1. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. a thirst (=a strong desire for)        knowledge

2. atrocities (=a shockingly cruel act)        the civilian population

3. Minos threatened war        Athens in retribution for his son’s death.

4. His statement threw the court        turmoil (=a state of great anxiety and confusion).

5. The audience watched as the story unfolded (=be gradually made known)        their eyes.

6. I passed my driving test        the first attempt.

7. This new piece of evidence invalidates (=show to be wrong) his version        events.

Answers
1. for 2. against 3. against 4. into 5. before 6. at 7. of

2. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. She looked at my clothes        disapproval (=disapprobation).

2. Have you been invited        their party?

3. Light poured        (=flow quickly in a continuous stream).

4. Wheat was        surplus (=an amount that is extra) that year.

5. I'll do my homework        supper (=the last meal of the day).

6. His parents kept a round-the-clock vigil        his bedside.

7. Students held a candlelit vigil        the war.

Answers
1. with 2. to 3. in 4. in 5. after 6. at 7. against

3. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. Rosie was about to protest but thought better        it (=decide not to do sth after thinking further about it).

2. He is still held        great reverence (=feelings of deep respect or devotion) throughout the country.

3. He left a bequest (=something left in a will)        each of his grandchildren.

4. a poem written        neat italic calligraphy (=handwriting, esp. when fine)

5. an area        outstanding (=extremely good) natural beauty

6. His hot temper has landed him        (=get sb/yourself into a difficult situation) trouble before.

7. She stood rooted        the spot with fear (= unable to move).

Answers
1. of 2. in 3. to 4. in 5. of 6. in 7. to

4. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. He has decided to quit (=leave your job, school, etc)        manager of the team.

2. The company has announced that it will undertake (=make yourself responsible for sth and start doing it) a full investigation        the accident.

3. My son's thirteen but he's young        his age (= not as developed as other boys of the same age).

4. She never spoke to him again from that day        (=starting at the time mentioned and continuously after that).

5. Their hatred is evident        their mouths.

6. He would disappear for weeks        end (=for the stated length of time, without stopping).

7. The watch is still        guarantee (=warranty).

Answers
1. as 2. into 3. for 4. on 5. from 6. on 7. under

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. His mouth twisted        a wry (=amusing and ironic) smile.

2. He saw no reason to apprise (=tell) the committee        what had happened.

3. Airports are all alike (=very similar)        me.

4. Don't talk        your mouth full (= when eating).

5. The article can be used to stimulate (=encourage) discussion        students.

6. For some reason, she's got it        her head (=believes) that the others don't like her.

7. The walls were covered        pictures.

Answers
1. into 2. of 3. to 4. with 5. among 6. into 7. with

6. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. He was surrounded        his numerous progeny (=a person's children).

2. the tranquil (=quiet and peaceful) waters        the lake

3. the violence meted        (=make sb suffer bad treatment) to the prisoners

4. They're aiming (=attempt)        training everybody by the end of the year.

5. The news spread        word of mouth (=because people tell each other and not because they read about it).

6. We treat boys exactly the same        (in the same way) girls.

7.        history, our people have been oppressed (=govern or treat cruelly) and exploited.

Answers
1. by 2. of 3. out 4. at 5. by 6. as 7. throughout

7. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. This is a favourite spot (=a particular area or place)        walkers and climbers.

2. The hotel is going to be converted (=change)        a nursing home.

3. I don't feel ready to take        new responsibilities.

4. You are bound        oath (=solemn declaration naming God etc. as witness) to tell the truth.

5. Strikes are causing severe (=extremely bad or serious) disruption        all train services.

6. The organization dispenses (=provide) free health care        the poor.

7. The coroner (=official who investigates suspicious deaths) concurred (=agree)        this assessment.

Answers
1. for 2. into 3. on 4. by 5. to 6. to 7. with

8. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. Many families are living        the level of subsistence (=means of support).

2. rewards        employees who do their jobs well

3. Give respite (=a short delay)        a debtor.

4. The priceless treasures had been cast (=throw sb/sth somewhere, especially using force)        the Nile.

5. The lioness picked her cub up        its neck.

6. We must be consistent (=always behaving in the same way)        applying the rules.

7. Her words were a great encouragement (=help; inspiration)        them.

Answers
1. below 2. for 3. to 4. into 5. by 6. in 7. to

9. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. Children under five are excepted (=not include)        the survey.

2. He listened        scant patience to their supplications (=appeal made to somebody in authority).

3. A committee was appointed to enquire        (=investigate) the allegations.

4. I've finished this magazine. Can I swap (=exchange)        you?

5. A new song began to take shape (=develop and become more complete or organized)        her mind.

6. She tried to think of a ruse (=trick) to get him        of the house.

7. For the first time in years, she felt        command (=control) of her life.

Answers
1. from 2. with 3. into 4. with 5. in 6. out 7. in

10. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. The new model is a testament (=evidence; proof)        the skill and dedication of the workforce.

2. She was determined to avenge (=revenge) herself        the man who had betrayed her.

3. She seems to have given        (=stop having a friendship with someone) all her old friends.

4. She cited (=quote) a passage        the President's speech.

5. I tried to nap (=sleep for a short time)        the plane.

6. We are committed        furthering the interests of our members.

7. They suffered years of repression        the hands of (=through the agency of) the old regime.

Answers
1. to 2. on 3. up 4. from 5. on 6. to 7. at