WREN & MARTIN's English grammar-10 MCQs on the relations expressed by prepositions of place
10 MCQs on the relations expressed by prepositions of place
1. Which preposition correctly expresses the relation of place in the sentence: "The keys are _______ the drawer." A) on B) at C) above D) in
✅ Answer: D) in "In" expresses the relation of being enclosed within a space or container. The keys are inside the drawer — contained within it. "In" is used when something is enclosed, contained, or surrounded by something else. It is the most fundamental preposition of place expressing the relationship of being inside something.
2. "She was waiting _______ the bus stop when it started to rain." A) in B) on C) above D) at
✅ Answer: D) at "At" expresses the relation of being at a specific point or location. A bus stop is treated as a specific point in space — not an enclosed area (in) or a surface (on). "At" is used for precise locations, points, or spots: at the door, at the corner, at the station, at the top of the stairs.
3. "The painting was hanging _______ the fireplace in the living room." A) under B) below C: in front of D) above
✅ Answer: D) above "Above" expresses the relation of being at a higher level than something without necessarily touching it. The painting is on the wall at a higher position than the fireplace. "Above" differs from "over" — "above" describes a static higher position while "over" often implies covering or movement across.
4. "The frightened cat hid _______ the bed when the visitors arrived." A) above B) over C) on D) under
✅ Answer: D) under "Under" expresses the relation of being directly below something, often in a covered or sheltered position. The cat hid beneath the bed — in the space below it. "Under" differs from "below" in that "under" implies a more direct vertical relationship and often suggests being covered or sheltered by something above.
5. "The new library was built _______ the old post office and the town hall." A) among B) in C) at D) between
✅ Answer: D) between "Between" expresses the relation of being in the middle of two specific things or people. The library is positioned in the space separating the post office and the town hall — two specific named places. "Between" is always used when there are exactly two reference points on either side.
6. "The old well is situated _______ the tall oak trees in the centre of the village." A) between B) above C) beside D) among
✅ Answer: D) among "Among" expresses the relation of being in the middle of or surrounded by three or more things. The well is surrounded by multiple oak trees — not just two. "Among" is used when something is in the midst of a group, crowd, or collection of three or more things. This is the key distinction between "between" (two) and "among" (three or more).
7. "The small cottage stood _______ the river, with its garden touching the water's edge." A) above B) among C) behind D) beside
✅ Answer: D) beside "Beside" expresses the relation of being next to; at the side of; very close to. The cottage is positioned at the side of the river — adjacent to it. "Beside" expresses close lateral proximity. It must not be confused with "besides" (which means "in addition to") — a very common and important distinction.
8. "The teacher stood _______ the students as they worked quietly at their desks." A) among B) above C) inside D) behind
✅ Answer: C) among (Note: "behind" is D — but the best answer here is C)
✅ Corrected Answer: A) among "Among" correctly expresses the relation of the teacher being in the midst of the students — surrounded by them as they worked. The teacher is positioned within the group of students, not behind them or above them. This reflects the spatial relationship of being in the midst of a surrounding group.
9. "The plane flew _______ the clouds and disappeared from sight." A) under B) beside C) among D) beyond
✅ Answer: D) beyond "Beyond" expresses the relation of being further than; on the other side of; past a particular point or boundary. The plane flew past the clouds and went further than them — disappearing on the other side. "Beyond" always expresses a position or movement that goes past a limit, boundary, or reference point.
10. "She placed the vase of flowers _______ the window so that it could get enough sunlight." A) behind B) beyond C) among D) beside
✅ Answer: D) beside "Beside" expresses the relation of being next to; at the side of. The vase was placed next to and at the side of the window — in close proximity to it so that sunlight could reach the flowers. This is a very natural and common use of "beside" to show close lateral positioning next to a reference object.
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