Part 1

Using one or more constituency tests, determine whether each of the strings of words in square brackets is a constituent or not (NOTE: read Top Hat Chapter 5.2 before attempting this question).

Example: Garry received [a gift from] Sam.

Test sentence: *Garry received [it] Sam. (Replacement test)

Conclusion: Because the test sentence is ungrammatical, the string [a gift from] is not a constituent in this sentence according to the replacement test.

1. Jane discovered [an old book of English poems] [in the library].

2. He sent [Mary a funny email] [yesterday].

3. [The big man] from New York [ordered ten bagels with cream cheese].

Part 2

On a separate page, draw the syntactic structure trees for the following phrases.

1. Several customers complained about the new product.
2. The police asked every driver several questions about the accident.
3. I read a very interesting article about the rabbits yesterday.

Part 3

The following sentences exhibit some structural ambiguity. Provide unambiguous sentences that represent the two possible interpretations of each sentence and draw syntactic structure trees that correspond to each possible interpretation (NOTE: refer to Top Hat Chapter 6.7).

1. Kate tracked down the nefarious thief with the smartphone. (Note: treat track-down as a single verb)

Interpretation 1: _____________________________________________________________________

Corresponding tree for the sentence in (a):

Interpretation 2: _____________________________________________________________________ Corresponding tree for the sentence in (a):

2. Joanna slayed the dragon despite her injury on the way to school.

Interpretation 1: _______________________________________________________________________ Corresponding tree for the sentence in (b):

Interpretation 2: _______________________________________________________________________ Corresponding tree for the sentence in (b):