Quarter Wit, Quarter Wisdom How to Negate Assumption Answer Choices on the GMAT

Most GMAT test-takers come across the Assumption Negation Technique at some point in their preparation. It is one of the most effective techniques for assumption questions (which are usually  fairly difficult)  if you learn to apply it successfully. We already know that many sentences are invalidated  by negating the verb of the dominant clause. For example: There has been a corresponding increase in the number of professional companies devoted to other performing arts. becomes There has not been a corresponding increase in the number of professional companies devoted to other performing arts. Recently, we got a query on how to negate various modifiers such as â€Å"most† and â€Å"a majority†. So today, we will examine  how to negate the most popular modifiers we come across: All -  Not all Everything - Not everything Always - Not always Some - None Most - Half or less than half Majority - Half or less than half Many - Not many Less than - Equal to or more than Element A - Not element A None -   Some Never -   Sometimes Let’s take a look at some examples with these determiners: 1) All of the 70 professional opera companies are commercially viable options. This becomes, â€Å"Not all of the 70 professional opera companies are commercially viable options.† 2) There were fewer than 45 professional opera companies that had been active 30 years ago and that ceased operations during the last 30 years. This becomes, â€Å"There were 45 or more professional opera companies that had been active 30 years ago and that ceased operations during the last 30 years.† 3) No one who is feeling isolated can feel happy. This becomes, â€Å"Some who are feeling isolated can feel happy.† 4) Anyone who is able to trust other people has a meaningful emotional connection to at least one other human being. This becomes, â€Å"Not everyone who is able to trust other people has a meaningful emotional connection to at least one other human being.† 5) The 45 most recently founded opera companies were all established as a result of enthusiasm on the part of a potential audience. This becomes, â€Å"The 45 most recently founded opera companies were not all established as a result of enthusiasm on the part of a potential audience.† 6) Many of the vehicles that were ticketed for exceeding the speed limit were ticketed more than once in the time period covered by the report. This becomes, â€Å"Not many of the vehicles that were ticketed for exceeding the speed limit were ticketed more than once in the time period covered by the report. 7) The birds of prey capture and kill every single Spotted Mole that comes above ground. This becomes, â€Å"Not every single Spotted Mole that comes above ground is captured and killed by the birds of prey.† 8) At least some people who do not feel isolated are happy. This becomes, â€Å"No people who do not feel isolated are happy. 9) Some land-based mammals active in this region, such as fox, will also hunt and eat the Spotted Mole on a regular basis. This becomes, â€Å"None of the land-based mammals active in this region, such as fox, will also hunt and eat the Spotted Mole on a regular basis.† 10) No other animal could pose as significant a threat to the above-ground fruits as could the Spotted Mole. This becomes, â€Å"Some  other animals could pose as significant a threat to the above-ground fruits as could the Spotted Mole.† We hope  the next time you come across an assumption question, you will not face any trouble negating the answer choices! Getting ready to take the GMAT? We have  free online GMAT seminars  running all the time. And, be sure to follow us on  Facebook,  YouTube,  Google+, and  Twitter! Karishma, a Computer Engineer with a keen interest in alternative Mathematical approaches, has mentored students in the continents of Asia, Europe and North America. She teaches the  GMAT  for Veritas Prep and regularly participates in content development projects such as  this blog!