THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA

OREX REVIEW QUESTIONS

OLL 132 E N GL I S H S T RU CT URE

K QUESTION
Q-NUMBER
A
Linguists use different criteria to categorise words. Distinguish the three main criteria used to
K1 categorise words. Support your answer with two examples for each criterion.

1 Explain any five grammatical functions of modal auxiliary verbs. Provide two examples for
K2
each function.
With two examples for each, distinguish any four linguistic elements which can function as
K3 premodifier in a noun phrase.

Specific prepositions establish relationships in specific situations. Justify this statement by

describing four different situations in which prepositions are used, and construct three example
K1 sentences in each situation.

2
The simple present tense does not actually signify present time; it rather performs other
grammatical functions. With the aid of two examples for each, distinguish the main four functions
K2 which are performed by simple present tense in English.

Adjective phrases have three main functions. Describe those functions with the aid of two
K3
examples for each.
Give an account of the types of personal pronouns of standard English and their corresponding
K1 possessive forms.

Explain the lexical and auxiliary properties of the verb ‘be’ and ‘have’.
K2

Nominalizations are nouns derived from words belonging to other parts of speech. Derive the nouns
from the following sentences:
3
(a) The comedian amused the children
(b) The truth gradually emerged
K3 (c) Penina enjoys bobsledding
(d) John inspected the package.
(e) Pamela avoided the hard work

K1 Words can be categorised into open and closed word classes. By using any four examples for each
category, explain how the two categories diverge.

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4 One of the functions of the verb ‘do’ is that of operator. Distinguish the four linguistic
K2
circumstances in which it performs this function. Provide three examples for each function.
Use one example for each to differentiate the following terms as they are used in phrases:
(a) A referring noun phrase and attributive (non-referring) noun phrase
(b) Generic and non-generic reference
K3 (c) Premodifier and postmodifier
(d) Restrictive modifier and non-restrictive modifier

Describe the nature of conjunctions in English language. In your description consider the meaning
K1
and the types. Provide three examples for each type described.
In truncated passive, the speaker decides to omit the doer of the action described in the sentence.
Explain the four scenarios from which the truncated passive can be applied. Support your answer
5 K2 with one example from each scenario.

Appositive noun phrases and appositive relative clauses occur as parenthetical asides after their
K3
head noun. Create three examples for each to show how the two differ.
There are different categories of nouns; use two examples in each type to differentiate the
following pairs of noun types:
(a) Common nouns and proper nouns
(b) Countable nouns and proper nouns
6 K1 (c) Abstract nouns and collective nouns

Verb forms are used for different linguistic functions. With two examples for each, describe the
functions of verbs in:
K2 (a) Base form (two functions)
(b) Progressive form (two functions)
(c) Past participle (two functions)
Change the following nominalized words into sentences.

(a) John's washing of the windows

(b) Kweka’s toleration of teasing
K3
(c) Ombeni’s avoidance of hard work
(d) Hana’s expectation that she would be rescued
(e) Edith’s enjoyment of the party

7 Clauses may have different functions in a sentence. Create two examples from the instructions
given.

(a) A wh nominal clause functioning as a direct object

(b) A wh nominal clause functioning as a subject
K4 (c) To-infinitive functioning as a direct object
(d) A wh nominal clause functioning as a compliment
(e) That-clause functioning as a direct object.

K5 Discuss the validity of the contention that ‘one way of classifying English sentences is by the type

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 of clause relationships they exhibit’. Supply one example for each type of sentence.

One property of cleft-sentences is their productivity. From a single sentence we can derive
different clauses, each highlighting a particular element of the clause. Use the sentence
“Yesterday, Maria accepted the invitation with great reluctance” to highlight the following
elements:

(a) The way Maria accepted the invitation

K6
(b) The one who accepted the invitation
(c) The time when the invitation was accepted
(d) The thing that was accepted.

The adverb clauses can be classified from the point of view of their meaning. Distinguish any
K4 five types of adverb clause from this perspective. Supply one example for each type.
8
Noun phrases may play various roles with respect to the action or state described by a governing
verb in a sentence. Describe each of the following thematic roles, giving two examples for each
thematic role.

(a) Agent
K5 (b) Instrumental
(c) Recipient
(d) Affected
(e) Experiencer

By using one example for each, distinguish any four types of ellipsis. In your examples state a
K6 word or group of words omitted.

A non-finite clause is a subordinate clause that does not show the time at which something

K4 happened. Briefly describe the four types of non-finite clause. Use two examples for each type to
support your answers.
With the aid of five examples in each case prove that subject in English is neither always
K5
9 sentence-initial nor preverbal.
The transformation of a sentence concerns with changing its form without altering its
K6 meaning. With the aid of three examples for each, use passive and existential strategies to
show how sentences can be transformed without losing their original meanings.
Briefly explain the meaning of the following concepts using two examples for each.

(a) Verbless clause

10 K4 (b) Restrictive relative clause
(c) Non-restrictive relative clause
(d) Subordinate clause

K5 Construct two meaningful sentences for each of the following patterns.

(a) SV
(b) SVOA
(c) SVOC
(d) SVC

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 (e) SVOAA
(f) SVOO
(g) ASV
11

Sentences can be classified based on their functions. Use three examples for each to
K6
distinguish four types of sentences based on this perspective.

Distinguish nominal clause from adjective clause. Use four examples for each case to support your
K4 answer.

a) Briefly provide the meaning of the term transitivity.

K5 b) Give a clear classification of English verbs according to the explanation given in (a) above.

With the aid of two examples for each, show how “what-cleft” and “it-cleft” are used to put a
K6
particular constituent into focus without changing the meaning of the original sentence.
Both finite and non-finite clauses can perform four syntactic functions in a sentence. Justify this
K4 with the support of two examples for each function, one for finite and the other for non-finite.

Subjects are typically realized by noun phrases. However, other constituents can also function as subjects. Construct
two sentences whose subjects are realised by each of the following constituents:

(a) Interrogative pronouns

(b) Demonstrative pronouns
K5 (c) Indefinite pronouns
12 (d) Gerund phrase
(e) Infinitive clause
(f) Nominal relative clause
(g) Prepositional phrase

By default a single sentence has just one tone unit except under certain circumstances. Explain any
five circumstances under which a sentence may have more than one tone units. Provide one
K6 example in each case.

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