Read this sentence: when the scientists drilled into the ground, they found a system of subterranean rivers. based on the context, subterranean means which of the following?

Subterranean means "under the ground", the context helps us know this. As the scientists drilled into the ground, it is obvious that they were searching for something under or below it.

Also by reading the word "subterranean" we can notice a prefix, which is sub-. This prefix means "bellow or under something". Added to the root word terra which means "earth".

the sentence does not violate the phrase structure second rule (introduced by noam chomsky) because noun phrases consist of a determiner such as a, the or every, and a noun. in the sentence, the noun phrase the cake includes a determiner (the) and a noun (cake).

on the other hand, the first rule indicates that a sentence encloses a noun phrase, followed by a verb phrase. the example sentence can be analysed as follows:

john (n) + ate (v) + the (det) + cake (n).

it wants you to read whatever it gave you. then compare it to the others you read. you need to use textual evidence, and cite anything you do!

hope this !

~courtney