Which term is listed as a phonological process but not defined in the material?

• A. Assimilation
• B. Location
• C. Movement Epenthesis
• D. Metathesis

Answer: (A)

Assimilation is a phonological process where a sound becomes more like a neighboring sound in place or manner of articulation. It’s a term you’ll often see listed as a phonological process, but in this item the material doesn’t provide a definition for it. That mismatch—being included as a process yet left undefined—is exactly what the question is asking you to spot.

For example, a nasal sound like /n/ can become [m] before a bilabial sound like /p/ or /b/ (as in “input” being pronounced with a bilabial nasal influence). This shows assimilation at work, changing one sound to resemble another nearby sound.

The other options don’t fit the prompt as cleanly. Location isn’t a standard phonological process. Metathesis is a recognized process (sound orders switching) and would typically be defined, not left undefined. Movement Epenthesis isn’t a standard, widely used term in basic phonology. So assimilation stands out as the term that’s acknowledged as a phonological process but not defined in the material.