Which of the following describes two or more consecutive consonants that retain their individual sounds?

The concept of two or more consecutive consonants that retain their individual sounds is accurately described by a consonant blend. In a consonant blend, each consonant within the group is pronounced distinctly, allowing the sounds to blend together while maintaining their individual identities. For example, in the word "blame," the sounds of the 'b' and 'l' are both heard clearly.

Conversely, a consonant digraph consists of two consonants that form a single sound, such as 'ch' in "chop" or 'sh' in "ship." A vowel cluster refers specifically to a combination of vowels, which does not apply to the question about consonants. Letter pair is a more general term that does not specifically reference the blending of consonant sounds in the way that a consonant blend does. This understanding of consonant blends is essential for effective reading instruction, as it helps distinguish between different types of letter combinations and their sounds.