Cognitive Analysis of Imprecise Temporal Expressions

Objective

To see how people interpret vague descriptions of time in text. Examples of vague expressions are: "many days", "more than one hour", "about 2 months".

Instructions

All the following questions are fictional.
  • Each question shows a sentence comprising 2 to 3 descriptions of time that can be precise or imprecise.
  • The target descriptions of time to be evaluated will be underlined.
  • There are no right or wrong answers, or trick questions. Please work quickly and do not think too long about the exact meaning of the question.

*** All questions must be answered before submitting the form.

Questions
1. (T028) About the following sentence:
Julie became sales Manager three months ago, and is currently recruiting her team. She plans to have a full team by 6 weeks.
Which one do you consider the most appropriate option to express the amount of time since when the event associated with the underlined expression occurred?
2. (T030) About the following sentence:
John has been skiing twice in the last 6 months, though he recently admitted that he didn't like heights. So he has booked a beach holiday for next year!
Which one do you consider the most appropriate option to express the amount of time since when the event associated with the underlined expression occurred?
3. (T150) About the following sentence:
In 2002 limestone production greatly increased which continued for a few years, though production had been decreasing for many years prior.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in years) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and years.
4. (T055) About the following sentence:
Apley forest lost many trees in 2009. It took approximately 10 weeks to re-plant 100 trees.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in weeks) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and weeks.
5. (T048) About the following sentence:
Paul celebrated his birthday in September 2010, which he had planned for about 10 months before.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in months) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and months.
6. (T089) About the following sentence:
George Pilla became mayor for the 2nd time on 03/08/2011, less than 20 years after taking up this post for the first time.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in years) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and years.
7. (T115) About the following sentence:
Mary has been knitting a scarf for the last 6 months something which should really have taken just weeks.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in weeks) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and weeks.
8. (T018) About the following sentence:
The new buses were launched in March this year. We will offer introductory fares for over 1 month. We will run another promotion for the buses in 6 months.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in days) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and days.
9. (T008) About the following sentence:
In 2006 we imported some tropical plants. But in less than 2 weeks they were wilting badly. We will be more prepared next year.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in days) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and days.
10. (T062) About the following sentence:
Amanda went to Paris in November last year and stayed there for several days.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in days) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and days.
11. (T120) About the following sentence:
In 2010 we had our annual sale. It lasted for around 15 days. Our sale will last even longer next year.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in days) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and days.
12. (T022) About the following sentence:
The film was released in the last week of 2002. This was more than 2 weeks after its planned date. It will be showing in cinemas for about 1 month.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in days) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and days.
13. (T066) About the following sentence:
Melina's grandmother came to stay on 31/03/2008 and stayed some months before returning to Italy.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in months) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and months.
14. (T057) About the following sentence:
In 2007 Tim swam with dolphins in Florida. He has already booked his return there in about 2 years.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in months) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and months.
15. (T078) About the following sentence:
The theatre hosted a performance in September/2010. But it showed for less than 20 days due to low sales.
What do you consider the most appropriate period of time (in days) for the highlighted expression?
Something between and days.