Preposition excercise

1. Complete the text with suitable prepositions.

Mr Reza works (a)—a clerk in a local school. He is poor but honest. His honesty is known (b)—everyone
in his locality. He often suffers (c)—hunger. He is deprived (d)— comfort and many other things.
Nevertheless, he does not long (e)—wealth. He never hankers (f)— name and fame. He leads his life (g)—
satisfied (h)— what he has. But sometimes he runs into debt and poverty is responsible his (i)—this
debt. However, he does not like to depend (j)—others.

2.When the sun was setting (a)—the treetops, the jailor came (b)—the room of Socrates to bid him
prepare (c)—death. In those days, people were sentenced to death by giving a cup (d)—poison in Athens.
Socrates knew this and he nodded (e)— the jailor. Bursting (f)—tears the jailor went out of the room and
returned (g)—a cup of hemlock. Socrates lifted the cup to his lips. His pupils tried to keep back their
tears but soon the room was filled (h)—the sound of weeping. With the cup of poison hand, Socrates
said, “What is the strange sound? I have heard that a man should die (j)—peace. So be silent and have
patience.

3.A craftwork in an applied form (a)—art, a social and cultural product reflecting the inclusive nature
(b)—folk imagination. A craftwork, which usually doesn’t bear the signature of its maker, retains a
personal touch. When we look (c)—a thirty-year-old nakshikantha, we wonder (d)—its motifs and
designs that point (e)— the artistic ingenuity and the presence of the maker (f)—it. The fact that we
don’t know her name or any other details (g)—her doesn’t take anything (h)—from our appreciation (i)—
the artist. Indeed, the intimate nature ((j)—the kantha and the tactile feeling in it generates animate the
work and make it very inviting.

4.Patriotism is the quality inherent (a)—a man. This is why, he feels a natural attachment (b)—his native
land. Love (c)— motherland is necessary for the betterment of a nation. The people who are patriotic are
noted (d)—their patriotism. They are different (e)—other people. Their contribution does not sink (f)—
oblivion. They are worthy (g)—praise. They lay down their lives for the good of the country. They are not
unaware (h)—their status in society. They are celebrated (i)—their patriotism. They should not be
looked down (j)—in any way.

5.Preposition connects all types (a)—words together and supports them make better sense (b)—the
readers. They help us to understand the relationship (c)—objects. (d)— example, the book and the table
(e)—the kitchen. This ensures you a basic understanding. If we add another preposition, it makes it even
clearer. This book is (f)—top of the table (g)— the kitchen. We have a clear picture (h)—our mind (i)—
the relation of those two objects and their relationship (j)—each other.

6.What are the qualities of a good student? A good student is always attentive (a)—his studies. He is
never indifferent (b)— his studies. He does not learn things (c)—note. He is always curious and
innovative. He does not hunt only (d)—traditional guide books. His thirst (e)—knowledge knows on
bounds. He does not confine himself (f)—the traditional studies. He is aware (g)—the current affairs
(h)—the world. He listens (i)— his teachers and abides (j)—their advice.

7.Luna’s cat was missing. So she started looking around (a)—it. She opened her closet and looked (b)—
Then she went to the bedroom crawling (c)—the floor to look (d) the bed. The cat was not there. In fact,
it was nowhere inside the house. Therefore, Luma decided to go (e)— to look for it. Just as she was (f)—
to open the door, the doorbell rang. It was her neighbour, Mrs Haq, “Look, Luna! Your cat is (g)— the
sunshade!” said Mrs Haq pointing (h)—a tall building opposite (i)—her house. Luna smiled and thanked
her friendly neighbour, saying that (j)—her help she would not be able to find out her cat.

Answer: (a) for; (b) into; (c) on; (d) under; (e) out; (f) about; (g) on/under; (h) at/towards; (i) to; (j) without.

8. The old grey-bearded sailor sat (a)—a stone (b)—the church. The sailor watched the people walking
(c)—him. The marriage guest listened (d)—him. He had a strange mad look (e)— his eyes. The old man
told him (f)—his last journey (g)—the sea. They had sailed away (h)—the south (i)—they arrived (j)-cold
grey seas.

Answer: (a) on; (b) outside/ near/ behind/ by/ beside/before; (c) past/to/towards/by; (d) to; (e) in; (f)
about/of; (g) on/in; (h) to/towards; (i) until/till; (j) in/at.

9.Trees are very useful (a)— protect the rich topsoil (c)— getting washed away (d)—rainwater and
floods. We can see trees being grown along the mountain slopes (e)—the roadsides (f)—the parks and
gardens. They add beauty (g)—our lives. They provide us (h)—food, wood, shade, shelter and so on. They
take (i)—carbon-di-oxide and produce oxygen. So we should take care (j)—trees.

Answer: (a) to; (b) for; (c) from; (d) by; (e) by; (f) in; (g) to; (h) with; (i) in; (j) of.

10. Do you have any idea (a)—a cyber cafe? It’s a place teeming (b)— information. It’s a network (c)—all
networks. It is a place (d)—computers (e)—which customers can use the internet and send e-mails and
so on. A cybercafe is closely associated (f)— internet communication system. A customer sitting (g) – the
cafe can communicate (h) – people (i) -the world. In fact, a cyber cafe is not prejudicial (j)-our
development.

Answer: (a) of/about; (b) with; (c) of; (d) of/with; (e) in/at/by/through; (f) with; (g) in/at; (h) with; (i) around/
across/of/through/at; () to.

11.The environment plays an important role (a)—our life. (b)— short, what we have (c)— us including
people, houses, air, water etc. is called environment. These are the main elements (d)—our environment.
(e)— ensuing sound life the balance (f) — the natural elements is very significant. Sometimes (g)— lack
of knowledge, we don’t realise the importance (h)— it. As a result, we are polluting our environment
unknowingly. Living (i)—- a polluted environment is undoubtedly a matter (j)—great man.

Answer: (a) in; (b) In; (c) around; (d) of; (e) For; (f) among/of; (g) for; (h) of; (i) in; (j) of.

12. Ours is a riverine country. Rivers are everywhere (a)—our life-literature, economy and culture. But
are the rivers (b)—good shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A few are already dead and several are going
(c)— the pangs of death. The river Buriganga is an example (d) – a dying river. A report published in The
Daily Sun describes what has happened (e)—the river Buriganga and why. Its water is polluted and a
perpetual stench fills the air. (f)—it. The report says that the river had a glorious past. Once it was a
tributary (g)—the Ganges and flowed (h)—the Bay of Bengal (i)—the river Dhaleswari. Gradually, it lost
its link (j)—the Ganges and got the name Buriganga.

Answer: (a) in; (b) in; (c) through; (d) of; (e) to; (f) around; (g) of; (h) into; (i) through; (j) with.

13. Badal lived (a)—a village of Bangladesh. He was a schoolboy. There was a canal (b)—his way (c)—
school. An old bridge was (d)—that canal. It was useful to one and all of the villagers. Yet none cared
(e)— its repair. So one day it broke (f)—and caused a good deal (g)hardship to the villagers. They were
(h)—difficulty. They could not go to the town (i)—the other side of the canal to sell their fruits and
vegetables profitably. They sold their production (j)—local market at a nominal price.
14.It would be impossible (a)— us to continue living in this world if each of us knew exactly what fate
had (b)—store for us. So, Allah in His mercy conceals the future (c)—all His creatures and reveals only
the present. He hides from the animals what men know, and He hides from men what the angels know.
For example, if a lamb had a reason (d)—a man, it could not gamble happily knowing it was destined to
be killed (e)—human food. But being quite ignorant (f)—its fate, it is happy to the last moment of its
short life contentedly grazing (g)—the flowery meadow, and even in its innocence licks the hands (h)—
the butcher who is about to slaughter it. What a blessing it is that we are ignorant (i) – the future! Allah,
to whom the death of a sparrow is of equal importance with the death of a hero, has, in His mercy, thus
limited our knowledge so that we might fulfil our duty in the sphere! (j)—which has appointed us.

Answer: (a) for; (b) in; (c) of/from; (d) like/for/with/as; (e) for/as; (f) of/about; (g) in/on/at; (h) of/about; (i)
of/about; (j) of.

15. Trees are very useful (a)— protect the rich topsoil (c)— getting washed away (d)—rainwater and
floods. We can see trees being grown along the mountain slopes (e)—the roadsides (f)—the parks and
gardens. They add beauty (g)—our lives. They provide us (h)—food, wood, shade, shelter and so on. They
take (i)—carbon-di-oxide and produce oxygen. So we should take care (j)—trees.

16.Do you have any idea (a)—a cyber cafe? It’s a place teeming (b)— information. It’s a network (c)—all
networks. It is a place (d)—computers (e)—which customers can use the internet and send e-mails and
so on. A cybercafe is closely associated (f)— internet communication system. A customer sitting (g) – the
cafe can communicate (h) – people (i) -the world. In fact, a cyber cafe is not prejudicial (j)-our
development.

17.The environment plays an important role (a)—our life. (b)— short, what we have (c)— us including
people, houses, air, water etc. is called environment. These are the main elements (d)—our environment.
(e)— ensuing sound life the balance (f) — the natural elements is very significant. Sometimes (g)— lack
of knowledge, we don’t realise the importance (h)— it. As a result, we are polluting our environment
unknowingly. Living (i)—- a polluted environment is undoubtedly a matter (j)—great man.

18.Ours is a riverine country. Rivers are everywhere (a)—our life-literature, economy and culture. But
are the rivers (b)—good shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A few are already dead and several are going
(c)— the pangs of death. The river Buriganga is an example (d) – a dying river. A report published in The
Daily Sun describes what has happened (e)—the river Buriganga and why. Its water is polluted and a
perpetual stench fills the air. (f)—it. The report says that the river had a glorious past. Once it was a
tributary (g)—the Ganges and flowed (h)—the Bay of Bengal (i)—the river Dhaleswari. Gradually, it lost
its link (j)—the Ganges and got the name Buriganga.

19. Badal lived (a)—a village of Bangladesh. He was a schoolboy. There was a canal (b)—his way (c)—
school. An old bridge was (d)—that canal. It was useful to one and all of the villagers. Yet none cared
(e)— its repair. So one day it broke (f)—and caused a good deal (g)hardship to the villagers. They were
(h)—difficulty. They could not go to the town (i)—the other side of the canal to sell their fruits and
vegetables profitably. They sold their production (j)—local market at a nominal price.

20.It would be impossible (a)— us to continue living in this world if each of us knew exactly what fate
had (b)—store for us. So, Allah in His mercy conceals the future (c)—all His creatures and reveals only
the present. He hides from the animals what men know, and He hides from men what the angels know.
For example, if a lamb had a reason (d)—a man, it could not gamble happily knowing it was destined to
be killed (e)—human food. But being quite ignorant (f)—its fate, it is happy to the last moment of its
short life contentedly grazing (g)—the flowery meadow, and even in its innocence licks the hands (h)—
the butcher who is about to slaughter it. What a blessing it is that we are ignorant (i) – the future! Allah,
to whom the death of a sparrow is of equal importance with the death of a hero, has, in His mercy, thus
limited our knowledge so that we might fulfil our duty in the sphere! (j)—which has appointed us.

21. A good stock (a) — words is necessary (b) – anybody who wants to use a language. Vocabulary is an
essential component (c) — successful communication. It is an integral part (d) —- reading skill. While
grammar is important, a lack (e) — vocabulary may result (f) — complete failure to convey a message.
Vocabulary includes conceptual knowledge (g) – words that go well (h) — an ordinary dictionary
meaning. Students’ vocabulary knowledge is a building process that occurs (i)— – time as they tend to
make connections (j)—- other words.

22. Once an English and a Bengalee gentleman were travelling (a) — the same train and they were in the
same compartment, The Englishman was very proud (b) – –himself because he was an Englishman. He
looked (c) – –upon the Bengalee gentleman who, however, took no notice (d) — it and went to sleep (e)
— peace. As soon as the Bengalee gentleman was · asleep, the Englishman picked (f) — the gentleman’s
shoes and threw them (g) — the window and went to sleep. When the Bengalee gentleman woke up, he
looked for his shoes and understood it. Then he took the Englishman’s long coat (h) — the wall and
threw it outside the window and returned (i) —- bed laughingly. Next morning the Englishman became
startled and shouted. Where’s my coat gone?” “Your coat has gone to fetch my shoes,” said the gentleman
(j) — a smile. the Bengalee gentleman was Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee.

23.A teacher is an architect (a) – a nation. He plays an important role (b)— building up an educated
nation. He dispels the darkness, (c) — ignorance (d) — the lot of a nation. He is an actor, so to speak. He
has to suit his act according (e) — the need of his audience which is his class. He is a clear speaker (f) —
good, strong and pleasing voice which is (g) – his control. He does not sit motionless (h) — his class.
Everybody has something valuable (i)—-him. A good teacher discovers the treasure hidden inside each
student. He also wants the students happy and for this he keeps them busy. A good teacher never
hankers (j) — –money.

24.A good student is never indifferent (a) — his studies. He always adheres (b) – his studies. He does not
learn things (c) – rote. He does not hunt (d) — traditional guide books. Moreover he has great thirst (e) –
knowledge. For this he does not confine himself (f) – the traditional studies. He is always aware (g) — the
current affairs (h) – the world. He abides (i) – his teachers advice and jots (j) – their lessons.

25.Flowers are the excellent gift of nature. They have existed (a) — the earth (b) — prehistoric time.
Since then they have been treated (c) — the symbol of beauty. It is an undeniable fact that flowers are
used (d) — various spheres (e) — our life. It is used mostly (f) – decoration. People (g) – all walks of life
use flowers usually (h) — national occasion and (i) – wedding. Everyone prefers flowers (j) – expressing
their love and devotion.

26. The science fair held (a) — our college paved a new way for us to gather practical knowledge. Many
of our friends took part (b) — the fair (c) — their projects. We showed genuine interest (d) — them. Most
of the projects were made.(e) — consistent (f) — the prevailing world situation. They were intended (g)
— acquaint us (h) — the solutions (i) –some common problems we are facing specially in regard to the
environment we live in. We were sanguine (j) — achieving success and we really achieved it.

27. During holidays when my mother went to sleep (a) — noon, we went to the railway line. There, along
with other children, I watched how the trains passed (b) — innumerable unknown facts. My father got
an appointment (c)— a town school and he moved (d) — the town immediately with all the members of
the family. I was admitted (e)— my father’s school. I felt that my school fellows had no feeling (f) – one
another as we had in the village. However, I have gradually adjusted myself (g)—- town life. I am happy
with my new friends but my heart aches (h) — the happy childhood days. Childhood is free (i) —-
worries and has infinite capacity (j)— -enjoyment.

28.Greenhouse effect is the gradual warming (a) — the air surrounding the earth as a result of heat being
trapped (b) — environment pollution. This is exemplified (c) — the destruction and burning (d) – of
tropical rain forests, (e) – traffic that clogs (f) — city streets, (g) — the rapid growth of industry, the use
of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). (h) — packaging and manufacturing commercial products, the use of
detergents like washing (i) — liquids and so (j) —

29. Rivers are everywhere (a) — our life— literature, economy and culture. But are the rivers (b) — good
shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A few are already dead and several are going (c) — the pangs of
death. The river Buriganga is an example (d) — a dying river. A report published in “The Daily Sun”
describes what has happened (e) — the river Buriganga and why. Its water is polluted and a perpetual
stench fills the air (f) — it. The report says that the river had a glorious past. Once it was a tributary (g)
— the Ganges and flowed (h) — the Bay of Bengal (i) — the river Dhaleshwari. Gradually. it lost its link
(j) — the Ganges and got the name Buriganga.

30. Hasib is a third grader at a government primary school (a) — the fringes of Khulna district. As soon
as the bell rings. (b) — the blink of an eye, he is seen meandering (c) — the meadows, flying kites whilst
taking relishing bites (d) — ripe fruits. Later he just sneaks (e) — for an untimely midday plunge (f) — a
local pond (g) — absolute ecstasy. Sunset drives him home (h) — some routine memorizing of lessons.
There’s little urge (i) — excel or do more than the bare minimum. Hasib snuggles (j) — in bed. His
parents, meanwhile, are satisfied that their child is learning to read, write and count.