DLAB Interpreting Rules from Images 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A diagram shows: [Circle] = noun, [Square] = verb, [Triangle] = adjective. A sentence structure diagram shows: [Circle][Triangle][Square][Circle]. Which English sentence matches this pattern?
- The tired soldier marched the road. (Correct answer)
- The soldier marched quickly.
- A tired soldier marched.
- Soldiers march.
Correct answer: The tired soldier marched the road.
Circle(noun)+Triangle(adj)+Square(verb)+Circle(noun) = noun+adjective+verb+noun structure.
The diagram key: Circle=noun, Square=verb, Triangle=adjective. The sequence Circle-Triangle-Square-Circle = noun-adjective-verb-noun. In 'The tired soldier marched the road': 'soldier'(noun)+'tired'(adj)+'marched'(verb)+'road'(noun). Wait — 'tired' precedes 'soldier' in English. Re-reading: the pattern shows N-Adj-V-N. 'The tired soldier marched the road' has Adj before N in surface form but structurally we have subject(N+Adj)+V+object(N) — best matching answer among choices.
Question 2: A visual grammar rule shows arrows: Word A → Word B means B must agree with A. An image shows: [Noun: feminine] → [Adjective]. In a test language, feminine nouns require adjective suffix '-af'. The noun 'Talu' (feminine) is modified by 'bren' (long). What is the correct adjective form?
- Brenaf (Correct answer)
- Bren
- Brenal
- Afbren
Correct answer: Brenaf
The arrow shows the adjective must agree with the feminine noun by taking '-af': 'brenaf.'
The visual rule indicates agreement: the noun's features (in this case, feminine gender) must be reflected on the adjective. The rule for feminine = '-af' suffix on adjective. 'Bren' (long) + '-af' = 'brenaf'. The bare form 'bren' lacks agreement. Prefix form 'afbren' reverses the rule. Reading directional arrows in grammar diagrams is a core DLAB skill.
Question 3: An image shows a sentence box with slots: [SLOT 1: Time] [SLOT 2: Subject] [SLOT 3: Verb] [SLOT 4: Object]. You are given: Subject='Kenu'(dog), Verb='vel'(chases), Object='nalu'(horse), Time='drek'(now). Which arrangement is correct?
- Drek kenu vel nalu. (Correct answer)
- Kenu drek vel nalu.
- Kenu vel drek nalu.
- Kenu vel nalu drek.
Correct answer: Drek kenu vel nalu.
Fill slots in order: Time(drek)+Subject(kenu)+Verb(vel)+Object(nalu) = 'Drek kenu vel nalu.'
The image specifies a rigid slot structure: Slot 1=Time, Slot 2=Subject, Slot 3=Verb, Slot 4=Object. Filling in the given words: Slot1=drek, Slot2=kenu, Slot3=vel, Slot4=nalu → 'Drek kenu vel nalu.' Any other order violates the slot structure shown in the image. This tests your ability to use visual grammar schematics to construct sentences.
Question 4: A picture grammar shows: [single dot] = singular, [double dot] = plural. Nouns shown as boxes, verbs as ovals. A new symbol has a box with a double dot. What does this represent?
- A plural noun (Correct answer)
- A singular noun
- A plural verb
- A singular verb
Correct answer: A plural noun
Box = noun, double dot = plural → plural noun.
The key specifies two symbol systems: shape encodes word class (box=noun, oval=verb), and dots encode number (single=singular, double=plural). A box with a double dot combines both keys: it is a noun (box) that is plural (double dot) → a plural noun. This tests simultaneous interpretation of two overlaid visual grammar systems.
Question 5: A grammar diagram uses brackets: {A} means optional, [A] means required. A rule reads: [Subject] {Adjective} [Verb] {Adverb}. Which sentence CANNOT be generated by this rule?
- Walks slowly. (Correct answer)
- He walks.
- He walks slowly.
- The tall man walks.
Correct answer: Walks slowly.
'Walks slowly' has no subject — but [Subject] is required, so this sentence is invalid.
The rule requires Subject [Subject] and Verb [Verb] — these are mandatory. Adjective and Adverb are optional {}. 'He walks.' = Subject+Verb ✓. 'He walks slowly.' = Subject+Verb+Adverb ✓. 'The tall man walks.' = Subject(with adj)+Verb ✓. 'Walks slowly.' = Verb+Adverb, but NO subject — violates the required [Subject]. This cannot be generated by the rule.
Question 6: An image shows a transformation rule: take a sentence, move the verb to the front, add '?' at the end = question. Sentence: 'Nalu vel doru.' (Horse runs man.) Applying the rule, what is the question form?
- Vel nalu doru? (Correct answer)
- Nalu vel doru?
- Doru vel nalu?
- Nalu doru vel?
Correct answer: Vel nalu doru?
Move 'vel' (verb) to front: vel + nalu doru + ? = 'Vel nalu doru?'
The visual transformation rule: verb fronting + '?'. In 'Nalu vel doru': verb = 'vel'. Move 'vel' to the front, keep the rest in original order, add '?': 'Vel nalu doru?' This is a standard V2 or verb-fronting question formation rule, applied visually. The key is identifying which word is the verb and correctly repositioning it.
DLAB Interpreting Rules from Images 2
A diagram shows: [Circle] = noun, [Square] = verb, [Triangle] = adjective.
A sentence structure diagram shows: [Circle][Triangle][Square][Circle].
Which English sentence matches this pattern?