[English] Preposition Practice Test Exercises

A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object.

Examples: “in,” “at,” “on,” “of,” and “to.”

Prepositions in English are highly idiomatic. Although there are some rules for usage, much preposition usage is dictated by fixed expressions. In these cases, it is best to memorize the phrase instead of the individual preposition.

Exercise – 1

1. The island is so small that there are only five houses ______ it.

(A) in
(B) on
(C) over
(D) around

2. The local team scored three goals ______ the first half of the match.

(A) in
(B) on
(C) for
(D) below

3. Many species of insects were wiped _______ when the jungle was cleared.

(A) away
(B) out
(C) of
(D) off

4. The staff co-operated ______ the management to increase productivity.

(A) for
(B) by
(C) to
(D) with

5. You can obtain the answer ______ adding the date of birth to this figure.

(A) in
(B) on
(C) to
(D) by

6. There is widespread unemployment all ______ the country.

(A) in
(B) about
(C) over
(D) around

7. There was rapid development ______ the post-war years.

(A) by
(B) among
(C) towards
(D) during

8. Most ______ the tourists enjoyed the visit to the batik factory.

(A) of
(B) off
(C) between
(D) with

9. The railway track runs ______ the river.

(A) over
(B) across
(C) by
(D) on

10. On hearing the siren. I pulled ______ and stopped the car.

(A) in
(B) off
(C) over
(D) up

Answers:

Exercise – 2

Which drawer did he put his clothes ____ ?
He is not a difficult man to work ____ .
Is this the house you read ____ in the newspaper ?
She does not have enough money to live ____ for the rest of the month.
Where did you think the voices came ____ ?
This is the man I was speaking ____ .
Where is the knife I usually sharpen my pencils ____ ?
I wonder what she is dressing up ____ ?
We don’t know what he is hinting ____ .
Who is he angry ____ ? Is he complaining ____ her again ?

Answers:

in
with
about
on
from
with
with
for
at
at ( with ), about

Exercise – 3

The burglar entered ______ the window.
They headed ______ New Jersey the next morning.
The first runner finished the lap ______ thirty seconds, breaking the record.
The boy was stabbed ______ a knife.
He stormed ______ of the room _______ anger.
The tourist was so tall that he stood out ______ everyone else.
Look ______ the table for the broken pieces of glass.
I borrowed this book ______ the local library.
The members didn’t like the proposal, so they voted ______ it.
Ninety percent ______ the inhabitants depend _____ fishing for a livelihood.

Answers:

through
for
under
with
out, in
above
under
from
against
of, on

Exercise – 4

FILL IN THE BLANKS

The investigator went ___1___ his employer, Mr. Goh, ___2___ his findings. The result ___3___ his investigation caused the dismissal ___4___ three senior personnel. A further inquiry ___5___ the matter was ordered. One of the dismissed men bore a grudge ___6___ his employer ___7___ a long time. ___8___ two years later, he tried to hire someone to beat up Mr. Goh. The hire thug hid ___9___ Mr. Goh’s car and when he opened the door, he hit him ___10___ the head with an iron pipe.

Answers:

to
with
of
of
into
against
for
About
behind
on

Exercise – 5

The shop is open _____ 9 a.m. _____ 9 p.m. _____ weekdays.
Mary is very punctual. She is always _____ time for her appointments.
This scarf was given to me _____ John. He said that he had bought it _____ a shop in Chinatown while he was in San Francisco.
This book is _____ the few that I really enjoyed reading. I stayed up _____ twelve o’clock last night to finish it.
My parents still treat me _____ a ten-year-old girl even though I am already seventeen. They wont’ let me go anywhere on my own _____ bus.
The committee members discussed the problem _____ themselves _____ they brought it up _____ the meeting.
We shall have to leave the house _____ six a.m. at the latest _____ get to the airport _____ time to catch our flight.
The baby was born _____ 1 p.m. _____ New Year’s Eve.
The old man suffered a heart attack _____ the night and died _____ the morning.
The boys go everywhere _____ bicycles. They never ride _____ a bus.
My eldest sister has gone to Los Angeles _____ a holiday. She went there _____ plane. She will be there _____ a week.
This book was published _____ August 1984. It was written _____ Sidney Sheldon.
One of my classmates comes to school _____ bus. He says that he has to leave his house _____ half past six every morning _____ be _____ time for school.
The robbers were caught _____ the police _____ forty-eight hours of the robbery. They were fighting _____ themselves over the loot when the police surrounded their hideout.
We are studying hard _____ our final examination which begins _____ Monday. We hope to do well in the examination _____ our parents will be proud of us.

Answers:

from; to; on
on
by; from
among; until
like, by
among, before, at
by; in order to, in
at; on
during; in
on; on
for; by; for
in; by
by; by (at) (before); in order to, on
by; within; among
for; on; so that

Exercise – 6

1. Please wait for me. I will be finished _____ five or ten minutes.

(A) at
(B) in
(C) by
(D) from

2. My uncle, who is a businessman, often travels _____ air.

(A) on
(B) in
(C) by
(D) from

3. My aunt has invited me to her place _____ three o’clock this afternoon _____ tea.

(A) at; for
(B) on; to
(C) during; so that
(D) from; for

4. You can move around the town _____ foot as it is not very big.

(A) by
(B) in
(C) on
(D) from

5. This present is _____ my grandmother.

(A) by
(B) from
(C) on
(D) at

6. She hurried to the supermarket _____ she might get some things _____ it closed.

(A) in order to; before
(B) so that; before
(C) for; by
(D) so that; at

7. Traveling _____ air is faster than traveling _____ sea.

(A) on; on
(B) by; by
(C) in; on
(D) by; at

8. My parents are going to China _____ a holiday _____ September.

(A) for; in
(B) so; that
(C) in; at
(D) for; during

9. My grandmother died _____ 7p.m. _____ 12 August 1989.

(A) in; on
(B) at; in
(C) at; on
(D) by; during

10. I intend to visit my grandparents _____ this weekend.

(A) on
(B) during
(C) by
(D) for

Answers:

Exercise – 7

Put in the correct preposition from the brackets

You will not be let ______ ( in, down, off ) easily the next time you are caught.
You would expect a good friend to stick ______ ( to, by, with ) you through thick and thin.
We are relying ______ ( by, from, on ) you because you said that you are familiar with this place.
The winners played ______ ( against, with, by ) Victoria Institution in the finals of the tennis tournament.
I managed to inform him ______ ( of, on, about ) my intended visit to his uncle’s house.
This type of fish feeds ______ ( with, from, on ) insects only.
The bull rushed ______ ( over, at, on ) me as I was running ______ ( over, across, above) the field.
As she was pressed ______ ( for, of, in ) time, she only skimmed ______ ( at, through, on ) the report.
They were talking ______ ( at, over, about ) the new teacher when I went ______ ( to, in, into ) the room.
We had been searching ______ ( for, at, with ) her for almost three hours when I heard her calling ______ ( with, for, of ) help.
The old man died ______ ( by, of, from ) cancer. There was nothing the doctors could do to cure him ______ ( from, of, by ) the disease.
I advise you not to turn ______ ( down, off, over ) offer which other people would jump ______ ( to, at, for ).
As she could not make ______ ( through, at out ) her classmate’s writing, she gave ______ ( in, over, up ) the idea of copying the notes.
The headmaster disapproves ______ ( of, over, at ) students coming late to school.
She frowns ______ ( against, at, on ) those people who gossip ______ ( on, against, about ) their neighbors and friends.

Answers:

You will not be let off easily the next time you are caught.
You would expect a good friend to stick by you through thick and thin.
We are relying on you because you said that you are familiar with this place.
The winners played against Victoria Institution in the finals of the tennis tournament.
I managed to inform him of my intended visit to his uncle’s house.
This type of fish feeds on insects only.
The bull rushed at me as I was running across the field.
As she was pressed for time, she only skimmed through the report.
They were talking about the new teacher when I went into the room.
We had been searching for her for almost three hours when I heard her calling for help.
The old man died of cancer. There was nothing the doctors could do to cure him of the disease.
I advise you not to turn down offer which other people would jump at.
As she could not make out her classmate’s writing, she gave up the idea of copying the notes.
The headmaster disapproves of students coming late to school.
She frowns on those people who gossip about their neighbors and friends.

Exercise – 8

1. I finally received the letter which I had been waiting _____ .

(A) at
(B) for
(C) on
(D) to

2. You can rely _____ him to be there whenever you need him.

(A) at
(B) with
(C) on
(D) in

3. Please attend _____ this matter immediately. It is urgent.

(A) on
(B) to
(C) at
(D) with

4. You should not put _____ doing something until the very last minute.

(A) off
(B) over
(C) on
(D) of

5. He is sure to come _____ when I pour water over his head.

(A) by
(B) on
(C) over
(D) round

6. They agreed _____ me that we should not go there.

(A) with
(B) by
(C) on
(D) for

7. He doesn’t approve _____ our plans.

(A) on
(B) of
(C) to
(D) by

8. William says that he aims _____ winning at least a consolation prize.

(A) at
(B) to
(C) for
(D) on

9. Our neighbor always complains _____ the noise made by us.

(A) on
(B) by
(C) over
(D) about

10. Is this the book you spoke _____ yesterday ?

(A) on
(B) of
(C) over
(D) for

Answers:

Exercise – 9

He is very weak _____ ( at, in, on ) Geography but is good _____ ( on, at, in ) all other subjects.
The poet is famous _____ ( for, in, at ) his humorous poems.
Be careful _____ ( at, with, of ) that man if you are doing business with him. He is capable _____ ( at, with, of ) the meanest tricks.
He is annoyed _____ ( at, with, about ) me for losing his favorite pen.
Is she familiar _____ ( at, with, for ) this type of work ? If she isn’t, we must find something she is more fit _____ ( of, for, at ).
Kamala is keen _____ ( at, on, in ) music and literature while her sister is more interested _____ ( at, on, in ) outdoor games.
Pauline was angry _____ ( with, at, about ) Alex when she found out that Alex had got rid of the cat which she was very fond _____ ( of, with, at ).
Although that handicapped person is incapable _____ ( at, in, of ) doing heavy work, he is adept _____ ( in, at, on ) weaving baskets.
The hotel is adjacent _____ ( of, to, by ) the railway station. The accommodation that it provides is adequate _____ ( of, with, for ) your needs.
She is gifted _____ ( at, with, by ) a talent for writing and is very successful _____ ( in, at, with ) her job as a journalist.
The child is disappointed _____ ( for, with, at ) not being allowed to mix with the other children. He is tired _____ (at, of, with ) always being in the company of elderly people.
They were pleased _____ ( by, with, for ) the opportunity given to them. They assured him that he would not be disappointed _____ ( of, with, at ) their work.
The manager is very satisfied _____ ( with, of, at ) the new secretary’s work. He says that she is very quick _____ ( at, in, with ) her work.
Mr Loo is very worried _____ ( of, at, about ) his eldest son who is very careless _____ ( at, with, of ) his money.
We are not envious _____ ( of, with, by ) her promotion. We are just suspicious _____ ( of, about, with ) it.

Answers:

in; at
for
of; of
with
with; for
on; in
with; of
of; at
to; for
with; at
at; of
with; with
with; at
about; with
of; about

Exercise – 10

1. Why do they look so pleased _____ themselves ?

(A) of
(B) with
(C) for
(D) by

2. Those who are sympathetic _____ that candidate have been asked to give active support to him.

(A) towards
(B) to
(C) for
(D) at

3. The climate is perfect _____ growing fruits like pineapples and bananas.

(A) with
(B) to
(C) in
(D) for

4. We must be wary _____ that dog. It looks rather dangerous.

(A) of
(B) with
(C) at
(D) about

5. The female elephant was wild _____ rage because her calf had been shot at.

(A) in
(B) over
(C) with
(D) of

6. The music is pleasing _____ my ears.

(A) for
(B) to
(C) in
(D) through

7. I feel that she is unhappy _____ her poor grades.

(A) at
(B) over
(C) with
(D) on

8. You are rather friendly _____ the Tans, aren’t you ?

(A) with
(B) to
(C) at
(D) over

9. She is hopeful _____ getting that job.

(A) at
(B) of
(C) by
(D) over

10. They are kind _____ animals and they have often taken in stray dogs and cats.

(A) to
(B) with
(C) at
(D) over

Answers:

Exercise – 11

1. My cousin lives _____ my house.

(A) on
(B) across
(C) over
(D) in front

2. You might get hurt if you jumped _____ from that height.

(A) down
(B) on
(C) out
(D) in

3. I was walking _____ the street when two boys ran _____ me.

(A) down; over
(B) at; onto
(C) down; past
(D) over; against

4. The little boy climbed _____ the wall and looked _____ to see what was going on.

(A) up; in
(B) over; up
(C) up; down
(D) on; down

5. Wearily she put her basket _____ the pavement and leaned _____ the lamp post.

(A) in;;; on
(B) on; against
(C) above; at
(D) at; against

6. The dog crawled _____ the table with its tail _____ its legs.

(A) in; on
(B) under; at
(C) on; between
(D) under; between

7. The train pulled _____ the station and moved _____ the tracks.

(A) away of; on
(B) out of; along
(C) over from; towards
(D) away from; onto

8. As I was passing _____ the house, I saw a man standing _____ the gate.

(A) by; at
(B) through; on
(C) over; inside
(D) across; in

9. If you ever pass _____ that area, remember to look at the statue.

(A) over
(B) through
(C) on
(D) at

10. She leaned her head _____ the back of the sofa.

(A) on
(B) against
(C) over
(D) at

Answers:

Exercise – 12

1. He got ______ the bus when he reached Ann St.

(A) over
(B) of
(C) beneath
(D) off

2. We traveled to Lipoh ______ bus.

(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
(D) by

3. Neo came to school ______ Wendy’s car today.

(A) of
(B) on
(C) to
(D) in

4. She got ______ the car and went into the house

(A) off
(B) of
(C) out of
(D) in

5. I sewed her dress ______ my old sewing machine.

(A) in
(B) to
(C) of
(D) with

6. The child was killed ______ a stray bullet.

(A) by
(B) on
(C) to
(D) above

7. We were shocked ______ his words.

(A) to
(B) for
(C) at
(D) of

8. I can’t mend this hole ______ any cement.

(A) for
(B) without
(C) of
(D) to

9. I decided to lay a trap ______ my enemy.

(A) of
(B) for
(C) by
(D) off

10. Maggie let her record book ______ Shirley.

(A) on
(B) in
(C) to
(D) at

Answers:

Exercise – 13

1. The soldiers charged ______ their enemy.

(A) on
(B) at
(C) in
(D) to

2. “What did you buy this dress ______ ?”

(A) on
(B) for
(C) from
(D) of

3. Yesterday, I saw a man ______ green hair.

(A) on
(B) with
(C) to
(D) of

4. He gave a talk ______ the causes of dengue fever.

(A) on
(B) of
(C) off
(D) for

5. She read the class a story ______ a clever mouse deer.

(A) against
(B) over
(C) across
(D) about

6. She explained the solution to us ______ a patient manner.

(A) on
(B) at
(C) of
(D) in

7. ______ the sound of the gun, start running.

(A) For
(B) Of
(C) In
(D) At

8. You can’t write with a pen ______ a nib.

(A) in
(B) without
(C) above
(D) against

9. The mixture was composed ______ sand and salt.

(A) of
(B) from
(C) off
(D) for

10. She bought the flowers ______ herself.

(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
(D) for

Answers:

Exercise – 14

1. I am interested ______ stamp-collecting.

(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
(D) about

2. Are you ready ______ dinner ?

(A) on
(B) for
(C) of
(D) off

3. Mary is not used ______ staying in a big city.

(A) for
(B) on
(C) in
(D) to

4. John is tired ______ eating fried rice.

(A) on
(B) of
(C) for
(D) from

5. My brother is good ______ languages.

(A) at
(B) on
(C) by
(D) of

6. ” I really felt sorry ______ the old lady,” Edie said.

(A) from
(B) of
(C) off
(D) for

7. “Telephone my office and ask ______ Mr. Wang,” I said.

(A) from
(B) for
(C) of
(D) off

8. ” I’m sorry. I have to back ______ of this deal,” he said.

(A) about
(B) out
(C) for
(D) at

9. Mr. Michael is ______. He’ll be back soon.

(A) away
(B) of
(C) against
(D) over

10. The French army blew the bugle ______ the start of the battle.

(A) at
(B) over
(C) to
(D) up

Answers:

Exercise – 15

1. The fireman had to break ______ the door.

(A) on
(B) to
(C) down
(D) by

2. “Call ______ my office to collect the plans,” the architect said.

(A) to
(B) at
(C) in
(D) for

3. “Please carry ______ playing, I enjoy piano music,” she urged.

(A) on
(B) at
(C) to
(D) by

4. “Clean ______ this mess, please,” said the lady.

(A) up
(B) to
(C) by
(D) on

5. You’re running so fast. I can’t catch ______ with you.

(A) on
(B) to
(C) for
(D) up

6. The shop had to close ______ as its owners were bankrupt.

(A) down
(B) on
(C) to
(D) by

7. Our electricity supply will be cut ______ at two o’clock today.

(A) on
(B) of
(C) off
(D) for

8. We had to fill ______ many forms.

(A) up
(B) for
(C) across
(D) from

9. The teacher gave ______ all the report cards.

(A) to
(B) out
(C) by
(D) for

10. “Be careful with the gun. It can go ______ ,” he warned.

(A) of
(B) off
(C) for
(D) to

Answers:

Exercise – 16

1. “Remember to go ______ your answers carefully if you have time,” She told us.

(A) above
(B) against
(C) beneath
(D) over

2. “Aren’t you going to enter ______ this race ?” Mr. Gan asked Bobby.

(A) from
(B) of
(C) off
(D) for

3. “When I grow ______, I’m going to travel all over the world,” the little girl said.

(A) above
(B) up
(C) to
(D) in

4. “The price of prawns has gone ______ a lot. They cost so much these days,” Mrs. Ling said.

(A) over
(B) under
(C) up
(D) below

5. The robbers tried to hold ______ the bank.

(A) down
(B) up
(C) above
(D) to

6. “Have you handed ______ your book ?” the teacher asked the student.

(A) to
(B) by
(C) in
(D) for

7. “Please look ______ my baby for me,” the lady said.

(A) before
(B) after
(C) again
(D) over

8. “Don’t miss ______ any important points,” our teacher told us.

(A) in
(B) out
(C) on
(D) of

9. The boss is ______ leave still.

(A) in
(B) to
(C) by
(D) on

10. He just wanted to be left ______ peace but they kept trying to talk to him.

(A) on
(B) in
(C) to
(D) by

Answers:

Exercise – 17

Complete the passages using suitable prepositions.

The rain had just stopped. I went ___1___ into the garden. Then I heard a soft mewing. I saw a little white
kitten. It was so thin that its bones were showing. It was wet and shivering. I brought it ___2___ the house and dried it. my brother came ___3___. “Do you know who this kitten belongs ___4___ ?” I asked him. My brother said he had seen some kittens ___5___ the long grass ___6___ our house. The mother cat was just a stray. He told me to give the kitten some fish. There was no more fish, so I took some rice and gave it to the kitten. But it would not eat the rice. “I wonder if it’s old enough to eat rice. It may still be feeding ___7___ its mother’s milk,” said my brother. I warmed ___8___ some milk and gave it to the kitten but it would not drink the milk. ” I wonder if I should give it back to its mother,” I said. “Yes, you’d better do that,” said my brother. My brother and I carried the kitten ___9___ of the house. we heard loud mewing. I was the mother cat. I put ___10___ the kitten. It mewed loudly but stayed still. the mother cat ran quickly to the little kitten. It started licking the kitten all ___11___. The kitten kept mewing loudly. “Do you think it’s telling its mother ___12___ me ?” I asked my brother.

Answers:

out
into
in
to
in
near
on
up
out
down
over
about

Exercise – 18

Complete the passages using suitable prepositions.

The chameleon is a relative ___1___ the lizard. It is a reptile. It can be found ___2___ Africa and Madagascar. You can also find it in some parts of Asia and southern Europe. Some varieties of chameleons can grow ___3___ a length of 60 centimeters. However, the most common variety does not grow more than 30 centimeters long. The most interesting thing ___4___ the chameleon is that it is able to change color. It is able to change quickly ___5___ white to yellow, black, green or brown. It is able to do this because of the differences ___6___ light and temperature of its surroundings. The chameleon lives in trees. Its tail and feet can hold on ___7___ the branches while it is reaching ___8___ to catch its prey. The chameleon can remain very still ___9___ a branch ___10___ hours. As a result, when it is hunting, its prey will not even know it is there. The chameleon has a long, sticky tongue. It can shoot ___11___ its tongue ___12___ a distance of 10 centimeters. the chameleon also has interesting eyes. each eye can turn 180 degrees. Furthermore, each eye can turn independently. Thus, the right eye can look right while the left one is looking left.

Answers:

of
in
to
about
from
in
to
out
on
for
out
to

Exercise – 19

Complete the passages using suitable prepositions.

The dromedary is a type of camel kept ___1___ desert people. It is not an easy animal to handle. It never becomes friends ___2___ its master or anybody else. Every night, these animals have to be pushed ___3___ to their knees and tied ___4___ tightly. The dromedary is strong. It can easily throw ___5___ all it is carrying and gallop madly ___6___. To lead these animals, the nomads use long reins. These reins are tied ___7___ an iron ring. The iron ring is pushed ___8___ the nostril of the animal. Dromedaries can live ___9___ thorny plants, leaves, twigs and dried grasses that other animals cannot eat. They keep stores of fat ___10___ the humps on their backs. Their bodies can use these stores of fat ___11___ bad times, when there is no food. They can make water ___12___ these stores, too. Dromedaries are able to go ___13___ food and water ___14___ many days. Hence, they are extremely useful for journeys ___15___ the desert.

Answers:

by
with
down
up
off
away
to
through
on
in
in
from
without
for
across

Exercise – 20

1. You get pearls ______ oysters.

(A) from
(B) of
(C) with
(D) by

2. Humans cannot breathe ______ water for a minute.

(A) under
(B) below
(C) beneath
(D) inside

3. In some countries, motorists drive _____ the left.

(A) in
(B) by
(C) on
(D) to

4. She wrote the letter ______ green ink.

(A) from
(B) on
(C) with
(D) in

5. The earring fell ______ her ear.

(A) down
(B) off
(C) out of
(D) from

6. This black dress is not suitable ______ the wedding.

(A) for
(B) to
(C) with
(D) of

7. Your watch is different ______ mine.

(A) with
(B) to
(C) than
(D) from

8. She is very poor ______ Mathematics.

(A) with
(B) for
(C) on
(D) at

9. Are you keen ______ the bracelet ?

(A) with
(B) for
(C) on
(D) in

10. I was tied ______ the whole day with my work.

(A) in
(B) up
(C) out
(D) to

Answers:

You may also like:

[English] Preposition Practice Test Exercises

Exercise – 1

Exercise – 2

Exercise – 3

Exercise – 4

Exercise – 5

Exercise – 6

Exercise – 7

Exercise – 8

Exercise – 9

Exercise – 10

Exercise – 11

Exercise – 12

Exercise – 13

Exercise – 14

Exercise – 15

Exercise – 16

Exercise – 17

Exercise – 18

Exercise – 19

Exercise – 20

Sarcastic Writer

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Exercise – 1

Exercise – 2

Exercise – 3

Exercise – 4

Exercise – 5

Exercise – 6

Exercise – 7

Exercise – 8

Exercise – 9

Exercise – 10

Exercise – 11

Exercise – 12

Exercise – 13

Exercise – 14

Exercise – 15

Exercise – 16

Exercise – 17

Exercise – 18

Exercise – 19

Exercise – 20

Related Posts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply