Can someone explain or summarize the first sentence in paragraph 8 because i don’t understand it .

the sentence does not violate the phrase structure second rule (introduced by noam chomsky) because noun phrases consist of a determiner such as a, the or every, and a noun. in the sentence, the noun phrase the cake includes a determiner (the) and a noun (cake).

on the other hand, the first rule indicates that a sentence encloses a noun phrase, followed by a verb phrase. the example sentence can be analysed as follows:

john (n) + ate (v) + the (det) + cake (n).

in the 1890s, southern states enacted a new form of black codes, called “jim crow” laws. these laws made it illegal for blacks and whites to share public facilities. this meant that blacks and whites had to use separate schools, hospitals, libraries, restaurants, hotels, bathrooms, and drinking fountains.

explanation: