instruction: Is the next sentence syntactically and semantically acceptable?

They heard John's criticism of themselves.

response: unacceptable

instruction: Is the next sentence syntactically and semantically acceptable?

Anson became the Mayor

response: acceptable

instruction: Is the next sentence syntactically and semantically acceptable?

Fred became all the crazier, the more often Janet left.

response: acceptable

instruction: Is the next sentence syntactically and semantically acceptable?

Cheryl stood the books on the shelf.

response:
acceptable