Syntax
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In a “head-initial” language like English, the PS rule that correctly describes the distribution of heads and complements is _________ .
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X’ --> (X) complement
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X’ --> (X) (complement)
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X’ --> X (complement)
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These are practice questions for syntax. Test your knowledge.
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- 2.
Which of the following is a parameter of X-bar Theory?
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Whether X is to the left or the right of its complement
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Whether X’ is the mother or the daughter of X
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Whether X’ is above or below its specifier
Correct Answer
A. Whether X is to the left or the right of its complement -
- 3.
Which of the following statements best characterizes the goal of Generative Grammar?
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A system that generates an infinite number of rules.
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An infinite set of rules that generate a finite number of sentences.
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A finite set of recursive rules that generates an infinite number of sentences.
Correct Answer
A. A finite set of recursive rules that generates an infinite number of sentences. -
- 4.
If we add the rule V’à NP V to our grammar for English, we will generate the sentence *The boys can the test do, which is ungrammatical. The resulting inadequacy is called:
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Undergeneration
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Overgeneralization
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Overgeneration
Correct Answer
A. Overgeneralization -
- 5.
Consider the following tree diagram: A / \B C g D Which of the following is FALSE about the structure?
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C is the mother of D.
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B and C are sisters.
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D is daughter of B.
Correct Answer
A. B and C are sisters. -
- 6.
A grammar achieves descriptive adequacy if __________
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It correctly predicts which sentences are grammatical and which are ungrammatical.
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It tells us the style of speaking that is accepted as the social norm.
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It explains how language acquisition is possible despite the poverty of stimulus.
Correct Answer
A. It correctly predicts which sentences are grammatical and which are ungrammatical. -
- 7.
In which of the following sentences has the PS rule V’ à V CP been used twice?
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John is hoping that Mary will not be late for her appointment.
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John said that Mary is hoping that Peter will not be late for his appointment.
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Mary will be late for his appointment.
Correct Answer
A. John said that Mary is hoping that Peter will not be late for his appointment. -
- 8.
In the phrase a movie about war, which of the following words form a constituent?
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About war
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Movie about
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A movie
Correct Answer
A. About war -
- 9.
How many specifier positions are used in the tree diagram for the following sentence? The child ate apples in class. [HINT: Draw the tree.]
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1
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2
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3
Correct Answer
A. 2 -
- 10.
Which of the following is correct?
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In English a complement follows the head, but in Japanese it comes before the head.
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In English a specifier comes before X’, but in Japanese it follows X’.
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In English a specifier comes before a complement, but in Japanese it follows the complement.
Correct Answer
A. In English a complement follows the head, but in Japanese it comes before the head. -
- 11.
The sentence I like this movie about love can be restated as I like this one. What node has been replaced? [HINT: Draw the tree.]
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NP
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N'
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N
Correct Answer
A. N' -
- 12.
What is the root node for Colors of the foliage during the fall impress tourists?
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NP
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VP
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IP
Correct Answer
A. IP -
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Current Version
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May 11, 2019Quiz Edited by
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May 09, 2019Quiz Created by
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