---
title: what's the sea-cattle thing, then? — Andersen's Fairy Tales, Little Claus a… · tree and pragmatics
description: what's the sea-cattle thing, then? Test 9 · ★ of lesson 870 «Andersen's Fairy Tales, Little Claus and Big Claus, part 81: Great Claus is beaten out of town, kills his own grandmother, and nearly drowns Little Claus, who escapes with a drover's cattle» of the books course of Mova's primary school, wi
---

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# Test 9 · ★ · Andersen's Fairy Tales, Little Claus and Big Claus, part 8…

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
what's the sea-cattle thing, then?

<!-- .vintro -->
**Mova's choice:** option 4 · **The right answer:** option 2 · wrong ✗ · **Who acts:** cattle thing · **What happens:** be

<!-- .vabout -->
This is test 9 · ★ of lesson 870 «Andersen's Fairy Tales, Little Claus and Big Claus, part 81: Great Claus is beaten out of town, kills his own grandmother, and nearly drowns Little Claus, who escapes with a drover's cattle» of the books course of Mova's primary school. 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/870-pg27200-part81/#t9).

## The question {#question}

```conllu
# sent_id = question:books:870-pg27200-part81:t9:1
# text = what's the sea-cattle thing, then?
1	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
4	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	compound	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	4	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	cattle	cattle	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	thing	thing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	1	punct	_	_
9	then	then	ADV	RB	PronType=Dem	1	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the cattle thing |  |  |  | then |  | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
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}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Little Claus says they're cattle from a rich farm by the sea, all fat

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = question:books:870-pg27200-part81:t9:o1:1
# text = Little Claus says they're cattle from a rich farm by the sea, all fat
1	Little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	Claus	Claus	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	says	say	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	're	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	cattle	cattle	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	ccomp	_	_
7	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	rich	rich	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	farm	farm	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	_
11	by	by	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	16	punct	_	_
15	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	16	det	_	_
16	fat	fat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | Little Claus |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is a** | present | they | cattle and all fat |  | a rich farm by the sea |  |  | tree rules |

### Option 2 · ✓ the right answer {#o2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Little Claus claims they're magic beasts from the sea, all posh and rich

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = question:books:870-pg27200-part81:t9:o2:1
# text = Little Claus claims they're magic beasts from the sea, all posh and rich
1	Little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	Claus	Claus	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	claims	claim	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	're	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	magic	magic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	beasts	beast	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
8	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	all	all	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	13	det	_	_
13	posh	posh	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	parataxis	_	_
14	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
15	rich	rich	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	13	conj	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **claim** *speech: other* | present | Little Claus |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is a** | present | they | magic beasts |  | the sea |  |  | tree rules |

### Option 3 {#o3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Little Claus says they're cows from the sea, bought cheap and well fed

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = question:books:870-pg27200-part81:t9:o3:1
# text = Little Claus says they're cows from the sea, bought cheap and well fed
1	Little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	Claus	Claus	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	says	say	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	're	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	cows	cow	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
7	from	from	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	11	punct	_	_
11	bought	buy	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	6	acl:relcl	_	_
12	cheap	cheap	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	ccomp	_	_
13	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	15	cc	_	_
14	well	well	ADV	RB	Degree=Pos	15	advmod	_	_
15	fed	feed	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	12	conj	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | Little Claus |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is a** | present | they | cows |  | the sea |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **buy** | participle |  | cows *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V how S»: agent=Agent |
| 4 | **feed** | participle | Little Claus *not said here* |  |  |  |  | well *property* | vn gorge-39.6 «NP V PP.patient»: agent=Agent |

### Option 4 · ← Mova's choice {#o4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Little Claus says they're magic beasts from the sea that the king gave him for free and that they can talk and fly over the town walls

<!-- fold The tree, 28 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = question:books:870-pg27200-part81:t9:o4:1
# text = Little Claus says they're magic beasts from the sea that the king gave him for free and that they can talk and fly over the town walls
1	Little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	Claus	Claus	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	says	say	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	're	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	magic	magic	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	beasts	beast	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	ccomp	_	_
8	from	from	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	sea	sea	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	_
11	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	14	mark	_	_
12	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	king	king	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	nsubj	_	_
14	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	ccomp	_	_
15	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	14	iobj	_	_
16	for	for	ADP	IN	_	17	case	_	_
17	free	free	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	14	obl	_	_
18	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	22	cc	_	_
19	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	22	mark	_	_
20	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	22	nsubj	_	_
21	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	22	aux	_	_
22	talk	talk	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	14	conj	_	_
23	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	24	cc	_	_
24	fly	fly	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	22	conj	_	_
25	over	over	ADP	IN	_	28	case	_	_
26	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	28	det	_	_
27	town	town	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	28	compound	_	_
28	walls	wall	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	24	obl	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | present | Little Claus |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **is a** | present | they | magic beasts |  | the sea |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **give** | past | the king |  | Claus |  |  | for free | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP PP.asset»: agent=Agent he=Theme for free=Asset |
| 4 | **talk** | can | beasts *= beast* |  |  |  |  |  | vn talk-37.5 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 5 | **fly** | infinitive | beasts *= beast* *not said here* |  |  | the town walls |  |  | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme over wall=Location |

<!-- div src -->

**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.

<!-- /div -->

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- ↑ back to [Andersen's Fairy Tales, Little Claus and Big Claus, part 81: Great Claus is beaten out of town, kills his own grandmother, and nearly drowns Little Claus, who escapes with a drover's cattle](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/questions/books/870-pg27200-part81/)