Syntax: What’s in a node? 1.1

Syntax: What's in a Node 1.1

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Question 1

In the sentence 'Lois is sure she left her keys in the car', where would 'her keys' be attached on a tree?

A	P' Hint: Since the NP 'her keys' is the direct object of the transitive verb 'left', it must be attached at the V head level since it is an obligatory component of the structure of the verb
B	V head Hint: Since the NP 'her keys' is the direct object of the transitive verb 'left', it must be attached at the V head level since it is an obligatory component of the structure of the verb
C	V' Hint: Since the NP 'her keys' is the direct object of the transitive verb 'left', it must be attached at the V head level since it is an obligatory component of the structure of the verb

Question 2

When does Cinderella have to return to her home?

A	Spec CP Hint: In question formation, any inflection found in I head will raise to C head. In this example, the inflectional material in I head that raises to C head is covert (not spoken) and surfaces as 'does'.
B	C head Hint: In question formation, any inflection found in I head will raise to C head. In this example, the inflectional material in I head that raises to C head is covert (not spoken) and surfaces as 'does'.
C	C' Hint: In question formation, any inflection found in I head will raise to C head. In this example, the inflectional material in I head that raises to C head is covert (not spoken) and surfaces as 'does'.

Question 3

Batman loves to throw parties for his neighbors.

A	Spec NP Hint: At the introductory level, the subject of the verb will always be found in Spec IP.
B	I' Hint: At the introductory level, the subject of the verb will always be found in Spec IP.
C	Spec IP Hint: At the introductory level, the subject of the verb will always be found in Spec IP.

Question 4

At which level is the AP 'intelligent' attached? We know Spiderman is intelligent since he aced his syntax exam.

A	Spec VP Hint: The phrase 'Spiderman is intelligent' is a copula structure, thus the adjective 'intelligent' is an obligatory component of the VP. Without it, the VP would be ungrammatical: *Spiderman is... It must be attached at the head level as a complement sister.
B	V ' Hint: The phrase 'Spiderman is intelligent' is a copula structure, thus the adjective 'intelligent' is an obligatory component of the VP. Without it, the VP would be ungrammatical: *Spiderman is... It must be attached at the head level as a complement sister.
C	V head Hint: The phrase 'Spiderman is intelligent' is a copula structure, thus the adjective 'intelligent' is an obligatory component of the VP. Without it, the VP would be ungrammatical: *Spiderman is... It must be attached at the head level as a complement sister.

Question 5

Harriet is hoping her brother will join her for the family vacation.

A	I' Hint: In this sentence 'is' acts as an auxiliary verb showing aspect of the lexical verb 'hope' thus it can only be found in I head.
B	I head Hint: In this sentence 'is' acts as an auxiliary verb showing aspect of the lexical verb 'hope' thus it can only be found in I head.
C	V head Hint: In this sentence 'is' acts as an auxiliary verb showing aspect of the lexical verb 'hope' thus it can only be found in I head.

Question 6

Who do you think is coming to dinner?

A	C Head Hint: All Wh elements must be found in Spec CP in surface structure.
B	C' Hint: All Wh elements must be found in Spec CP in surface structure.
C	Spec CP Hint: All Wh elements must be found in Spec CP in surface structure.

Question 7

Superman will be signing copies of his new book Sunday afternoon.

A	V head Hint: In this example 'will' is a modal verb that, at the introductory level, sits in I head. It is not the lexical verb, which sits in V head.
B	I head Hint: In this example 'will' is a modal verb that, at the introductory level, sits in I head.
C	Spec CP Hint: In this example 'will' is a modal verb that, at the introductory level, sits in I head. It is not a Wh element thus cannot be found in Spec CP.

Question 8

I found the ferret under the kitchen sink.

A	P head Hint: The preposition 'under' is the head of the prepositional phrase 'under the kitchen sink', thus must be found in P head.
B	NP Hint: The preposition 'under' is the head of the prepositional phrase 'under the kitchen sink', thus must be found in P head.
C	P' Hint: The preposition 'under' is the head of the prepositional phrase 'under the kitchen sink', thus must be found in P head.

Question 9

At what level would the phrase 'three' be attached to the NP 'bears' in a syntactic tree? The three little bears came returned home to a table set with a delicious dinner.

A	N' Hint: Since 'three' is an adjective that modifies the NP ' the bears' it is an adjunct and not an obligatory component of the NP. All adjuncts must be attached to the element they modify at the bar (X') level.
B	N head Hint: Since 'three' is an adjective that modifies the NP ' the bears' it is an adjunct and not an obligatory component of the NP. All adjuncts must be attached to the element they modify at the bar (X') level.
C	Spec NP Hint: Since 'three' is an adjective that modifies the NP ' the bears' it is an adjunct and not an obligatory component of the NP. All adjuncts must be attached to the element they modify at the bar (X') level.

Question 10

Harriet found two shiny diamonds hidden underneath a trap door in her parlor.

A	N' Hint: In this example. 'two' is a quantifier thus will be found in Spec NP.
B	Spec AP Hint: In this example. 'two' is a quantifier thus will be found in Spec NP.
C	Spec NP Hint: In this example. 'two' is a quantifier thus will be found in Spec NP.

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Syntax: What's in a Node 1.1

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