PREPOSITION

PART 1
I. Underline the most suitable prepositions.
a) I got at/to the station just in time to see Jack getting from/off'the train.
b) The cafe is among/between the chemist's and the butcher's and across/opposite the library.
c) Sue lives at/in Wales, which is a country at/in the west of Britain.
d) I was brought up in/on an island near/next to the coast of Scotland.
e) Travelling by/in your own car is better than going by/on foot.
f) Jack was leaning by/against the wall with his hands in/into his pockets.
g) Ann had a hat on/over her head and a veil above/over her face.
h) We arrived at/in England at/in Gatwick Airport.
i) I left my bags at/from the station at/in a left luggage locker.
j) Peter came running into/to the room and threw his books at/onto the floor.

II. Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase from the box.

a. I think I'd rather have coffee…………………. tea.

b. the danger, Paul ran back into the burning house.
c. fire, smash the glass and push the button.
d. Personally, I am banning cigarette smoking completely!
e. I would like to thank you, everyone who was rescued.
f. you, no-one else knows that I have escaped.
g. Steve, he believes that we should stay where we are.
h. Jim managed to climb into the house a ladder he found.
i. the rain, the match was postponed.
j. the timetable, the next train isn't for two hours.

III. Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase from the box.

a. Police officers don't have to wear uniform when they are……..duty.

b. I feel very tired times I consider giving up work.
c. The children were all upset, and some were tears.
d. This factory needs modernising. Everything here is …………….date.
e. Don't worry, everything is control.
f. Sorry, I seem to have taken the wrong umbrella…………..mistake.
g. Please hurry. We need these documents delay.
h. That wasn't an accident! You did it purpose.
i. We thought the two films were very similar…………….each other.
j. We decided to take a holiday in Wales a change.
 IV. Underline the most suitable phrase in each sentence.

a. I can't disturb John now. He's at bed/in bed.

b. Tony always arrives exactly in time/on time for his lesson.
c. Two pounds for each ticket, that makes £12 in all/with all.
d. I can't pick that last apple. It's out of hand/out of reach.
e. Joe and I met on the plane completely by chance/by surprise.
f. The children spend most of their time out of doors/out of place.
g. I'm sorry but Jane isn't here at present/at a time.
h. How can Sam love Lucy? They have nothing in common/in general.
i. They should be here soon. They are in the way/on the way.
j. Terry isn't here. He's away in business/on business.

V. Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the box.

a. This is important. You must catch the two men at all costs
b. I was under the that you enjoyed working here.
c. Please hand your work in on Tuesday, without
d. We can't go by train. The train-drivers are on
e. Martin is supposed to have given up smoking, but he smokes in
f. I'm afraid we don't have your size, we are out of
g. If I give you the information, what will you give me in………….
h. I ran for the bus, and now I'm out of

VI. Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the box.

a) Harry managed to sell his house at a profit.

b) What was he doing here all by ?
c) Larry is so famous that he doesn't appear in very often.
d) That was a terrible shot! I'm rather out of
e) How many cars do you sell, on , every week?
f) The police are coming! Stay out of until they leave.
g) I suppose I enjoyed my holiday on the
h) Can you tell me about the plans in ?

VII. Complete each sentence with a suitable phrase from the box.

a) When I sat on the pencil, it broke in two

 b) This is the best washing machine on the market.
c) Graham has been ever since he came to London.
d) I know her , but I don't know her name.
e) The lifeguard dived in to save a swimmer
f) John learned his first speech
g) You could tell he was because he kept groaning.
h) Cigarettes and ice cream are in the foyer.

VIII. Complete each sentence with one of the phrases from the box.

a) Jim's excuse was that he was acting ………………. from his boss.
b) Things have changed , no-one leaves before 5.00.
c) Thank goodness. All the passengers are now
d) The President would like to meet you and thank you
e) Your violin sounds awful! I think it's
f) It's a warm country. We won't need our pullovers,
g) Excuse me, but I'd like to have a word with you
h) You can't use the phone. It's

VI. Look carefully at each line. Some of the lines are correct, and some have a word which
should not be there. Tick each correct line. If a line has a word which should not be there,
write the word in the space.

The psychology of accidents

Most people are under the impression that doing something by a
mistake is quite different from doing something on purpose. In the
fact, according to by some psychologists, many accidents do not, on
the whole, really happen to by chance. There may be good reasons
for actions which seem to be accidental. For an example, someone
who fails to arrive on time as for a meeting at work may be worried
about
his or her job, or be in with difficulties at home. In other words, there
are often good reasons for behaviour which seems at the first to be
accidental. Of this course, some people are involved in more accidents
than others. These people are called 'accident prone'. In the general
they either suffer from stress, or could have in a physical illness without
knowing about it.

EXERCISE 1: REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES

1. There were lots of tourists in the city centre.
–> The city centre was crowded …………….
2. There was a lot of furniture in the room.
–> The room was full………………….
3. I don’t like sport very much.
–> I’m not very keen…………………………
4. We haven’t got enough time.
–> We’re a bit short…………………
5. I’m not a very good tennis player.
–> I’m not very good …………………..
6. Catherine’s husband is Russian.
–> Catherine is married……………………….
7. I don’t trust Robert.
–> I’m suspicious ……………………………
8. My problem is not the same as yours.
–> My problem is different……………….
EXERCISE 2: CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
1. Are you good history? A. at B. by C. from D. in
2. He has always been interested medicine. A. at B. by C. in D. on
3. He screamed me angrily. A. to B. on C. in D. at
4. He specializes tropical diseases. A. with B. to C. on D. in
5. I am to my brother-in-law's for the weekend. A. at B. by C. of D. off
6. I did not want it happen. It happened mistake. A. at B. by C. in D. on
7. I must not eat too much. I am a diet. A. at B. by C. in D. on
8. Is he badly hurt? Shall we send a doctor. A. at B. by C. for D. on
9. Look yourself in the mirror. A. in B. for C. at D. after
10. Look! That house is fire. A. at B. by C. in D. on
11. She screamed me for help. A. to B. on C. for D. at
12. Sometimes I have problems at work but the whole I enjoy my job. A. by B. at C. on D. with
13. The door opened a beautiful garden. A. at B. for C. in D. onto
14. Welcome London. A. for B. in C. on D. to
15. What does this abbreviation stand ? A. at B. by C. for D. on
16. What is this thing good ? A. to B. till C. onto D. for
17. When did you arrive the party? A. by B. at C. on D. in
18. Who are you angry ? A. at B. by C. on D. with
19. You can phone me work. A. at B. by C. for D. in
20. You must pay cash. A. without B. on C. in D. by
EXERCISE 2: FILL IN EACH GAP WITH A CORRECT PREPOSITION
1. The course begins ……….7 January and ends ……10 March.
2. I went to bed ……….midnight and got up ………..6.30 the next morning.
3. We travelled overnight to Paris and arrived ……….5 o’clock …….the morning.
4. Mozart was born in Salzburg ………1756.
5. Are you doing anything special …………….the weekend?
6. I haven’t seen Ann …………a few days. I last saw her ……….Tuesday.
7. I’ll phone you ………..Tuesday morning……..10 o’clock, okay?
8. Tom’s grandmother died………1977………the age ………..79.
9. The price of electricity is going up ………..October.
10. There are usually a lot of parties ………New Year’s Eve.
11. I like walking round the town……….night.
12. The telephone and the doorbell rang …….the same time.
13. I waited for you ………half an hour and then decided that you weren’t coming.
14. Production at the factory was seriously affected……….the strike.
15. It can be dangerous when children play football ………..the street.
16. I’ll meet you ………the corner (of the street) at 10 o’clock.
17. Tom’s ill. He wasn’t ………..work today. He was ……..home…….bed.
18. Paul is a student ………..London University.
19. I’ve just received an invitation………..a wedding next week.
20.The cause……..the fire in the hotel last night is still unknown.
21. Money isn’t the solution …….every problem.
22. The company has rejected the workers’ demands ……….an increase…..pay.
23. Bill and I used to be good friends but I don’t have much contact ……….him now.
24. I wrote to Jim last week, but I still haven’t received a reply……..my letter.
25. Do you know any songs ………the Beatles?
26. There was panic when people realized the building was …….fire.
27. The shop assistant wouldn’t accept my cheque and insisted that I paid …….cash
28. When I was 14, I went ……….a trip to France organized by my school.
29. We hadn’t arranged to meet. We met …..chance.
30. It’s very nice ……you to let me use your car. Thank you very much.
31. I can’t understand people who are crucial ……….animals.
32. Why do you always get so annoyed ……….little things?
33. The people next door are annoyed …….us……making so much noise last night.
34. We enjoyed our holiday but we were rather disappointed……..the hotel.
35. I was surprised …….the way he behaved. It was quite out of character.
36. Did you know that Linda is engaged …….a friend of mine?
37. These days everyone is aware ……the dangers of smoking.
38. Ann is fond…….her younger brother.
39. Britain certainly isn’t famous ………its food.
40. That man is very honst. He isn’t capable …….telling a lie.
41. Do you know anyone who might be interested ……….buying an old car?
42. The police are responsible ……….maintaining law and order.
43. I’m sorry ………the smell in this room. It’s just been painted.
44. She hasn’t got a job. She depends ………..her parents for money.
45. Are you going to apologise ……….what you did?
46. Tom and I ran………each other in town yesterday afternoon.
47. A football team consists ……….11 players.
48. Do you belong……..a political party?
49. The accident was my fault, so I had to pay ……….the damage.
50. Sally is often not well. She suffers …………severe headaches.
51. Our house is similar ………..yours. Perhaps yours is a bit larger.
52. I’m tired……………doing the same things every day. I need a change.
53. John has no money of his own. He’s totally dependent …………his parents.
54. I don’t like going up ladders. I’m afraid ………..heights.
55. Linda doesn’t look very well. I’m worried ………….her.
56. Are you still upset ………..what I said to you yesterday?
57. I was delighted ………………the present you gave me.
58. We’re all excited ……………going on holiday next week.
59. Don't you know what happened_________ the people who went on holiday with us?
60. He worked hard ________a mechanic for ten years before being appointed manager.
61. This organization is quick__________ sending relief goods to the flooded areas.
62. When are you leaving__________ Singapore? This week or next week?
63. He didn’t even have the intelligence to call_________ an ambulance.
64. She’s very old and can’t live alone. She needs someone to look_________ her.
65. A beautiful clock was given_________ her by a handsome boy.
66. Where is Jimmy? - He is ________ work. He is busy _________ his monthly report.
67. She prefers carnations __________roses. In fact, she dislikes roses.
68. They held a party to congratulate _______ their son's success to become an engineer.
69. It is important to have someone that you can confide________.
70. You should pay more attention __________ what your teacher explains.
71. What did that man die ________? –A heart attack.
72. I keep sneezing because I got wet_________ the way home yesterday.
73. His father used the money he won to set_________ his own company.

EXERCISE 3 ; Choose the correct answer among A,B,C or D :

1. Mary doesn’t mind living____________ her own. A. with B. by C. on D. at
2. It is of great importance to create a good impression _______ your interviewer. A. on B. about C. for D. at
3. When are you leaving_________ Hanoi? A. toward B. forward C. for D. to
4. The children are excited________ going to the circus. A. for B. about C. with D. of
5. While studying, he was financially dependent________ his parents. A. to B. of C. on D. from
6. This town is famous_________ its hand-woven carpets. A. for B. with C. at D. on
7. He may be quick ________understanding, but he is not capable _____remembering anything.
A. at/for B. of/ for C. at/ of D. in/ of
8. He is__________ a lot of study pressure to win a place at university. A. for B. under C. in D. with
9. The flood was responsible__________ damaging the crop. A. of B. with C. about D. for
10. You should concentrate _________what the interviewer is saying and make a real effort to answer all the
questions the interviewer asks. A. on B. in C. at D. for
11. __________Christmas Eve, people often have parties late at midnight. A. in B. at C. on D. from
12. Are you aware ________the time? A. with B. of C. at D. about
13. Are you getting __________well at college? A. in B. over C. off D. on
14. She has been living in the country________ the beginning of the summer. A. for B. at C. during D. since
15. Yesterday, I was talking ______my doctor ______a mysterious epidemics near here.
A. with/ on B. to/ about C. to/ out of D. with/ over
16. He was happy because his poems had been translated _____several languages. A. into B. for C. over D. about
17. Damage to the building resulted________ an usually high wind. A. from B. in C. about D. for
18. It was very kind_________ you to give up so much of time to help me. A. about B. for C. to D. of
19. Endangered species are plant and animal species which are ________danger of extinction.
A. on B. in C. at D. by
20. Toxic chemicals in the air and land have also driven many species ______the verge of extinction.
A. of B. about C. at D. to
21. Maintaining biodiversity is important _______us in many ways. A. in B. for C. from D. by
22. We benefit greatly ____________the medicines and other products that biodiversity provides.
A. from B. without C. for D. at
23. Governments have enacted laws to protect wildlife ________commercial trade and overhunting.
A. from B. without C. for D. at
24. It’s is enough to dip__________ this book. A. for B. at C. into D. about
25. Not all books belong _________this class. A. in B. to C. for D. at
26. When you pick ____a book for the first time, check that it is not too difficult. A. in B. since C. on D. up
27. A game is divided ____________quarters. A. from B. into C. at D. of
28. Vietnam carried _________an intensive program for its athletics, which included training in facilities, both
home and abroad. A. for B. at C. out D. of
29. They considered women to be better suited __childbearing and homemaking. A. of B. on C. to D. for
30. Do you know anyone who might be interested _________buying an old car? A. on B. in C. with D. about
31. Mozart died ________ Vienna in 1791 _____ the age of 35. A. in / on B. in / at C. at / in D. of / for
32. Plant and animal extinction leads _________ loss of biodiversity. A. on B. in C. into D. to
33. The initiative for founding the Red Cross came _____ a Swiss man called Jean Henri Dunant.
A. from B. with C. through D. to
34. Pay attention _______all traffic signs when you are travelling in the street. A. for B. on C. to D. from
35. Reviewers describe books ___ "hard-to-put-down", or "hard-to-pick-up-again". A. as B. for C. into D. in