Intonation refers to which aspect of speech?

• A. The rate of speech
• B. The duration of vowels
• C. The pitch contour across an utterance signaling sentence type
• D. The loudness of speech

Answer: (C)

Intonation is about how pitch changes across an utterance. It involves the pitch contour—the highs and lows of the voice over the span of a sentence—which helps signal sentence type and speaker intention. That rising or falling pattern is what tells us whether a sentence is a question, a statement, or an exclamation, and it can also convey attitudes like doubt or emphasis. For example, a rising pitch at the end of a yes-no question contrasts with the typical falling pitch of a declarative sentence. The other aspects listed describe tempo (rate of speech), timing or duration of vowels, and loudness (volume), which are separate from the pitch patterns that define intonation.