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Jmc 314: Semantics Question Paper
Jmc 314: Semantics
Course:Bachelor Of Arts In Journalism And Media Studies
Institution: Masinde Muliro University Of Science And Technology question papers
Exam Year:2009
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MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY(MMUST)
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
2008/2009 ACADEMIC YEAR
THIRD YEAR SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS
FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
COURSE CODE: JMC 314
COURSE TITLE: SEMANTICS
DATE: 4th May 2009 TIME: 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Answer question one(compulsory) and any other three (3) questions
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1. a) Define and exemplify (where possible) the following terms:
i) Semantics
ii) Idioms
iii) Anomalous structures
b) Construct two sentences to indicate the reverse order using the
following pairs:
i) Own vs belonging
ii) Buy vs sell (4 marks)
c) Using componential analysis, give the meanings of the following
Bull, widow, piglet, baby. (4 marks)
d) For each pair, give two sentences. The first one can be used
interchangeably and in the second only one meaning is possible.
i) Broad vs wide
ii) Ring vs call (4 marks)
e) Group the following jumbled words into their possible semantic
fields: red, widow, ostritch, aunt, sister, blue, iron, hen, steal,
silver, orange, sister, turkey. (3 marks)
f) Identify the mantic role of each noun phrase in the following
sentences by writing the letters a, t, l, I, s or g above the noun
standing for agent, theme, location, instrument, source or goal.
i) The boy took the books from the cupboard with a handcart
ii) Many found a ball in the house
iii) John melted the ice with a candle
iv) The farmer’s daughter loaded hay onto the lorry. (4 marks)
2. a) Discuss with examples the connection between componential
analysis and sense relations in our understanding of meaning. (10 marks)
b) Using a laborate examples, discuss three weaknesses of
componential analysis in relation to the understanding of meaning.
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3. a) Differentiate using examples between :
i) recical ambiguity vs structural ambiguity
ii) denotative vs connotative meaning
b) Describe in details the three types of gradable antonyms. (6 marks)
4. a) The following words are decictic. Group them according to the
appropriate deictic category. Front, here, I, back, there, come,
yours, there, right, go, these, left. (6 marks)
b) Using examples, describe the four maxims that ensure that
conversational interactions satisfy the co-operative principle of
conversation. (10 marks)
5. a) Citing your own examples as a Mass Communicator, discuss the
following concepts in relation to expressing the meaning of words
and sentences in human language.
i) Furry concepts
ii) Graded membership
iii) Metaphor (10 marks)
b) The following sentences make certain prepositions. What are they
i) The police ordered the minors to stop drinking
ii) Emily was very sad after the death of her pet.
iii) Why don’t pigs have wings?
iv) Disa wants more popcon.
v) I returned the book to the library. (5 marks)
c) Define the term presupposition. (1 mark)
6. a) Critically discuss how the study of semantics as a branch of
linguistics benefits you as a mass communicator. (10 marks)
b) Using either English/Kiswahili examples, discuss the notion of
lexicalization of the concepts.
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