[Quantifiers-1] Explanations for Grade 12 University Entrance Exam Questions about Quantifiers (English) with Exam Techniques and Smart Notes (Part-1)

Brief Overview 
  • Focus Areas: These explanations present explanations for quantifiers questions that are related to some, any and indefinite pronouns (something, anybody, nowhere...).
  • Two sections: The explanations have two sections: 
Section-1: Quick Summaries:
1.1. Subject Matter Summaries: 
Smart Summary-1: Some and Any
Smart Summary-2: Indefinite Pronouns
1.2. Quick Summary: Exam Techniques
Section-2: Detail Explanations
    • Showing how to answer questions: Application of the Exam Techniques
    • Brief rules explanations are repeatedly given 
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Section-1: Quick Summaries

  • As mentioned above, these explanations focus on questions that are related to some, any and indefinite pronouns (something, anybody, nowhere...).
  • Make sure that you have clearly understood these topics; look the next two subject matter smart summaries. 
Smart Summary-1: Some and Any


Smart Summary-2: Indefinite Pronouns
Quick Summary-3: Exam Techniques
  • Generally, quantifiers questions could be answered using 'context + elimination techniques': ...
  • See the next brief summary of the techniques:

Section-2: Detail Explanations

Let's see how to apply the above techniques to answer generally, questions about quantifiers, questions related to some, any and indefinite pronouns (something, anybody, nowhere...).

Q. I have read ______ books on how to make life peaceful with a partner and have found them very useful. (G-12: Entrance: 2015)
A. no  
B. much  
C. some  
D. any 
Explanation-1: some
The above question is about quantifiers (clue: look the given choices: if different quantifiers are given on different choices under a single question, no doubt that is about 'quantifiers'!).
Let's see how to answer this question and any other related question (about quantifiers) by using 'context + elimination techniques': 'understanding the given context and eliminating all wrong choices'!

This question is positive idea (clue: see the clause '... have found them very useful.' and the given noun is countable plural noun (clue: see the word "books"). The clause '... have found them very useful.' implies that the speaker has read books and got something positive. Based on these two reasons (positive idea and countable plural noun), 100% sure, that choices A, B and D are wrong: they must be eliminated: C is correct answer!
Because in this context, 'no' (A), 'much' (B) and 'any' (D) are not used. 
  • 'No' (A) is used for negative ideas, not for positive idea.
  • 'Much' (B) is used with 'uncountable noun', not with countable. 
  • Both 'some' and 'any' are grammatically correct because they could be used for positive ideas. But choice D should be eliminated; it is contextually wrong because 'any' is used for positive idea to say 'it doesn't matter'. In the above question, the context doesn't talk about this.
Ans. C
Q. Despite the attractive reward pledged by the government, _______ came forward to give any information. (G-12: Entrance: 2002) 
A. anyone
B. someone  
C. everyone  
D. no one    
Explanation-2: no one
To answer the above question and also any other question, generally, question about quantifiers and specifically, question about indefinite pronouns, 'understand context' based on clues; then, 'eliminate all wrong choices'. Look for clue/clues that could help you to know whether it (the given question) is negative or positive, and also whether there is negative word/verb or not!

For example, this question talks about negative idea but there is no negative word/verb. It is about negative idea (clues: see the words 'reward' and 'despite'). 'Reward'  is positive but the idea after the given blank space must be opposite to this. Because 'despite' is used to show contrasting ideas. 
Based on these two reasons/clues ('negative idea' and 'no negative word/verb'), A, B and C are wrong: they should be eliminated: D is correct answer. Because 'anyone', 'someone' and 'everyone' are not used in such context; 'no one' is used in such context (for negative idea without negative word/verb')!
Ans. D
Additional Explanation: How to be 100% sure! 
Choices B and C are wrong because 'someone' and 'everyone' are used for positive ideas to refer people, not for negative ideas. 
  • Eliminate choices B and C!
  • Now, after eliminating two choices, your probability of getting increased from 25 to 50% (because when you eliminate two choices out of four, your probability of getting increases from 25 to 50%)!
Both choices A and D could be used for negative; whenever you are asked to choose one of the two ('anyone' and 'no one'), make sure whether there is negative word/verb or not. Here, there is no negative word/verb. 
  • So, eliminate choice A because 'anyone' is used with negative words to show negative (see and use the tip below)!
  • Now, your probability of getting increased from 50 to 100%  (because when you eliminate three choices out of four, your probability of getting increases from 25 to 100%)!
Ans. D
Tip for Indefinite Pronouns Questions 
Use this tip whenever you are asked quantifiers questions about indefinite pronouns! It can work for any questions about indefinite pronouns!

Whenever you are asked quantifiers questions, specially, if all or most of the words on the choices are indefinite pronouns, make sure whether the given context is about 'positive' or 'negative' idea. Then: 
  • If the given context talks about positive idea, make sure whether it talks about 'particular' or 'general' issue. 
    • For particular person/thing/place, use 'some groups': eliminate 'every groups'.
    • For general people/thing/place, use 'every groups': eliminate 'some groups'.
  • If the given context talks about negative idea, make sure whether there is negative word/verb or not. 
    • Use 'any groups' if there is negative word/verb: eliminate 'no groups'.
    • Use 'no groups' if there is no negative word/verb: eliminate 'any groups'.
Note: 'Some groups', 'Every groups', 'Any groups'...
  • 'Some groups': someone/body/thing/where
  • 'Every groups': everyone/body/thing/where
  • 'Any groups': anyone/body/thing/where
  • 'No groups': no one/body/thing/where
Note: negative words and negative verbs
  • 'Negative words' refer to words that are naturally negative by themselves. Examples: no, none, no one, nobody/one, nowhere, nothing, rarely, hardly any, reject, disagree...
  •  'Negative verbs' refer to verbs with 'not': 'auxiliary verb + not'. Examples: is not, was not, can't, doesn't, hasn't...






Q. I am planning to do _____ business with a partner. (G-12: Entrance: 1997)
A. little   
B. much  
C. some  
D. a few
Explanation-3: some
Look under the above question, 'little', 'much', 'some' and 'a few' are given on different choices. Whenever you are asked to choose 'some/any/ every/each/none/no....', do the next 2 simple things: understanding context and eliminating wrong answers: 
Make sure (understanding context) whether it is positive or negative; the given noun is countable or uncountable (you could use blank space as clue). Based on that eliminate all wrong choices; finally, you will be left with correct answer upon which you could be 100% sure!

Now, again, look the above question; it talks about positive idea (clue: 'planning to do' ... in this context, planning is positive.. .) and the given noun "business" is 'uncountable' (see below). Moreover, the given context/sentence talks about 'small quantities/ amount' (clue: see the phrase "with a partner"; this means, with a single partner, not with large number of people). 
Based on these 3 reasons, choices A, B and D are wrong: they should be eliminated: 100% sure, C is correct answer! 'Little, much, a few' are not used in such context; 'some' is used in such context ('for positive idea', with 'uncountable noun' and 'small quantities'). 
Ans. C
Additional Explanation 
Choice A is wrong because 'little' is used for negative ideas, not for positive ideas. 
  • Eliminate choice A!
  • Now, after eliminating one choice, your probability of getting increased from 25 to 33% (because when you eliminate one choice out of four, your probability of getting increases from 25 to 33%)!
Choice B is wrong because 'much' could be used for positive idea to show large quantities/amount. But look the given context/sentence; it talks about small quantities/amount (clue: "with a partner" means, with a single partner, not with large number of people). 
  • 'Much' is used for large quantities.
  • Eliminate choices B!
  • Now, after eliminating two choices, your probability of getting increased from 25 to 50% (because when you eliminate two choices out of four, your probability of getting increases from 25 to 50%)!
Both 'some' and 'a few' could be used for positive ideas. When you are given two or more than two quantifiers that could be used for positive ideas (the same purpose), look the given noun: 
  • Is it countable or uncountable? 
  • You could use the given blank space as clue. For example, in the above question, the given blank space is followed by 'uncountable noun'; 'business' is uncountable noun*. 
  • For this reason, choice D should be eliminated because 'a few' is used with countable noun whereas 'some' could be used with countable and uncountable nouns.
  • Now, your probability of getting increased from 50 to 100%  (because when you eliminate three choices out of four, your probability of getting increases from 25 to 100%)!
Ans. C
Note: 'business' uncountable or countable noun
The word 'business' could be used as uncountable or countable noun!
  • It is used as uncountable noun if it refers to activity of buying, selling, supplying goods or providing services.
  • It is used as countable noun if it refers to organization/company...  
Q. I was hoping to find some funny stories on your shelf, but I did not see _____.  (G-12: Entrance: 2010)
A. many 
B. any 
C. a few 
D. some 
Explanation-4: any
This question is about negative idea (clue: see the key words: '... did not see...'); it talks about small quantities (clue: see the phrase "some funny stories on your shelf"). Based on these two clues (negative idea and small quantities), choices A, C and D are wrong: they must be eliminated: 100% sure, B is correct answer!
  • Choice A 'many' could be used for negative ideas but not for small quantities: it is used for large quantities (for more, see additional explanation, below). 
  • Choices C and D are wrong because 'a few' and 'some' are used for positive idea, not for negative ideas. 
Ans. B
Additional Explanation 
Both 'many' and 'any' could be used for negative ideas (clue: see rules summary below). 
  • When you are given two and more than two quantifiers on different choices (used for related purposes), look carefully the meaning or the given quantity. 
  • For example, 'many' is used for large quantities (see the rule...) but look the above question; it talks about small quantity. The speaker expected '.... some funny stories...' (he/she didn't say large number; he/she said, 'some...') but he/she didn't get that. Therefore, choice A should be eliminated.
Ans. B
Q. ____________ would I say about this exam later at home. (G-12: Entrance: 2009)
A. Not a word 
B. Nothing word 
C. None a word 
D. Not word 
Explanation-5 Not a word
The above question is a little bit confusing; it talks about negative (clue: look the given choices: all of them are negative.). Choices B and C must be eliminated; both 'nothing' and 'none' are not used with noun: noun is not used after them directly. 
  • Now, after eliminating two choices, your probability of getting increased from 25 to 50% (because when you eliminate two choices out of four, your probability of getting increases from 25 to 50%)!
Note: Inversion
Sometimes, inversion could be used in language to give more emphasis for what is being talked! Subject and verbs are exchanged: verb + subject
In the above question, both choices A and D could be used but to make more emphasis, using 'not a word' is to say 'not even a single word' but 'not word' may not directly refer to this; it may be to say 'I used other communication'. 
  • Eliminate choice D!
  • Now, after eliminating 3 choices, your probability of getting increased from 50 to 100%  (because when you eliminate three choices out of four, your probability of getting increases from 25 to 100%)!
Ans. A
Q. What do you think is going wrong? ___ appeared for the exam. (G-12: Entrance: 2000)
A. Anyone    
B. No one    
C. Someone    
D. Only a little  
Explanation-6: no one  
This question is about negative idea (clue: see the expression "... is going wrong?") but there are no 'negative words/verbs'. Based on these two clues, choices A, C and D are wrong (based on rules, see the next paragraph): they must be eliminated: 100% sure, B is correct answer! 
  • 'Anyone' is used for negative idea with negative words/verbs'.
  • 'Someone' is used for positive idea to refer particular person.
  • 'Only a little' is used for negative idea with uncountable noun): 'a little' is used for positive idea with uncountable noun but only a little' is used for negative idea.
  • 'No one' is used for negative idea without 'negative words/verbs' (it is negative by itself) to refer people!
Ans. B
Attention Please!
We use 'anyone/body/thing/where' for question but this rule doesn't work for the above question. Because the blank is not in the sentence ended with question mark. 
To use 'anyone/body/ thing/where' for question, question mark should be within the interrogative (the sentence ended with question mark)!

Q. The ring leaders could not be traced _____. Perhaps, they have left the country. (G-12: Entrance: 2002)
A. Anywhere    
B. Everywhere    
C. Somewhere   
D. Nowhere
Explanation-7: anywhere 
No doubt this question is about negative idea (clue: see the expressions '... could not be traced'; see sentence-1.), there is negative verb (see the verb 'could not'). Based on these two reasons/clues ('negative idea' and 'negative verb'), choices B, C and D are wrong: they should be eliminated: A is correct answer.
  • Choices B and C are wrong because 'everywhere' and 'somewhere' are used for positive ideas, not for negative ideas. 
    • Eliminate both choices.
    • Now, your probability is 50% after eliminating two wrong choices!
  • Choice D is wrong because 'nowhere' is used without negative word: 'nowhere' is negative word by itself; it doesn't need negative words/verbs.
    • Eliminate choice D.
    • Now, your probability is 100% after eliminating three wrong choices!
  • 'Anywhere' is used for negative idea with negative words/verbs to refer place.
Ans. A 
Q. I looked for it all over the place and it is ____. Who could have taken it? (G-12: Entrance: 2003)
A. somewhere    
B. anywhere   
C. nowhere   
D. everywhere 
Explanation-8: nowhere   
This question is about negative idea and also there is no negative word/verb. Because look both of the above sentences; ''looked all over..." and "who could have taken it?" show that the speaker was not able to get what she/he was looking for. 
Based on these two clues, choices A, B and D are wrong: 100% sure, they should be eliminated: C is correct answer. 
  • Choices A and D are wrong as 'somewhere' and 'everywhere' are indefinite pronouns that are used for positive ideas to refer place, not for negative ideas. 
  • Choice B is wrong because 'anywhere' is indefinite pronoun that is used for negative idea to refer place; it is used with negative word/verb but there is no negative word/verb in the above question.
  • Rules: 'Nowhere' is indefinite pronoun that is used for negative idea without negative word/verb to refer place.
Ans. C
Q. I have searched all over and _________ could it be found. Someone must have thrown it out. (G-12: Entrance: 2006)
A. nowhere 
B. everywhere  
C. anywhere 
D. somewhere
Explanation-9: nowhere 
This question is the same as the previous question. It is negative; there is no negative word/verb. Using these as clues, eliminate choices B-D. WHY?
Ans. A
Q. I found ____ who could do the calculation. May be the question was tough. (G-12: Entrance: 2004) 
A. no one 
B. someone  
C. anyone 
D. everyone 
Explanation-10: no one
The above question is about negative idea (clue: 'May be the question was tough.' implies that the students are not doing the calculation because the word 'tough' means challenging.). In addition, look there is no negative word/verb in this context. Based on these two reasons, choices B, C and D are wrong: eliminate them: A is correct answer.
  • Choices B and D are wrong because 'someone' and 'everyone' are used for positive ideas. 
  • Choice C should also be eliminated because there is no negative word/verb: 'anyone' is for negative ideas with negative words/verbs.
  • Rules: 'No one' is indefinite pronoun that is used for negative idea without negative word/verb to refer people.
Ans. A
Q. The burglar is on the run, but _____ in this country could he hide, I believe. (G-12: Entrance: 2004)
A. anywhere    
B. somewhere  
C. nowhere 
D. everywhere
Explanation-11: nowhere 
This question is about negative idea and there is no negative word/verb. It is about negative idea because the conjunction 'but' implies that there is no place for this burglar to hide (clue: the conjunction 'but' is used for contrasting ideas: 'running' contrast with 'hiding'). Based on these, choices A, B and D are wrong: they should be eliminated: C is correct answer.
  • Choices B and D are wrong because 'somewhere' and 'everywhere' are used for positive ideas to refer place. Eliminate both choices. 
  • To eliminate/to choose 'anywhere' (A) or 'nowhere' (D), make sure whether there is negative word/verb or not; look there is no negative word/verb in this question. Thus, no doubt choice A should be eliminated!
  • Rules: 'Nowhere' is indefinite pronoun that is used for negative idea without negative word/verb to refer place.
Ans. C
Q. _____ can stop them from taking the city. The opposing force has gone in disarray. (G-12: Entrance: 2004)
A. Anything 
B. Everything   
C. Nothing 
D. Something 
Explanation-12: nothing 
The above question is negative because the force which is expected to fight enemies has gone 'disarray' (getting disturbed/disorganized). This means, the enemies can't be stopped. Moreover, there is no negative word/verb. So, except choice C, all the rest choices must be eliminated (WHY?)!
  • Choices B and D are wrong because 'everything' and 'something' are used for positive ideas to refer thing. 
    • Eliminate both choices. 
    • 50% probability.
  • Choice A is wrong because 'anything' is used for negative ideas with negative word/verb to refer thing. 
    • Eliminate choice A.
    • 100% probability.
  • Rules: 'Nothing' is indefinite pronoun that is used for negative idea without negative word/verb to refer thing.
Ans. C
Q. Better leave it! That gets you ____ (G-12: Entrance: 1999)
A. nowhere   
B. everywhere   
C. there  
D. somewhere 
Explanation-13: nowhere 
To answer the above question and also any other question, generally, question about quantifiers and specifically, question about indefinite pronouns, look for clue/clues that could help you to know whether it (the given question) is negative or positive!
For example, in the above question, the sentence 'Better leave it!' indicates that the question is negative because it is to say that 'not useful/no necessary'. In addition, there is no negative word. For these reasons, choices B-D must be eliminated. No doubt; 100% sure; the correct answer must be A!
  • Choices B and D are wrong because 'everywhere' and 'somewhere' are used for positive ideas to refer place, not for negative ideas. 
    • Eliminate both choices. 
    • 50% probability.
  • Choice C is wrong because the word 'there' is not quantifier.  
    • Eliminate choice C.
    • 100% probability.
  • Rules: 'Nowhere' is indefinite pronoun that is used for negative idea without negative word/verb to refer place.
Ans. A
Q. The money we collected is ______ near enough to cover our expenses. Much more is needed still. (G-12: Entrance: 2010)
A. anywhere   
B. somewhere  
C. everywhere  
D. nowhere  
Explanation-14: nowhere 
As repeatedly mentioned, by applying the above techniques, "context + elimination techniques", you can answer this and other related questions in two steps and also 100% sure!
This question is about negative idea; there is no negative word/verb. It is about negative idea because the sentence "Much more is needed still." indicates that the collected money is not enough. Based on these two reasons, choices A, B and C are wrong: they must be eliminated: D must be correct answer.
  • Eliminate choices B and C because 'somewhere' and 'everywhere' are used for positive ideas. 
  • Both 'anywhere' and 'nowhere' could be used with negative ideas but choice A should be eliminated (clue: 'any' groups are used with negative words/verbs). 100% sure, D is correct!
Ans. D 
Q. I don’t understand why he suspected us. _________ from among us would want his money.  (G-12: Entrance: 2009) 
A. No one  
B. Anyone   
C. No anyone  
D. Not someone  
Explanation-15: no one
This question about negative idea and there is no negative verb/word. It is about negative idea because the clause "why he suspected us." indicates that we don't want his money. Based on these two reasons, choices B, C and D are wrong: they must be eliminated: A is correct answer.
  • Choices C and D should be eliminated; they are ungrammatical. 
  • Choice B should also be eliminated; there is no negative words in the second sentence.
Ans. A
Note: 
  • Negative words in other sentence or clause do not have impacts: unless they are in the sentence or clause in which the blank space is given. 
    • For example, in the above question, the negative verb "don’t understand" is found in other sentence, not in the clause in which the blank space is given. 
    • Look the phrase "don’t" and the blank space are in different sentence.
  • Indefinite pronouns/quantifiers such as someone, everybody, nowhere.... are not used with nouns they describe. 
    • For example, no one student is in the class. (Wrong!)
    • Nowhere place... wrong.
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