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2024_Exercises_chapter 1

The document contains exercises on phrase markers and constituents in sentences, requiring the drawing of simplified phrase structures and analysis of word sequences. It includes explanations of ambiguity in sentences with multiple interpretations. The exercises focus on identifying constituents and testing their validity through various linguistic tests.

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2024_Exercises_chapter 1

The document contains exercises on phrase markers and constituents in sentences, requiring the drawing of simplified phrase structures and analysis of word sequences. It includes explanations of ambiguity in sentences with multiple interpretations. The exercises focus on identifying constituents and testing their validity through various linguistic tests.

Uploaded by

kimhue361359
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Exercise 1: Draw a simplified phrase marker for the following structures.

1. Two very silly jokes

2. Members of the team

3. No previous experience of syntax


4. John considers visiting his aunt.

5. John considers visiting his aunt next weekend.


6. John considered visiting his aunt last weekend. (because the sentence is ambiguous,
draw the phrase marker that represents the following interpretation: Last weekend,
he thought of visiting his aunt sometime before the end of the month.)

Exercise 2: Explain if the underlined sequences of words are constituents of the sentence. If
it’s not, identify the correct constituents. Refer to the appropriate test of phrase in your
explanation. Please turn to exercise
1. Maria simply gazed at the traffic light she had demolished.
“the traffic light” is NOT a constituent of the sentence because we have relative clause
so. When we use replacement test, we cannot replace the traffic light with it because
there is relative clause “she had demolished”
2. Everyone heads for the beach in August.
“the beach in August” is not a constituent of the sentence. We use questions test so
there is not any question to have the answer (the beach in August) and the meaning
seem like not appropriate
3. Roy put a silencer on the gun.
“a silencer on the gun” is not a constituent. When we use question test, there is not any
question, having the answer (a silencer on the gun)
4. She hit the man with the crutch.
“the man with with the crutch” is not a constituent.
We use the question test
We have “the man” and “with the crutch”

5. He hit the woman with the stick.


“the woman with the stick” is a constituent.
We can use the question test (who did he hit?)

Exercise 3: Explain the ambiguity in the sentence by giving two different interpretations that
correspond with two different structures.
1. We need more interesting ideas.
1. The first meaning: “more” + “interesting ideas”. It means that we need additional
ideas that are interesting.
2. The second meaning: "more interesting” + “ideas”. It means that we need more ideas
which are more interesting than what we have.
2. He loves good food and wine.
1. The first meaning is that he loves food that is good and wine, wine is a separate part
which is not affected by “good”
2. The second meaning is that he loves food and wine and both are good.
3. She attacked the man with the crutch.
1. The first meaning is that the man who is attacked has the crutch.
2. The second meaning is that a woman/ girl uses the crutch to attack the man.

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