Which word in the sample demonstrates onset cluster reduction to a single consonant?

Which word in the sample demonstrates onset cluster reduction to a single consonant?

• A. go
• B. tree
• C. duck
• D. stop

Answer: (B)

Onset cluster reduction happens when a word that starts with two consonants is spoken with only one of those consonants, often dropping the second sound. In the word with the initial /tr/ cluster, a young speaker might produce just the /t/ and sound like “tee.” That shows the cluster /tr/ being reduced to a single consonant onset while the rest of the word remains recognizable. The other options don’t illustrate this pattern as clearly: they either start with a single consonant, or, in the case of the word that starts with a two-consonant onset /st/, the reduction isn’t shown in the same straightforward way in this sample.

Onset cluster reduction happens when a word that starts with two consonants is spoken with only one of those consonants, often dropping the second sound. In the word with the initial /tr/ cluster, a young speaker might produce just the /t/ and sound like “tee.” That shows the cluster /tr/ being reduced to a single consonant onset while the rest of the word remains recognizable. The other options don’t illustrate this pattern as clearly: they either start with a single consonant, or, in the case of the word that starts with a two-consonant onset /st/, the reduction isn’t shown in the same straightforward way in this sample.