Denotation and reference

Denotation and reference

Activity 1: identify referents and the noun phrases to which they refer in the following paragraph:

The shark is a carnivorous (meat eating)

Sea animal (Referent). Is one of the most feared fish in the ocean having the reputation of attacking humans (referering expression). There are many species that roam the great oceans of the words. They vary in size and habit. Though the whale shark is considered the largest, it is relatively harmless, and mainly eats small

Fish an plankton. Other sharks include the hammerhead, mako and bull. These are fast powerful sea animals that feed on larger fish such as mackerel, tuna and herring(referring expression). The white shark, on the other hand, is the most frightening ad dangerous. It gets this reputation because of its size and keen sense, wich enables it to prey sucessfully. Since early 1960's, scientist have been studying sharks because of their potential to provide the medical world with defenses such a cancer and arthritis. That would be welcomed by all.

Activity 2: read the passage, choose the correct referring expression and identify its referent:

Referent: Solar system.

A planet is large, round object that travels around the sun. There are nine planets, which together comprise a part of the solar system. (this, these, that) include Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (refering expresion).

Referent: starts

Much like starts in appearance, planets differ from ( they, them (starts), their) in that (they(planets), them, their) shine steadily, while twinkle. (this(shine), these, those) may be the result of the light and heat that started produce on (its, they, their(starts))own, (this(light), these,that) which the planets emit is reflected light from the sun.

Referent: The planets.

Though the planets differ substantially in size and vary widely in terms of (their (planets), its, they) Surface conditions, (them, they(planets), these) are similar insofar as orbital movement is Concerned.  All of (them (planets), they, these) move in a westward direction across the sky.

Referent: the feasibility of sustainable life.

Astronomers have been fascinated by planets for thousands of years, but more recently have become interesting in the feasibility of sustainable life on planets answers to (these, that(feasibility of sustainable life), they) may give scientist and insight into our long term future.