--- title: Explain the reason the inhabitants were unable to ascertain the cont… — Andersen's Tales, The Bottle Neck: a b… · tree and pragmatics description: Explain the reason the inhabitants were unable to ascertain the contents of the written communication found within the bottle. Exam question 4 of lesson 805 «Andersen's Tales, The Bottle Neck: a bottle finds a new owner, a sailor's farewell, and a foreign shore» of the books course of Mova's primary --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/805-pg27200-part16/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/) / [Andersen's Tales, The Bottle Neck: a b…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/805-pg27200-part16/) / e4 # Exam question 4 · Andersen's Tales, The Bottle Neck: a bottle finds a new ow… Explain the reason the inhabitants were unable to ascertain the contents of the written communication found within the bottle. **Mova's choice:** option 2 · **The right answer:** option 2 · right ✓ · **Who acts:** you, inhabitants · **What happens:** explain, be, ascertain, write, find · **To what, where:** reason, contents, written communication This is exam question 4 of lesson 805 «Andersen's Tales, The Bottle Neck: a bottle finds a new owner, a sailor's farewell, and a foreign shore» 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/805-pg27200-part16/#e4). ## The question {#question} ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:805-pg27200-part16:e4:1 # text = Explain the reason the inhabitants were unable to ascertain the contents of the written communication found within the bottle. 1 Explain explain VERB VB Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin 0 root _ _ 2 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 3 det _ _ 3 reason reason NOUN NN Number=Sing 1 obj _ _ 4 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 5 det _ _ 5 inhabitants inhabitant NOUN NNS Number=Plur 7 nsubj _ _ 6 were be AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 7 cop _ _ 7 unable unable ADJ JJ Degree=Pos 3 acl:relcl _ _ 8 to to PART TO _ 9 mark _ _ 9 ascertain ascertain VERB VB VerbForm=Inf 7 xcomp _ _ 10 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 11 det _ _ 11 contents contents NOUN NNS Number=Ptan 9 obj _ _ 12 of of ADP IN _ 15 case _ _ 13 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 15 det _ _ 14 written write VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 15 amod _ _ 15 communication communication NOUN NN Number=Sing 11 nmod _ _ 16 found find VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 15 acl _ _ 17 within within ADP IN _ 19 case _ _ 18 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 19 det _ _ 19 bottle bottle NOUN NN Number=Sing 16 obl _ SpaceAfter=No 20 . . PUNCT . _ 1 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **explain** *speech: assert* | imperative | you *not said here* | the reason | | | | | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent reason=Topic | | 2 | **is** | past | the inhabitants | the reason *not said here* | | | | unable *property* | tree rules | | 3 | **ascertain** | to-infinitive | the inhabitants *not said here* | the contents of the written communication | | | | | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent contents=Topic | | 4 | **write** | participle | | | | | | | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent | | 5 | **find** | participle | | the written communication *not said here* | | | | within the bottle | vn declare-29.4-1-1 «NP V what S\_INF»: agent=Agent | 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} The letter was written in a code that nobody had learned. ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:805-pg27200-part16:e4:o1:1 # text = The letter was written in a code that nobody had learned. 1 The the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 2 det _ _ 2 letter letter NOUN NN Number=Sing 4 nsubj:pass _ _ 3 was be AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 4 aux:pass _ _ 4 written write VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 0 root _ _ 5 in in ADP IN _ 7 case _ _ 6 a a DET DT Definite=Ind|PronType=Art 7 det _ _ 7 code code NOUN NN Number=Sing 4 obl _ _ 8 that that PRON WDT PronType=Rel 11 obj _ _ 9 nobody nobody PRON NN Number=Sing|PronType=Neg 11 nsubj _ _ 10 had have AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 11 aux _ _ 11 learned learn VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part 7 acl:relcl _ SpaceAfter=No 12 . . PUNCT . _ 4 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **write** | past · passive | | the letter | | a code | | | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: subject=Theme in code=Destination | | 2 | **learn** | past · perfect | nobody | a code | | | | | vn learn-14-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent that=Topic | ### Option 2 · ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer {#o2} They could not understand the language in which it was composed. ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:805-pg27200-part16:e4:o2:1 # text = They could not understand the language in which it was composed. 1 They they PRON PRP Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs 4 nsubj _ _ 2 could could AUX MD VerbForm=Fin 4 aux _ _ 3 not not PART RB Polarity=Neg 4 advmod _ _ 4 understand understand VERB VB VerbForm=Inf 0 root _ _ 5 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 6 det _ _ 6 language language NOUN NN Number=Sing 4 obj _ _ 7 in in ADP IN _ 8 case _ _ 8 which which PRON WDT PronType=Rel 11 obl _ _ 9 it it PRON PRP Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 11 nsubj:pass _ _ 10 was be AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 11 aux:pass _ _ 11 composed compose VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 6 acl:relcl _ SpaceAfter=No 12 . . PUNCT . _ 4 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **not** **understand** | could | They | the language | | | | | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer language=Stimulus | | 2 | **compose** | past · passive | | language | | the language | | | vn create-26.4-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Result | ### Option 3 {#o3} They could not understand the language in which the letter was composed, since the ink was faded and the paper torn by the sea. ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:805-pg27200-part16:e4:o3:1 # text = They could not understand the language in which the letter was composed, since the ink was faded and the paper torn by the sea. 1 They they PRON PRP Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs 4 nsubj _ _ 2 could could AUX MD VerbForm=Fin 4 aux _ _ 3 not not PART RB Polarity=Neg 4 advmod _ _ 4 understand understand VERB VB VerbForm=Inf 0 root _ _ 5 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 6 det _ _ 6 language language NOUN NN Number=Sing 4 obj _ _ 7 in in ADP IN _ 8 case _ _ 8 which which PRON WDT PronType=Rel 12 obl _ _ 9 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 10 det _ _ 10 letter letter NOUN NN Number=Sing 12 nsubj:pass _ _ 11 was be AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 12 aux:pass _ _ 12 composed compose VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 6 acl:relcl _ SpaceAfter=No 13 , , PUNCT , _ 18 punct _ _ 14 since since SCONJ IN _ 18 mark _ _ 15 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 16 det _ _ 16 ink ink NOUN NN Number=Sing 18 nsubj _ _ 17 was be AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 18 aux:pass _ _ 18 faded fade VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 4 parataxis _ _ 19 and and CCONJ CC _ 21 cc _ _ 20 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 21 det _ _ 21 paper paper NOUN NN Number=Sing 18 conj _ _ 22 torn tear VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 21 acl _ _ 23 by by ADP IN _ 25 case _ _ 24 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 25 det _ _ 25 sea sea NOUN NN Number=Sing 22 obl _ SpaceAfter=No 26 . . PUNCT . _ 4 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **not** **understand** | could | They | the language | | | | | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Experiencer language=Stimulus | | 2 | **compose** | past · passive | | the letter | | the language | | | vn create-26.4-1 «NP V NP»: subject=Result | | 3 | **fade** | past · passive | | the ink | | | | | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: subject=Patient | | 4 | **tear** | participle | | the paper *not said here* | | | | by the sea | vn run-51.3.2 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme by sea=Trajectory | ### Option 4 {#o4} Nobody there could read the language in which the letter had been written, and the water had ruined the paper completely. ```conllu # sent_id = question:books:805-pg27200-part16:e4:o4:1 # text = Nobody there could read the language in which the letter had been written, and the water had ruined the paper completely. 1 Nobody nobody PRON NN Number=Sing|PronType=Neg 4 nsubj _ _ 2 there there ADV RB PronType=Dem 1 advmod _ _ 3 could could AUX MD VerbForm=Fin 4 aux _ _ 4 read read VERB VB VerbForm=Inf 0 root _ _ 5 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 6 det _ _ 6 language language NOUN NN Number=Sing 4 obj _ _ 7 in in ADP IN _ 8 case _ _ 8 which which PRON WDT PronType=Rel 13 obl _ _ 9 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 10 det _ _ 10 letter letter NOUN NN Number=Sing 13 nsubj:pass _ _ 11 had have AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 13 aux _ _ 12 been be AUX VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part 13 aux:pass _ _ 13 written write VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 6 acl:relcl _ SpaceAfter=No 14 , , PUNCT , _ 19 punct _ _ 15 and and CCONJ CC _ 19 cc _ _ 16 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 17 det _ _ 17 water water NOUN NN Number=Sing 19 nsubj:pass _ _ 18 had have AUX VBD Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin 19 aux _ _ 19 ruined ruin VERB VBN Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass 4 conj _ _ 20 the the DET DT Definite=Def|PronType=Art 21 det _ _ 21 paper paper NOUN NN Number=Sing 19 obj _ _ 22 completely completely ADV RB _ 19 advmod _ SpaceAfter=No 23 . . PUNCT . _ 4 punct _ _ ``` | # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | **read** | could | Nobody | the language | | | | | vn transfer\_mesg-37.1.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent language=Topic | | 2 | **write** | past · perfect · passive | | the letter | | the language | | | vn scribble-25.2-1 «NP V NP PP.destination»: subject=Theme in which=Destination | | 3 | **ruin** | past · perfect · passive | | the water | | | | completely *property* | tree rules | **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. 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