The garden path theory stipulates that parsers rely on _______ to make initial predictions about the meaning of an ambiguous sentence.
A) strict rules
B) heuristics
C) interactive model processes
D) phonetic cues

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The garden path theory suggests that when confronted with ambiguous sentences, parsers initially rely on heuristics (i.e. mental shortcuts or "rules of thumb") to make predictions about the sentence's meaning. These heuristics are based on the structure and order of the words in the sentence, and can sometimes lead to misinterpretations or "garden paths" that require backtracking and re-analysis by the parser. Strict rules, interactive model processes, and phonetic cues are not typically part of this initial prediction process.

The Garden Path Theory Stipulates That Parsers Rely on _______