The correct answer is B:
on
.
Here is a detailed explanation:
- The sentence states that "He spent the entire afternoon _______ the laptop."
- The word "laptop" suggests that the person was using the laptop for a certain activity.
- To fill in the blank, we need to choose a preposition that indicates the person's interaction with the laptop.
- Let's analyze the options:
A:
at
- The preposition "at" is generally used to indicate a location or position.
- It doesn't convey the idea of using or interacting with the laptop.
B:
on
- The preposition "on" is commonly used to indicate using or interacting with electronic devices such as laptops, computers, tablets, etc.
- This option fits the context of the sentence as the person is likely using the laptop for a certain activity.
C:
beside
- The preposition "beside" is used to indicate a position next to something or someone.
- It doesn't convey the idea of using or interacting with the laptop.
D:
none of these
- This option can be eliminated as there is a suitable preposition among the given choices.
- Therefore, the correct answer is B:
on
, as it indicates that the person spent the entire afternoon using or interacting with the laptop.