Statement Negation Drill & Answer

This drill will test your ability to use the Assumption Negation TechniqueTM,
which requires the conversion of Assumption question answer choices to
Weaken answer choices. In the spaces provided write the proper logical
negation of each of the following statements. Answers on Page 271
1. The tax increase will result in more revenue for the government.
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2. The councilmember could reverse her position.
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3. The voting patterns in this precinct changed significantly in the past year.
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4. The pattern of behavior in adolescents is not necessarily determined by
the environment they are raised in.
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5. Organic farming methods promote crop resistance to pest attack.
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6. All of the missions succeeded.
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7. If the policy is implemented, the education budget will be cut.
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8. The positive effects of the U.S. immigration policy are everywhere.
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9. Unless the stock market rebounds, the economy will not recover this year.
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10. Exactly one police car will reach the scene in time.
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Statement Negation Drill Answer Key
The correct answer is listed below, with the negating elements italicized.
1. The tax increase might not result in more revenue for the government.
The negation of “will” is “might not.” In practice the polar opposite “will
not” tends to be acceptable.
2. The councilmember cannot reverse her position.
“Cannot” is the opposite of “could.”
3. The voting patterns in this precinct did not change significantly in the
past year.
4. The pattern of behavior in adolescents is necessarily determined by
the environment they are raised in.
5. Organic farming methods do not promote crop resistance to pest attack.
6. Not all of the missions succeeded.
7. If the policy is implemented, the education budget will not be cut.
Negate the necessary condition using “will not” or “might not.”
8. The positive effects of the U.S immigration policy are not everywhere.
Note that “positive” in this sentence does not become “negative.” To say
“The negative effects of the U.S immigration policy are everywhere”
would not negate the original.
9. The economy will recover this year even if the stock market does not
rebound.
This is a conditional statement, and to most easily negate the statement
you should turn it into an “if...then” sentence construction.
10. Not exactly one police car will reach the scene in time.
Typically, there are two ways to negate a phrase containing the words
“only one” or “exactly one.” One possibility is to use the term “none” and
the other possibility is to use the phrase “more than once.” Both are
logical negations since you are attempting to negate a statement where
something occurred a precise number of times. In this case, any statement
that differs in number from the original statement will be a negation.