1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $\frac{20}{-4} + 7$. 2. **Recall the division rule:** Dividing a positive number by a negative number results in a negative number. 3. **Calculate the division:** $$\frac{20}{-4} = -5$$ 4. **Substitute back into the expression:** $$-5 + 7$$ 5. **Perform the addition:** $$-5 + 7 = 2$$ 6. **Final answer:** The simplified value of the expression is $2$.