Advanced Syntax
Autumn 2014-2015
Sample Exam Test Questions
Please note that these are samples of question types which illustrate the ways in which exam
questions are formulated, not the actual exam questions.
1
A
B
C
D
2
A
B
C
D
Choose the best answer.
Tense relates a particular event in time to the time of speaking.
Aspect relates a particular event in time to the time of speaking.
Tense relates a particular event in time to the progression of time within the event
itself.
Aspect relates a particular event in progression in time to perfectivity.
Lexical aspect
distinguishes between an event that has a natural endpoint and one that does not.
distinguishes between an event that has a natural tense specification and one that does
not.
cannot distinguish between an event described that has no natural endpoint and one
that does.
cannot distinguish between an event described that has a natural endpoint and one that
does not.
3
A
B
C
D
In the sentence Peter made the cup fall
the agent theta-role is assigned by the thematic verb.
the agent theta-role is assigned by the light verb.
the theme theta-role is assigned by the light verb.
the theme theta-role is assigned via extended projection.
4
A
B
C
D
The sentence The glass broke contains
an unaccusative verb.
a light verb construction.
an intransitive verb.
an ergative verb.
5
A
B
C
D
Choose the best answer.
Sentences with ergative verbs can have agent or theme subjects.
Sentences with ergative verbs can only have agent subjects.
Sentences with ergative verbs can only have theme subjects.
Sentences with ergative verbs can have experiencer or theme subjects.
6
Consider the sentences (i)Her heart broke and (ii)He broke her heart and choose
the best answer.
A
the verb ‘break’ is an ergative verb both in (i) and (ii).
B
the verb ‘break’ is used intransitively in (i) and transitively in (ii).
C
the verb ‘break’ is used as an unaccusative in (i) and as intransitive in (ii).
D
the verb ‘break’ is used transitively in both (i) and (ii).
7
A
B
C
D
In unaccusatives with a ‘there’-subject
the theme is caseless.
the theme moves to the subject position to receive case.
the theme is case-marked by a light verb.
light verb projections do not appear.
Advanced Syntax
Autumn 2014-2015
8
Considering only event structure, i.e. thematic vPs, the sentence The lady fears the
vampire contains …. light verb projections.
A
zero
B
one
C
two
D
three
9
A
B
C
D
The verb write exemplifies .
an agent-theme transitive.
an experiencer-theme transitive.
a put-type multiple complement verb.
a give-type multiple complement verb.
10
A
B
C
D
In double-object constructions
the thematic verb case-marks the DPgoal in complement position.
the thematic verb case-marks the DPgoal in specifier position.
the light verb case-marks the DPgoal in complement position.
the DPgoal moves to receive case.
11
A
B
C
D
Choose the best answer.
A phrasal verb can only be separated from its particle if it has no object.
A phrasal verb can only be modified if its particle has moved alongside with it.
A phrasal verb can only be separated from its object if the particle has not moved.
A phrasal verb cannot be modified.
12
Considering only event structure, the matrix verb in the sentence He promised
her to leave is associated with …… sub-events.
A
one
B
two
C
three
D
four
13
A
B
C
D
Clausal objects start off in the same position as a
DPgoal.
DPtheme.
PPgoal.
PPtheme.
14
A
B
C
D
As a head cannot cross an intervening head position when it moves,
main verbs can move over negation.
main verbs are banned from moving over negation.
vPnegation must appear below vPaspectual.
vPnegation must appear above vPtense.
15 What is the difference between the subordinate clauses in the following?
a)
I think [that he left]
b)
I said [he went]
A a) is a CP and b) is an IP
B They are both IPs but a) has a complementiser adjoined to it
C They are both CPs, but there is no lexical complementiser in b)
D They are both CPs, but b) is headed by a covert complementiser
Advanced Syntax
Autumn 2014-2015
16
A
B
C
D
17
A
B
C
D
Which of the following is NOT a property of the complementiser for?
It selects for a non-finite IP complement.
It is declarative.
It can take an IP complement with a missing subject
It cannot be replaced by the covert complementiser
The sentence Peter goes where Mary goes contains
a defining relative clause.
a non-defining relative clause.
a free relative clause.
an embedded wh-interrogative.
18
Considering both functional and thematic vP projections, the sentence Peter
should not have invited everyone contains altogether
A
three
B
four
C
five
D
six
small vP projections.
19
A
B
C
D
Choose the best answer.
The C position in an embedded finite yes-no interrogative is empty.
The C position in an embedded non-finite yes-no interrogative contains a non-overt
question particle.
The C position in an embedded finite wh-interrogative contains the non-overt
counterpart of ‘whether’.
The C position in an embedded non-finite wh-interrogative contains an overt C.
20
In the sentence Frank seems to be said to be unlikely to arrest the suspect, the
subject is theta-marked by, i.e. starts off as the argument of,
A
seem.
B
arrest.
C
unlikely.
D
said.
21
Given the sentences (i) Mary thought him to be a liar, (ii) Peter seems to have left,
(iii) He was believed to have escaped, choose the best answer.
A
Sentence (ii) and (iii) contain a raising verb.
B
Sentence (i) and (iii) contain a control verb.
C
Sentence (i) and (iii) contain an exceptional verb.
D
Sentence (ii) and (iii) contain an exceptional verb.
22
A
B
C
D
Which of the sentences contains a middle verb?
Messages transfer efficiently via the internet.
He left quietly.
He painted the gate green.
The members were treated impolitely.
23
A
B
C
In which of the sentences below does PRO have an arbitrary interpretation?
They forgot how to prepare curry.
They never asked the boys to go on the roof.
They promised to buy her blue ribbons.
Advanced Syntax
Autumn 2014-2015
D
It is important to remember how to behave.
Solutions:
1A, 2A, 3B, 4D, 5A, 6A, 7C, 8C, 9D, 10D, 11C, 12B, 13B, 14B, 15D, 16C, 17C, 18B, 19B,
20B, 21A, 22A, 23D