SECTION B
Answer only TWO questions.
QUESTION 1
a) Explain the term CONTEXT [8 Marks]
b) In which contexts/situations would you consider the following responses/utterances as:
i. Insult
ii. Normal
- Give me a break [3 Marks]
- I don’t care [3 Marks]
- No [3 Marks]
- I’m tired [3 Marks]
QUESTION 2
a) What is Denotative Meaning as a semantic concept? [5 Marks]
b) With reference to three of its features, explain why Denotative meaning is considered ‘universal meaning’ [15 Marks]
QUESTION 3
a) What is synonymy as a lexical relation? [4 Marks]
b) With two examples for each barrier, identify and explain four barriers to absolute synonymy. [16 Marks]
QUESTION 4
Rewrite the following sentences by disambiguating them. [20 Marks]
i.) She was driven from home by her husband
ii.) A beautiful bed was sold to a lady with curved legs.
iii.) It was funny to see Rose feeding chicks dressed in a beautiful evening dress
iv) The woman beat the girl because she was drunk.
v) Mary says Grace is friendly
vi) My mother loves my sister more than I.
vii) The police are instructed to stop drinking at football matches.
viii) Baskets were given to all the children filled with oranges
ix) The exam was easy having prepared the previous night.
x) My competitors are not my enemies but my friends.
