CHAPTER5_EXERCISE6_KALBERER

Chapter 5, Exercise 6

Explain the semantic ambiguity of the following sentences by providing two or more sentences that paraphrase the multiple meanings.

Example:  “She can’t bear children.”  can mean either “She can’t give birth to children” or “She can’t tolerate children.”

a.  He waited by the bank.

            He waited by the bank of the river.

            He waited by the financial institution.

b.  Is he really that kind?

            Is he really that nice?

            Is he really that kind of person?  (Could be a liar, 

            hard worker, or profession.)

c.  The proprietor of the fish store was the sole owner.

            The proprietor was the only owner of the store.

            The proprietor is the owner of all the sole.  (A kind of 

            fish)

d.  The long drill was boring.

            The math exercise (drill) was boring.

            Using the hand held tool (drill) was boring.

e.  When he got the clear title to the land, it was a 

     good deed.

            When he got the title for the land it was fair and legally 

            obtained.

            When he got the title for the land, he was doing a favor

            for someone.

f.  It takes a good ruler to make a straight line.

            It takes a good leader to make a straight line.

            It takes a good measurement tool is make a straight line.

g.  He saw that gasoline can explode.

            He saw that gasoline (fuel) is flammable.

            He saw the can (container) of gasoline explode.

h.  You should see her shop.

            You should see her shop for food.  (She can find 

            everything on the list quickly!)

            You should see her place of employment.

i.  Every man loves a woman.

            Every man loves an adult female.

            Every man loves the same, one woman.

j.  You get half off the cost of your hotel room if you make 

     your own bed.

            You pay half price if you build your own bed out of 

            boards and nails.

            You pay half price if you put fresh linens on the bed.

k.  “It’s his job to lose” (said the coach about his 

      new player).

            The player can lose his position on the team.

            The player can lose his salaried employment because 

            he chooses to join the team.

i.  CHALLENGE: Bill wants to marry a Norwegian woman.

            Bill wants to get married to a woman from Norway.

            Bill (who is a priest) wants to preside over the marriage 

            ceremony of a woman who lives in Norway.