ENGLISH SEMANTICS 2011/2012 SAMPLE TEST 2

(90 minutes 50 pts 50% of the final mark)

1. TRUE (T) or FALSE (F)?
(5)
a)
Semantic metalanguage is inseparable from the language that is the object of semantic study.
b)
The underlying assumption of componential analysis is that the meaning of a lexical unit is
decomposable into a set of necessary and sufficient semantic features.
c)
Semantic frames are the most basic elements of meaning that are irreducible and that can be
defined in a non-circular fashion.
d)
Hyponymy and taxonymy are paradigmatic sense relations of inclusion, whereby a hyponym is
always a taxonym but a taxonym is not necessarily a hyponym.
e)
Syntagmatic linking by means of conjoining two different semantic roles in the same syntactic
function typically produces a semantically anomalous expression.
2. Complete the following analogies:
a) paradigmatic : syntagmatic :: ___________ : chain
b) synonymy : hyponymy :: paraphrase : ______________

(2)

3. Which of the following represents a relational approach to word meaning?

(1)
a) natural semantic metalanguage b) prototype semantics c) lexical field semantics d) componential analysis
4. Which of the following is/are not (a) semantic prime(s)?
a) have b) own
c) see b) work

(2)

5. Apply componential analysis to highlight the difference in meaning between colt and filly
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

(2)

6. The coordination tests for determining semantic components include _______________ and
(2)
______________. Apply one of these tests to determine a semantic component pertinent to the lexeme dog.
_______________________________________________________________________________
7. The expression par excellence is a linguistic means for expressing ____________________.
Such linguistic means are called ________________. Illustrate using the following template:
____________ is a vehicle par excellence.

(2)

8. Which of the following lexical units evoke(s) the commercial transaction frame?
a) purchase b) vernacular
c) pusillanimous
d) vendor

(2)

9. Lexical items that are interchangeable without affecting truth-conditions of a given expression
are called ___________________________ . Illustrate using the following sentence:
He tried to hide the evidence. _________________________________________

(2)

10. Hyponymy in verbs, e.g. chuckle : ___________, involves the ______________ relation,
which is called _________________ .

(2)

11. Identify (underline) the basic level term in the following:

a)
Siamese cat mammal animal - living being
b)
means of transport vehicle car convertible

(2)

12. Complete the following analogy and identify the pertinent sense relation:
spike : wheel :: ____________ : _____________
a) car : hatchback
b) queen : king c) stride : walk
d) back : chair
__________________________________

(2)

13. Complete the following sentence to make a) a paradox b) a pleonasm

Margaret is very courageous and a) __________________ b) __________________

(2)

14. Provide two examples of fixed (bound) collocations:

_____________________________ _________________________________

(2)

15. Which type of oppositeness of meaning is illustrated by the following examples:

a) bequeath : inherit _________________
b) true : false
_________________

(2)

16. Identify the unmarked term(s):

a) young
b) old
c) fox

(2)
d) vixen

17. Identify the type of meaning extension in the following examples:

a) Jim has drunk two bottles. ___________________
b) Its a hard story to swallow. ___________________

(2)

18. The phenomenon of one meaning repeatedly producing another meaning

in a number of lexemes is called ______________________________ .
Illustrate: _________________________________________________________________

(2)

19. Identify the situation type (verb) and the semantic roles of the arguments:
Timothy received the letter.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

(2)

20. Compare and contrast (100-150 words): PHILONYMY and XENONYMY

(10)
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