The algaita is a double reed wind instrument from West Africa. The reed of a wind instrument is the mouthpiece...

Let's begin by understanding the meaning of this sentence. We'll use our understanding of pause points and segment the sentence as shown - understanding and assimilating the meaning of each segment bit by bit!

Sentence Structure

• The algaita is a double reed wind instrument from West Africa.
• The reed of a wind instrument
  • is the mouthpiece
    • where sound is [made?/made.]
• A double reed
  • contains two pieces of cane
    • that vibrate and produce sound
      • as air passes between them.

Understanding the Meaning

Let's start from the beginning:

The first sentence tells us:

• 'The algaita is a double reed wind instrument from West Africa.'
  • We're learning about a specific musical instrument.

The second sentence begins:

• 'The reed of a wind instrument is the mouthpiece...'
  • This is giving us a definition - telling us what the reed is.
  • The reed = the mouthpiece (the part you put your mouth on)

Now here's where we need to fill in the blank:

• 'the mouthpiece ____'

Let's look at our choices:

• All of them include "where" and talk about sound being made
• They differ in two ways:
  • Word order: "sound is made" vs. "is sound made"
  • Ending: period (.) vs. question mark (?)

Now, what's happening here grammatically?

• The phrase starting with "where" is giving us additional information about the mouthpiece
  • It's telling us that the mouthpiece is the place where sound is made
• This is a statement - we're defining what the mouthpiece is
  • NOT asking a question about it

What do we notice about the structure?

• When "where" provides descriptive information about a noun (like "mouthpiece"), we use normal word order:
  • "where sound is made" (subject "sound" comes before verb "is made")
  • NOT "where is sound made" (that's question word order)
• Since this is a statement defining something, not a question:
  • We need a period, not a question mark

So we need Choice C: "where sound is made."

The complete sentence reads:

• "The reed of a wind instrument is the mouthpiece where sound is made."
  • A clear, declarative statement.

The third sentence confirms this explanatory context:

• 'A double reed contains two pieces of cane that vibrate and produce sound as air passes between them.'
  • More technical explanation - all statements, no questions.

Grammar Concept Applied

Relative Clauses vs. Questions with "Where"

The word "where" can introduce two different types of structures, and they require different word order:

1. Relative Clause (called an adjective clause in grammar terms) - provides additional information about a noun:

• Use normal word order: subject + verb
• Example: "This is the studio where the band records."
• "where the band records" describes "studio"
• Normal order: subject (band) + verb (records)
• NOT: "where records the band"

2. Direct Question - asks for information:

• Use inverted word order: verb + subject
• Example: "Where does the band record?"
• Question structure: auxiliary verb (does) + subject (band) + main verb (record)

In this question:

• "The mouthpiece where sound is made" uses a relative clause
• "where sound is made" gives additional information about the mouthpiece
• We use normal word order: subject (sound) + verb (is made)
• We use a period because it's a statement, not a question

Key Signal:
If "where" comes right after a noun and describes that noun, use normal word order and statement punctuation.