Test on English Noun Pluralization Rules

Question 1: Some compound nouns form their plural by changing both the first and last elements when the first element is 'man' or 'woman'.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: According to the study materials, 'When the first element is man or woman, then both elements change: men students, women doctors.'

Question 2: The noun 'ladder' is classified as a summation plural.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: Summation plurals listed in the study materials include 'bellows', 'binoculars', 'pincers', 'pliers', 'scales', 'scissors', 'shears', 'tongs', 'tweezers', 'glasses', 'spectacles', 'braces', 'flannels', 'knickers', 'pants', 'pyjamas', 'shorts', 'suspenders', 'tights', and 'trousers'. 'Ladder' is not among these examples.

Question 3: According to the study materials, which of the following statements correctly describes the pronunciation of the regular plural -s ending?

A. Nouns ending in a sibilant sound such as /s/ or /z/ are followed by an extra syllable pronounced /iz/.

B. All nouns ending in a voiceless consonant add the /z/ sound.

C. Nouns ending in a voiced consonant or a vowel add the /s/ sound.

D. The -s ending is always pronounced as /s/ after any voiceless consonant.

Explanation: According to section 3.1.1.1, if the noun ends in a sibilant /s/, /z/, /š/, /ž/,/č/ and /dž/, it is followed by an extra syllable /iz/ as in buses, phrases, dishes, beaches, sledges. Option 1 is incorrect because section 3.1.1.2 states that only other nouns ending in a voiceless consonant add /s/. Option 2 is incorrect because section 3.1.1.3 states that all other nouns ending in a voiced consonant or a vowel add /z/. Option 3 is incorrect because the /s/ sound is added only to other nouns ending in a voiceless consonant, not all voiceless consonants, as sibilants have a different rule.

Question 4: Which of the following nouns are classified as "Other Pluralia Tantum in -s" according to the provided study materials, meaning they only occur in the plural form?

A. measles

B. annals

C. scissors

D. wages

Explanation: The study materials classify 'annals' and 'wages' under '3.4.2.2. Other Pluralia Tantum in -s', which are nouns that only occur in plural. 'Measles' is a singular noun ending in -s, while 'scissors' is a summation plural, both from different categories.

Question 5: For N+N compound nouns, the plural is formed by adding the inflectional morpheme -(e)s to the first element.

A. Ano

B. Ne

Explanation: N+N combination compound nouns form their plural by taking an inflectional morpheme -(e)s at the end, not on the first element. Examples given are 'girlfriends' and 'flower pots'.