Semantic Roles worksheet. Answer key

SAVE OFFLINE

FACULTAD DE FILOSOFIA Y LETRAS - UNT DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES INTRODUCCIÓN A LA LINGÜÍSTICA - 2020 Unit 8: Syntax: Semantic Roles - Practice – ANSWER KEY A) Indicate the Semantic Roles of the S, O, and C in the following sentences according to Quirk’s classification. 1. The city council will designate the bridge agent

a historic landmark.

characterized D.O. characterization attribute

2. During the 19th century, the Rothschild family possessed the largest private fortune in the world. circumstance: time

recipient S

affected D.O.

3. Many people fear snakes. experiencer S

stimulus

4. It’s 2 miles to the next gas station. Prop it S (distance)

5. We drove the scenic route. agent

locative D.O.

6. Peter stood by the door positioner S

in awe.

circumst: space circumst.: manner

7. All customers must wear a mask positioner S

8. Our city is hot and humid locative S

in all U.S. stores.

affected D.O.

circumstance: space

in the summer.

characterization attribute

circumst.: time

9. The company sent the employees the meeting etiquette guidelines. agent

recipient I.O.

affected D.O.

10. The economic transactions were a complete failure. characterized S

characterization attribute

11. Helen is taking a shower. eventive D.O. ( = ‘Helen’s showering’)

agent

12. Matt gave his old house a coat of paint. agent

affected I.O.

eventive D.O.

( = ‘Matt painted his old house’)

13. An epidemic killed off all of the tomatoes. external causer

affected D.O.

14. This liquid renovates all kinds of furniture. instrumental S

affected D.O.

15. Michael Halliday died in Sydney affected S

circumst.: space

16. Tomorrow is Halloween. temporal S

identification attribute

on 15 April 2018. circumst.: time

17. Beethoven composed the Ninth Symphony in 1824. agent

resultant/effected D.O. circumst.: time

18. Jane laughed a bitter laugh. agent

cognate D.O.

19. Researchers are using tattoo ink agent

instrumental D.O.

to detect cancer cells. circumst.: purpose

B) Indicate the Semantic Roles of the participants in the following sentences according to Halliday’s and Quirk’s classifications where possible. 1. Cristina Calderón is the last person to speak the millennia-old ancestral Yámana lang… H: carrier relat.pr. attribute Q: identified S identification attribute 2. There used to be many Yaganes in the remote tip of South America. H: (grammatical S) existential pr. existent circumstance: space Q: -------3. Cristina’s dad and mom were Yaganes. H: carrier relat.pr. attribute Q: characterized S characterization attribute 4. Calderón recalls with nostalgia the last person with whom she could converse in ... H: sensor mental pr. circumst.: manner phenomenon Q: experiencer S stimulus 5. She smiles when she remembers her. H: behaver behavioural pr. circumst.: time Q: affected S 6. “I forget things sometimes,” Calderón told Reuters. H: verbiage sayer verbal pr. target Q: -------------7. She weaves woolen socks to sell at the local market. H: actor material pr. goal circumstance: purpose Q: agent resultant D.O

C) Write sentences to illustrate the following thematic roles ---- YOUR OWN ANSWERS---1. sayer – verbal process – target – verbiage e.g.: Mike told Melany he loves her. 2. agentive S – resultant Od e.g.: The children built a sand castle. 3. existential process – existent e.g.: There was a big storm last night. 4. positioner S – affected Od e.g.: American marines wear light brown uniforms. 5. Prop-It (atmospheric conditions) e.g.: It’s windy.