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1.What semantic feature must a noun have in order to be used in this sentence? The ___________ were discussing what to do.
[+ human]
2.Using semantic features, how would you explain the oddness of these sentences? (a) The television drank my water.
The verb drink requires a subject with the feature [+animate] and the noun television has the feature [-animate].
2.Using semantic features, how would you explain the oddness of these sentences? (b) His dog writes poetry.
The verb write requires a subject with the feature [+human] and the noun dog has the feature [-human].
3 What phrase is used more often instead of “thematic roles” and what other term is used instead of “theme” in the semantic analysis of noun phrases?
Semantic roles and patient
5 How is the term “prototype” used in semantics?
The prototype is the characteristic instance of a category, as in the case of “robin” being the clearest example, or prototype, of the category “bird” for many
6 Identify the roles of the seven noun phrases in this sentence: With her new golf club, Anne Marshall whacked the ball from the woods to the grassy area near the hole and she suddenly felt invincible.
Instrument (her new golf club), Agent (Anne Marshall), Theme (the ball), Source (the woods), Goal (the grassy area), Location (the hole), Experiencer (she)
