Prepositions - Class 9 English - Extra Questions

What Dr. Arnold mainly aimed ____, was to promote the self-developmenti~iI of the young minds committed ____ his charge.

Answer: What Dr. Arnold mainly aimed at , was to promote the self-development of the young minds committed to his charge.
Explanation: A preposition is a word which shows the relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other word in a sentence.
Here, 'aim at' is a phrasal verb which means to achieve something. It denotes place or an area of activity where Dr. Arnold aimed. So, 'at' is right here. On the other side, 'to' in the second blank denotes direction, pointing towards what the young minds were committed.



There is no exception _____ the rule. All the ministers were present at the function with the exception _____ Mr. Smith. He took exception _____ the presence of an outsider.

There is no exception to the rule. All the ministers were present at the function with the exception of  Mr. Smith. He took exception against the presence of an outsider.
Explanation: A preposition is a word which shows the relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other word in a sentence.
Exception to (phrase) : to object to something - like here there is no objection to the rule.
Exception of (phrase) : not including (someone or something).
Against is used for opposing reactions to situations, beliefs, people, events, etc.


I was angry ____ him ____ lying to me.

I was angry with him for lying to me.
Explanation: A preposition is a word which shows the relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other word in a sentence
With often follows adjectives which refer to reactions and feelings : like angry with.
We use for to talk about a purpose or a reason for something : like here, the reason is 'lying'.


He invested his patrimony _____ jute shares. The Police Commissioner is invested _____ magisterial powers.

He invested his patrimony in jute shares. The Police Commissioner is invested with magisterial powers.
Explanation: A preposition is a word which shows the relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other word in a sentence.
Preposition in  is used to show - into something, here it means -investment into jute shares. 
Invested with (phrasal verb): give something or someone a particular quality; give someone power, influence, or authority.


Innocence is not proof ____ scandal. He was discharged as there was no proof ____ his guilt. 

Innocence is not proof against scandal. He was discharged as there was no proof of his guilt.
Explanation: A preposition is a word which shows the relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other word in a sentence.
Against is a preposition used as not to the advantage or favour of somebody/something - like here, innocence is not in favour of scandal.
Of means belonging to somebody; relating to somebody : like here the guild belongs to him, about which there is no proof.


He acted ___ fear. He acted ____ my suggestion. He acted ____ compulsion.

He acted from fear. He acted on my suggestion. He acted under compulsion.
Explanation: A preposition is a word which shows the relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other word in a sentence.
From is used to show what the origin of someone or something is, here the origin of his action is 'fear'.
Act on/upon something to do something because you have been given information, advice, or orders.
Under is also used as preposition to show the influence of someone or something, like here - he acted because of influence of compulsion.


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
Sheila insists ___________ wearing that dress, although her mother thinks it is too short for her.

Sheila insists ____on_______ wearing that dress, although her mother thinks it is too short for her.


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
The brothers quarreled ______ themselves for their father's property.

The brothers quarreled among themselves for their father's property.


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
The cyclist rode quickly _____ the path.

The cyclist rode quickly along the path.


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
The young child carried the heavy bucket _____ the stairs.

The young child carried the heavy bucket up the stairs.


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
The Principal gave us a talk ____ bullying

We give a talk or lecture on a specific subject, here, on bullying.  Hence, "on" is the most suitable word. 


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
She is the smarter _____________ the two.

She is the smarter of the two.


Blank (a): (i) in (ii) on (iii) for (iv) to

Anaesthesia is vital for surgery today. The one that only numbs the area to be operated upon is known as local anaesthesia. The one that makes the patient unconscious, till the surgery is over, is general anaesthesia. When anasthesia is administered, vital signs are monitored to ensure that the correct amount of anaesthesia is given. When anaesthesia became widely used, many physicians began devoting most of their time to just administering anaesthesia. Becoming a qualified anaesthetist became a major option in the medical profession. An anaesthetist is as important as a surgeon when the surgery is performed. 


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
The young man put the flute ________ his lips and began to play.

The young man put the flute to his lips and began to play.


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
Mr. Donald will call _______ him tomorrow

Call on means to visit someone, usually for a short time. Mr. Donald will visit him. Hence, "on" is the most suitable word. 


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
Though I was young, my father had great confidence _____ me.

When the object pronoun is a person, we use "confidence in". Though I was young, my father had great confidence in me.


Complete the sentence with the most appropriate word:
In the Middle Ages, books were written ________ a variety of subjects.

On is sometimes used to indicate relation to a specific subject. Here the books were related to a number of subjects. Hence, "on" is the most suitable word. 


Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
I could not accompany my cousin ________ the trip because I had fever.

I could not accompany my cousin to the trip because I had fever.


Class 9 English Extra Questions