Morphology: Compounds and Headedness 1.1

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This exercise will help you better understand the concept of endocentric and exocentric compound words.

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Question 1

The compound word ‘cold feet’ is:

A	exocentric
B	endocentric Hint: This is an exocentric compound since the term ‘cold feet’ signifies a state of hesitance, and does not describe a type of feet.

Question 2

The compound word ‘bulldog’ is:

A	endocentric
B	exocentric Hint: This is an endocentric compound since the word itself, ‘bulldog’, is a type of its head ‘dog’.

Question 3

The compound word ‘headache’ is:

A	endocentric
B	exocentric Hint: This is an endocentric compound since the word itself, ‘headache’, is a type of its head ‘ache. (No pun intended.)

Question 4

The compound word ‘boysenberry’ is:

A	endocentric
B	exocentric Hint: This compound is endocentric due to the fact that the word itself is a type of its head, ‘berry’.

Question 5

The compound ‘underdog’ is:

A	endocentric Hint: This is an exocentric compound due to the fact that the word itself, ‘underdog’ is not a type of its head ‘dog’.
B	exocentric

Question 6

The compound word ‘speed dial’ is:

A	endocentric
B	exocentric Hint: This is an endocentric compound since the word ‘speed dial’ is a type of its head, i.e., manner or way of dialing.

Question 7

The compound word ‘blackout’ is:

A	exocentric
B	endocentric Hint: This compound is exocentric due to the fact that 'blackout' is a verb and its head'out' is an adverb.

Question 8

The compound word ‘lifeguard’ is:

A	exocentric Hint: This compound is endocentric since the word itself is a type of its head, ‘guard’.
B	endocentric

Question 9

The compound word ‘darkroom’ is:

A	endocentric
B	exocentric Hint: This is an endocentric compound since the word itself, ‘darkroom,, is a type of its head ‘room’.

Question 10

The compound word ‘tattletale’ is:

A	exocentric
B	endocentric Hint: This is an exocentric compound since the word ‘tattletale’ is not a type of tale, but rather refers to a person who ‘tattles’.

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Morphology: Compounds and Headedness 1.1

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