Question 1: Referring expression
A REFERRING EXPRESSION is any expression used in an utterance to refer to something or someone (or a clearly delimited collection of things or people), i.e. used with a particular referent in mind.
Could the following possibly be used as referring expressions? Write yes or no next to the expression.
(1) Adele, the singer
(2) My uncle
(3) and
(4) the girl sitting on the wall by the bus stop
(5) a man
Marks: 5 (one mark per correct response)
Questions 2: Sense relations
Below is a list of incompatible pairs. Classify each pair into one of the following types of relation: complementary antonyms, gradable antonyms, reverses, converses, or taxonomic sisters. For each pair, provide at least one type of linguistic evidence (e.g. example sentences) that supports your decision, and where possible mention other types of evidence that would lend additional support.
1. temporary/permanent
2. monarch/subject
3. advance/retreat
4. strong/weak
5. buyer/seller
6. boot/sandal
7. assemble/dismantle
8. messy/neat
9. tea/coffee
10. clean/dirty
1. temporary/permanent: complementary antonyms
- Example sentence: She is staying in a temporary shelter until she finds a permanent home.
- Additional evidence: Temporary and permanent are mutually exclusive concepts, with no middle ground between them.
2. monarch/subject: taxonomic sisters
- Example sentence: The monarch ruled over his subjects with authority.
- Additional evidence: Monarch and subject are closely related in a hierarchical relationship, with the monarch being in a position of authority over the subjects.
3. advance/retreat: reverses
- Example sentence: The army advanced towards the enemy territory, forcing them to retreat.
- Additional evidence: Advance and retreat are opposite actions that occur in opposition to each other.
4. strong/weak: gradable antonyms
- Example sentence: He was too weak to lift the heavy box, while she was strong enough to do it easily.
- Additional evidence: Strong and weak represent a scale or continuum of physical strength.
5. buyer/seller: converses
- Example sentence: The buyer offered a price to the seller for the car.
- Additional evidence: Buyer and seller are engaged in a transactional relationship where one party buys and the other sells.
6. boot/sandal: taxonomic sisters
- Example sentence: She wore sandals to the beach, while he opted for boots.
- Additional evidence: Boots and sandals are both types of footwear, with some overlap in functionality but distinct styles.
7. assemble/dismantle: reverses
- Example sentence: He had to assemble the furniture before he could dismantle it for moving.
- Additional evidence: Assembling and dismantling are actions that occur in opposition to each other, with one requiring the other.
8. messy/neat: complementary antonyms
- Example sentence: Her room was always messy, while his was always neat and organized.
- Additional evidence: Messy and neat are opposite states of cleanliness or organization, with no middle ground between them.
9. tea/coffee: taxonomic sisters
- Example sentence: Would you like tea or coffee with your breakfast?
- Additional evidence: Tea and coffee are both hot beverages commonly consumed during meals or breaks.
10. clean/dirty: gradable antonyms
- Example sentence: She spent hours cleaning the dirty kitchen until it was spotless.
- Additional evidence: Clean and dirty represent opposite states of cleanliness, with varying degrees in between.