--- title: What was the condition of the fir-tree's dwelling place, and by what… — Fairy Tales, The Fir-Tree, part 18: th… · tree and pragmatics description: What was the condition of the fir-tree's dwelling place, and by what means was it upheld? Exam question 4 of lesson 1629 «Fairy Tales, The Fir-Tree, part 18: the tree is dressed for Christmas, hears a story, and is then shut away in a dark loft» of the books course of Mova's primary school, with the --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/1629-pg5615-part18/e4/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [questions](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/) / [Books](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/) / [Fairy Tales, The Fir-Tree, part 18: th…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/1629-pg5615-part18/) / e4 # Exam question 4 · Fairy Tales, The Fir-Tree, part 18: the tree is dressed fo… What was the condition of the fir-tree's dwelling place, and by what means was it upheld? **Mova's choice:** option 3 · **The right answer:** option 2 · wrong ✗ · **Who acts:** condition · **What happens:** be, dwell, mean, uphold · **To what, where:** condition, place This is exam question 4 of lesson 1629 «Fairy Tales, The Fir-Tree, part 18: the tree is dressed for Christmas, hears a story, and is then shut away in a dark loft» of the books course of Mova's primary school, asked in stiff, formal language. The page gives the question's syntax tree — a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies — and its pragmatics clause by clause, then the 4 options as the student saw them, each with its tree and pragmatics. Every text is parsed by Mova itself. How the student answered it, with the score of every option and why: [the test at school](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/school-run/books/1629-pg5615-part18/#e4). ## The question {#question} ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:1629-pg5615-part18:e4:1 # text = What was the condition of the fir-tree's dwelling place, and by what means was it upheld? 1 What what PRON WP PronType=Int 4 nsubj _ _ 2 was be AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 4 cop _ _ 3 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 4 det _ _ 4 condition condition NOUN NN Number=Sing 20 parataxis _ _ 5 of of ADP IN _ 12 case _ _ 6 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 9 det _ _ 7 fir fir NOUN NN Number=Sing 9 compound _ SpaceAfter=No 8 - - PUNCT HYPH _ 7 punct _ SpaceAfter=No 9 tree tree NOUN NN Number=Sing 12 nmod:poss _ SpaceAfter=No 10 's 's PART POS _ 9 case _ _ 11 dwelling dwell VERB VBG VerbForm=Ger 12 amod _ _ 12 place place NOUN NN Number=Sing 4 nmod _ SpaceAfter=No 13 , , PUNCT , _ 17 punct _ _ 14 and and CCONJ CC _ 17 cc _ _ 15 by by ADP IN _ 16 case _ _ 16 what what PRON WP PronType=Int 17 nsubj _ _ 17 means mean VERB VBZ Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin 4 parataxis _ _ 18 was be AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 20 aux:pass _ _ 19 it it PRON PRP Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 20 nsubj:pass _ _ 20 upheld uphold VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 0 root _ SpaceAfter=No 21 ? ? PUNCT . _ 20 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **is a** | past | | the condition | | | | of the fir tree's dwelling place | tree rules | | 2 | **dwell** | gerund | | | | | | | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme | | 3 | **mean** | present | the condition | | | | | | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent | | 4 | **uphold** | past · passive | | place | | | | | tree rules | One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree. ## The options {#options} ### Option 1 {#o1} It leaned against a wall, supported by a stout wooden stand and some bricks. ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:1629-pg5615-part18:e4:o1:1 # text = It leaned against a wall, supported by a stout wooden stand and some bricks. 1 It it PRON PRP Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 2 nsubj _ _ 2 leaned learn VERB VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 0 root _ _ 3 against against ADP IN _ 5 case _ _ 4 a a DET DT Definite=Ind|PronType=Art 5 det _ _ 5 wall wall NOUN NN Number=Sing 2 obl _ SpaceAfter=No 6 , , PUNCT , _ 7 punct _ _ 7 supported support VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 5 acl _ _ 8 by by ADP IN _ 12 case _ _ 9 a a DET DT Definite=Ind|PronType=Art 12 det _ _ 10 stout stout ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 12 amod _ _ 11 wooden wooden ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 12 amod _ _ 12 stand stand NOUN NN Number=Sing 7 obl _ _ 13 and and CCONJ CC _ 15 cc _ _ 14 some some DET DT PronType=Ind 15 det _ _ 15 bricks brick NOUN NNS Number=Plur 12 conj _ SpaceAfter=No 16 . . PUNCT . _ 2 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **learn** | past | It | | | | | against a wall | vn learn-14-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent | | 2 | **support** | participle | | a wall *not said here* | | | | by a stout wooden stand and some bricks | vn admire-31.2 «NP V that S»: agent=Experiencer | ### Option 2 · ✓ the right answer {#o2} It stood in a great tub filled with sand, concealed by greenery and a gay carpet. ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:1629-pg5615-part18:e4:o2:1 # text = It stood in a great tub filled with sand, concealed by greenery and a gay carpet. 1 It it PRON PRP Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 2 nsubj _ _ 2 stood stand VERB VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 0 root _ _ 3 in in ADP IN _ 6 case _ _ 4 a a DET DT Definite=Ind|PronType=Art 6 det _ _ 5 great great ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 6 amod _ _ 6 tub tub NOUN NN Number=Sing 2 obl _ _ 7 filled fill VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 6 acl _ _ 8 with with ADP IN _ 9 case _ _ 9 sand sand NOUN NN Number=Sing 7 obl _ SpaceAfter=No 10 , , PUNCT , _ 11 punct _ _ 11 concealed conceal VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 2 conj _ _ 12 by by ADP IN _ 13 case _ _ 13 greenery greenery NOUN NN Number=Sing 11 obl _ _ 14 and and CCONJ CC _ 17 cc _ _ 15 a a DET DT Definite=Ind|PronType=Art 17 det _ _ 16 gay gay ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 17 amod _ _ 17 carpet carpet NOUN NN Number=Sing 13 conj _ SpaceAfter=No 18 . . PUNCT . _ 2 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **stand** | past | It | | | a great tub | | | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent in tub=Location | | 2 | **fill** | participle | | a great tub *not said here* | | | | with sand | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP PP.instrument»: agent=Agent with sand=Instrument | | 3 | **conceal** | participle | | | | | | by greenery and a gay carpet | vn concealment-16 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent by greenery=Location | ### Option 3 · ← Mova's choice {#o3} It stood in a huge tub of earth, wrapped with ribbons and held upright by heavy cords tied to the ceiling beams and the walls. ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:1629-pg5615-part18:e4:o3:1 # text = It stood in a huge tub of earth, wrapped with ribbons and held upright by heavy cords tied to the ceiling beams and the walls. 1 It it PRON PRP Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 2 nsubj _ _ 2 stood stand VERB VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 0 root _ _ 3 in in ADP IN _ 6 case _ _ 4 a a DET DT Definite=Ind|PronType=Art 6 det _ _ 5 huge huge ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 6 amod _ _ 6 tub tub NOUN NN Number=Sing 2 obl _ _ 7 of of ADP IN _ 8 case _ _ 8 earth earth NOUN NN Number=Sing 6 nmod _ SpaceAfter=No 9 , , PUNCT , _ 10 punct _ _ 10 wrapped wrap VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 2 conj _ _ 11 with with ADP IN _ 12 case _ _ 12 ribbons ribbon NOUN NNS Number=Plur 10 obl _ _ 13 and and CCONJ CC _ 14 cc _ _ 14 held hold VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 10 conj _ _ 15 upright upright ADV RB _ 14 advmod _ _ 16 by by ADP IN _ 18 case _ _ 17 heavy heavy ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 18 amod _ _ 18 cords cord NOUN NNS Number=Plur 14 obl _ _ 19 tied tie VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 18 acl _ _ 20 to to ADP IN _ 23 case _ _ 21 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 23 det _ _ 22 ceiling ceiling NOUN NN Number=Sing 23 compound _ _ 23 beams beam NOUN NNS Number=Plur 19 obl _ _ 24 and and CCONJ CC _ 26 cc _ _ 25 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 26 det _ _ 26 walls wall NOUN NNS Number=Plur 23 conj _ SpaceAfter=No 27 . . PUNCT . _ 2 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **stand** | past | It | | | a huge tub of earth | | | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent in tub=Location | | 2 | **wrap** | participle | | | | | | with ribbons | vn spray-9.7-1 «NP V NP.destination PP.theme»: agent=Agent with ribbon=Theme | | 3 | **hold** | participle | | | | | | by heavy cords; upright *property* | vn exist-47.1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme by cord=Location | | 4 | **tie** | participle | | heavy cords *not said here* | | | | to the ceiling beams and the walls | vn mix-22.1-2 «NP V ADVP-Middle PP»: agent=Patient to beam=Co-Patient | ### Option 4 {#o4} It stood in a great silver tub filled with sand and pebbles, concealed by thick greenery, a gay carpet, and many gilded paper ornaments. ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:1629-pg5615-part18:e4:o4:1 # text = It stood in a great silver tub filled with sand and pebbles, concealed by thick greenery, a gay carpet, and many gilded paper ornaments. 1 It it PRON PRP Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 2 nsubj _ _ 2 stood stand VERB VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 0 root _ _ 3 in in ADP IN _ 7 case _ _ 4 a a DET DT Definite=Ind|PronType=Art 7 det _ _ 5 great great ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 7 amod _ _ 6 silver silver NOUN NN Number=Sing 7 compound _ _ 7 tub tub NOUN NN Number=Sing 2 obl _ _ 8 filled fill VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 7 acl _ _ 9 with with ADP IN _ 10 case _ _ 10 sand sand NOUN NN Number=Sing 8 obl _ _ 11 and and CCONJ CC _ 12 cc _ _ 12 pebbles pebble NOUN NNS Number=Plur 10 conj _ SpaceAfter=No 13 , , PUNCT , _ 14 punct _ _ 14 concealed conceal VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 10 acl _ _ 15 by by ADP IN _ 17 case _ _ 16 thick thick ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 17 amod _ _ 17 greenery greenery NOUN NN Number=Sing 14 obl _ SpaceAfter=No 18 , , PUNCT , _ 21 punct _ _ 19 a a DET DT Definite=Ind|PronType=Art 21 det _ _ 20 gay gay ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 21 amod _ _ 21 carpet carpet NOUN NN Number=Sing 17 appos _ SpaceAfter=No 22 , , PUNCT , _ 27 punct _ _ 23 and and CCONJ CC _ 27 cc _ _ 24 many many ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 27 amod _ _ 25 gilded gild VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 27 amod _ _ 26 paper paper NOUN NN Number=Sing 27 compound _ _ 27 ornaments ornament NOUN NNS Number=Plur 2 parataxis _ SpaceAfter=No 28 . . PUNCT . _ 2 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **stand** | past | It | | | a great silver tub | | | vn assuming\_position-50 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Agent in tub=Location | | 2 | **fill** | participle | | a great silver tub *not said here* | | | | with sand and pebbles | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP PP.instrument»: agent=Agent with sand=Instrument | | 3 | **conceal** | participle | | sand and pebbles *not said here* | | | | by thick greenery | vn concealment-16 «NP V NP PP.location»: agent=Agent by greenery=Location | | 4 | **gild** | participle | | | | | | | vn butter-9.9 «NP V NP.destination»: agent=Agent | **Text:** the tests of Mova's primary school, written for Mova (`world/data/school/`), as the course runner gave them to the student. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each text read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License. - ← previous: [Fairy Tales, The Fir-Tree, part 18: th…, exam 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/1629-pg5615-part18/e3/) - next →: [Andersen's Fairy Tales, The Fir-Tree:…, test 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/1630-pg5615-part19/t1/) - ↑ back to [Fairy Tales, The Fir-Tree, part 18: the tree is dressed for Christmas, hears a story, and is then shut away in a dark loft](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/1629-pg5615-part18/)