Voiced sounds are characterized by which of the following?

Voiced sounds are characterized by the movement and vibration of the vocal cords. When we produce voiced sounds, the vocal cords come together and vibrate as air from the lungs passes through them. This vibration creates sound that is modulated further by the articulators (like the tongue and lips) in the vocal tract.

In contrast, options that mention the vocal cords not vibrating, complete obstruction of airflow, or sound production solely in the mouth do not accurately describe voiced sounds. For instance, voiceless sounds occur when the vocal cords remain open and do not vibrate, which is distinct from the process of producing voiced sounds. Understanding this aspect of phonetics is crucial for recognizing how different sounds are formed in speech, which can help with teaching English language learners the nuances of pronunciation and sound production.