COMD 5070 EXAM 200 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026 ALREADY
GRADED A+
This comprehensive set of 200 unique multiple-choice questions covers the
entire COMD 5070 exam syllabus in speech and hearing science. It addresses
the scientific method, acoustics, psychoacoustics, digital signal processing,
voice production, and the source-filter theory of speech. Topics include
fundamental frequency, formants, voice onset time, perturbation measures
(jitter and shimmer), harmonics-to-noise ratio, and clinical indices like the
Acoustic Voice Quality Index. Respiratory mechanics, vocal registers, and the
acoustic characteristics of vowels, consonants, and coarticulation are
thoroughly explored. Each question provides a correct answer and a detailed
educational rationale, making this an effective self-study tool for exam
preparation in speech-language pathology and audiology.
1. What are the four features of the scientific method as applied in speech science?
A) Empirical, deterministic, predictive, and parsimonious
B) Empirical, random, predictive, and complex
C) Theoretical, deterministic, subjective, and parsimonious
D) Observational, random, subjective, and complex
Answer: A
Rationale: The scientific method in speech science is characterized by being
empirical (based on data), deterministic (obeying physical laws), predictive
(showing what will happen), and parsimonious (using the simplest explanation
possible).
2. Why do speech-language pathologists use technology in clinical practice?
A) To replace clinical judgment entirely
B) To overcome listener bias and track progress objectively
C) To reduce the cost of therapy sessions
D) To make therapy sessions longer
Answer: B
Rationale: Technology helps SLPs overcome listener bias by providing consistent,
reliable measures. It also allows for objective description of severity, tracking
,progress over time, providing biofeedback, and complying with evidence-based
practice standards.
3. What is the difference between pitch perception and frequency measurement?
A) Pitch is objective and frequency is subjective
B) Pitch is subjective to the listener, while frequency is objective and measurable
C) Pitch and frequency are the same thing
D) Pitch can be measured with instruments, frequency cannot
Answer: B
Rationale: Pitch is the perceptual correlate of frequency. While frequency is a
physical property that can be measured in Hertz, pitch is the listener's subjective
perception that cannot be measured directly with instruments.
4. What is a difference limen in psychoacoustics?
A) The maximum sound intensity a person can tolerate
B) The smallest detectable change in a sound parameter
C) The difference between two speakers' fundamental frequencies
D) The threshold of pain for loud sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: A difference limen (DL) is the smallest detectable change in a stimulus
that a listener can perceive. For frequency, DLs become larger as the frequency
decreases; for intensity, DLs become larger as the intensity decreases.
5. What happens to the pitch perception when the fundamental frequency is
removed from a complex periodic sound?
A) The pitch is perceived as the same, but the timbre differs
B) The pitch is perceived as one octave higher
C) The sound is perceived as noise
D) The pitch is no longer perceived
Answer: A
Rationale: When the fundamental frequency is removed, the brain can still
perceive the missing fundamental because the harmonic series retains the pitch
information. The timbre (quality) changes, but the perceived pitch remains the
same.
6. How many semitones are in one octave?
A) 6
B) 10
C) 12
D) 24
,Answer: C
Rationale: An octave is divided into 12 semitones, each representing a non-linear
step in frequency. This scaling corresponds more closely with how humans
perceive pitch changes, making it useful for comparing speakers with different
average fundamental frequencies.
7. What is the Voice Range Profile (VRP)?
A) A measure of voice onset time
B) A visual representation of a person's amplitude and fundamental frequency
range
C) A test for vocal fold nodules
D) A measure of speech intelligibility
Answer: B
Rationale: The VRP is a clinical tool that displays a person's dynamic range across
their fundamental frequency range. The x-axis represents fundamental frequency
and the y-axis represents amplitude, showing the softest and loudest phonation
possible at each pitch.
8. What is the inverse square law in acoustics?
A) Intensity increases proportionally with distance from the source
B) Intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source
C) Frequency doubles with distance
D) Amplitude remains constant regardless of distance
Answer: B
Rationale: The inverse square law states that as distance from a sound source
doubles, intensity decreases to one-fourth of its original value. This is because the
sound energy spreads out over a larger area as it travels.
9. What is the relationship between subglottic pressure and speech intensity?
A) Subglottic pressure decreases as loudness increases
B) Subglottic pressure is the driving force for phonation; more pressure is needed
for louder speech
C) Subglottic pressure has no effect on intensity
D) Subglottic pressure only affects pitch, not loudness
Answer: B
Rationale: Subglottic pressure below the larynx is the primary driving force for
vocal fold vibration. To produce louder speech, greater subglottic pressure is
required, which increases the amplitude of vocal fold vibration and thus sound
pressure level.
, 10. How does loud speech differ from conversational speech physiologically?
A) Loud speech requires less vocal fold adduction
B) Loud speech requires more forceful vocal fold collisions and higher oral
pressure
C) Loud speech uses lower subglottic pressure
D) Loud speech does not differ from conversational speech
Answer: B
Rationale: Loud speech requires increased respiratory effort, higher subglottic
pressure, and more forceful vocal fold collisions. This results in greater sound
pressure level and often a higher fundamental frequency compared to
conversational speech.
11. What is the difference between analog and digital signals?
A) Analog signals are discrete in time, digital signals are continuous
B) Analog signals are continuous in time and amplitude; digital signals are discrete
in both
C) There is no difference between analog and digital signals
D) Analog signals use only 1s and 0s; digital signals use continuous values
Answer: B
Rationale: Analog signals are continuous representations that directly correspond
to the physical waveform. Digital signals are discrete representations using
samples (snapshots in time) and quantization (amplitude values), making them
more robust for storage and processing.
12. How does sampling rate relate to playback quality and file size?
A) Higher sampling rates produce lower quality but smaller files
B) Higher sampling rates produce higher quality but larger file sizes
C) Sampling rate has no effect on quality or file size
D) Higher sampling rates only affect amplitude, not frequency
Answer: B
Rationale: The sampling rate determines how many snapshots per second are taken
of the analog signal. A higher sampling rate captures more detail (higher quality)
but requires more data storage (larger file size).
13. What is the Nyquist frequency?
A) The lowest frequency a recording can capture
B) Half the sampling rate, representing the highest frequency that can be
reproduced
C) The frequency at which hearing is most sensitive
D) The fundamental frequency of the human voice
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026 ALREADY
GRADED A+
This comprehensive set of 200 unique multiple-choice questions covers the
entire COMD 5070 exam syllabus in speech and hearing science. It addresses
the scientific method, acoustics, psychoacoustics, digital signal processing,
voice production, and the source-filter theory of speech. Topics include
fundamental frequency, formants, voice onset time, perturbation measures
(jitter and shimmer), harmonics-to-noise ratio, and clinical indices like the
Acoustic Voice Quality Index. Respiratory mechanics, vocal registers, and the
acoustic characteristics of vowels, consonants, and coarticulation are
thoroughly explored. Each question provides a correct answer and a detailed
educational rationale, making this an effective self-study tool for exam
preparation in speech-language pathology and audiology.
1. What are the four features of the scientific method as applied in speech science?
A) Empirical, deterministic, predictive, and parsimonious
B) Empirical, random, predictive, and complex
C) Theoretical, deterministic, subjective, and parsimonious
D) Observational, random, subjective, and complex
Answer: A
Rationale: The scientific method in speech science is characterized by being
empirical (based on data), deterministic (obeying physical laws), predictive
(showing what will happen), and parsimonious (using the simplest explanation
possible).
2. Why do speech-language pathologists use technology in clinical practice?
A) To replace clinical judgment entirely
B) To overcome listener bias and track progress objectively
C) To reduce the cost of therapy sessions
D) To make therapy sessions longer
Answer: B
Rationale: Technology helps SLPs overcome listener bias by providing consistent,
reliable measures. It also allows for objective description of severity, tracking
,progress over time, providing biofeedback, and complying with evidence-based
practice standards.
3. What is the difference between pitch perception and frequency measurement?
A) Pitch is objective and frequency is subjective
B) Pitch is subjective to the listener, while frequency is objective and measurable
C) Pitch and frequency are the same thing
D) Pitch can be measured with instruments, frequency cannot
Answer: B
Rationale: Pitch is the perceptual correlate of frequency. While frequency is a
physical property that can be measured in Hertz, pitch is the listener's subjective
perception that cannot be measured directly with instruments.
4. What is a difference limen in psychoacoustics?
A) The maximum sound intensity a person can tolerate
B) The smallest detectable change in a sound parameter
C) The difference between two speakers' fundamental frequencies
D) The threshold of pain for loud sounds
Answer: B
Rationale: A difference limen (DL) is the smallest detectable change in a stimulus
that a listener can perceive. For frequency, DLs become larger as the frequency
decreases; for intensity, DLs become larger as the intensity decreases.
5. What happens to the pitch perception when the fundamental frequency is
removed from a complex periodic sound?
A) The pitch is perceived as the same, but the timbre differs
B) The pitch is perceived as one octave higher
C) The sound is perceived as noise
D) The pitch is no longer perceived
Answer: A
Rationale: When the fundamental frequency is removed, the brain can still
perceive the missing fundamental because the harmonic series retains the pitch
information. The timbre (quality) changes, but the perceived pitch remains the
same.
6. How many semitones are in one octave?
A) 6
B) 10
C) 12
D) 24
,Answer: C
Rationale: An octave is divided into 12 semitones, each representing a non-linear
step in frequency. This scaling corresponds more closely with how humans
perceive pitch changes, making it useful for comparing speakers with different
average fundamental frequencies.
7. What is the Voice Range Profile (VRP)?
A) A measure of voice onset time
B) A visual representation of a person's amplitude and fundamental frequency
range
C) A test for vocal fold nodules
D) A measure of speech intelligibility
Answer: B
Rationale: The VRP is a clinical tool that displays a person's dynamic range across
their fundamental frequency range. The x-axis represents fundamental frequency
and the y-axis represents amplitude, showing the softest and loudest phonation
possible at each pitch.
8. What is the inverse square law in acoustics?
A) Intensity increases proportionally with distance from the source
B) Intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source
C) Frequency doubles with distance
D) Amplitude remains constant regardless of distance
Answer: B
Rationale: The inverse square law states that as distance from a sound source
doubles, intensity decreases to one-fourth of its original value. This is because the
sound energy spreads out over a larger area as it travels.
9. What is the relationship between subglottic pressure and speech intensity?
A) Subglottic pressure decreases as loudness increases
B) Subglottic pressure is the driving force for phonation; more pressure is needed
for louder speech
C) Subglottic pressure has no effect on intensity
D) Subglottic pressure only affects pitch, not loudness
Answer: B
Rationale: Subglottic pressure below the larynx is the primary driving force for
vocal fold vibration. To produce louder speech, greater subglottic pressure is
required, which increases the amplitude of vocal fold vibration and thus sound
pressure level.
, 10. How does loud speech differ from conversational speech physiologically?
A) Loud speech requires less vocal fold adduction
B) Loud speech requires more forceful vocal fold collisions and higher oral
pressure
C) Loud speech uses lower subglottic pressure
D) Loud speech does not differ from conversational speech
Answer: B
Rationale: Loud speech requires increased respiratory effort, higher subglottic
pressure, and more forceful vocal fold collisions. This results in greater sound
pressure level and often a higher fundamental frequency compared to
conversational speech.
11. What is the difference between analog and digital signals?
A) Analog signals are discrete in time, digital signals are continuous
B) Analog signals are continuous in time and amplitude; digital signals are discrete
in both
C) There is no difference between analog and digital signals
D) Analog signals use only 1s and 0s; digital signals use continuous values
Answer: B
Rationale: Analog signals are continuous representations that directly correspond
to the physical waveform. Digital signals are discrete representations using
samples (snapshots in time) and quantization (amplitude values), making them
more robust for storage and processing.
12. How does sampling rate relate to playback quality and file size?
A) Higher sampling rates produce lower quality but smaller files
B) Higher sampling rates produce higher quality but larger file sizes
C) Sampling rate has no effect on quality or file size
D) Higher sampling rates only affect amplitude, not frequency
Answer: B
Rationale: The sampling rate determines how many snapshots per second are taken
of the analog signal. A higher sampling rate captures more detail (higher quality)
but requires more data storage (larger file size).
13. What is the Nyquist frequency?
A) The lowest frequency a recording can capture
B) Half the sampling rate, representing the highest frequency that can be
reproduced
C) The frequency at which hearing is most sensitive
D) The fundamental frequency of the human voice
