WREN & MARTIN's English grammar-PHRASE PREPOSITIONS — MCQs for Competitive Examinations

 

PHRASE PREPOSITIONS — MCQs for Competitive Examinations

(Based on Wren & Martin's English Grammar)

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Average Standard

1. ________ his long illness, he managed to complete his studies and pass the examination.

• A) In place of
• B) In front of
• C) In spite of
• D) On behalf of

2. The secretary signed the agreement ________ the chairman who was travelling abroad.

• A) in spite of
• B) on behalf of
• C) in front of
• D) in accordance with

3. The school remained closed for three days ________ the severe floods in the city.

• A) in spite of
• B) in front of
• C) on behalf of
• D) on account of

4. ________ his regular salary, he also receives a monthly allowance from the company.

• A) In spite of
• B) In addition to
• C) On account of
• D) In place of

5. The new assistant was appointed ________ the senior officer who retired last month.

• A) on account of
• B) in spite of
• C) in place of
• D) in front of

6. All the arrangements must be made ________ the rules and regulations of the organisation.

• A) in front of
• B) on behalf of
• C) in place of
• D) in accordance with

7. Choose the correct sentence:

• A) He spoke on account of his friend at the function.
• B) He spoke in place of his friend at the function.
• C) He spoke on behalf of his friend at the function.
• D) He spoke in spite of his friend at the function.

8. The students stood ________ the examination hall waiting for the doors to be opened.

• A) on account of
• B) in addition to
• C) in front of
• D) in spite of

9. Identify the error in the following sentence: "He was absent from the office in behalf of his poor health for three days."

• A) He was absent
• B) from the office
• C) in behalf of
• D) his poor health
• E) No error

10. ________ the heavy traffic on the highway, she reached the airport well in time for her flight.

• A) On account of
• B) In addition to
• C) In place of
• D) In spite of

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Answers

1. C) In spite of "In spite of" is a phrase preposition meaning "regardless of" or "without being affected by" an obstacle. Wren & Martin states that "in spite of" introduces a contrasting situation — "in spite of his long illness" correctly contrasts his health condition with his achievement of completing studies.

2. B) on behalf of "On behalf of" is a phrase preposition meaning "as a representative of" or "in the name of" someone. Wren & Martin states that "on behalf of" is used when a person acts as an agent for another — "signed on behalf of the chairman" correctly shows that the secretary acted as the chairman's representative.

3. D) on account of "On account of" is a phrase preposition meaning "because of" or "due to" a cause or reason. Wren & Martin states that "on account of" introduces the reason for an action or situation — "on account of the severe floods" correctly gives the reason for the school's closure for three days.

4. B) In addition to "In addition to" is a phrase preposition meaning "besides" or "over and above" what already exists. Wren & Martin states that "in addition to" is used to show that something is added to what is already present — "in addition to his regular salary" correctly indicates an extra benefit beyond his normal pay.

5. C) in place of "In place of" is a phrase preposition meaning "instead of" or "as a substitute for" someone or something. Wren & Martin states that "in place of" is used when one person or thing replaces another — "appointed in place of the senior officer" correctly shows that the new assistant was a replacement.

6. D) in accordance with "In accordance with" is a phrase preposition meaning "in conformity with" or "following" a set of rules or guidelines. Wren & Martin states that "in accordance with" is used to show conformity or compliance with established rules — "in accordance with the rules and regulations" correctly conveys that the arrangements must follow the prescribed guidelines.

7. C) He spoke on behalf of his friend at the function. "On behalf of" is the correct phrase preposition meaning "as a representative of" someone. Wren & Martin clearly distinguishes between "on behalf of" (representation), "in place of" (substitution/replacement), and "on account of" (reason/cause) — speaking for someone at a function is an act of representation, making "on behalf of" the only correct choice.

8. C) in front of "In front of" is a phrase preposition meaning "directly before" or "facing" something. Wren & Martin states that "in front of" indicates a physical position directly before something — "stood in front of the examination hall" correctly describes the students standing directly outside and facing the entrance of the hall.

9. C) in behalf of "In behalf of" is incorrect — the correct phrase preposition is "on account of" when expressing reason or cause. Wren & Martin lists "on account of" as the standard phrase preposition for expressing reason — "on account of his poor health" correctly gives the reason for his absence. Correct sentence: "He was absent from the office on account of his poor health for three days."

10. D) In spite of "In spite of" is the correct phrase preposition to show contrast between two opposing situations. Wren & Martin states that "in spite of" introduces a situation that is unexpected or contrary to what follows — "in spite of the heavy traffic" correctly contrasts the difficult traffic conditions with her unexpected success in reaching the airport on time.