The sentences below share an unusual property. Can you determine what it is?

1. The guard will not let you through the gate.
2. Given the choice of gloves, I prefer these.
3. The principal wants to prevent the performance of the rap group.
4. The minister followed a literal interpretation of the scripture.
5. The cruise was everything I dreamed it would be.
6. The chef decided to cook the pasta for three minutes.
7. The city council was hopeful the subsidy would spur development.

HINT:
Think about changing one letter in one word of each sentence.

Answers:

Changing one letter in one of the words in each sentence will reverse the meaning of the sentence.

1. not - now
2. these - those
3. prevent - present
4. literal - liberal 
5. dreamed - dreaded
6. cook - cool
7. spur - sour

Credit: Will Shortz
NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
PUT THE MEANING IN REVERSE
April 26, 2009