Question 1 [3 points; 150 words]
The following two groups of sentences differ in an important way in their sets of presuppositions. Explain in a few lines what the difference is in the presuppositions of sentences in (a)-(c) and those in (d)-(f).
(a) I feel sorry that it rains
(b) I know that it rains
(c) I remember that it rains
(d) I hope that it rains
(e) I deny that it rains
(f) I think that it rains
Question 2 [4 points; 300 words]
Consider the following sentence:
(g) Everyone knew that stress caused ulcers, before two Australian doctors in the early 80s proved that ulcers are not caused by stress, but by a bacterial infection.
Describe why this sentence can be considered a problem for the analysis of the verb to know (which you discussed in the previous question). Your answer should contain the terms presupposition, and contradiction.
Next, try to find a solution for this problem by re-analyzing the presuppositions triggered by know, that explains why sentence (g) is acceptable, but doesn’t dismiss our understanding of sentences (a)-(c). Discuss pros and cons of your solution [Multiple answers to this last point are possible and it’s a hard question; I want to see a good argument!]
Question 3 [4 points]
Use meaning postulates to represent the semantic relations between the following pairs of words. Briefly motivate your answer.
(h) true — false
(i) knowing something — thinking something
(j) hotdog — sandwich
(k) chasing (someone) — fleeing (from someone)
Question 4 [4 points]
Translate the following sentences into logical formulae
(l) Dogs don’t have horns.
(m) If Harry isn’t nice to Megan, Megan is sad.
(n) The instructor of LIN237 likes all students who take LIN237.
(o) If someone cheats, everyone suffers.
