Which of the following examples illustrates a silent consonant?

The word "climb" contains a silent consonant, specifically the letter "b." In this word, the "b" is not pronounced, making the sound of the word rely entirely on the other letters, "c," "l," "i," "m." Recognizing silent consonants is crucial in understanding pronunciation and spelling, as they can significantly alter the way a word is perceived and articulated.

In contrast, the other examples—"cloud," "grand," and "spend"—do not contain silent consonants; every letter in these words is pronounced. This distinction highlights the presence of silent letters in certain words and enhances the understanding of phonetics and orthography, valuable knowledge for reading proficiency and literacy development.