Words such as “firm” and “star” illustrate which type of syllable?

The correct identification of "firm" and "star" as illustrating a particular type of syllable rests on the features of the vowel sounds in these words.

Both "firm" and "star" have vowels that are followed by a consonant, with the vowel being influenced by the consonant that follows (in this case, the "r"). In phonetics, an R-controlled syllable occurs when a vowel is followed by the letter "r," which changes the way the vowel is pronounced, making it blend with the "r" sound. Thus, the "i" in "firm" and the "a" in "star" are not pronounced in their typical short or long forms, but rather take on a unique sound due to the presence of "r."

This understanding helps in decoding and pronouncing words correctly, as R-controlled syllables often require specific phonetic rules that differ from other syllable types. Consequently, recognizing the role of "r" in altering vowel sounds aids learners in their reading instruction and phonics development.