Preposition Quiz: How Well Do You Know Prepositions?

Reviewed by Juliette Firla
Juliette Firla, MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Review Board Member
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.
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  • 1/20 Questions

    What would the correct preposition be: "The book is placed ___ the table."

    • In
    • On
    • At
    • Over
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About This Quiz

A preposition quiz is a great way to test your understanding of how prepositions function in sentences. Prepositions are important because they show relationships between words, helping to express direction, place, time, or manner. This quiz will help students and learners assess their knowledge and improve their grammar skills.

The quiz includes different types of prepositions, such as those of time (in, on, at), place (under, over, between), and direction (toward, into, onto). Each question is designed to challenge your ability to recognize and correctly use prepositions in real-life sentences. If you are preparing for an exam or simply want to refine your grammar skills, this preposition quiz with answers will be very useful.

Preposition Quiz: How Well Do You Know Prepositions? - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "He goes ___ school in his mom’s car."?

    • To

    • Through

    • On

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. To
    Explanation
    "To" indicates movement towards a destination. It is the correct preposition when describing actions that involve physical movement from one location to another, ending at a specific endpoint. In this sentence, "to" is used to show that the subject’s journey is directed toward and terminates at the school, clearly specifying the endpoint of the travel.

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  • 3. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "The keys are hidden ___ the drawer."

    • In

    • On

    • At

    • With

    Correct Answer
    A. In
    Explanation
    The correct preposition is "in" because it refers to an object enclosed within something else. "In the drawer" is correct because a drawer has boundaries, making it an enclosed space. "On" would imply placement on top of the drawer rather than inside it. "At" is incorrect because it is used for specific locations, not enclosed spaces. "With" suggests possession, which is not relevant here. Understanding how prepositions distinguish between open and enclosed spaces is essential for proper grammar usage, and "in" is the best choice to describe the keys' location inside the drawer.

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  • 4. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "This material is different ___ that."?

    • To

    • From

    • With

    • Since

    Correct Answer
    A. From
    Explanation
    The preposition "from" is used to indicate distinction or comparison between two things. In English grammar, "different from" is a standard collocation that establishes a contrast by comparing one item's qualities to another's, thus suggesting dissimilarity in characteristics or nature. This construction helps to clarify that the material being discussed possesses qualities that set it apart from the other material mentioned, making "from" the most suitable choice for highlighting differences.

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  • 5. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "This is a comfortable house to live ___."?

    • At

    • In

    • On

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. In
    Explanation
    "In" is typically used with enclosed spaces where living or dwelling occurs. It suggests a sense of placement within the boundaries or confines of a physical space, such as a house. Using "in" indicates residing inside the physical structure of the house, which is central to the concept of living as it involves inhabiting the space.

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  • 6. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "We will meet ___ the airport before the flight."

    • In

    • At

    • On

    • Over

    Correct Answer
    A. At
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "at" because it specifies a particular point or location. When referring to places like airports, stations, or meeting points, "at" is the appropriate preposition. "In" is used for enclosed spaces, which does not apply here. "On" is used for surfaces or larger geographical locations, not specific points. "Over" indicates a position above something, which does not fit the context. Prepositions of place require precise understanding of how space is referenced in English, and "at" effectively conveys the idea of being present at a designated location.

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  • 7. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "I gave him a chair to sit ___."?

    • On

    • Over

    • By

    • Upon

    Correct Answer
    A. On
    Explanation
    "On" is the appropriate preposition for designating someone sitting on a surface. It indicates contact with the surface of an object, in this case, the chair. The preposition "on" locates the action of sitting in relation to the chair, specifically referring to the upper surface where one sits.

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  • 8. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "He poured the tea ___ the mug."

    • Through

    • Into

    • On

    • Onto

    Correct Answer
    A. Into
    Explanation
    The preposition "into" is specifically used to denote movement from one point to another, particularly entering a new space or container. In this instance, "into" describes the action of transferring a liquid (tea) from its container into the confines of another container (the mug). This preposition emphasizes the directional aspect of the pouring action, clearly indicating that the tea is moving from the outside of the mug to the inside, filling it.

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  • 9. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "He has been absent ___ Monday."?

    • For

    • Since

    • From

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Since
    Explanation
    "Since" is used to signify the start of a period extending to the present. It’s particularly useful for continuous or ongoing actions or states that began at a past point and continue until now. In this context, "since" establishes a clear temporal starting point (Monday), emphasizing the duration and continuity of the absence, which remains relevant up to the current moment.

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  • 10. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "You should explain this ___ them."?

    • To

    • With

    • At

    • Among

    Correct Answer
    A. To
    Explanation
    In English, certain verbs are typically followed by specific prepositions that fit the context of the sentence. In the phrase "You should explain this ___ them," the verb "explain" requires the preposition "to" to correctly form the relationship between the action and the recipients. Therefore, the complete and correct formulation of the sentence is "You should explain this to them," which clearly indicates that the explanation is directed towards "them."

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  • 11. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "He is interested ___ learning new languages."

    • At

    • In

    • Of

    • About

    Correct Answer
    A. In
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "in." When stating "He is interested in learning new languages," the preposition "in" is used to denote a focus or engagement with a subject. It implies a deeper connection, suggesting that the person not only finds the topic appealing but is also likely to invest time and effort into it. This contrasts with "at," which would suggest a location, and "of" or "about," which do not convey the same level of commitment or interest. The usage of "in" effectively captures the essence of the person's enthusiasm for language acquisition.

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  • 12. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "She is afraid ___ the dark."

    • From

    • With

    • Of

    • At

    Correct Answer
    A. Of
    Explanation
    The correct preposition is "of" because it is used to express fear or concern toward something. In English, "afraid of" is a fixed phrase indicating an emotional reaction. "From" implies origin, which does not match the sentence’s meaning. "With" is used for association or accompaniment, while "at" is used for locations or directions. The phrase "afraid of" correctly conveys the relationship between the subject and the object of fear. Understanding collocations is crucial in mastering prepositions, as they often follow specific patterns in the English language.

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  • 13. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "They are called ___ different names."?

    • With

    • By

    • For

    • From

    Correct Answer
    A. By
    Explanation
    The preposition "by" introduces the agent or means through which an action is performed. When we say "called by different names," "by" helps to express the method or process through which the naming occurs, indicating that these various names are used by others when referring to them, reflecting the diversity of identifiers used by external parties.

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  • 14. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "He said he was very pleased ____ my work."

    • With

    • In

    • At

    • From

    Correct Answer
    A. With
    Explanation
    "With" is the appropriate preposition to express satisfaction regarding specific outcomes, conditions, or associations. When used in the phrase "pleased with," it conveys a sense of satisfaction or approval concerning the subject matter, which in this case is "my work." The use of "with" here indicates that the speaker's positive feelings are directly connected to the quality or result of the work performed. This preposition is commonly employed in expressions of emotional responses where the source of the emotion (the work) directly influences the nature of the response (pleasure or approval).

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  • 15. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "I haven't been to the theater ___ a long time."?

    • In

    • Since

    • From

    • After

    Correct Answer
    A. In
    Explanation
    The correct preposition is "in" for this sentence. It should read, "I haven't been to the theater in a long time." The preposition "in" is commonly used to refer to a period of time when something hasn't occurred, expressing the duration since the last event. "Since" would refer to a specific point in time, while "from" and "after" would not fit this context correctly.

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  • 16. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "We should not spend money ___ luxuries."?

    • For

    • With

    • On

    • By

    Correct Answer
    A. On
    Explanation
    "On" is used to link expenditures with their purposes. It specifically associates the act of spending with what the money is being used for, indicating direct allocation of financial resources. In this context, it cautions against using money for luxuries, suggesting a direct connection between the spending activity and the items or experiences being purchased.

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  • 17. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "The ball rolled ___ the couch and disappeared."

    • Under

    • Over

    • Between

    • Behind

    Correct Answer
    A. Under
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "under" because it describes an object's position lower than and directly beneath another object. "Over" means above but not necessarily touching, "between" implies being in the middle of two objects, and "behind" suggests a position at the back of something. The sentence describes the ball rolling to a position directly below the couch, making "under" the most accurate choice. Recognizing how prepositions define spatial relationships is key to correct usage, and "under" is always used when something is beneath another object.

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  • 18. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "The new semester begins ___ June 1st."?

    • On

    • In

    • At

    • From

    Correct Answer
    A. On
    Explanation
    The preposition "on" is used with specific dates, while "in" is used with months or years. Since the sentence specifies the exact date, June 1st, the correct preposition is "on." The other options are incorrect because they are used with different time expressions. "At" is used with specific times, "from" indicates a starting point, and "in" is used with months or years.

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  • 19. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "The cat jumped ___ the table quickly."

    • Over

    • On

    • In

    • Under

    Correct Answer
    A. Over
    Explanation
    The preposition "over" indicates that the cat jumped from one side of the table to the other, crossing the surface of the table in the process. The other options do not accurately describe the cat's movement: "on" would mean the cat landed on the table, "in" would mean the cat somehow got inside the table, and "under" would mean the cat went beneath the table.

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  • 20. 

    What would the correct preposition be: "She walked ___ the park every morning."

    • To

    • Through

    • On

    • In

    Correct Answer
    A. Through
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "through." When we say "She walked through the park," it indicates movement from one side to the other within the park's boundaries. The preposition "through" suggests a passage within an enclosed space, emphasizing that the park serves as a conduit rather than merely a destination. This implies that the park has a defined area that the subject traverses, highlighting the experience of being surrounded by the park's elements. In contrast, "to" would indicate arrival, while "on" and "in" lack the nuance of moving within a space.

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Juliette Firla |MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.

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  • Feb 28, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
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    Expert Reviewed by
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  • Jul 04, 2014
    Quiz Created by
    Mlserrano2011
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