Not Necessarily, Not Always

by Vocafy 已认证

英语 (美国) B2 12 道题 语法

Explore how the position of “not” changes a message—and how to avoid claiming more than you mean.

1. 1. 选择正确答案。

   What does the speaker mean?

   “The bus is usually on time, but it isn't always on time.”

   • The bus is late every day.
   • The bus is sometimes late.
   • The bus is never late.

   Notice the difference between “usually” and “always.”

   Show solution

   • The bus is sometimes late.

   “Not always” allows exceptions. It does not mean “never.”

2. 2. 填空。

   Some guests chose tea, while the others chose coffee.

   ___ chose tea.

   • Not all the guests
   • None of the guests
   • All of the guests

   There were tea drinkers and coffee drinkers.

   Show solution

   Not all the guests chose tea.

   “Not all” denies that the whole group did something. Here, some guests did choose tea.

3. 3. 选择正确答案。

   What does the reply mean?

   “Does a more expensive phone always take better photos?”
   “Not necessarily. Other features matter too.”

   • Higher prices always mean worse photos.
   • Price alone guarantees better photos.
   • A higher price does not guarantee better photos.

   The reply questions a guarantee, not every possible connection.

   Show solution

   • A higher price does not guarantee better photos.

   “Not necessarily” means a result is not guaranteed. It does not claim that the opposite is always true.

4. 4. 填空。

   The office allows jeans. Wearing a suit is optional.

   You ___ wear a suit to work.

   • must not
   • don't have to
   • have to

   Optional means permitted but not required.

   Show solution

   You don't have to wear a suit to work.

   “Don't have to” removes an obligation. “Must not” would forbid wearing a suit.

5. 5. 选择正确答案。

   What is certain from this statement?

   “The team hasn't approved the design yet.”

   • There has been no approval up to now.
   • The design will never be approved.
   • The design will definitely be approved later.

   The statement describes the situation up to the present.

   Show solution

   • There has been no approval up to now.

   “Not yet” leaves a later change possible, but it does not promise that the change will happen.

6. 6. 填空。

   Maya attended the morning session but missed the afternoon session.

   She ___.

   • attended both sessions
   • didn't attend either session
   • didn't attend both sessions

   She attended one session, not zero.

   Show solution

   She didn't attend both sessions.

   “Didn't attend both” denies attendance at the pair. “Didn't attend either” would mean she attended neither session.

7. 7. 选择正确答案。

   What reason does the speaker give for refusing the job?

   “I didn't turn down the job because of the salary; the long commute was the problem.”

   • The salary alone
   • The travel time to work
   • Both the salary and the commute

   The second part makes the reason clear.

   Show solution

   • The travel time to work

   The refusal happened. In this context, the negation rules out the salary as its cause.

8. 8. 选择正确答案。

   Which parts of the proposal does the speaker support?

   “I don't entirely agree with your proposal. The goal makes sense, but the deadline is unrealistic.”

   • Both the goal and the deadline
   • Neither the goal nor the deadline
   • The goal, but not the deadline

   The speaker gives one positive judgment and one negative judgment.

   Show solution

   • The goal, but not the deadline

   “Don't entirely agree” can express partial agreement. It is less absolute than rejecting the whole proposal.

9. 9. 选择正确答案。

   What does this statement tell us about the revised plan's cost?

   “The revised plan is not more expensive than the original plan.”

   • It must cost less than the original.
   • It costs the same as the original or less.
   • It must cost more than the original.

   Equal prices are also possible.

   Show solution

   • It costs the same as the original or less.

   Negating “more expensive” includes equal cost. It does not establish that the revised plan is cheaper.

10. 10. 选择正确答案。

    What can we conclude about the editor's instructions?

    “The editor didn't ask me to change the title.”

    • There was no request to change the title.
    • The editor explicitly instructed the speaker to keep the title unchanged.
    • The editor instructed the speaker to change the title.

    Pay attention to whether “not” applies to asking or changing.

    Show solution

    • There was no request to change the title.

    “Didn't ask me to change” reports no request for a change. “Asked me not to change” would report an explicit request to keep the title.

11. 11. 选择正确答案。

    Which claim is supported by this rule?

    “You won't be given access unless you verify your email. Other checks may still be needed.”

    • Verifying your email guarantees access.
    • You can get access without verifying your email.
    • Verifying your email is required for access.

    A required step is not always the only required step.

    Show solution

    • Verifying your email is required for access.

    “Unless” sets a necessary condition here. Meeting that condition does not guarantee access.

12. 12. 选择正确答案。

    Which conclusion is supported by this sentence alone?

    “The tests did not prove that the water was unsafe.”

    • The water is definitely safe.
    • The statement does not establish whether the water is safe.
    • The water is definitely unsafe.

    Notice what the tests failed to prove.

    Show solution

    • The statement does not establish whether the water is safe.

    Not proving danger is different from proving safety. The negation applies to “prove,” not directly to “unsafe.”