Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CAT4 Practice Questions and Study Guide

The characteristic that best describes the speech signal in a person's native language is that it is continuous. This means that speech flows smoothly without abrupt breaks or interruptions, allowing for the conveyance of meaning through a natural rhythm. In a continuous speech signal, phonemes and words are connected, making it easier for speakers to process the language intuitively as they listen and respond.

While other options may have elements that can be present in speech—such as variation in tone or intonation—continuous speech is essential for the clarity and comprehension of verbal communication within a language. Fragmented speech might occur in disjointed talks or stuttering, monotonic speech could result in a lack of expressiveness, and variability can describe how speech might change in different contexts. However, the hallmark of fluent native speech is its continuous nature, which allows for more effective communication.