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Maharashtra SSC Avesta L2/L3 (MSBSHSE) study materials
Maharashtra SSC Avesta L2/L3 (MSBSHSE) study resources

Maharashtra SSC Avesta L2/L3 (MSBSHSE) practice questions

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Question 1Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In the Avestan script, which direction is the text written and read?

  1. Top to bottom in columns
  2. Alternating boustrophedon
  3. Right to left Correct answer.
  4. Left to right

Explanation

Avestan is written from right to left, like the other scripts derived from the Aramaic model, so a reader begins at the right edge of the line and moves leftward. Column and alternating directions belong to unrelated writing systems.

Question 2Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

The Avestan script is best classified among the following as which type of writing system?

  1. An alphabet with independent vowel letters Correct answer.
  2. A syllabary of consonant-vowel units
  3. A consonantal abjad without vowel signs
  4. A logosyllabic script

Explanation

Avestan is an alphabet: it has separate signs for vowels as well as consonants, and it writes vowels fully rather than leaving them implicit. This distinguishes it from abjads such as Arabic script and from syllabaries such as Linear B.

Question 3Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which statement correctly describes the origin of the Avestan script used in the surviving manuscripts?

  1. It was created in the nineteenth century by European editors
  2. It was devised in the Sasanian period, modelled largely on the Pahlavi book script Correct answer.
  3. It was invented by Zarathushtra himself for his hymns
  4. It descends directly from the Indus Valley script

Explanation

The Avestan alphabet is a late creation, generally placed in the Sasanian era, and its letter shapes were modelled on the contemporary Pahlavi book script. It was designed to record the liturgy with full and precise phonetic notation.

Question 4Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

The Avestan script is notable among alphabets for which feature?

  1. An inventory of only twelve letters
  2. A very large inventory of letters distinguishing many vowel and consonant qualities Correct answer.
  3. The use of a single sign for all nasal sounds
  4. The absence of any letter for the sound /a/

Explanation

Avestan uses an unusually rich set of letters, over fifty signs, because it was created to record fine phonetic and phonological distinctions of the recited text. This makes it one of the more elaborate alphabets of the ancient world.

Question 5Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In Avestan transliteration, what does the letter written <ā> represent compared with <a>?

  1. A nasalised vowel
  2. A consonant, the glottal stop
  3. A long vowel of the same quality as short a Correct answer.
  4. A completely different vowel, fronted like e

Explanation

The macron marks length, so <ā> is the long counterpart of short <a>; the two differ in quantity, not in basic vowel quality. Length is phonologically significant in Avestan, so the distinction must be transliterated carefully.

Question 6Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which transliteration convention marks a nasalised vowel in Avestan editions?

  1. An apostrophe after the vowel
  2. A double acute accent over the vowel
  3. A macron over the vowel
  4. A small hook or ogonek-like mark under or attached to the vowel Correct answer.

Explanation

Editors mark nasalisation with a diacritic attached to the vowel itself, such as a hook beneath it, distinguishing the nasalised vowel from its plain oral counterpart. The macron is reserved for length, so the two diacritics carry different information.

Question 7Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

The Avestan letter transliterated <ŋ> (eng) most closely corresponds to which sound?

  1. A trilled alveolar r
  2. A velar nasal, as in English 'sing' Correct answer.
  3. A voiceless labiodental fricative
  4. A voiced palatal stop

Explanation

The symbol <ŋ> denotes the velar nasal, the sound at the end of English 'sing', and it contrasts with the plain dental nasal <n>. Confusing the two changes the identity of the word in the liturgy.

Question 8Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In standard Avestan transliteration, what does the symbol <š> represent?

  1. A voiced postalveolar fricative, like English 'zh'
  2. A voiceless postalveolar fricative, like English 'sh' Correct answer.
  3. A voiceless alveolar sibilant, like English 's'
  4. A voiceless velar fricative, like Scottish 'loch'

Explanation

The hacek on <š> marks the postalveolar fricative heard in English 'ship'. The plain <s> is kept for the alveolar sibilant, so the two letters must not be merged when transliterating.

Question 9Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which transliteration symbol in Avestan editions represents a voiceless velar fricative?

  1. x Correct answer.
  2. j
  3. q
  4. c

Explanation

In the Avestan transliteration system <x> stands for the voiceless velar fricative, comparable to the sound in Scottish 'loch'. The letter <c> is used for the voiceless palatal affricate, so the two must be kept apart.

Question 10Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

The Avestan letter transcribed <ə> (sometimes written as a turned e) typically denotes which vowel?

  1. A nasalised back vowel
  2. A diphthong ending in i
  3. A short central or reduced vowel Correct answer.
  4. A long front vowel

Explanation

The symbol <ə> marks a short, central, reduced vowel quality, distinct from the full vowels <a>, <i> and <u>. Editors use it to render a vowel that the manuscripts distinguish from the plain short vowels.

Question 11Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which of these transliterations correctly renders the Avestan word for 'truth', usually given as aša?

  1. asa
  2. aša Correct answer.
  3. azha
  4. asha

Explanation

The word is transliterated with the postalveolar fricative <š>, giving aša, since the middle consonant is not the plain alveolar sibilant. Writing <sh> is an anglicised substitute rather than the standard scholarly transliteration.

Question 12Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In Avestan manuscripts, what function does the sign written as a small circle or dot above certain letters serve?

  1. It marks the beginning of a new hymn
  2. It marks a phonetic detail such as a nasalised or modified pronunciation of the letter Correct answer.
  3. It indicates a scribal correction
  4. It separates two words

Explanation

Small diacritic marks placed above letters in the manuscripts record phonetic nuances of the recitation, such as nasalisation or a modified articulation. They are part of the precise phonetic notation for which the script is famous.

Question 13Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

How are words normally separated in Avestan manuscript writing?

  1. By capital letters at each word start
  2. Words are never separated in any way
  3. By a point or small separating mark between words Correct answer.
  4. By a fixed blank space of uniform width

Explanation

Avestan manuscripts typically use a point or similar small mark to divide words, rather than relying on modern spacing conventions. Recognising this separator is essential when reading a continuous manuscript line.

Question 14Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A student sees the transliteration <yazata>. Which description of the consonant symbols is correct?

  1. <y> is a vowel and <z> a voiceless fricative
  2. <y> is a palatal approximant and <z> a voiced alveolar fricative Correct answer.
  3. <y> is a glottal stop and <z> a trill
  4. <y> is a velar stop and <z> a palatal affricate

Explanation

In the transliteration system <y> denotes the palatal approximant heard in English 'yes', and <z> the voiced alveolar fricative of 'zoo'. Both values must be applied consistently when reading such a word aloud.

Question 15Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which pair of Avestan letters is distinguished only by the presence or absence of a diacritic and must therefore be copied with care?

  1. k and g
  2. a and ā
  3. p and b
  4. s and š Correct answer.

Explanation

The letters <s> and <š> differ only by the hacek diacritic, yet they stand for different fricatives, alveolar versus postalveolar. Omitting the diacritic silently changes the phonological value of the word.

Question 16Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

When an Avestan text is printed in scholarly editions, what does 'transliteration' mean?

  1. Translating the text into a modern language
  2. Copying the original script exactly, letter for letter
  3. Reciting the text according to the ritual melody
  4. Representing Avestan letters with Latin letters plus diacritics Correct answer.

Explanation

Transliteration maps each Avestan letter onto a Latin symbol, adding diacritics where necessary to preserve distinctions. It is not translation, and it is not a facsimile reproduction of the original script.

Question 17Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which transliteration symbol stands for the voiceless palatal affricate in Avestan?

  1. θ
  2. x
  3. c Correct answer.
  4. č

Explanation

The letter <c> is used for the voiceless palatal affricate, comparable to the 'ch' of English 'church'. Other symbols such as <x> and <θ> denote fricatives and must not be substituted for it.

Question 18Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

The Avestan letter transliterated <θ> corresponds to which sound?

  1. A voiced alveolar lateral
  2. A voiced dental fricative, as in English 'this'
  3. A voiceless dental fricative, as in English 'thin' Correct answer.
  4. A voiceless alveolar stop

Explanation

The symbol <θ> (theta) denotes the voiceless dental fricative of English 'thin', contrasting with the voiced fricative written with a different symbol. The distinction is phonemic in Avestan and must be preserved in transliteration.

Question 19Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A manuscript line reads the sequence of letters transliterated as <aŋhə̄m>. Which statement about the symbols is correct?

  1. <ŋh> is a single vowel sign
  2. <ə̄> is a consonant
  3. <ŋh> represents a nasalised velar fricative cluster and <ə̄> a long reduced vowel Correct answer.
  4. The sequence contains no nasal element

Explanation

In this sequence <ŋh> renders the nasal plus velar fricative combination, while <ə̄> is the long counterpart of the reduced central vowel. Reading each symbol with its proper value is necessary to pronounce the form correctly.

Question 20Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which statement best explains why Avestan manuscripts show many variant spellings of the same word?

  1. The script had no fixed letter values at all
  2. Scribes recorded recitational pronunciation, which varied, so phonetic spellings differ Correct answer.
  3. Editors deliberately introduced errors to test readers
  4. The language changed into a different family during copying

Explanation

Because the alphabet was devised to capture the sound of the recited liturgy, scribes wrote what they heard, and recitational pronunciation differed across times and places. This produces the phonetic variants seen across manuscripts of the same passage.

Question 21Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In the standard transliteration, the letter <v> in a word such as <vohu> represents which sound?

  1. A labiodental approximant or voiced labiodental fricative Correct answer.
  2. A voiceless labial stop
  3. A velar nasal
  4. A vowel, the rounded back u

Explanation

The symbol <v> denotes the labiodental sound heard at the start of English 'vote', functioning as a consonant in such words. The vowel <u> is written with its own separate letter.

Question 22Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which of the following correctly pairs an Avestan transliteration symbol with its phonetic description?

  1. <z> - voiceless alveolar stop
  2. <z> - voiced alveolar fricative Correct answer.
  3. <n> - voiceless velar fricative
  4. <s> - voiced postalveolar fricative

Explanation

The letter <z> stands for the voiced alveolar fricative, as in English 'zoo'. The other pairings assign values that belong to entirely different letters in the system.

Question 23Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A reader encounters the transliteration <xšābrəm> in a text. Which analysis of the first two consonants is correct?

  1. <x> is a vowel and <š> a palatal affricate
  2. <x> is a velar fricative and <š> a postalveolar fricative Correct answer.
  3. <x> is a velar stop and <š> an alveolar sibilant
  4. <x> is a dental fricative and <š> a lateral

Explanation

The first consonant <x> is the voiceless velar fricative, and the second <š> is the voiceless postalveolar fricative. Keeping these two distinct is essential because the cluster carries the word's identity.

Question 24Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

What is the usual scholarly practice for marking vowel length when transliterating Avestan?

  1. Place a macron over the long vowel letter Correct answer.
  2. Add an apostrophe after the vowel
  3. Underline the vowel letter
  4. Double the vowel letter

Explanation

Long vowels are marked with a macron, as in <ā> and <ī>, so that length is visible without ambiguity. Doubling or apostrophes are conventions of other traditions and would misrepresent the quantity.

Question 25Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which feature of the Avestan script most directly helps a reader distinguish the many fricatives and affricates of the recited language?

  1. The absence of any punctuation
  2. The use of ideograms for common words
  3. Dedicated letters with diacritics for each distinct articulation Correct answer.
  4. The writing of only consonants

Explanation

The alphabet assigns separate letters, often differentiated by diacritics, to each fricative and affricate, which is why the inventory is so large. This precision supports accurate recording of the liturgy's phonology.

Question 26Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In the standard Avestan transliteration used in scholarly editions, which Latin letter represents the voiced palatal affricate written with a special Avestan character?

  1. c
  2. ž
  3. j Correct answer.
  4. č

Explanation

Scholarly transliteration distinguishes voiced from voiceless affricates: plain j marks the voiced palatal affricate, while c marks the voiceless one. The diacritic forms č and ž belong to other conventions or other sounds, so only j fits the voiced palatal affricate.

Question 27Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A student meets the transliteration <z> in a word such as <zaraθuštra>. Which phonetic value does this symbol carry in Avestan editions?

  1. Voiced dental stop
  2. Voiced alveolar fricative Correct answer.
  3. Voiceless alveolar fricative
  4. Voiceless velar fricative

Explanation

In Avestan transliteration z stands for the voiced alveolar (sibilant) fricative, the sound heard at the start of zaraθuštra. Its voiceless counterpart is written s, and the stops are written d and so on, so the other options describe different symbols.

Question 28Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which transliteration symbol in Avestan editions marks the palatal nasal, a sound like the <ny> of English canyon?

  1. ń Correct answer.
  2. m
  3. ŋ
  4. n

Explanation

Editors use an acute on n (ń) for the palatal nasal, distinguishing it from the plain alveolar n and from the velar nasal ŋ. The symbol m stands for a bilabial nasal, so it cannot represent a palatal sound.

Question 29Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In Avestan transliteration, the sequence <au> in a word such as <aogə̄> or <aošah> is best described as which kind of vowel?

  1. A long monophthong
  2. A diphthong Correct answer.
  3. A nasalised vowel
  4. A reduced schwa

Explanation

The digraph au renders a diphthong, a gliding vowel that begins low and moves toward a rounded back position. Nasalisation is shown by a special mark, length by a macron, and schwa by ə, so none of the other descriptions applies to au.

Question 30Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

When an Avestan word appears in an edition as <aŋhə̄m>, what does the macron over the final vowel indicate?

  1. That the vowel is short
  2. That the vowel is long Correct answer.
  3. That the vowel is nasalised
  4. That the vowel carries the stress

Explanation

A macron (a bar above a vowel) is the standard scholarly signal of vowel length in Avestan transliteration. Nasalisation uses a different diacritic, and Avestan editions do not normally mark stress with a macron.

Question 31Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which Avestan letter is transliterated <b> and corresponds to the voiced bilabial stop?

  1. The letter written p
  2. The letter written b Correct answer.
  3. The letter written v
  4. The letter written f

Explanation

Transliteration is largely phonemic: b stands for the voiced bilabial stop, matching the Avestan character for that sound. The symbols p, v and f denote the voiceless stop, the labial semivowel/fricative, and the voiceless labial fricative respectively.

Question 32Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In scholarly Avestan transliteration, which symbol is used for the voiceless dental fricative, the sound of English thin?

  1. t
  2. δ
  3. θ Correct answer.
  4. s

Explanation

The Greek letter theta (θ) renders the voiceless dental fricative in Avestan editions, as in θri or zaraθuštra. Plain t is the dental stop, s is a sibilant, and δ (delta) would mark a voiced fricative in related conventions.

Question 33Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A reader sees the transliteration <g> in a word such as <gə̄uš>. Which description of this symbol is correct?

  1. It is a voiceless velar stop
  2. It is a voiced palatal affricate
  3. It is a voiced velar stop Correct answer.
  4. It is a velar nasal

Explanation

In the standard transliteration g represents the voiced velar stop, the voiced partner of k. The voiceless stop is k, the voiced palatal affricate is j, and the velar nasal is ŋ.

Question 34Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A student reads the transliteration <xšāθrəm> and must explain the first two symbols. Which analysis is correct?

  1. x is a voiceless uvular stop and š is a voiceless dental fricative
  2. x is a voiceless velar fricative and š is a voiceless palato-alveolar fricative Correct answer.
  3. x is a voiced velar fricative and š is a voiced palatal fricative
  4. x is a voiceless velar stop and š is a voiceless alveolar stop

Explanation

The symbol x marks the voiceless velar fricative, and š marks the voiceless palato-alveolar (or postalveolar) fricative, so the cluster xš is two voiceless fricatives of different places. Stops would be written k and t, and voicing is not marked on either symbol here.

Question 35Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which statement correctly describes the Avestan letter transliterated <c>?

  1. It is a voiceless palatal affricate Correct answer.
  2. It is a voiced palatal affricate
  3. It is a voiced velar stop
  4. It is a voiceless alveolar fricative

Explanation

The symbol c in Avestan transliteration denotes the voiceless palatal affricate, the voiceless partner of j. It is not a fricative like s or a stop like g, so only the first description fits.

Question 36Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In Avestan transliteration, the symbol <h> appears both alone and in digraphs such as <ŋh>. What does the plain <h> represent?

  1. A voiceless glottal fricative Correct answer.
  2. A glottal stop
  3. A voiceless velar fricative
  4. A voiced velar fricative

Explanation

Plain h denotes the voiceless glottal fricative, the ordinary English h sound. The velar fricatives are written x and γ, and the glottal stop is not normally written with h in this system.

Question 37Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A student must decide how to transliterate the Avestan word for the concept 'good mind' (vohu manaŋha). Which statement about the symbol <ŋh> is correct?

  1. It represents a voiced velar stop
  2. It represents a single palatal nasal
  3. It represents a nasalised vowel
  4. It represents a velar nasal followed by a voiceless glottal fricative Correct answer.

Explanation

The digraph ŋh combines the velar nasal ŋ with h, so the reader pronounces a nasal released into a glottal fricative. It is not a single nasal, not a vowel feature, and not a stop.

Question 38Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which transliteration symbol in Avestan editions represents the voiced velar fricative?

  1. x
  2. ŋ
  3. γ Correct answer.
  4. k

Explanation

Greek gamma (γ) is used for the voiced velar fricative, the voiced counterpart of x. The symbol k is the voiceless velar stop and ŋ is the velar nasal, so neither can stand for the fricative.

Question 39Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

When a printed edition writes <y> in a word such as <yazata>, what does this symbol denote?

  1. A high front vowel
  2. A voiceless palatal fricative
  3. A voiced palatal affricate
  4. A voiced palatal semivowel (approximant) Correct answer.

Explanation

In Avestan transliteration y marks the voiced palatal semivowel or approximant, functioning like English y in yes. The affricate is written j, the voiceless fricative would be š or similar, and vowels are written with vowel letters.

Question 40Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A reader sees the transliteration <ą> with a small mark under or beside the vowel in an Avestan edition. What does this mark most likely signal?

  1. Stress on the vowel
  2. Length of the vowel
  3. That the vowel is epenthetic
  4. Nasalisation of the vowel Correct answer.

Explanation

In Avestan transliteration a nasal diacritic attached to a vowel indicates that the vowel is nasalised. Length is shown with a macron, and stress or epenthesis are not normally marked with this nasal sign.

Question 41Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which statement best explains why Avestan manuscripts show many variant spellings of a single word?

  1. The script was transmitted orally and copied by scribes over many centuries, so phonetic and scribal variation accumulated Correct answer.
  2. The script was invented in the nineteenth century for printing
  3. Vowel length was never marked in any manuscript
  4. Each manuscript uses a different alphabet

Explanation

Avestan texts were transmitted orally long before being written down, and later scribes copied them across centuries, so spellings vary with pronunciation and copying practice. The script is ancient, not a modern invention, and manuscripts share one alphabet.

Question 42Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

In Avestan transliteration, which symbol marks a voiceless palato-alveolar fricative (the sound of English sh)?

  1. z
  2. š Correct answer.
  3. s
  4. ž

Explanation

The caron on s (š) marks the voiceless palato-alveolar fricative, distinct from plain s. The symbol ž would mark a voiced fricative in related conventions, and z is the voiced alveolar fricative.

Question 43Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A student comparing transliteration systems notices that one edition writes <vohu> and another writes <vohū>. Which explanation is best?

  1. The macron marks nasalisation
  2. One edition has misread the consonant
  3. The difference reflects a decision about marking vowel length, not a different word Correct answer.
  4. The two editions are transliterating different words

Explanation

Editors differ in how consistently they mark final or medial vowel length, so vohu and vohū can render the same word. The consonant is unchanged, and a macron marks length rather than nasalisation.

Question 44Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which Avestan letter is transliterated <f> and what sound does it denote?

  1. A voiced labiodental fricative
  2. A voiceless bilabial stop
  3. A voiceless labiodental fricative Correct answer.
  4. A voiced bilabial stop

Explanation

The symbol f renders the voiceless labiodental fricative, as in English fine. The voiced counterpart would be written v-type symbols, and the bilabial stops are p and b.

Question 45Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A reader encounters the transliteration <dātā> and must identify the consonant symbols. Which description is correct?

  1. d is a voiced alveolar fricative and t is a voiceless fricative
  2. d is a voiced dental stop and t is its voiceless counterpart Correct answer.
  3. d is a voiced dental fricative and t is a voiceless dental stop
  4. d is a voiced palatal stop and t is a voiceless palatal stop

Explanation

The pair d and t marks the voiced and voiceless dental stops respectively, so dātā shows the same consonant twice with a voicing contrast. Fricatives would be written with θ or δ-type symbols, and the place is dental rather than palatal.

Question 46Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which statement about the Avestan letter transliterated <ŋ> is correct when it appears before <h> versus when it appears alone?

  1. Before h it is silent; alone it is a glottal stop
  2. Before h it becomes a palatal nasal; alone it is a velar stop
  3. Before h it marks a nasalised vowel; alone it is a semivowel
  4. Before h it forms a cluster with the glottal fricative; alone it is a velar nasal Correct answer.

Explanation

The letter ŋ is the velar nasal; in the digraph ŋh it combines with the following glottal fricative, while standing alone it simply represents the nasal. It does not change into a palatal nasal, a vowel feature, or a stop.

Question 47Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A student must explain why scholarly transliteration uses digraphs such as <xš> and <ŋh> instead of single Latin letters. Which explanation is best?

  1. Avestan has more consonant distinctions than the basic Latin alphabet provides, so digraphs and diacritics extend it Correct answer.
  2. Avestan scribes wrote only digraphs and never single letters
  3. Digraphs mark stress rather than sound
  4. Latin lacks any consonant sounds found in Avestan

Explanation

The Avestan consonant inventory includes several fricatives and affricates that plain Latin letters cannot distinguish, so editors combine letters and add diacritics. Digraphs encode sound values, not stress, and Avestan writing uses single letters as well.

Question 48Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which transliteration symbol in Avestan editions represents the voiced palatal fricative, distinct from the voiced palatal affricate?

  1. j
  2. ž Correct answer.
  3. š
  4. c

Explanation

The voiced palatal fricative is written ž, while j marks the voiced palatal affricate and š and c are voiceless. Distinguishing ž from j is essential because the two sounds contrast in Avestan.

Question 49Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

A candidate reads a printed Avestan line and sees a letter with a small circle above it. In Avestan manuscript and editorial practice, what does such a marking most often indicate?

  1. A marker of vowel length
  2. A marker of stress accent
  3. A marker of word division
  4. A scribal or editorial signal about the reading, such as a variant or correction Correct answer.

Explanation

Small circles and dots above letters in Avestan manuscripts and editions typically serve as scribal or editorial signals, for example flagging a variant or correction. Length is shown with a macron, stress is not normally marked this way, and word division uses spacing or points.

Question 50Avesta language - script and reading (Avestan script, transliteration)

Which statement about how Avestan words are separated in manuscript writing is correct?

  1. Words are separated by a slash mark
  2. Words are always separated by a fixed blank space
  3. Words are separated only by capital letters
  4. Words are often written continuously, with separation sometimes shown by points or spacing Correct answer.

Explanation

Avestan manuscripts often run words together, and scribes sometimes used points or irregular spacing to mark boundaries. There is no fixed blank-space rule, no slash convention, and the script does not use capital letters for this purpose.