /b/, /d/, and /t/, where the airflow is completely blocked at specific points of articulation (lips, alveolar ridge, and voiceless alveolar, respectively) before being released.

On the other hand, /h/ is classified as a glottal fricative sound. It is produced without complete closure of the vocal tract; instead, it's created by forcing air through a narrow channel created by the position of the vocal cords. Therefore, /h/ does not involve the same stop or plosive properties, making it distinct from the other options. Recognizing the differences in how these sounds are formed is essential for understanding phonetics and phonology in the context of structured literacy.