Sentence Comprehension Survey 1

Dear Participant,

We are a student research team from Beijing Language and Culture University. We are currently conducting a research study on sentence comprehension and sincerely invite you to participate.

About the Study:

l This research aims to understand the basic patterns in how people process everyday language.

l Your task is very simple: you will read 29 sentences/phrases and then answer a few related questions.

l You do not need to consider whether the sentences/phrases are true, only their meaning. We kindly ask you to think carefully about the meaning of each sentence/phrase.

Procedure & Time:

l The entire questionnaire contains a series of sentences/phrases and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Confidentiality & Your Rights:

l This survey is anonymous. All data will be kept strictly confidential and used for aggregate statistical analysis only.

l Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw at any time.

l There are no foreseeable risks associated with the questionnaire content.

Your participation is of great significance to our understanding of human language cognition. Thank you sincerely for your support!

1.Your age:
2.Your gender:
3.Your native language(s):
4.Your highest education level:
5.Your occupation:
6.If you are a student, your major field of study is (If you are not a student now, you may leave this blank):
7.Your city and country of residence (e.g., London, United Kingdom):
1. He is drinking a cup of coffee right now. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) He is drinking a cup of coffee right now. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
2. They talked about the problem with the mathematician. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) They talked about the problem with the mathematician. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
They had a discussion with the mathematician. The topic of the discussion was the problem. This problem wasn’t about the mathematician (maybe it’s about math, physics ...).
They talked about the problem. This problem was their issue with the mathematician (e.g., a disagreement or difficulty concerning him/her).
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
They had a discussion with the mathematician. The topic of the discussion was the problem. This problem wasn’t about the mathematician (maybe it’s about math, physics ...).
They talked about the problem. This problem was their issue with the mathematician (e.g., a disagreement or difficulty concerning him/her).
3. The director was unwilling to replace. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) The director was unwilling to replace. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
The director was unwilling to make a replacement (of one person with another).
The director was unwilling to replace someone personally (by taking over their role).
The director was unwilling to be replaced (by someone else).
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
The director was unwilling to make a replacement (of one person with another).
The director was unwilling to replace someone personally (by taking over their role).
The director was unwilling to be replaced (by someone else).
4. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
5. I am reading an interesting book. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) I am reading an interesting book. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
6. According to report, she caught the boy smoking a cigar. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) According to report, she caught the boy smoking a cigar. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
According to report, she caught the boy while she was smoking a cigar.
According to report, she caught the boy while the boy was smoking a cigar.
According to report, she caught the boy who was smoking a cigar, not other boys who weren’t smoking a cigar.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
According to report, she caught the boy while she was smoking a cigar.
According to report, she caught the boy while the boy was smoking a cigar.
According to report, she caught the boy who was smoking a cigar, not other boys who weren’t smoking a cigar.
7. The children are watching cartoons. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) The children are watching cartoons. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
8. John is too stubborn to talk to. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) John is too stubborn to talk to. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
John is too stubborn to talk to others.
John is too stubborn to be talked to.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
John is too stubborn to talk to others.
John is too stubborn to be talked to.
9. “perfectly baked potato”Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) “perfectly baked potato” Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
A potato that is perfectly baked.
Someone perfectly baked a potato.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
A potato that is perfectly baked.
Someone perfectly baked a potato.
10. My father drives a blue car. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) My father drives a blue car. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
Please select 3.
11. Cats like to sleep in warm places. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) Cats like to sleep in warm places. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
12. After the lengthy surgery, the patient was too weak to move. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) After the lengthy surgery, the patient was too weak to move. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
After the lengthy surgery, the patient was too weak to move himself/herself.
After the lengthy surgery, the patient was too weak to be moved by others.
After the lengthy surgery, the patient was too weak to move anything (e.g., a chair, a cup).
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
After the lengthy surgery, the patient was too weak to move himself/herself.
After the lengthy surgery, the patient was too weak to be moved by others.
After the lengthy surgery, the patient was too weak to move anything (e.g., a chair, a cup).
14. “Visiting relatives” Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) ”Visiting relatives”Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
Relatives who are visiting (us).
The activity of going to see relatives.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Relatives who are visiting (us).
The activity of going to see relatives.
14. The teacher explains the lesson clearly. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) The teacher explains the lesson clearly. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
15. The train leaves the station at noon. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) The train leaves the station at noon. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
16. Before embarking on the desert trek, the guide recommended drinking water. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) Before embarking on the desert trek, the guide recommended drinking water. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
Before embarking on the desert trek, the guide recommended to drink water.
Before embarking on the desert trek, the guide recommended water that one can drink (as opposed to water for other uses like flushing).
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Before embarking on the desert trek, the guide recommended to drink water.
Before embarking on the desert trek, the guide recommended water that one can drink (as opposed to water for other uses like flushing).
17. I understand the problem now. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) I understand the problem now. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
18. “Defeated candidate” Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) “Defeated candidate”Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
A candidate who was defeated by others.
A candidate who has a defeated (demoralized) demeanor.
Someone defeated the candidate.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
A candidate who was defeated by others.
A candidate who has a defeated (demoralized) demeanor.
Someone defeated the candidate.
19. She is writing an email to her friend. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) She is writing an email to her friend. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
20. The athlete is both mentally and physically ready, having reached a critical point in their career, to coach. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) The athlete is both mentally and physically ready, having reached a critical point in their career, to coach. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
The athlete is both mentally and physically ready, having reached a critical point in their career, to coach others.
The athlete is both mentally and physically ready, having reached a critical point in their career, to be coached by others.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
The athlete is both mentally and physically ready, having reached a critical point in their career, to coach others.
The athlete is both mentally and physically ready, having reached a critical point in their career, to be coached by others.
Please select 1.
21. She saw the cat under the table. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) She saw the cat under the table. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
She saw the cat. The cat was under the table. She wasn’t under the table.
She was under the table and saw the cat. The cat wasn’t under the table.
She was under the table and saw the cat. The cat was also under the table.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
She saw the cat. The cat was under the table. She wasn’t under the table.
She was under the table and saw the cat. The cat wasn’t under the table.
She was under the table and saw the cat. The cat was also under the table.
22. The Earth revolves around the Sun. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) The Earth revolves around the Sun. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
23. They are waiting for the bus. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) They are waiting for the bus. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
24. “Rigorously testing procedures”Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) “Rigorously testing procedures”Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
Procedures that are used for rigorous testing.
The activity of evaluating procedures in a rigorous way.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Procedures that are used for rigorous testing.
The activity of evaluating procedures in a rigorous way.
25. The sun rises in the east. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) The sun rises in the east. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
26. In order to cheer her up, her friends, feeling concerned about her melancholy, promised her a party every Saturday night. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) In order to cheer her up, her friends, feeling concerned about her melancholy, promised her a party every Saturday night. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
In order to cheer her up, her friends, feeling concerned about her melancholy, promised her that she would have a party. This party would happen every Saturday night.
In order to cheer her up, her friends, feeling concerned about her melancholy, made a promise to her every Saturday night. The promise was that she would have a party.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
In order to cheer her up, her friends, feeling concerned about her melancholy, promised her that she would have a party. This party would happen every Saturday night.
In order to cheer her up, her friends, feeling concerned about her melancholy, made a promise to her every Saturday night. The promise was that she would have a party.
27. She works in a large office. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) She works in a large office. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
28. Influenced by his family, he became a writer like his father. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) Influenced by his family, he became a writer like his father. Did the following reading(s) occur to you?
  • Yes
  • No
Influenced by his family, he became a writer. This profession is the same as his father's profession.
Influenced by his family, he became a writer. The way he did this was similar to how his father became one.
(2) If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
(3) Please rate how plausible you find each of the following readings. (0 = Not at all plausible, 5 = Very plausible)
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Influenced by his family, he became a writer. This profession is the same as his father's profession.
Influenced by his family, he became a writer. The way he did this was similar to how his father became one.
29. They play football every weekend. Do you think this sentence/phrase is ambiguous?
(1) They play football every weekend. If you think this sentence/phrase could have other reading(s), please list them in the order they occurred to you.(If you did not think of any other reading(s), you may leave this blank.)
Please select 4.
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