[Quantifiers-3] Explanations for Grade 12 University Entrance Exam Questions about Quantifiers (English) with Exam Techniques and Smart Notes (Part-3)

Brief Overview 

These explanations (explanations for quantifiers questions: part-3) contain three sections: 
  • A few, few, a little, little, a lot of, lots of, many...
  • Each, every, all, whole, no, none...
  • Both, both... and, not only... but also, neither/neither... nor, either/either... or
xxxxx

1. A few, few, a little, little, a lot of, lots of, many, much....

1. 1. Quick Summaries: 
Smart Summary-1: on A few, few, a little, little
Smart Summary-2: on A lot of, lots of, many, much....
Quick Summary-3: Exam Techniques
1.2. Detail Explanations

Now, let's see how to apply 'context + elimination techniques to answer questions related to "a few, few, a little, a lot of, lots of, many, much..."!

Q. We need an immediate restocking. Did you know we were lef with ____ food in the fridge? (G-12: Entrance: 2016N)
A. little     
B. scarce    
C. some   
D. a little 
Explanation-1 little 
This question could be answered in 2 simple steps. Look the given question is negative (clue: see the expressions '...need an immediate restocking': buying something and filling 'fridge'/store). Based on this, choices B, C and D are wrong; they should be eliminated. Because choice 'scarce' (B) is not quantifiers; 'some' (C) is used for positive idea, and 'a little' (D) is used for positive ideas (something very small but enough)!
Ans. A
Q. Tom spends _____ of his time playing computer games and listening to music. That is why he scores low grades. (G-12: Entrance: 2003)
A. much   
B. some   
C. enough   
D. little 
Explanation-2 much
Based on the meaning of the second sentence '... he scores low grades.', choices B, C and D are wrong. Because this sentence indicates that Tom spends large of time on playing game: not studying: 'negative'! Choices C and D are grammatically wrong; 'enough' and 'little' are not followed by 'of + noun'. 'Some' could be grammatically correct (positive idea) but contextually wrong because scoring low grades (negative).
Ans. A
Q. I have ______ things to do before I leave for the meeting. So, I have to lock myself in and work with no interruption. (G-12: Entrance: 2013)
A. much   
B. a lot of   
C. some   
D. a few
Explanation-3 a lot of
Look both the above sentences; the question is positive; it talks about large number things (clues: see the expressions "... lock myself in and work with no interruption."), and the noun is plural countable noun (see __ + 'things')! Based on these, choices A, C and D are wrong: they should be eliminated. Because 'some' (C) and 'a few' are not used for large number (see...). Both 'much' (A) and 'a lot of' (B) could be used for positive idea that deals with large number/quantities but 'a lot of' is more formal than 'much'. Moreover, the given noun is plural countable noun; 'much' is used with 'uncountable noun' but 'a lot of/lots of' are used with plural countable noun and also  'uncountable noun'.
Ans. B
Q. Waiter: Do you take sugar in your coffee?
Customer: ____. (G-12: Entrance: 1996)
A. Just a few  
B. I take coffee in my sugar   
C. I prefer it black   
D. Just a little 
Explanation-4: a little 
The above question is about positive idea; the given noun is uncountable (clues: speaker-1 asked the second speaker about sugar in his/her coffee). Based on these, choices A, B and C are wrong: 100% sure, they should be eliminated: 100% sure, D is correct answer! Because all of them are grammatically or contextually wrong!
  • Choice A is wrong because 'a few' is used with countable noun. 
  • Choice B is wrong because it is unrelated to waiter's question: 'taking coffee in my sugar' is meaningless. 
  • Choice C is wrong because it is unrelated to waiter's question: the waiter didn't ask about colour of coffee "black"!
  • Rules: 'A little' is used for positive ideas, small quantities with uncountable noun!
Ans. D
Q. I like ______ sugar in my tea. Do have some, please? (G-12: Entrance: 2014 N)
A. a little   
B. any    
C. many   
D. a few 
Explanation-5 a little  
The above question is positive (clue: the speaker is asking for sugar.). The given noun 'sugar' uncountable noun.
Based on these, choices B, C & D are wrong; must be eliminated. 
  • Choices C & D are wrong: many and a few are used with countable noun, not with uncountable noun!
  • Choice B is wrong: any is used for negative and question, not for positive.
  • Note: 'Any' is used for positive to say 'it doesn't matter'!
  • Choices B, C & D are wrong means, 100% sure choices choice A is correct answer!
Ans. A 
Q. There are many occasions when seat-belts save life, yet only______ drivers often wear them. (G-12: Entrance: 2010) 
A. many 
B. few 
C. a lot of 
D. a few 
Explanation-6 a few
This question is negative (clue: 'yet' is used for contrasting ideas.). In this question, 'yet' is used for contrasting ideas that means, the idea before 'yet' is positive ('seat-belts could save life') but the idea after 'yet' must be contrasting to this or negative: small number of drivers use seat-belts. Again look the given choices; 'many' and 'a lot of' are used with large number/amount. Using this as a clue, choice A and C must be eliminated.
In addition, the given noun (drivers) is countable noun. As a rule, 'few' is used for negative idea with countable noun. But look the given blank space; it is preceded by 'only'. 'Only' is used before 'a few/a little' to make the given idea negative. 
Ans. D
Q. Unlike last year, only_________ students needed extra help this year last year we helped almost everyone in the class. (G-12: Entrance: 2017)
A. many 
B. a few
C. most 
D. a little
Explanation-7 a few 
Simply using the words "only" & ''students" as clues, the above question could be answered in one step. This question talks about negative idea ('clues: in quantifiers, 'only' is used for negative ideas with 'A few' and 'a little'.); the given noun ''students" is countable noun. Based on these, all the given choices must be eliminated except B: B is correct answer! Because the term "only" is used with 'a few' and 'a little' but the given noun ''students" is countable noun. For additional, see the rules below.
Ans. B
  • Rules:  'A few' and 'a little' are for positive ideas but when they are used with 'only', they are used for negative idea/to make the given idea negative! 
  • The term 'only' is used with 'a few' and 'a little' to make the given idea negative. 
  • 'A few' is used with countable noun for positive idea.
  • 'A little' is used with uncountable noun for negative idea. 
  • Form: only + a few/ a little
Q. I have read _____ I did last year; it has been a terribly busy year for me. (G-12: Entrance: 2014 S)
A. few books this year as   
B. fewer books this year than   
C. few books this year than  
D. fewer books this year as
Explanation-8  fewer... than 
As repeatedly said, whenever you are asked question (either about quantifiers or others), the first thing that you should do is understanding the given question/context. Look the above question is more of comparison than about quantifiers although the quantifier 'few' is used. The speaker is comparing the books he/she read last year and this year. This year is mentioned negatively (clue: see the phrase ''terribly busy year for me")!
  • Rules: to show comparison with 'few', for comparative, we use 'fewer' with than/as few as/ so few as; for superlative, we use 'fewest'. 
  • Based on these (the rules), choices A, C and D are wrong: they must be eliminated: B is correct answer! 
Ans. B
Note: What is wrong with choice A; choice C and choice D?

Q. I can't afford to go out this week; I have ___ assignments on my table. (G-12: Entrance: 2014 S)
A. too few   
B. too many   
C. very many  
D. very little
Explanation-9  too many 
Ans. B WHY?

2. Each, every, all, whole, no, none....
2.1. Quick Subject Matter Summaries on:
Smart Summary on: Each, every, all, whole
Smart Summary on: No, none....
2.2. Detail Explanations
Next, I am going to present detail explanations for questions related to 'each, every, all, whole, no, none...'!
Q. The purchasers should be accountable for what had happened. _____ piece is faulty. (G-12: Entrance: 2008)
A. All         
B. Neither       
C. Both      
D. Every
Explanation-1 Every 
You could answer the above question and other related questions using the given blank space as clue! 
Look the above blank space is followed by singular noun 'piece' and also singular verb 'is' (clue: 'piece' is countable noun.). Based on these, choices A and C must be eliminated because 'all' and 'both' are used with plural noun. Neither could be used with both 'countable noun' and 'uncountable noun'; negative idea.
Look the meaning: it is positive; the problem was happened the purchased materials have problem (clue: see 'faulty').
Ans. D
Q. Nearly ____ of the invited guests appeared for the theatre and the manager was fuming about this. I said nothing, but chose to keep silent. (G-12: Entrance: 2011)
A. some  
B. all   
C. none   
D. neither 
Explanation-2  none
This question is negative (clue: see the expression '... manager was fuming about this...': fuming means, getting very angry); this indicates all the guests were absent (didn't appear). Based on this, 100% sure, choices A, B and D are wrong: they should be eliminated: C is correct! Because 'some' (A) and 'all' (B) are used for positive idea. 'Neither' (D) could be used for negative ideas but it is used for two things, not things more than two. 
Rules: 'None' is used for negative ideas for things more than two with 'of + plural noun/pronoun' (form: 'none + of + plural noun/pronoun').
Ans. C
Q. _______ are so fallible as those who are sure they are always right. (G-12: Entrance: 2009)
A. Many 
B. None 
C. Some 
D. Several 
Explanation-3 none
The above question is negative. Because saying "I am sure I am always right" is negative; it is not acceptable; the writer believes people with such type of belief are fallible (making mistake) people. Based on this (negative), choices C and D must be eliminated because 'some' and 'several' are used with positive ideas. 
  • Now, you are left with choices A and B, but both 'many' and 'none' could be used for negative ideas. To eliminate or choose one of them, look the meaning/quantity.. ...
  • 'Many' is used before noun (countable noun: plural nouns); it must be followed by countable plural nouns. 
  • Look the given blank space is followed by verb , not by countable plural nouns. 
  • As a result, choice A should be eliminated. 
Ans. B
Q. Everyone knew about the change in the exam schedule, but _______ of them told me about it. (G-12: Entrance: 2010)
A. none 
B. few 
C. some 
D. any 
Explanation-4 none
The above question is negative because 'but' is used to show contrasting ideas. This means, everyone knew about the change in the exam schedule but they didn't tell him/her about it. 
  • Choice D must be eliminated; it is grammatically wrong (clue: 'any' is not used with 'of': 'any + of + plural noun' is ungrammatical!). 
  • Choices B and C should also be eliminated; they are grammatically correct but contextually wrong. 
  • 'Few' and 'some' could be used with 'of':  'few/some + of + plural noun' is grammatically correct but contextually meaningless. 
  • For example, if we use 'few/some' in the given blank space ('... few/some of them told me...'), the speaker is told about the change, no need of using 'but'! 
Ans. A
Q. All of us in my family are teachers. We are all employed by the government. ____ of us has his/her own private company. (G-12: Entrance: 2016S)
A. Everyone      
B. All      
C. None    
D. Each
Explanation-5 none
This question could be answered by applying 'context + elimination techniques'!
Look all the two above given sentences; the question is negative, and also the blank space is followed by 'of + plural noun'! '... all employed by the government' means, there is no one who has his/her own private company. 
Based on these, 100% sure, choices A, B and D are wrong: they must be eliminated because these quantifiers ('everyone, all and each) are used for positive ideas! See the previous explanation (rules)! 
Ans. C

3: Both, both... and, not only... but also, neither/neither... nor, either/either... or..

This is the third section of explanations-3 for quantifiers questions (Part-3) but directly starting the explanations, read the next smart summary!
3.1. Quick Summary
3.2. Detail Explanations
Here, detail explanations for questions related to 'both, both... and, not only... but also, neither/ neither... nor, either/either... or...' are presented.
Q. Leave ____ the printer and the copier out there. They are not functioning. (G-12: Entrance: 2001)
A. all  
B. both   
C. either   
D. neither 
Explanation-1: both  
This question is could be answered in one step using the given conjunction 'and' (see '... the printer and the copier ...'). Among the above given quantifiers/determiners, only 'both' can be used with 'and'! Based on this, choices A, C and D are wrong: eliminate them!
Ans. B
Q. _____ of you is responsible for what had happened. It was this Nigerian guy that stole everything. (G-12: Entrance: 2011)
A. Both  
B. Neither    
C. One   
D. Either 
Explanation-2  Neither
This question is negative because "It was this Nigerian guy that stole everything" (see the second sentence) means, "you are not responsible for what had happened". Based on this, choices A, C and D are wrong: they should be eliminated: B is correct! Because: 
  • 'Both' (A) is used with negative verb for negative idea; moreover, 'both' is followed by plural verb, not by singular verb 'is'. 
  • 'One' (C) and 'either' (D) are used to show alternative; in addition, for negative, they must be used with negative verbs. 
  • Rules: 'Neither' is used for negative ideas without negative verbs/words to refer two things.
Ans. B 
Q.  We remained idle yesterday; we ____ played football ____ watched television. (G-12: Entrance: 2014 N)
A. either ... or  
B. both ... and    
C. neither ... nor  
D. haven't ... and
Explanation-3  neither... nor 
This question is not directly about quantifiers; it is largely about conjunctions. It talks about two things: playing football and watching television. It is negative (clue: look the expression "... remained idle..."); the word 'idle': did nothing/didn't do both "playing football and watching television". Moreover, there are no negative words/verbs. Based on these (negative idea, about two things, no negative words/verbs), choices A, B and D are wrong: 100% sure, they should be eliminated: C is correct answer! Because: 
  • 'Eeither ... or' (A) could be used for both positive and negative ideas to show alternatives: to say one of the two. 
  • For negative idea, it is used with negative words/verbs but here there are no negative words/verbs. 
  • 'Both ... and' (B) could be used for negative idea or for positive idea; for negative idea, 'both ... and' is used with negative words/verbs. But, here, there are no negative words/verbs. 
  • 'Haven't ... and' (D) are grammatically and contextually wrong; they can't join these two ideas: "playing football and watching television"!
  • Rules: 'Neither' or 'neither... nor' is used for negative ideas without negative verbs/words to refer two things.
 Ans. C
Q. ______ Berhe ______ Umod tampered with this computer. I haven't seen them around and I think they were out of office the whole day. (G-12: Entrance: 2015N)
A. Neither.. .. nor    
B. Either... or   
C. Both ... and   
D. Not only ... but also 
Explanation-4  Neither ... nor 
This question is about the uses of conjunctions although it talks about two people: Berhe and Umod; moreover, it is negative but there are no negative words/verbs. Berhe and Umod didn't tamper the computer (clues: see the second sentence "...haven't seen...; they were out of office the whole day"). Based on these, choices B, C and D are wrong: they must be eliminated: A is correct answer! Because 'either... or' (B), 'both ... and' (C) and 'not only ... but also' (D) could be used for negative ideas but they are used with negative words/verbs; as you can see, there are no negative words/verbs. 100% sure that these 3 choices (B, C, D) are wrong: 100% sure choice A is correct.
Ans. A
Brief Rules: 
  • 'Either... or' (B), 'both ... and' (C) and 'not only ... but also' (D) are used for positive and negative ideas; for negative ideas, they are used with negative words/verbs.
  • 'Either... or' is used to show alternative, to say one of the two.
  • 'Both ... and' and 'not only ... but also' are to refer two things.
  • 'Neither' or 'neither... nor' is used for negative ideas without negative verbs/words to refer two things.
Q. If you are in a hurry, you will have to take a plane. _____ the train ____ the car will arrive on time in the city. (G-12: Entrance: 2003)
A. Both/and   
B. Either/or   
C. Not only/but also  
D. Neither/nor
Explanation-5  Neither/nor
The above question is largely about conjunctions although it talks about 3 things (plane, train and car). You could answer this and related questions by applying 'context + elimination techniques': by 'understanding context' and 'eliminating all wrong choices' based on clues!
Whenever you are asked this type of question (question with all/some of the conjunctions on the above choices), make sure, at least, the next 3 things: 
  • Does it talk about alternative?
  • Does it talk about two things (negative or positive, is there negative word/verb...?)?
  • Does it talk about addition...?
Look the question; it is about negative idea (clue: see the clause "... you will have to take a plane..."). "You will have to take a plane" means, 'the train' and 'the car' are not so fast as a plane". Moreover, it talks about connecting two nouns: the train' and 'the car'; there is no negative word/verb in the above question. Based on these three clues (negative idea, connecting two nouns and no 

Q. ________ the pilot and his crew recognized the plane had a problem. However, they didn't say anything lest disturbing the passengers. (G-12: Entrance: 2015N)
A. Either   
B. Together 
C. All  
D. Both  
Explanation-6  both 
The above question could be answered in one step using the conjunction 'and' ('the pilot and his crew...) as a clue. Among the given choices, only both (D) is used with 'and': eliminate all the given choices except D.
Ans. D
Q. ______ you and your wife have concocted this. I have never said that. (G-12: Entrance: 2008)
A. Both   
B. Nor    
C. All  
D. Either
Explanation-7  both 
The above question could be answered in one step using the conjunction 'and' ('you and your wife have) as a clue: 'and' is used with 'both'. Based on this', eliminate all the given choices except A.
Ans. A
Q. If the media reported that nobody died in the crash, then __________ of them should be alive. You don’t have to cry. (G-12: Entrance: 2009)
A. either 
B. neither 
C. both 
D. none
Explanation-8  both 
This question is about positive idea because look the expression "that nobody died in the crash". Nobody died in the crash means, the people they are talking about are alive. Based on this, choices A, B and D are wrong: they must eliminated: C is correct answer. WHY?
Ans. C
Q. _________ listening ___________ reading are important academic skills students need to develop. (G-12: Entrance: 2017)
A. Neither/nor 
B. Both/and
C. Either/nor 
D. Either/or
Explanation-9 both and 
The above question talks about positive ideas: it is clear that 'listening' and 'reading' are important... both are important! Based on this, choices A, C and D are wrong: they should be eliminated: B is correct answer.
  • Choice A is wrong because 'neither/nor' is used for negative idea not for positive ideas.
  • Choice C is grammatically wrong because 'either' is used with 'or' not with 'nor' to show alternatives.  
  • Choice D is wrong because 'either/or' is used to show alternatives, to say one of the two, not to say both!
Ans. B


Note
I think the next questions are ambiguous: not clear; something must have been left!
1.  _____ students have ever obtained full marks in College Entrance English Examination. (G-12: Entrance: 2004)
A. Few B. A few C. Many D. Several 
2. There are two newspapers on my table. _____ of which has an interesting thing to read. (G-12: Entrance: 2014S)
A. No one   B. A single   C. Neither   D. Either   
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