Which of the following examples represents a closed syllable?

A closed syllable is a type of syllable that ends in a consonant, which effectively "closes" the vowel sound within that syllable. In the case of "fan," the syllable consists of the consonant sound /f/, followed by the vowel sound /a/, and then concludes with the consonant sound /n/. This structure means the vowel sound is short, aligning with the definition of a closed syllable.

In contrast, the other examples present open syllables or vowels that are generally represented by long vowel sounds. "Cone," for instance, ends with the silent 'e,' which typically elongates the vowel sound before it. Similarly, "mule" and "Pete" each feature vowel sounds that are also long due to their endings. Thus, "fan" exemplifies the characteristics of a closed syllable effectively.