Prepositions at / by / in / on (c)

1. [Multiple choice]

Emily is the brightest student … the class.

Answers for Quiz [1].

• 1. at
• 2. by
• 3. in (correct)
• 4. on

2. [Multiple choice]

The visiting lecturer will be arriving … a train around mid-day.

(by train / car, boat / ‘plane / ship / bus / road / rail / underground but in my / your / his / our / their car etc, and on a bus / on a train / on a bicycle / in a boat / in a car / taxi etc)

Answers for Quiz [2].

• 1. at
• 2. by
• 3. in
• 4. on (correct)

3. [Multiple choice]

It was the best holiday they’d ever had … their lives.

(Note: notice the plural of lives.
I’ve never had such a headache in my life. We’ve never enjoyed ourselves so much in our lives.
We’ll have to ‘phone our husbands and warn them we’re going to be late home (we only have one husband each!).
)

Answers for Quiz [3].

• 1. at
• 2. by
• 3. in (correct)
• 4. on

4. [Multiple choice]

Is there anything … TV this evening?

Answers for Quiz [4].

• 1. at
• 2. by
• 3. in
• 4. on (correct)

5. [Multiple choice]

We’re going home … a London taxi.

Answers for Quiz [5].

• 1. at
• 2. by
• 3. in (correct)
• 4. on

6. [Multiple choice]

I’m reading a novel … Norman Mailer.

(Note: You can read a book on Norman Mailer if it is about him and his life. However, this is a work of fiction, so it cannot be ‘on’ him, merely written by him.
I’m reading a book on Mozart – i.e. about his music, or ideas, or travels, or his family, experience or time in Prague, Paris or Vienna etc.)

Answers for Quiz [6].

• 1. at
• 2. by (correct)
• 3. in
• 4. on

7. [Multiple choice]

She spends most of her working day talking … the ‘phone.

Answers for Quiz [7].

• 1. at
• 2. by
• 3. in
• 4. on (correct)

8. [Multiple choice]

My tax has gone down … £30 per month.

Answers for Quiz [8].

• 1. at
• 2. by (correct)
• 3. in
• 4. on

9. [Multiple choice]

It was just an accident – she didn’t do it … purpose.

Answers for Quiz [9].

• 1. at
• 2. by
• 3. in
• 4. on (correct)

10. [Multiple choice]

I sent an email out but forgot to attach the information … mistake.

Answers for Quiz [10].

• 1. at
• 2. by (correct)
• 3. in
• 4. on