Stuttering is characterized by which of the following?

Stuttering is primarily identified by the repetitions of sounds, especially at the beginning of words. This characteristic can manifest as the repetition of consonants (e.g., "b-b-b-ball") or vowels, which signifies a disruption in the normal flow of speech. These repetitions often lead to difficulty in communication, causing distress and frustration for the individual. Recognizing this feature is crucial for understanding the nature of stuttering and for providing effective interventions.

The other options reflect different speech issues that do not align with the primary characteristics of stuttering. Excessive mispronunciations and pauses may relate more closely to speech sound disorders but do not specifically define stuttering. Fast speech rates without hesitation are more indicative of fluent speech patterns, which are opposite of what is observed in stuttering. Lastly, the inability to produce a range of speech sounds points to articulation or phonological disorders rather than the disruptions in fluency seen in stuttering.