Free Prepositions MCQs with Answers

11. The keys were found _______ the drawer where you left them last week.

• A. under
• B. in
• C. on
• D. beside

Explanation: A drawer is an enclosed space, so something inside it takes in, while on would place the keys on its surface and under or beside would place them outside it altogether. Prepositions of place follow the geometry of the object: in for enclosed spaces, on for surfaces, at for points. The relative clause where you left them confirms the keys were inside.

12. Take the book ___________ the table.

• A. Off
• B. In
• C. Into
• D. Out of

Explanation: Off is correct because the book rests on a surface and is being removed from it. Into and out of imply movement through an enclosed space, which a tabletop is not.

13. Nafeesa is afraid ___________spiders?

• A. from
• B. in
• C. about
• D. of

Explanation: The fixed expression is “afraid of,” so the sentence reads, “Nafeesa is afraid of spiders.” Other prepositions do not collocate with afraid in standard English.

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

• A. Away
• B. On
• C. Out
• D. Of

Explanation: “Wiped out” means completely destroyed or eliminated, which fits the disappearance of insect species after the jungle was cleared. “Wiped away” is normally used for removing a substance from a surface.

15. I have claim _____ you.

• A. In
• B. At
• C. On
• D. Over

Explanation: The standard collocation is “have a claim on someone,” meaning to have a right or demand concerning that person. “Claim in” and “claim at” are not used in this construction.

16. He died ______ fever.

• A. From
• B. By
• C. Of
• D. In

Explanation: “Die of” is used for a disease or illness, as in “die of fever.” “Die from” is more often used for an external cause, such as an injury or accident.

17. I'm sure to profit _____ his lecture.

• A. From
• B. At
• C. By
• D. On

Explanation: The correct collocation is “profit from,” meaning to gain an advantage or benefit from something. “Profit by” is possible in some contexts, but “profit from his lecture” is the natural choice here.

18. Everyone run ________ the thief.

• A. After
• B. With
• C. For
• D. on

Explanation: Run after means to chase or pursue someone, so after completes the expression. With, for, and on do not form the intended phrasal-prepositional meaning here.

19. She was sitting ________her mother.

• A. Beside
• B. Along
• C. Across
• D. None of These

Explanation: Beside means next to, which describes her position next to her mother. Along, across, and none of these do not express this direct side-by-side position.

20. He is walking _____ road.

• A. By
• B. On
• C. With
• D. In

Explanation: We say someone walks “on the road” when referring to movement along its surface. “By the road” usually means beside it, not on it.