What is a consonant blend?

• A. A combination of vowels
• B. Two or more consecutive consonants that retain individual sounds
• C. A single consonant sound
• D. A silent letter in a word

Answer: (B)

A consonant blend is defined as two or more consecutive consonants that are pronounced together, with each consonant retaining its individual sound. For example, in the word "crown," the 'c' and 'r' are blended but still distinct sounds. This characteristic makes consonant blends an essential component of phonics, as they help students develop decoding skills essential for reading.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definition of a consonant blend. A combination of vowels pertains to vowel digraphs, where two vowels form a single sound. A single consonant sound does not encompass the concept of blending multiple consonants. Lastly, a silent letter refers to a letter in a word that is not pronounced, which does not relate to the idea of blending sounds. Hence, option B correctly captures the essence of a consonant blend.