Appendix B.

Story propositions for Picnic.

Information in parentheses represents alternative ways in which a component of the story proposition could be stated. Information in brackets represents additional information that could have been added to complete the proposition but is not necessary for a correct (+) response. Complete scoring procedures and training protocol are available upon request. A family of mice went for a ride (are riding) (head off) in their truck The road is bumpy (they hit a bump) (rock) & the little (baby) mouse falls out (off) the back of the truck No one notices and the truck continues on (drives off) The mouse who fell out has (is holding) a [pink] stuffed animal (bear) (mouse) with him The family arrives at their picnic spot (pulls over at their destination) (the park) Mice run out of the truck (run into the field) (park) and [others] set up the picnic The mice are playing music (banjo), swinging from the trees, playing baseball A couple is sitting on a blanket watching The little (baby) mouse is sad (crying) and alone (by himself), just holding his stuffed animal (bear) (mouse) He notices (sees) some berries (flowers) [Back at the picnic] the mouse family is playing (having fun) jumping (swimming) in the water (lake) (pond) & taking pictures They have salad, sandwiches, & watermelon They are getting ready to eat (gather around the blanket) (line up), when they notice (realize) one mouse is missing They start searching (looking) (calling) for the mouse The mice are sad (crying) (upset) They pack up (gather) their belongings (things) (picnic stuff) & load (go back to) the truck (car) The little (baby) mouse is lying in the grass (field) [with his stuffed animal] The mouse family drives back in the direction they came from (retraces the road) looking (searching) for the little (baby) mouse The little (baby) mouse is walking around in the grass The little (baby) mouse hears his family (voices) calling (the truck) and he runs (goes) out to the road/voices The family and little (baby) mouse see each other (reunite) & hug (rejoice) (embrace) Little (baby) mouse has forgotten his stuffed animal (something) so he runs back [into the field] to get it The family has (decides to) set up their picnic right there