It was, the Sphinx explains, his answer to the   Man. 
( ( It was ) ( , ( ( the Sphinx ) ( ( ( explains , ) ( ( his answer ) ( to ( the Man ) ) ) ) . ) ) ) )
(ROOT (S (S (NP (PRP It)) (VP (VBD was))) (, ,) (NP (DT the) (NN Sphinx)) (VP (VP (VBZ explains)) (, ,) (NP (NP (PRP$ his) (NN answer)) (PP (TO to) (NP (DT the) (NN Man))))) (. .)))
The Sphinx refused to give any explanations.
( ( The Sphinx ) ( ( refused ( to ( give ( any explanations ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NN Sphinx)) (VP (VBD refused) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB give) (NP (DT any) (NNS explanations)))))) (. .)))