everything vs. anything

[Wilson860218]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #76 "Anything, nothing, something, everything", question 10

My mom asked me how I was, and I said ......... was fine.

(a) anything
(b) something
(c) any
(d) everything

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #76 "Anything, nothing, something, everything", answer 10

My mom asked me how I was, and I said everything was fine.

Correct answer: (d) everything

Your answer was: incorrect
My mom asked me how I was, and I said anything was fine.
_________________________

Why not "anything"?

[Mister Micawber]

.
'Anything' does not usually appear in affirmative statements, and its meaning here would be unintelligible, since the speaker would be concerned about all possible problems.

It can appear in other circumstances: 'Mother asked me what I wanted for dinner and I said that anything was fine.' Here. what 'anything' is does not interest the speaker.

.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's