Exercises on Ch 5 Syntax Q7, Q9a, b p.

179

7. Apply the movement test to determine which of the bracketed sequences in the following

sentences form constituents.

a) We ate our lunch [near the river bank].

[Near the river bank] we ate our lunch.

b) Steve looked [up the number] in the book.

[Up the number] Steve looked in the book.

[Up the number] is not constituent.

[In the book], Steve looked in the book.

c) The [island has been] flooded.

[Island has been] the flooded.

[Island has been] is not constituent.

Has [the island] been flooded?

d) I love [peanut butter and bacon sandwiches].

[Peanut butter and bacon sandwiches] I love.

e) The environmental [movement is gaining momentum].

[Movement is gaining momentum] the environmental.

[Movement is gaining momentum] is not constituent.

Is [environmental movement] gaining momentum.

9. The following sentences all contain embedded clauses that function as complements of a
Verb. Draw a tree structure for each sentence.

a) The reporter said that an accident injured a woman.

TP

NP VP

DET N V CP

the reporter said

C TP
that

NP I VP

+pst

DET N V NP

an accident injured

DET N

a woman
b) The fishermen think that the company polluted the bay.

TP

NP T’

DET N I VP

The fisherman -pst

V’

V CP

think

C’

C TP

that

NP T’

DET N’ I VP

the -pst

N V’

company

V NP

polluted

DET N’

the

bay