PREPOSITIONS EXERCISE 1 – 50 MCQs

Question number: 1
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “for” because the phrase “frightened for one’s life” is a fixed expression meaning extremely scared about survival. The other options don’t fit this context: “at” suggests a reaction to something visible, “of” implies a general fear, and “about” is more casual.

Question number: 2
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “to” because “blind to one’s faults” is an idiomatic phrase meaning unaware of personal shortcomings. The other prepositions don’t convey this meaning: “of” would imply possession, “over” suggests physical position, and “at” indicates direction.

Question number: 3
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “of” because “certain of” is the standard collocation expressing confidence about something. “About” could work but is less common, while “at” and “over” are grammatically incorrect here.

Question number: 4
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “with; to” because we are “generous with” resources and “faithful to” people. This pairing correctly shows the relationship between generosity and loyalty.

Question number: 5
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “with” because “familiar with” is the fixed phrase for knowing someone/something well. Other prepositions like “to” (used differently, e.g., “known to”) don’t fit this context.

Question number: 6
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “behind; in” as these prepositions logically describe locations for searching (behind a door, inside a cupboard). “Under” would imply beneath, while “over” suggests above.

Question number: 7
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “from” because it indicates origin (“from the east”). “By” suggests means of travel, “to” indicates destination, and “over” implies movement above.

Question number: 8
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “into; through” as it describes movement (entering the garden via a hedge hole). Other options like “under” or “by” don’t accurately depict this action.

Question number: 9
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “on; out of” because we stand “on” a platform and trains depart “out of” stations. “In” or “by” would incorrectly describe the positions.

Question number: 10
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “at” because vehicles stop “at” specific points like zebra crossings. “On” suggests being atop it, while “over” implies movement above.

Question number: 11
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “about” because “do something about” is the phrase for addressing problems. “For” indicates purpose, “against” implies opposition, and “with” suggests accompaniment.

Question number: 12
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “of” because “heard of” means being aware of someone’s existence. “About” would imply knowing details, while “from” indicates receiving communication.

Question number: 13
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “on” because “depends on” is the fixed phrase for reliance. Other prepositions like “of” or “from” don’t collocate with “depends.”

Question number: 14
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “from” as it shows separation from captors. “By” suggests means, “over” implies position, and “of” indicates possession.

Question number: 15
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “out; away” because “gave out” means emitted, and “backed away” means retreated. Other combinations don’t logically describe the actions.

Question number: 16
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “through; down” because “got through” means completed, and “broken down” refers to health deterioration. Other phrasal verbs don’t fit.

Question number: 17
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “for” because “asking for trouble” is the idiomatic expression meaning inviting problems. Other prepositions don’t form this phrase.

Question number: 18
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “at” because “called at” means visited a place. “On” would imply speaking to someone directly, while “for” suggests purpose.

Question number: 19
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “for” because “saving for” indicates purpose (to buy a bicycle). “By” suggests means, and “so that” introduces a clause incorrectly here.

Question number: 20
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “in an hour’s time” refers to future duration. “Within” implies a deadline, while “at” specifies a fixed time.

Question number: 21
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “at; for” because animals come out “at night” and hunt “for food.” “During” is less specific, and “by” suggests means.

Question number: 22
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “within” because it sets a time limit (all questions must be answered in ≤1 hour). “By” would imply a deadline, not duration.

Question number: 23
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “between” as it refers to collaboration between two people. “Among” is for >2 people, while “by” or “within” don’t convey shared effort.

Question number: 24
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “in writing” is the fixed phrase for documented confirmation. Other prepositions don’t form this expression.

Question number: 25
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “on” because “on the whole” is the idiomatic phrase meaning generally. “In” would incorrectly suggest being inside something.

Question number: 26
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “from” because “from my point of view” expresses perspective. “In” or “with” don’t collocate correctly here.

Question number: 27
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “in the way” means obstructing. “On” would imply being atop something, which doesn’t fit the context.

Question number: 28
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “by” because “by mistake” is the fixed phrase for accidental actions. Other prepositions don’t form this expression.

Question number: 29
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “in pencil” describes the medium used. “By” would suggest the means, which isn’t the intended meaning here.

Question number: 30
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “on; for” because we are “on holiday” and “here for business.” Other combinations like “in, on” mix incorrect prepositions.

Question number: 31
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “in; by” because we book “in advance” and pay “by check.” These are standard collocations for time and payment methods.

Question number: 32
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “on” because “on a trip” is the correct phrase for traveling. “In” would suggest being inside something, not the activity itself.

Question number: 33
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “on” because “on the phone” is the fixed phrase for telecommunication. Other prepositions don’t describe this context.

Question number: 34
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “in general” is the idiomatic expression meaning usually. “On” or “by” don’t form this phrase.

Question number: 35
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “by” because “by accident” means unintentionally. “Through” would imply a process, which isn’t the intended meaning.

Question number: 36
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “on” because “on the way” means during a journey. “In” would suggest being inside something, not the path of travel.

Question number: 37
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “in the end” is the phrase meaning finally. “At” would refer to a specific point, not the conclusion.

Question number: 38
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “on” because programs are “on television.” “In” would imply being inside the device, which isn’t the intended meaning.

Question number: 39
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “for” because it indicates the recipient of the present (“for you”). “About” or “of” don’t correctly show this relationship.

Question number: 40
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “with” because “angry with” is used for people. “At” could work for situations, but “with” is more appropriate here.

Question number: 41
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “With” because it introduces the reason (“with all this work”). “Despite” or “for” don’t logically connect the clauses.

Question number: 42
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “in a low voice” describes manner of speaking. “On” or “at” don’t collocate with “voice.”

Question number: 43
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “by” because “by car” is the standard phrase for travel mode. “On” would be used for larger vehicles (e.g., “on a bus”).

Question number: 44
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “to” because “nice to” describes behavior toward others. “With” would imply accompaniment, which isn’t the intended meaning.

Question number: 45
Correct option: A
Explanation: The correct answer is “With” because it sarcastically links bad friends to needing enemies. “Without” would reverse the intended irony.

Question number: 46
Correct option: B
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “interested in” is the fixed preposition for hobbies/topics. Other prepositions don’t collocate correctly.

Question number: 47
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “in” because “pleasant to live in” describes the cottage as habitable. “At” would imply a location without emphasizing livability.

Question number: 48
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “on” because we travel “on” a flight. “In” would suggest being inside the plane physically, not the journey itself.

Question number: 49
Correct option: D
Explanation: The correct answer is “with” because “in love with” is the romantic collocation. Other prepositions don’t form this expression.

Question number: 50
Correct option: C
Explanation: The correct answer is “of” because “afraid of” is the standard phrase for fears. “To” or “for” don’t correctly express this emotion.