Worksheet Solutions: Prepositions - 1

Q1: Underline the prepositions in this paragraph.

Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BC at Lumbini in the Sakya Kshatriya clan of Kapilvastu on Vaisakha Purnima Day. His father, Suddhodhana, was the Saka ruler; his mother, Mahamaya, died after 7 days of his birth, so he was brought up by his stepmother, Gautami. He left home at the age of 29. He attained enlightenment at 35 years of age at Bodh Gaya under a pipal tree on the banks of the Phalgu river on the 49^th day of meditation.

Ans: Gautam Buddha was born in 563 BC at Lumbini in the Sakya Kshatriya clan of Kapilvastu on Vaisakha Purnima Day. His father, Suddhodhana, was the Saka ruler; his mother, Mahamaya, died after 7 days of his birth, so he was brought up by his stepmother, Gautami. He left home at the age of 29. He attained enlightenment at 35 years of age at Bodh Gaya under a pipal tree on the banks of the Phalgu river on the 49^th day of meditation.

Explanation: The underlined words are prepositions. They show relations of place (in, at, on, under, by, of), time (on, at, after, of) and possession or belonging (of).

Q2: Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

(i) The government of India has decided ___ celebrate the birthday ___ Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, ___ 23rd January, as 'Parakram Diwas' every year. This day will be dedicated ___ honour and remember Netaji's selfless service ___ the nation.

Ans: The government of India has decided to celebrate the birthday of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on 23^rd January, as 'Parakram Diwas' every year. This day will be dedicated to honour and remember Netaji's selfless service to the nation.

(ii) I love ___ keep my room neat and clean. My books and other study materials are ___ my table. My t-shirts are ___ the cupboard. The shoes ___ mine are ___the shoe rack. There is a ceiling fan ___ my bed. I have a TV  ___ the wall ___ the room. There is a big photograph ___ my parents ___ the TV.

Ans: I love to keep my room neat and clean. My books and other study materials are on my table. My t-shirts are in the cupboard. The shoes of mine are in the shoe rack. There is a ceiling fan above my bed. I have a TV on the wall of the room. There is a big photograph of my parents beside the TV.

(iii) A greedy dog wandered ___search of food. He stood ___ a meat shop. He stole a large piece ___meat and ran away ___ it. He found a river ___ his way. There was a bridge ___ it. When he was crossing the bridge, he saw his own reflection ___ the water. He thought that it was another dog. He wanted that piece ___ meat also. So he barked ___ his own reflection. He opened his mouth and the piece ___ meat fell ___ the water. Then he repented for his action.

Ans: A greedy dog wandered in search of food. He stood near a meat shop. He stole a large piece of meat and ran away with it. He found a river on his way. There was a bridge over it. When he was crossing the bridge, he saw his own reflection in the water. He thought that it was another dog. He wanted that piece of meat also. So he barked at his own reflection. He opened his mouth, and the piece of meat fell into the water. Then he repented for his action.

Q3: Choose the correct option to make the following sentences meaningful.

(i) I wake up early in/on the morning.
Ans: I wake up early in the morning.
Explanation: Use "in the morning" to talk about that period of the day generally.

(ii) He goes to the river to take a bath during/of the summer.
Ans: He goes to the river to take a bath during the summer.
Explanation: "During" shows something happens in the time of the season.

(iii) The room is filled to/with smoke.
Ans: The room is filled with smoke.
Explanation: "Filled with" is used for what something contains.

(iv) A cat is sleeping under/into the bed.
Ans: A cat is sleeping under the bed.
Explanation: "Under" shows position below something; "into" means moving inside.

(v) He is known of/to me.
Ans: He is known to me.
Explanation: Use "known to" when someone is familiar to another person.

(vi) Their train will arrive with/at 10 o'clock in the morning.
Ans: Their train will arrive at 10 o'clock in the morning.
Explanation: "At" is used with clock times.

(vii) Rahul wasted his time at/on the wrong business.
Ans: Rahul wasted his time on the wrong business.
Explanation: "On" is used with activities or matters.

(viii) There is a big pond behind/under our house.
Ans: There is a big pond behind our house.
Explanation: "Behind" means at the back of something.

(ix) The aeroplane flew with/over the clouds.
Ans: The aeroplane flew over the clouds.
Explanation: "Over" shows movement across something.

(x) I will wait here during/until she comes.
Ans: I will wait here until she comes.
Explanation: "Until" shows up to the time when something happens.

Q4: Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.

(i) This shop doesn't have the toys I was looking __. (up/for)
Ans: for

(ii) Bruce did not fare well __ his examination. (in/at)
Ans: in

(iii) My brother's anniversary is __ 5th November. (on/in)
Ans: on

(iv) Mahatma Gandhi was born __ 2nd October. (on/in)
Ans: on

(v) The dog jumped __ the sofa. (on/in)
Ans: on

(vi) The police officer is __ the station. (at/on)
Ans: at

(vii) I know Jack ___ he was a little boy. (for/since)
Ans: since

(viii) The opponents sat ____ to each other. (opposite/behind)
Ans: opposite

(ix) I met Suhani when I was __ college. (in/on)
Ans: in

(x) There's a rift ___ these two kids. (between/among)
Ans: between