What is one characteristic of normal speech resulting from adequate velopharyngeal closure?

The characteristic of normal speech resulting from adequate velopharyngeal closure is that sound does not resonate excessively in the nasal cavity. When the velopharyngeal mechanism functions properly, it can seal the passage between the oral and nasal cavities during speech production. This sealing prevents excessive nasal resonance and allows speech sounds to be articulated clearly with appropriate oral resonance.

In normal speech, the airflow primarily passes through the oral cavity rather than through the nasal cavity, which enhances the clarity and intelligibility of the spoken words. If the velopharyngeal closure is inadequate, it can lead to hypernasality, where too much sound resonates in the nasal cavity, affecting speech quality. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the importance of proper velopharyngeal function in producing clear and articulate speech.