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(123doc) Tai Lieu On Thi Semantic Further Exercises

The document provides exercises on sense relations and presuppositions in language, including identifying relationships between word pairs and presuppositions in various utterances. It categorizes relationships such as antonymy, synonymy, and hyponymy, while also exploring the assumptions made in conversational contexts. Additionally, it includes examples of conversational implicatures that can be drawn from dialogues.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
4 views15 pages

(123doc) Tai Lieu On Thi Semantic Further Exercises

The document provides exercises on sense relations and presuppositions in language, including identifying relationships between word pairs and presuppositions in various utterances. It categorizes relationships such as antonymy, synonymy, and hyponymy, while also exploring the assumptions made in conversational contexts. Additionally, it includes examples of conversational implicatures that can be drawn from dialogues.

Uploaded by

phuonghuy200209
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FURTHER EXERCISES and KEY

I. Sense Relations : What is the relationship between the words in the following pair
(Note : Theory : pp57-81 ; provide more exercises of this type)

1. clever - stupid gradable antonymy [clever — normal – stupid ]


2. savage — attack synonymy
3-. give—receive relational antonymy [if… then…]
4. take—steal hyponymy
5. breakfast—meal hyponymy
6. pleasing —satisfying synonymy
7. solid—liquid binary antonymy
8. dissolve (as in salt dissolves in water) — dissolve (The Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991): polysemy
9. fish—bird incompatibility
10. parent—child relational antonymy [if…then…]
11. furniture—writing desk. hyponymy
12. rude—polite: gradable antonymy [rude — usuaf(Qv expected) — polite ]

II. Identify the presupposition in each of the following utterances:


(Note : Theory : pp. 109-121)

1. " I regret missing the last lecture.”  The speaker missed the lest lecture.

2. “ I regret losing my temper at work this morning.”  The speaker lost his/her temper at work this morning.

3. " They were rich.'  The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who they were.

4 .”John was quite unpopular.”  The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who John is.

5. “If pigs could fly, pork wings wouldn’t taste any better than chicken wings.”  pigs cannot fly

6. ” I wish I could surf.”  The speaker cannot surf.

7. “ We haven't heard anything from Barbara.”  The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who Barbara is.

8. “The exam is not so difficult.”  The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what the exam is.

9. “I’ve been dreaming of having a house of my own.” The speaker has not had/owned/possessed any house (yet).

10.”The explosion was so loud that it could be heard from miles away.”
 There was an explosion somewhere. OR
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what tfie explosion is.

11. “ When did you quit smoking?”  You/The hearer did quit/quit smoking.

12. “ The examination in Semantics is so easy this time.”  There have been a number of examinations in Semantics
so far.
13.”I am not able to go to Hanoi this weekend.”  The speaker is supposed to go to Hanoi this weekend.

14. “Did you return tfie book to the library?”  You/The hearer had borrowed a book from the library.

15. “Even Bill could come.”  The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who Bill is.

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16. “She is not happy about the chemistry course (that/which) she’s taking.”
 She is taking me a chemistry course.

17. “ The CD (that/which) you gave me is quite interesting.”  you gave me a CD. OR
 The hearer gave the speaker a CD.

18. “ I am so sorry, I am in a hurry and I can't answer your question right now.”
 You’ve asked me a question. OR  The hearer's asked the speaker a, question.

19. “When did you give up teaching?”  You/The hearer gave up teaching.

20. “ Imagine you are a teacher.”  The hearer is not a teacher (yet).

21. “It is going to rain for a long time.” (a prediction)  It is raining now. OR  It has been raining.

22. “ She was not aware that it would hurt her so much. ”  it did hurt / hurt her very much.

23. “It took us two days to come back from Hanoi by train.? ”  We once went to Hanoi.

24. “Could you drive me to the airport?”  The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what tEs airport is and
where it is located.

25. “He pretended to be pleased with the gift. ”  The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what the gift is.
 He was not pleased with the gift.

26. “But for your encouragement, we would have given up. ”  /You encouraged us.

27. “We couldn't have managed without your help. ”  you help us. OR  The hearer helped me speaker.

28. “We couldn't have managed without your help. ”  you help us. OR  The hearer helped the speaker.

29. “You shouldn 't have seen sueh a horror film. ”  you/The hearer did see/saw a horror film.

'30. “You could have talked to the dean. ”  you/The hearer did not talk to the dean.

31. “ It is going to be hot for some weeks. ”  It Is hot now.

32. “Have you stopped hugging your sheepdog?”  The Hearer has at some past time hugged his/her sheepdog.

III. Identify two presuppositions in each of the following utterances:

1. “I’m going to buy some milk for the little child. ”


 The little child drinks milk.
 The speaker hasn't bought any milk (for the little child) yet.
2. “My wife pretended to be pleased with my answer.”
 The speaker is already married. ( = the speaker has a wife )
 My wife was not pleased with my answer. ( the speaker’s wife was not pleased with his answer )
3. “ She pretended that the gift had pleased her .”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who she is and what the gift is.
 The gift did not please her.
4. “He didn't manage to support himself.”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who he is.
 He tried to support himself.
5. “You should have relied on him.”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who he is.

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 The hearer relied on him.
6. “ It’s odd how tricky the final exam is. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what the final exam is.
 The final exam is tricky.
7. “ When will she graduate from high school?"
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who she is.
 She will graduate from high school.
8. “ We congratulated them on the successful completion of the project. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who they are and what the project is.
 They successfully completed the project.
9. “Isn’t it believable that they have permitted this trial to go ahead?”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who they are and what the trial is.
 The trial was permitted to go ahead.
10. “ Who discovered Pluto in 1930? ”
 There exists a planet called "Pluto" in the solar system.
 Pluto was discoverd in 1930.
11. “ I wish I hadn’t turned down his proposal. ”
 He put forward/submitted a proposal.
 The speaker turned down his proposal.
12. “He didn’t realize he had been taken in. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who he is.
 He was taken in. *
13. “ Their son is not naughty. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who they are.
 They have a son.
14. “ They are happy with the results of the exam. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who they are.
 They have taken an exam an exam. *
 The exam's results have been announced.
15. “ She pretended she was not at home when the bell rang. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows w^o she is.
 The bell rarig.
 She was at home [when the bell rang].
16. “ If they had not awaited until the last minute, they would have passed the exam. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who they are.
 They waited until the last minute.
17. “You mustn’t get up until your temperature has gone down. ”
 you have a temperature.
 Your temperature hasn’t gone down yet.
Or
 The hearer has a temperature.
 His/Her temperature has not gone down yet.
18. “I wonder why Palm ignored us in the street just now. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who Palm is.
 Palm ignored us in the street just now.
19. “ Disa doesn't want any more popcorn. ”
The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who Disa is.
 Disa has eaten some popcorn.
20. “ They didn't realize that they were going m the wrong way]. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who they are.
 They were going in the wrong way.
21. “ We know that they had no chance to succeed though they were trying a lot. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who they are.
 They were trying a lot
 They had no chance to succeed.
22. “ What was the thief doing when you saw him. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who the thief is. (the hearer know the fact that there was a thief)
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 You/The hearer saw the thief.
23. “ What was she talking about when you arrived there? ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who she is.
 You/The hearer arrived there.
24. “ When he phoned in, I was out for lunch. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who he is.
 He phoned in.
25. “ It is a pity that she failed his(her?) driving test. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who she is.
 She failed his( her?) driving test.
26. “ Please take me to the circus again. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what the circus is and where it is located.
( which circuit the speaker is taking about? )
 The speaker was at the circus before. ( saw a circus performance before ?)
Or
 The speaker has been to the circus before/at least once.
 The hearer has taken the speaker to the circus before/at least once.
27. “ I got an excellent mark for my essay last time. ”
 I / The speaker wrote an essay.
Or
 I / The speaker had written an essay.
28. “ If only you had taken his offer. ”
 He has made the hearer a good offer on something.
 You/The speaker didn't take his offer. (  the hearer knows the person who made the offer ?)
29. “ If only she were not so talkative. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who she is.
 She is so talkative.
30. “ I can't guess when the rain stops? ”
 Rain is falling.
Or
 It is raining.
31. “ I am sony I cannot find your book right now. ”
 You have abook.
 You have lent it to me.
Or
 The hearer has a book.
 The hearer has lent it to the speaker.
32. “ I am going to have a new grammar book. ”
 1 have a grammar book already.
 1 haven't bought any new one yet
33. “ On the occasion of my friend's birthday, I intend to buy her a new vase. ”
 I have a friend.
 She has a vase already.
 Soon (Adv) comes (Verb) her birthday (Subject).
34. “ I want to send a small present to my friend on the occasion of her graduation. ”
 I have a. friend.
 She has just graduated from school.
35. “ Can you stop playing with your cat? ”
 you have a cat.
 You are playing with it/him/her.
36. “ She was not aware that her son had an accident? ”
 She had a son
 He/Her son had an accident.
37. “ I wiah I had not booked the ticket. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who the ticket are. ( what ticket is spoken about?)
 The speaker booked the ticket.
38. “ Tom might find the chocolate cake in the kitchen. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who Tom is.
 There is a chocolate cake in the kitchen.
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39. “ You will be amazed when you see the view. ”
 There is beautiful view somewhere.
 You will see the view soon.
40. “ I am going to have/take a final examination in Semantics. ”
 There will be a, final examination in Semantics soon.
 The speaker hasnt taken the,final examination in Semantics yet.
41. “ We are going to be teachers of English. ”
 We / persons in question have not been teachers of English yet.
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who the other members of this group are.
42. “ My sister is going to graduate from university. ”
 I have a sister.
 She hasn't graduated from university yet
43. “ I missed my class on Monday because I overslept. ”
 I had a class on Monday.
 I overslept.
44. “ Mary regrets/regretted that she broke your window. ”
 Both the speaker and the hearer already knows who Mary is.
 Mary broke your ( the hearer’s ?) window.
45. “ Tom didn't regret missing the deadline for the assignment.”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who Tom is and what the assignment is.
 There exists a deadline for the assignment.
 Tom missed the deadline.
46. “ Where did you look for the keys?”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what the keys are. ( what keys are being spoken about?)
 The hearer looked for the keys.
47. “ The bus (that) you just missed was the wrong bus anyway. ”
 The hearer missed a bus.
 The bus was not the one the hearer needed to take. *
48. “ What ( When?) did you stop beating, your wife? ”
 You are married.
 You once beat /used to beat your wife.
49. “ Fred continued/didn’t continue speaking.”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who Fred is.
 Fred was speaking previously.
50. “ I cleaned /didn’t clean the room.”
 The speaker assumes that me hearer already knows what the room is.
 The room was dirty.
51. “ He killed/didn’t kill the bird. ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what the bird is.
 The bird was adve.
52. “ What was John worried about? ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who John is.
 John was worried.
53. “ Bill drank another glass of beer.”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows who Bill is.
 Bill had drunk at least one beer.
54. “ I think (that) I will pass the exam.”
 There will be an exam soon.
 I am/The speaker is going to take it. *
55. " I hope to have a good result for the exam. ”
 There will be an exam soon, and the speaker is going to take it.
 There was an exam soon, and the speaker has taken it.
56. “ I’ve got / have a good mark for the exam in American Literature. ”
 There was an exam in American Literature.
 The speaker has taken it.
57. “ Could you lend me the novel when you finish it? ”
 The speaker assumes that the hearer already knows what the novel is.
 You have not finished the novel yet. ( you will finish it ?)

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IV. Write down one conversational implicature that can be drawn from the second speaker's
response in each of the following dialogues.
(Note : Theory : pp. 128-132 )

Dialogue 1: A: “How do you like the new librarian at the information desk?”
B: “You mean Ron? He's been here as long as I have!”
B's utterance may implicate that Ron is not as new as you thought.

Dialogue 2: A: “ Did you finish your report? ”


B: “ I started it. ”
B's utterance may implicate that B didn’t finish the report OR B hasn’t finished the report yet.

Dialogue 3: A: “ Shall we sit here and talk? ”


B: “ There's no better place than here. ”
B's utterance may implicate that this Is the best place for private talks.

Dialogue 4: A: “I hear you often travel to other countries. ”


B: “Well, sometimes I do. ”
B's utterance may implicate that B does not often travel to other countries.

Dialogue 5: A: “ Is it OK if I park here? ”


B: '“ It's a driveway.''
B's utterancs may implicate that It is not OK for A to park here.

Dialogue 6: A: “ Did Joan take her umbrella today? ”


B: “ It's still downstairs. ”
B’s utterance may implicate that Joan has not take her umbrella yet.

Dialogue 7: A: “ What was her essay like? ”


B: “ The second draft wasn’t better. ”
B's utterance may implicate that her essay was not good / well-written.

Dialogue 8: A: “ What time do we have to check out the room? ”


B: “ Let's ask the front desk? ”
B's utterance may implicate that B does not know the check-out time.

Dialogue 8: A: “ Would you like a cup of tea? ”


B: “ I've just had some lemonade.”
B's utterance may implicate that B does not want to have tea.

Dialogue 9: A: “ Can you tell me what's on TV tonight?”


B: “ I never watch TV.”
B's utterance may implicate that B does not know what is on TV tonight.

Dialogue 10: A: “ Was the concert well received? ”


B: “ The audience applauded for a long time. ”
B's utterance may implicate that the concert was well received.

Dialogue 11: A: “ Do you use your local swimming pool very much? ”
'B. “ The salt water hurts my eyes”
B's utterance may implicate that B does not use the local swimming pool much.

Dialogue 12: A: “ Who was that man I just saw you with? ”
B: “ That was just someone.”
B's utterance may implicate that B cannot reveal the man's identity.

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Dialogue 13: A: “ Do you expect a lot of rain this month? ”
B: “ It hardly ever rains 'in March. ”
B's utterance may implicate that B does not expect any rain this month.

Dialogue 14: A: “ How are Mr. Smith's daughters? ”


B: “ The youngest is OK.”
B's utterance may implicate that Mr. Smith's other daughters are not nice or pleasant.

Dialogue 15: A: “ Has Betty gone to bed? ”


B: “ Her desk lamp stiffen. ”
B's utterance may implicate that Betty has not gone to bed yet.

Dialogue 15: A: “ Did many students visit you last week? ”


B: “ Some of the students came”
B's utterance may implicate that many students visited him/her last week.

Dialogue 16: Wife: “ Who is picking up the children today? ”


Husband: “ I've got a meeting at 3.30. ”
His utterance may implicate that The husband can't pick up the kids and is suggesting his wife should.

V. SPEECH ACT- KINDS For the following utterance, give two situations, interpret the utterance in
the light of the situations you have provided, and then classify it according to the speech act it
performs.
(Note : Theory : pp. 146-152 )

1. “ It's cold in here. ”


SITUATION 1:
Wife: 'It's cold in here. ” (= 'Do something to warm the room up, please.')
Husband: 'I'll shut the windows. ”
The wife indirectly asks/requests B to do something to warm the room they are in up.This is A DIRECTIVE.

SITUATION 2:
Wife: “ I don't think I stay in. It's cold in here. ”
Husband: “ All right. Let's go out for some exercise. ”
The wife directly gives the reason why/explains why she doesn't like to stay ia. This is A REPRESENTATIVE .

2. “Why don't you study French? ”


SITUATION 1:
Roy: “ Why don't you study French? ” (='You should study French.')
Roy's friend: “ That's what I thought, too. ”
Roy indirectly advises his friend to take a course in French.This is A DIRECTIVE .

SITUATION 2:
Roy: “Why don't you study French? ”
Roy's friend: “ Because I don't have time for it right now..”
Roy directly asks for the reason why his friend refuses to take a course in French.This is A ROGATIVE .

3. “What a nice hat you're wearing! ”


SITUATION 1:
A: “ What a nice hat you're wearing . ”
B: “ Thanks for your nice compliment. ”
A directly compliments B on her nice hat. This is AN EXPRESSIVE.

SITUATION 2:
A: “ What do you think of this hat? ”

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B; “ What a nice hat you're wearing.! ” (= Get rid of such an awful hat!')
( Since nice may be an expression of irony which means quite opposite.)
B indirectly asks A to get rid of such an awful hat. This is A DIRECTIVE.

4. “Look before you leap. ”


SITUATION 1:
Teacher: “ John, read the first sentence on page 14. ”
John: “ Look before you leap. ”
John just reads aloud what the teacher asks him to do, describe the content of the first sentence on page 14.
This is A REPRESENTATIVE.

SITUATION 2:
A: “ Look before you leap. ”
B: “ Thanks for your advice. ”
A directly gives a piece of advice. This is A DIRECTIVE.

5. “Do you know what time it is? ”


SITUATION 1:
Mary: “ Oh, I forget my watch. Do you know what time it is? ”
Tom: “ It's 7:05.'
Mary asks Tom for the time. This is A ROGATIVE.

SITUATION 2:
John: “ Hurry up or else we'll miss the train. Do you know what time it is?”
Linda: “ Wait a minute!9
John is really upset because Linda is too slow. This is AN EXPRESSIVE.

6. “ Smoking is strictly prohibited here. ”


SITUATION 1:
Jack: “ Does my smoking bother you?”
Gina: “ It doesn't matter to me, but smoking is strictly prohibited here. ”
Gina directly informs Jack of the prohibition of smoking in that place. This is A REPRESENTATIVE.

SITUATION 2:
Alfred: “ Don't you know that smoking is strictly prohibited here? ” (='Do not smoke in here.')
Kevin: “ Sorry.”
Alfred indirectly orders Kevin no+ +o smoke in that place. This is A DIRECTIVE.

7. “ We're running out of time. ”


SITUATION 1:
A: “ How much time have we got for the project?'
B: “ We're running out of time.'
B states the fact that there is no time left. This is A REPRESENTATIVE.
B gives a piece of information (to answer A's question). This is A REPRESENTATIVE.

SITUATION 2:
Janet: “ Our oral presentation is not as well-prepared as it should be.'
Mary: “ We're running out of time.'
Mary indirectly suggests that Janet should accept what they've done for the presentation. This is A DIRECTIVE.

8. “ The ice cream is in the fridge. ”


SITUATION 1:
A: “ Where's the dessert? ”
B: " The ice cream is in the fridge.”
B directly informs A of what is prepared for dessert and where it is kept. This is A REPRESENTATIVE.

SITUATION 2:
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A: “ The ice cream is in the fridge.” (= 'Have some ice cream, please.')
B: “ No, thanks. I'm full.'
A indirectly invites B to have some ice cream. This is A DIRECTIVE.

9. “ Authors always pay their debts. ”


SITUATION 1:
A: “ Authors always pay their debts.'
B: “ I can't agree more.' (= I completely agree with you.)
A directly states the fact that no one can avoid paying his/her own debt(s). This is A REPRESENTATIVE.

SITUATION 2:
Alice: “ When will I receive my reimbursement? ”
Victor: “ Authors always pay their debts. ” (= They pay you back later.)
Victor indirectly promises to pay Alice back later. This is A COMMISSIVE.

10. “ I'm working as fast as I can. ”


SITUATION 1:
Bess: “Can you speed up a little bit?”
Worker: “ I’m working as fast as I can. ”
The worker directly expresses his/her' annoyance, refuses the boss' s request. This is AN EXPRESSIVE.

SITUATION 2:
Ted: “ I’m working as fast as I can. ”
Ted's wife: 'I know you are. ”
Ted directly states the fact that he has been trying his best. This is A REPRESENTATIVE.

11. “ Who doesn't love money? ”


SITUATION 1:
A:
B:
SITUATION 2:
A:
B:
12. “ Why don't you send it by post? ”
SITUATION 1:
A:
B:
SITUATION 2:
A:
B:
13. “ My daughter is getting married in April.”
SITUATION 1:
A:
B:
SITUATION 2:
A:
B:
14. “ The air condition is not working today. ”
SITUATION 1:
A:
B:
SITUATION 2:
A:
B:

VI. Distinguish between PRESUPPOSITIONS, IMPLICATURES and SPEECH ACTS.

(Note : Theory : pp ;)

9
1. Identify the presupposition in the following utterance:
“ Billy really made a big mistake this time.”
ANSWER: The utterance presupposes that both the speaker and the hearer know who Billy is.

2. Write down one implicature that can be drawn from the following utterance:
“ Billy really made a big mistake this time. ”
ANSWER: The utterance may implicate that Billy's previous mistakes were not big.

3. For the following utterance, give two situations, interpret the utterance in the light of the situations you have
provided, and then classify it according to the speech act it performs.
“ Billy really made a big mistake this time. ”

ANSWER:
Situation 1:
Father [in an angry voice]: “ Billy really made a big mistake this time. ”
Mother [begging Billy's father]: “ Give him another chance, will you? ”
The father directly expresses his annoyance. This is AN EXPRESSIVE.

Situation 2:
Father: “ What was Billy's mistake like? ”
Mother: “ Billy really made a big mistake this time. ”
Billy's mother directly provides his father with a piece of information. This is A REPRESENTATIVE.

VII. Figures of speech : Interpret the meaning the following sentences and state what kind of figure
of speech (also called figurative language) used in each of them.
(Note : Theory : pp. 36-48 )

1. Give every man thing ears, bid a few thy voice.


The sentence consists of two metonymies. Respectively, "thine ears" and "thy voive'which are [+organ in the human body],
stands for "listen to everyone" and "talk to a few people'” which are [+human activity].
The sentence means "you should listen to everyone but talk to a few people."

2. His words can be trusted.


"His words", which is [+ controlled], stands for " that person himself, which is [+controller]. This is a metonymy. The
sentence means "you can trust him".

3. The bank refused to loan us money.


"The bank", which is [+controlled], stands for "the bank manager", which is [+controller]. This is a metonymy.

4. She seemed to be happy from cradle to death.


"Cradle", which is [+sign], stands for "childhood", which is [+a period in human life]. This is a metonymy. "From cradle to
death" means "throughout her life".

5. Pearl Harbor was a sad event in America's history.


"Pearl Harbor", which is [+sign], stands for "Japan's sudden attack by planes at the very US naval base in Hawaii
in December 1941", which is [+historical event]. This is a metonymy.

6. Gray hairs should be respected.


"Gray hairs", which is, [+part], stands for " elderly people", which is [+whole]. This is a synecdoche.

7. I need a change. I'm tired of seeing the same faces every day.
"Faces", which is [+part], stands for "people", which is [+whole]. This is a synecdoche.

8. There were 30 hands employed in this company.


"Hands", which is, [+part], stands for "people", which is [+whole]. This is a synecdoche.

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9. All the best brains in Europe could not solve the problem.
" Best brains", which is, [+part], stands for "Brilliant intellectuals(= intelligent, well-educated persons )", which is [+whole].
This is a synecdoche. (Note : brain–thinking/thought = metonymy [he is the brain of the group?]; brain -intelligent person =
synecdoche )

10. It's getting on my nerves30. (= irritate somebody, especially by doing something all the time )
"My nerves", which is [+part], stands for "me", which is [+whole]. This is a synecdoche.
The sentence means "It's annoying/irritating me (all the time)".

11. Darkness grasped its arms around me.


"Darkness" is [- animate] and/or [-human] while "grasp" is [+animate] and/or [+human]. The sentence is
an expression of personification which means "I was completely surrounded by the darkness".

12. “ The wind is howling in the trees.”


"The wind” is [-animate] and/or [-human] while "is howling" is [+animate] and/or [+human]. This is an expression of
personification. The sentence means "The wind is making a long loud sound".

13. A dead leaf fell in my lap. That was Jack Frost's card.
"Frost" is [-human] while "Jack" is [+human]. "Jack Frost", which is a way describing "frost" as a person used. especially
when talking to children, is an expression of personification. The sentence means "the dead leaf [which fell in my lap}
announced the appearance of frost".

14. You have to pay the earth for such a masterpiece.


"The earth" is given a human act: "getting paid for what he has done". The sentence is an expression of personification
which means "We owe such a masterpiece to the earth".

15. Her father's illness casts cloud over her wedding day.
"Cast a cloud over her wedding day" is a metaphor which means "make the people who attends wedding day feel less
happy."

16. Linguists are trying to weed out recent non-standard uses.


"To weed out" is a metaphor which means "to remove" or "to get rid of.” (to weed  non-standard uses are compared to weed )

17. The captain exploded with rage.


"Exploded with rage" is a metaphor which means "suddenly expressed a strong feeling of uncontrolled anger".

18. Ask yourself whether the connections of ideas in your essay are logically watertight.
The sentence is a euphemism which means "the connections of ideas in your essay are not logically watertight".
(watertight?)

19. In the over-mastering loneliness of that moment, his whole life seemed to him nothing but vanity.
- "The over-mastering loneliness" is a metaphor which means "the state/feeling of being lonely and isolated [that
reaches beyond a person's stamina] and [that is difficult to control]."
- "his whole life" is implicitly compared to "vanity" This is another metaphor. The sentence means "he experienced such a
terrible feeling that he felt that he had been leading a useless/worthless life”.

20. The Englishman believes that if he does not make trade everything, it will make him nothing.
"Make trade everything” and "make him nothing are two overstatements.
The sentence means "the Englishman has to make the most of his chances/opportunities in trade or else he will
undoubtedly fail in life."

21. He shall come like rain upon the mown grass.


"His appearance" is explicitly compared to "the rain upon the mown grass" This is a simile. The sentence means "his
appearance has long. been waited for"

22. Duty commanded and he obeyed.


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"Duty" is [-animate] and/or [-human] while "commanded" is [+animate] and/or [+human]. Therefore, "duty commanded” is
an expression of personification. The sentence means "it was his duty to do something, accordingly, he in fact did it."

23. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.
This sentence consists of two metaphors: "length of days" implies "time or process of struggle in life" while "riches and
honor" implies "success and reputation".
The whole sentence may be paraphrased as follows: "Her success is appreciated through her process of
working" or "The more she invests her great effort in work, the more she gets success"

24. He said it to my face.


"My face", which is [+part, substitutes for "me as a human being", which is [+whole].
This is a synecdoche. The whole sentence means "he said it directly to me".

25. On some bright tomorrow they will come to the end of their endurance.
"They will come to the end of their endurance" is a metaphor which means "they cannot endure something
anymore" or "they will have no more endurance".

26. He galloped into the room.


- "Galloped" literally means "went at the fastest pace (of a horse, etc.) with all four feet off the ground at each stride".
- "Galloped" in this context is a metaphor which means "moved at unusually fast speed".
( the way he moved is compared to that of a horse  He ran very fast into the room like a galloping horse)

27. In an entire economy on the hoof. Ice Age animals supplied man with food, garments and tools.
"The hoof, which is [+part], substitutes for "cattle/animals with horns and cloven hoofs", which is [+whole].
This is a synecdoche. The whole sentence means "cattle once provided man with everything needed for his living".

28. Please don't hurt his good name.


''His good name", which is [+concrete], stands for "reputation'', which is [+abstract].
This is a metonymy. The whole sentence is a request which means "Do not spoil his reputation".

29. He punctured my excuses with a question.


"Punctured something” literally means "made a small hole in something”. " Punctured my excuses" in this context is
a metaphor which means "made my excuses less effective or convincing.

30. The conversation back-fired suddenly.


- "Back-fired" literally means "makes a sudden loud noise because the engine is not working correctly.
- "Back-fired" in this context is a metaphor which means "had an unexpected or unwanted result”.

31. He has just gone to his village.


"Has just gone to his village" is a euphemism which means "has just died". ( his village = death )

32. You've taken an uphill task.


"Uphill" literally means "towards the top of a hill".
"An uphill task" is a metaphor which means ''a very' difficult task to do" or "a task that needs a lot of effort and
determination".

33. His father was buried under this stone.


"This stone", which is [+ material], stands for/substitutes for "this tomb", which is [ + the thing made].This is a metonymy.

34. He ate with a wolfish appetite.


"Wolfish" literally means "like a wolf". "Wolfish" in this context is a metaphor which means "enormous". The sentence
means "he eats a lot" or "he has a huge appetite".

35. He complained with millions of reasons.


"Millions of reasons” is an overstatement / an expression of hyperbole which means "a lot of”. The whole sentence
means "he is always complaining because he never fails to find out big excuses for his complaints".
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36. The earthquake claimed thousands of lives.
"The earthquake" is [- animate] and/or [- human] while "claimed" is [+ animate] and/or [+human. This is an expression of
personification. The sentence means "the earthquake caused the loss or death of thousands of people".

37. They are not on speaking terms after their quarrel.


"They are not on speaking terms" is a (dead) metaphor which means "they are angry and almost never speak to each
other".

38. As we are sailing into this millennium, we should know there are still many difficulties.
- "A millennium" literally means "a period of 1,000 years".
- "This millennium" in this context is implicitly compared to "a rough sea or a stormy ocean" into which we are
sailing. This is a metaphor. The sentence means "we cannot avoid facing many difficulties in this millennium".

39.1 want to take part in the contest but I don't have the nerve.
"The nerve", which is [+concrete], stands for "courage" or "boldness", which is [+abstract]. This is a metonymy.
The sentence means "I want to take part in the contest but I don't dare to".

40.1 shall light a candle of understanding in thy heart, which shall not be put of.
"Understanding" is implicitly compared to "the light of a candle", which shall never be put off once it has been lighted.
This is a metaphor. The sentence means "I shall provide you with the understanding/knowledge that will last forever and
lead you through your life".

41. He tries to sing his praises to the skies.


"To sing his praises to the skies" is a metaphor which means "to praise something very much" "to say publicly that he
admires and approves of something". ( to sing  his praises are compared to songs ?)

42. Behind me, the hiss and whisper of the traffic turned homeward at the end of the day.
"Traffic" is [-animate] and/or [-human] while "the hiss and -whisper" is [+animate] and/or [+human1. This is an expression
of personification. The sentence means "I came home from work, going through heavy traffic during the rush hour".

43. Your daughter's eyes are closed.


The sentence is a euphemism which means that "your daughter is dead".

44.He is sinking in debt.


"He" is implicitly compared to "a ship", to be sunk in a sea of debt. This is a metaphor.
The sentence means "he owes a lot of money".

45. They had been eating standing up, wolfing the cold food from dirty tin plates.
"Wolfing" is a metaphor which means "eating quickly in big pieces without proper chewing".

46. Not a soul was found in the street.


"Not a soul", which is [+part], stands for "nobody", which is [+whole]. This is a synecdoche. The whole sentence
means "there was no one in the street'.

47. It is thanks to you that we arrived late — your short cuts weren't short cuts at all.
"It is thanks to you that we arrived late" is an expression of irony which blames our late arrival on you. The sentence
means "it is you who is responsible for our !ate arrival".

48. If you have a head for figures, you can understand and do arithmetic easily.
"A head", which is [+ concrete], stands for "a gift/a natural talent or ability, which is [+ abstract], This is a metonymy.
The sentence means "you can do arithmetic easily if you are gifted in /clever at dealing with figures".

49. Don't substitute the good for the bad.


This sentence consists of two metonymies: "the bad" stands for "the negative aspects of life’ and "the good stands for the
positive ones'. The sentence means "in reality, positive aspects can never be replaced by negative ones."
50.I' m innocent of this man's blood.
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"Blood is a metonymy which means "death" or "family background". The sentence means either "I have no relation to this
man's death" or "I don’t know anything about this man's family background".

51. A school is a hopper into which children are heaved while they are still young.
''A school" is implicitly compared to "a hopper". This is a metaphor.
The sentence means "children have been strictly trained since their early childhood".

52. The regiment mustered fifty hundred rifles.


"Rifles", which is [+instrument] is a metonymy meaning "soldiers", which is [+ agent]
The sentence means "the regiment consisted of five thousand soldiers".

53. In the high heavens rode a veiled moon; magnified by the mist of an early spring.
"The moon' is given two human acts: "being decorated by ( with?) a veil' and "riding in/on a vehicle". This is an
expression of personification. The sentence means "high in the sky was the moon, which was magnified by the
surrounding mist of an early spring".

54. Death is laying his icy hand on the Queen.


"Death" is given a human act: "is laying his icy hand". This is an expression of personification.
The sentence means "the Queen is at the point of death" or "the Queen is about to die".

55. The pen is mightier than the sword.


This sentence consists of two metonymies: Respectively, "the pen" and "the word", which are both [+instrument],
substitute for "the writer and the soldier", which are both [+agent]. The whole sentence means "the writer is stronger
than the soldier".

56. A camel is a ship in a desert.


"A camel", which is "an efficient means of transport in a desert", is implicitly compared to "a ship", which is "a
significant means of transport by water". This is a metaphor. The sentence means "a camel in a desert is as useful as a
ship at sea".

57. Your wit is only exceeded by your charm and good looks.
A semantic paraphrase of this sentence is "your charm and good looks exceed your wit” The sentence is an
expression of irony which means "you are beautiful but not intelligent".

58. With friends like you, who needs enemies?


This sentence is an expression of irony which means "you are not my friends at all. In fact, you are as bad as / worse
than my enemies".

59. It is not always easy to read between the lines.


"Read between the lines" is an idiom/a dead metaphor which means "look for or discover the meaning of something,
written or spoken, that is not openly stated".

60. It takes forever to cook this meat.


"Forever" is an overstatement/a hyperbole which means "time-consuming".
The sentence means "it is time-consuming to cook this meat" or "cooking this meat takes a lot of time".

61. With rue, my heart is laden for golden friends.


"Golden", which literally means "made of gold or containing gold", is metaphorically used with the meaning of
"hearty" or "intimate". The sentence means "I feel regret at the loss of my hearty friends".

62. The headlines leaped noisily before my eyes.


- "The headlines" are given a human act: "leaped noisily". This 'is an expression of personification.
- "Leaped" is used metaphorically with the meaning of "caused an effect of turmoil".
The sentence means "the headlines caused an effect of turmoil on my eyes', consequently, I could hardly read them".
63. Such an approach is hardly flattering the intelligence or sincerity of the buyer.
"Is hardly flattering the intelligence or incentive of the buyer" is an expression of irony meaning "is making the buyer
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less sincere and more stupid".

64.1 felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been nothing but a preparation for a trial.
- "Destiny", which literally means "fate", is regarded as a human being to walk with.
This is an expression of personification.
- "Destiny" is also used metaphorically as "something beyond human power or control" or "a bundle of difficulties and
challenges".
The sentence means I felt that all my past effort had prepared me for any trouble in life, therefore, I was ready and
self-confident enough to face such a trial, which was part of my life.

65. Your contribution will seem like a drop in the bucket of this great bundle of red tape.
"A drop", which literally means "a small quantity", implies "not helpful enough". This is a metaphor.
- "Your contribution" is explicitly compared to "a drop in the bucket of this year bundle of red tape". This is a simile.
- "Red tape", which is [+sign], stands for "bureaucracy" or "a complicated official system which is annoying or confusing
because it has a lot of rules, processes, etc., which is [+ something abstract]. This is a metonymy. The sentence means
"your contribution is meaningless for the bureaucracy accompanied with US large number of oppressively complex and
time-consuming procedures".

66. While he was courageously battling his way through the sea of life, fate stepped in and tripped him up.
- In "the sea of life" human life" is implicitly compared to "a sea both being characteristic of their vastness and
unexpectedness. This is a metaphor.
- "Fate" is given a human act: "stepped in and tripped him up". This is an expression of personification. The
sentence means "while he was struggling hard against the challenges and/or difficulties in his immense life, he
faced his bad luck / misfortune and failed'.

67. You must address the chair.


"The chair", which is [+ controlled], stands for "•the chairperson", which is [+ controller].
This is a metonymy. The sentence means "'You must use his/her title when speaking or writing to the person who is in
charge of a meeting or directs the work or a committee or organization".

68. Table 2 want some more ice.


"Table 2", which is [+ controlled], stands for "the persons sitting at Table 2", which is [+controller]. This is a metonymy.

69. Ask Seat 17 whet he wants to swap.


"Seat 17” which is [+ controlled] stands for "the person who is sitting at Seat 17 which is [+controller]. This is a
metonymy.

70. Ms. Droopy has a fertile imagination.


"Ms. Droop’s imagination" is implicitly compared to "fertile land or soil” This is a metaphor. The sentence means
"Ms. Droopy is able to produce a lot of interesting and unusual ideas".

VIII. Sense Properties of Sentences : Distinguish types of sentences.


(Note : Theory : pp ; provide more exercises of this type)
1. Which of the following is an analytic sentence, a synthetic sentence, an anomalous sentence or a contradiction?
a. Mary has a cow. (a synthetic sentence)
b. A cow ruminates37, (an analytic sentence)
c. Abstract cows are tottered38, (an anomalous sentence / contradiction/ contradictory sentence)
d. Mary's cows does not belong to her. (a contradiction)

2. Decide whether each of the following sentence is analytic, synthetic or contradictory.


a. All men are mortal. (analytic)
b. A triangle is a three-sided figure. (analytic)
c. a blue gas is colorless. (contradictory)
d. Witches39 are wicked. (synthetic)

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