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Extraposition – Quiz 1
Extraposition Quiz 1 (15 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the ability to identify extraposable and non-extraposable nominal clauses, understand the use of anticipatory pronouns, and recognize sentence structure principles such as emphasis placement and clause movement in English grammar. It covers concepts like extraposition in fixed structures, object clauses, and subordinate clauses.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
How many subjects does the resulting sentence of extraposition of clausal subject contain?
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition involves moving the subject of a sentence to the end, often preceded by "it" as a dummy subject. The resulting sentence contains two subjects: one in its original position and one extraposed at the end.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. The sentence has more than one subject.
Option B:
Correct. The sentence contains two subjects after extraposition.
Option C:
Incorrect. There are subjects in the resulting sentence.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence has only two subjects, not three.
2.
What does the rule of end-weight refer to?
A) Longer sentences are easier to process than shorter ones.
B) Sentence elements should be placed from least to most important for emphasis.
C) Sentences should end with the heaviest (the longest) element.
D) Subjects and verbs should be separated as much as possible.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The rule of end-weight, also known as the principle of final weight in sentence structure, dictates that the most important or heaviest element (typically the longest) should be placed at the end of a sentence for emphasis and clarity. This aligns with Option C.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. The rule does not state that longer sentences are easier to process; rather, it emphasizes where important elements should be placed.
Option B:
Incorrect. It suggests the opposite order of importance for emphasis.
Option C:
Correct. This accurately describes the principle of end-weight in sentence construction.
Option D:
Incorrect. This option is unrelated to the rule of end-weight and focuses on a different aspect of sentence structure.
3.
How do we create a version of sentence with anticipatory it construction + verbs such as be sure, be certain, be known etc. + that-clause without extraposition?
A) Normally, just like in any other sentence with extraposition.
B) Subject is fronted and the subordinate clause takes form of a to-infinitive clause.
C) It cannot be transformed.
D) The object of the nominal clause takes the role of the main clause subject.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is B) Subject is fronted and the subordinate clause takes form of a to-infinitive clause. In this construction, the subject of the sentence is moved to the beginning, followed by "it" which acts as an anticipatory subject, and then the infinitive clause (e.g., "be sure," "be certain"). This structure avoids extraposition, where the main verb would be placed after a gap noun phrase.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Extraposition is not used in this construction.
Option B:
Correct. The subject is fronted and the infinitive clause follows "it." This avoids extraposition.
Option C:
Incorrect. Anticipatory it constructions can be formed without extraposition using infinitives.
Option D:
Incorrect. The object of a nominal clause does not take the role of the main clause subject in this construction.
4.
How many subjects does the extraposed sentance contain?
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition involves moving a constituent to the beginning of a sentence, often for emphasis. In an extraposed sentence, there is typically one subject remaining in its original position while another subject is moved to the front. Thus, two subjects are involved.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it suggests three subjects.
Option B:
Incorrect as it suggests only one subject.
Option C:
Incorrect as it suggests no subjects.
Option D:
Correct as it accurately states two subjects are involved in an extraposed sentence.
5.
Which nominal clause cannot be extraposed?
A) Nominal exclamation clause.
B) Nominal that-or wh-clause.
C) Nominal to infinitive clause.
D) Nominal gerund clause.
E) Nominal relative clause.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Nominal relative clauses cannot be extraposed in English, making option E the correct answer. Extraposition is a grammatical phenomenon where a nominal clause can be moved to the end of a sentence with "it" as an extraposed pronoun. This applies to nominal that-or wh-clauses (B), nominal to-infinitive clauses (C), and nominal gerund clauses (D). However, relative clauses are not typically extraposable in this way.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Nominal exclamation clause can be extraposed.
Option B:
Nominal that-or wh-clause can be extraposed.
Option C:
Nominal to-infinitive clause can be extraposed.
Option D:
Nominal gerund clause can be extraposed.
Option E:
Nominal relative clause cannot be extraposed.
6.
In what way does the construction with the formal subject it + verb such as seem, appear, happen + that-clause differ from sentences with extraposed clausal subjects?
A) They have no corresponding versions without extraposition.
B) They have only one version with extraposition.
C) They have more than one version with extraposition.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The construction with the formal subject "it" + verb such as seem, appear, happen + that-clause is a fixed structure in English where "it" acts as a formal subject and does not have an alternative version without extraposition. This means there are no corresponding versions of these sentences that do not use this specific structure.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. These constructions always require the use of "it" as a formal subject, and thus cannot be expressed in any other way.
Option B:
Incorrect. There are alternative versions without extraposition for these sentences; they just do not exist in this case because it is a fixed structure.
Option C:
Incorrect. These constructions always require the use of "it" as a formal subject, so there cannot be more than one version with or without extraposition.
Option D:
Incorrect. There are correct answers among the options provided.
7.
In which of these sentences we can get rid of the extraposition of the object clause?
A) I leave it to you to decide which offer to take.
B) I blame it on him that we were late for the concert.
C) You must find it challenging competing with so many people.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because it contains an extraposed object clause that can be rephrased without the extraposition, making the sentence more direct and concise: "You must find challenging to compete with so many people." The original sentence uses extraposition for stylistic purposes but is not necessary.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
This sentence uses a similar structure but does not allow removal of the extraposition without changing the meaning. "I leave it to you to decide which offer to take" cannot be simplified by removing "it to decide."
Option B:
Similar to Option A, this sentence requires the use of "it" for grammatical correctness and meaning preservation. Removing "it on him that we were late for the concert" would alter the sentence's structure and meaning.
Option C:
As explained, this can be simplified by removing "it challenging." The core meaning remains intact: "You must find competing with so many people challenging."
Option D:
Incorrect as Option C is valid for extraposition removal.
8.
Rewrite the sentence so that it has an extraposed object clause:You must consider playing tennis very difficult.
A) Playing tennis you must consider very difficult.
B) You must consider it very difficult playing tennis.
C) You must consider very difficult playing tennis.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extrapolation involves moving a clause out of its original position to the beginning of the sentence, often using "it" as a dummy subject. In option B, "playing tennis" is moved to the front and "it" is used as an extraposed object.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because "Playing tennis you must consider very difficult" does not use proper extraposition.
Option B:
Correct. Uses extraposition with "it" as a dummy subject, placing the infinitive clause at the beginning of the sentence.
Option C:
Incorrect because it omits the necessary "it" and does not properly extrapose the object clause.
Option D:
Incorrect because option B is correct.
9.
Transform the following sentence using extraposition of clasual subject:"To know that the children are happy gives her satisfaction."
A) That the children are happy gives her satisfaction to know.
B) It gives her satisfaction to know that the children are happy.
C) The children are happy and it gives her satisfaction.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition involves moving the subject of a subordinate clause to the beginning of the sentence, often introducing "it" as an extraposed subject. In this case, "To know that the children are happy" is the subordinate clause whose subject ("to know") is moved to the front, and "it" is used as the extraposed subject.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because it places "that the children are happy" at the end of the sentence.
Option B:
Correct. It uses "it" to introduce the extraposed subject, making the main clause "It gives her satisfaction." and placing the subordinate clause at the beginning.
Option C:
Incorrect because it does not use extraposition; instead, it combines two independent clauses without using "it."
Option D:
Incorrect as Option B is correct.
10.
Which of the sentences shows extraposition of the clausal object?
A) It is because of their hard work that they managed to get the cocract.
B) They owe managing to get the contract to their hard work.
C) They owe it to their hard work that they managed to get the concract.
D) They managed to get the concract, because they worked hard.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition of the clausal object involves moving a clause to the beginning of a sentence, often introduced by "it" as the dummy subject. In option C, "They owe it to their hard work that they managed to get the contract" demonstrates this structure with "it" serving as the dummy subject for the clause "that they managed to get the contract."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
This sentence uses a different structure, indicating cause rather than extraposition.
Option B:
This does not use extraposition; it directly states the relationship without "it" as a dummy subject.
Option C:
Correct. Uses extraposition with "it" as a dummy subject for the clause.
Option D:
This sentence is in a simple past tense and does not use extraposition.
11.
What realisation(s) of the clausal object can exist without it being extraposed?
A) -ing clauses.
B) To-infinitive clauses.
C) That clauses.
D) All three.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition involves moving a clause to the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, often using "it" as a dummy subject. -ing clauses can exist without being extraposed because they can function as direct objects or complement phrases in their original position within the sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. -ing clauses can appear as clausal objects without needing to be extraposed.
Option B:
Incorrect. To-infinitive clauses are typically not used as clausal objects in the same way -ing clauses are, and they often require extraposition for emphasis.
Option C:
Incorrect. That clauses usually introduce restrictive or non-restrictive relative clauses and do not commonly function as clausal objects without being extraposed.
Option D:
Incorrect. Not all three options are correct based on the analysis above.
12.
Do sentences with formal subject it + verbs such as seem, appear or happen + that-clause have corresponding versions without extraposition?
A) Yes.
B) No.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition is a grammatical phenomenon where the subject of a sentence is moved to the end, often for emphasis or stylistic reasons. Sentences with formal subject "it" followed by verbs such as "seem," "appear," or "happen" and a that-clause are examples of extraposition. These sentences do not have corresponding versions without extraposition because the structure is inherently formed to place the subject at the end for emphasis.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Such sentences can be rephrased, but they typically retain the extraposed structure.
Option B:
Correct. These sentences do not have non-extraposed versions without changing their meaning or structure significantly.
Option C:
Incorrect. Option B is correct and comprehensive.
Option D:
Incorrect. There are valid options that correctly describe the situation.
13.
Which of the following sentences uses 'it' as an anticipatory pronoun?
A) I dropped it on the floor and it broke.
B) It was exciting to watch the fireworks.
C) Give it to me, please.
D) She lost it somewhere in the house.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition is a grammatical phenomenon where the subject of a sentence is moved to the beginning for emphasis, and an anticipatory 'it' is used as a placeholder in its original position. In option B, "It was exciting to watch the fireworks," 'it' serves as this anticipatory pronoun, indicating that something previously mentioned (watching the fireworks) was exciting.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No extraposition; 'it' is used normally.
Option B:
Correct use of an anticipatory 'it' as part of extraposition.
Option C:
No extraposition; 'it' is a direct object.
Option D:
No extraposition; 'it' refers to something lost.
14.
What is the it in extraposition of clausal subject called?
A) Hopeful.
B) Anticipatory.
C) Expectant.
D) Awaiting.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition of a clausal subject is called "Anticipatory" because the subject is moved to the beginning of the sentence for emphasis, and it anticipates what will be discussed in the rest of the clause.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Hopeful - Incorrect. This term does not relate to extraposition.
Option B:
Anticipatory - Correct. The subject is moved to anticipate and highlight its importance in the sentence structure.
Option C:
Expectant - Incorrect. This term is not used in grammar related to extraposition.
Option D:
Awaiting - Incorrect. This term does not describe the grammatical concept of extraposition.
15.
Is it possible to transform the following sentence using extraposition of clasual subject?"It happened that I was out of the office when Mr. Jones called."
A) Yes.
B) No.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Extraposition involves moving the subject of a subordinate clause to the beginning of the sentence for emphasis. In the given sentence, "It happened that I was out of the office when Mr. Jones called," the dummy subject "it" is already used to introduce the subordinate clause. Therefore, it is not possible to further extrapose the clause by moving its subject "I" to the beginning as a separate phrase.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because extraposition cannot be applied here.
Option B:
Correct. The sentence structure does not allow for extraposition of the clause subject "I" to the beginning as a separate phrase.
Option C:
Incorrect since only one option is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect because an applicable alternative exists (Option B).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is extraposition in English Grammar?
Extrapolposition is a grammatical phenomenon where the position of certain elements, such as subjects or objects, is moved to the end of a sentence for emphasis or stylistic reasons. This can include clauses and phrases that are moved to the beginning or end of sentences.
Can extraposition be used in any type of clause?
Yes, extraposition can occur in various types of clauses, including object clauses, nominal clauses, and subordinate clauses. It is a flexible tool that allows for different sentence structures to enhance clarity or emphasis.
What are some common examples of extraposition?
Common examples include the use of anticipatory pronouns in extraposition, such as "It is clear that she will come," or the placement of clausal subjects at the end of sentences for emphasis, like "That he would do it surprised everyone."
How does extraposition differ from other sentence structures?
Extrapolposition differs from other sentence structures by moving elements to the end of a sentence for emphasis or stylistic purposes, whereas other structures might focus on different aspects such as subject-verb agreement or word order rules.
Why is understanding extraposition important?
Understanding extraposition is important because it helps in mastering sentence structure principles, improving writing and speaking skills by providing flexibility in sentence construction, and enhancing the ability to convey emphasis or clarity in communication.