Free Prepositions MCQs with Answers

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

• A. by
• B. among
• C. towards
• D. during

Explanation: During identifies a period within which an event occurs, so the development took place during the post-war years. Among is used for groups of people or things, not a period of time.

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

• A. in
• B. on
• C. to
• D. by

Explanation: By introduces the method used to obtain the answer: the answer is obtained by adding one figure to another. In and on do not express this method.

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

• A. for
• B. by
• C. to
• D. with

Explanation: Co-operate with means to work jointly with a person or organisation. For would indicate purpose or benefit rather than collaboration with the management.

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

• A. in
• B. on
• C. for
• D. below

Explanation: In is used with a period or section of a match, such as “in the first half.” On is used for specific days or dates, not halves of a game.

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

• A. in
• B. on
• C. over
• D. around

Explanation: Houses are normally said to be on an island because an island is treated as a piece of land or surface. In the island would suggest being inside the island itself rather than located upon it.

86. We sat _____ the back of the queue.

• A. at
• B. in
• C. on
• D. None of these

Explanation: The fixed expression is at the back of the queue, meaning in the last position. In the back is used for the interior of a vehicle or room, not normally for a queue.

87. At last he yielded __________ the temptation.

• A. About
• B. on
• C. for
• D. to

Explanation: Yield to means to give way to or surrender to something, including a temptation. About, on, and for do not form the required idiom.

88. The teacher cautioned me _________ my spelling.

• A. For
• B. Against
• C. At
• D. On

Explanation: “Cautioned me for my spelling” means the teacher warned or reprimanded me because of my spelling. “Against” would normally introduce an action or practice that someone is advised not to undertake.

89. The train went _________ the tunnel.

• A. from
• B. under
• C. through
• D. to

Explanation: “Through” indicates movement from one side of an enclosed passage to the other, which is exactly how a train travels in a tunnel. “Under” would describe movement beneath something rather than inside it.

90. The jug is full ____ milk?

• A. of
• B. about
• C. by
• D. with

Explanation: The standard collocation is “full of,” meaning containing a large amount of something. Therefore, the correct sentence is “The jug is full of milk.”