Which statement describes the semantic transparency of the English compound 'flower shop'?

• A. The compound is not a noun.
• B. The components do not contribute to meaning.
• C. The meaning is unrelated to the two words.
• D. The meaning is predictable from the two words.

Answer: (D)

Semantic transparency means the overall meaning of a compound can be understood from the meanings of its parts and how they relate. In a flower shop, the word flower tells you what kind of shop it is—one that sells flowers. The two words together give a clear, predictable picture: a shop whose business is selling flowers. That direct link between the parts and the whole is what makes the meaning transparent.

This isn’t about whether the phrase is a noun; it is a noun phrase describing a place. The components do contribute to meaning, and the meaning isn’t unrelated to the two words.