Prepositions MCQs with Answers — Solved from Past Papers
137 solved Prepositions MCQs collected from real PPSC, FPSC, SPSC, KPPSC, BPSC & NTS past papers (2002–2026). Tap an option to attempt — see correct answer instantly. Download the full PDF for offline revision.
Books are a great source ___ happiness.
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‘Source of’ is the fixed collocation — abstract nouns like source, cause, result take ‘of’.
This flying coach is bound ___ Karachi.
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‘Bound for [place]’ means heading to a destination — fixed idiom for transport.
Green pepper is very rich ___ vitamin C.
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‘Rich in’ is the fixed collocation used for containing a lot of a substance/nutrient.
I am worried ___ the exam.
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‘Worried about’ is the standard collocation for expressing concern.
Please wait for me. I will be finished ___ five or ten minutes.
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‘In five minutes’ means within that period of time — ‘in’ is used for future time span.
I’m getting late ___ office.
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‘Late for [event/place]’ is the fixed collocation.
The club usually empties ___ about two in the morning.
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‘Empty out’ is the phrasal verb meaning become vacant.
Usman was broken ___ from his old friends.
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‘Broken away from’ means separated/cut off from a group.
I am not acquainted ___ her father.
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‘Acquainted with’ is the fixed collocation for knowing someone.
Sana is not known ___ me.
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‘Known to [someone]’ means recognized/familiar to that person.
Do not bother me 3 o’ clock ___ night.
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‘At [time]’ is used for precise clock times, including ‘at night’.
My sister is bad ___ maths.
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‘Bad at’ is the fixed collocation for lacking skill in something.
He is accustomed ___ hot weather.
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‘Accustomed to’ is the fixed collocation meaning used to something.
I was amazed ___ his misbehavior.
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‘Amazed at/by’ — ‘at’ is standard after adjectives of surprise.
He is superior ___ me.
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‘Superior to’ — Latin-origin comparatives (superior, inferior, senior) take ‘to’, never ‘than’.
I would like to thank you ___ behalf of all of us.
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‘On behalf of’ is a fixed idiom meaning representing.
Please do not interfere ___ my personal affairs.
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‘Interfere in [a matter]’ — ‘in’ is used for meddling with affairs.
Nafeesa is afraid ___ spiders.
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‘Afraid of’ is the fixed collocation for fear.
The railway track runs ___ the river.
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‘Across’ shows movement from one side to the other of a line/river.
She’s angry ___ you.
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‘Angry with [person]’ is the standard collocation; ‘angry at/about’ is used for things.
Danish came out ___ his office, looking tired and worried.
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‘Come out of’ means to exit from a place — ‘out of’ is the fixed pair.
His people built many memorials ___ his greatness.
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‘Memorial to [someone]’ — ‘to’ honours the subject of the memorial.
I saw you dancing ___ party.
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‘At the party’ — ‘at’ is used for events/gatherings.
I am proud ___ my brother.
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‘Proud of’ is the fixed collocation.
The candidates shall abide ___ all directions, instructions and regulations issued by the department.
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‘Abide by [rules]’ is the fixed collocation meaning to obey.
Usman is afraid ___ dog.
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‘Afraid of’ is the fixed collocation for fear.
The man was charged ___ murder.
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‘Charged with [crime]’ — ‘with’ names the offence in criminal law.
He is responsible ___ the president for his decisions.
He looks upset, I think he took the criticism ___ heart.
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‘Take [something] to heart’ is a fixed idiom meaning be deeply affected.
He is jealous ___ her success.
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‘Jealous of’ is the fixed collocation.
He is interested ___ history.
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‘Interested in’ is the fixed collocation.
He is good ___ Football.
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‘Good at’ is the fixed collocation for skill.
Is this is the bus, ___ goes to the Sadar Bazar?
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‘Which’ is used for things in a defining relative clause referring to ‘bus’.
The public were deeply sceptical ___ some of the proposals.
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‘Sceptical about/of’ — both accepted; ‘about’ is common in British English.
We are sensible ___ the difficulties he faces.
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‘Sensible of’ is a formal collocation meaning aware of (esp. difficulties).
The wheels of the truck press ___ the road.
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‘Press against’ means push firmly onto a surface — ‘against’ shows resistance/contact.
I told the tailor to put red buttons ___ the dress he is making for me.
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‘Put [X] on [Y]’ — ‘on’ is used for placing something onto a surface.
Head is covered ___ hair.
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‘Covered with’ is the standard collocation for something spread over a surface.
I am used ___ speaking English.
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‘Used to [gerund]’ means accustomed to a habit — takes ‘to’ + -ing form.
The Jar was full ___ oil.
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‘Full of’ is the fixed collocation for containing.
He is fully contented ___ his life.
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‘Contented with’ is the fixed collocation for satisfaction.
Aqsa is travelling ___ the school.
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‘Travelling towards’ shows direction of movement.
You can’t always pass ___ appearance.
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‘Pass by appearance’ — ‘by’ shows means/basis of judgement.
As ___ me; I will be happy to lend a hand.
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‘As for [me]’ is a fixed idiom meaning regarding.
We arrived ___ the station an hour late.
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‘Arrive at [small place/station]’ — ‘at’ is used for specific points; ‘in’ for cities/countries.
She is jealous ___ my friend.
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‘Jealous of’ is the fixed collocation.
The book is ___ the mug and pen.
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‘Between’ is used for two items; ‘among’ for three or more.
The same considerations are equally applicable ___ accident claims.
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‘Applicable to’ is the fixed collocation meaning relevant to.
He was upbraided ___ his slovenly appearance.
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‘Upbraided for’ — ‘for’ names the reason for scolding.
Translate this passage ___ English.
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‘Translate into [language]’ is the fixed collocation.
Either Sana or her friends ___ present there.
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With ‘either…or’, the verb agrees with the nearer subject (‘friends’ is plural, takes ‘were’).
Do you mean to say you exchanged that lovely car ___ this?
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‘Exchange [X] for [Y]’ — ‘for’ shows the item received in trade.
Sana is different ___ other girls.
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‘Different from’ is standard English; ‘different than’ is US-informal, ‘different to’ is British.
He always insisted ___ his opinion.
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‘Insist on’ is the fixed collocation meaning to demand.
The shopkeeper has charged me ten rupees ___ this book.
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‘Charged [amount] for [item]’ — ‘for’ names what was bought.
He is getting out ___ the car.
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‘Get out of [vehicle]’ is the fixed phrasal verb.
Both parties must adhere ___ the terms of the contract.
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‘Adhere to’ is the fixed collocation meaning stick to/comply with.
He was accused ___ theft.
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‘Accused of [crime]’ is the fixed collocation.
I am good ___ tennis.
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‘Good at’ is the fixed collocation for skill.
Turn left ___ the traffic lights.
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‘At the traffic lights’ — ‘at’ is used for a specific point.
A good judge never jumps ___ the conclusion.
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‘Jump to a conclusion’ is a fixed idiom for hasty judgement.
Parents expect more ___ their children.
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‘Expect of/from someone’ — both used; ‘of’ emphasises what they should produce.
He took his brother ___ the hand.
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‘Take/hold [someone] by the hand’ — ‘by’ shows the body part held.
He succeeded ___ killing the tiger.
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‘Succeed in [doing something]’ is the fixed collocation.
We congratulate you ___ your achievement.
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‘Congratulate on’ is the fixed collocation for the reason.
When the meeting had finished, they went ___ the plan once again.
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‘Go over [something]’ means review/examine again.
I am going ___ home.
He accused the man ___ stealing.
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‘Accuse [someone] of [crime]’ is the fixed collocation.
Mother was aware ___ her children.
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‘Aware of’ is the fixed collocation for knowledge.
He is fond ___ drawing.
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‘Fond of’ is the fixed collocation for liking.
I was alarmed ___ his death.
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‘Alarmed at/by’ — ‘at’ is standard after emotion adjectives about a cause.
What did you make ___ the lecture?
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‘Make of [something]’ means understand/interpret it — fixed idiom.
The teacher set some homework ___ the end of the lesson.
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‘At the end of’ is a fixed prepositional phrase for a point in time.
He writes ___ ink.
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‘Write in ink/pencil’ — ‘in’ shows the medium used.
If ___ the match, I will go to KPK (Peshawar) to meet the sports board chairperson.
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First conditional uses present simple in the if-clause: ‘If I win…’
I have been working here ___ ten years.
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‘For’ is used with a duration/length of time; ‘since’ with a starting point.
I suspect him ___ stealing the pen.
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‘Suspect [someone] of [doing something]’ is the fixed collocation.
My brother was trembling ___ cold.
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‘Tremble with [emotion/cold]’ shows the cause of the shaking.
He is worried ___ his future.
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‘Worried about’ is the standard collocation for concern.
They are anxious ___ his health.
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‘Anxious about’ is the fixed collocation for worry.
She is thankful to you for being so patient ___ her.
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‘Patient with [someone]’ is the fixed collocation.
He is weak ___ grammar.
I have had problems similar ___ yours.
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‘Similar to’ is the fixed collocation for resemblance.
I am sick ___ job.
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‘Sick of’ is the fixed collocation meaning fed up with.
He is averse ___ hard work.
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‘Averse to’ is the fixed collocation meaning opposed to.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel it owing ___ the bad weather.
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‘Owing to’ is a fixed compound preposition meaning because of.
She suffers ___ a heart disease.
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‘Suffer from [illness]’ is the fixed collocation for disease.
The food is very good ___ that restaurant.
You must bear ___ his pranks.
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‘Bear with [someone]’ means tolerate/be patient with them.
There is no point ___ arguing.
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‘No point in [doing]’ is the fixed collocation with gerund.
The prisoner was bound ___ the stake.
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‘Bound to [something]’ means tied/fastened to it.
Prime Minister has arrived ___ London.
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‘Arrive in [city/country]’, ‘arrive at [smaller place]’ — London is a city, so ‘in’.
She is interested ___ drawing and painting.
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‘Interested in’ is the fixed collocation.
There is still no cure ___ AIDS.
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‘Cure for [disease]’ — ‘for’ names what the cure treats.
Sana was starring ___ me.
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‘Stare at [someone]’ — ‘at’ shows the object of a fixed gaze (assuming ‘starring’ is OCR for ‘staring’).
Sana is popular ___ her friends.
The training session has been changed from 9:00 ___ 10:00.
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‘From X to Y’ is used for ranges/changes of time.
Amna was engaged ___ Asim.
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‘Engaged to [person]’ means promised in marriage; ‘engaged in [activity]’ means occupied with.
I’m ___ sure of it as you are.
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‘As…as’ is the fixed comparative structure for equal comparison.
It was kind ___ you to help.
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‘Kind of [someone] to [do something]’ shows the person praised for the act.
They decided ___ the grey sofa.
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‘Decide on [something]’ means choose it — fixed phrasal verb.
The words in these books will be of value ___ you.
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‘Of value to [someone]’ is the fixed collocation meaning useful to.
He is serious ___ visiting Islamabad.
Fakhar Zaman appeared settled ___ the crease.
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‘Settled at [the crease]’ — ‘at’ shows a specific position in cricket.
He got ___ his illness in two weeks.
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‘Get over [illness]’ is the fixed phrasal verb meaning recover from.
He is now ashamed ___ his conduct.
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‘Ashamed of’ is the fixed collocation.
Please do not get angry ___ me.
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‘Angry with [person]’ is the standard collocation.
We arrived ___ the village at night.
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‘Arrive at [village/small place]’ — ‘at’ is used for specific/small locations.
I will be glad to get rid ___ him.
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‘Get rid of’ is a fixed idiom meaning to eliminate.
My book is different ___ yours.
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‘Different from’ is the standard preposition after ‘different’.
Admin is capable ___ doing anything.
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‘Capable of’ is the fixed collocation.
What is the cause ___ the problem?
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‘Cause of [problem]’ — abstract nouns like cause take ‘of’.
She cares ___ the environment.
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‘Care about [issue]’ means feel concern for.
He confided ___ me.
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‘Confide in [someone]’ is the fixed collocation meaning trust with a secret.
He belongs ___ a noble family.
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‘Belong to [family/group]’ is the fixed collocation.
We are accountable ___ God for our actions.
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‘Accountable to [authority]’ — ‘to’ names who you answer to.
I don’t want to argue ___ you.
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‘Argue with [person]’ is the fixed collocation.
There was no heir ___ the throne.
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‘Heir to [throne/title]’ is the fixed collocation.
I am shy ___ my teacher.
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‘Shy of [someone]’ means reluctant/timid around them — a fixed collocation.
___ the night mysterious creatures prowl.
He has been swimming ___ one hour.
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‘For’ is used with a duration; ‘since’ with a start point.
Bananas are selling ___ Rs250 per dozen.
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‘At [price]’ — ‘at’ is used for prices/rates.
Sana filled the glass ___ water.
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‘Fill [X] with [Y]’ shows the substance used.
Asim has been fully cured ___ the chronic pain in his legs.
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‘Cured of [illness]’ is the fixed collocation.
It differs ___ their last suggestion.
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‘Differ from’ is the fixed collocation for being unlike.
He was embarrassed because everybody was laughing ___ him.
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‘Laugh at [someone]’ means mock them — fixed collocation.
I am envious ___ them.
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‘Envious of’ is the fixed collocation.
I prefer tea ___ coffee.
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‘Prefer [X] to [Y]’ — ‘to’ is used with ‘prefer’, never ‘than’.
I am famous ___ honesty where javed is notorious for dishonesty.
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‘Famous for [quality]’ is the fixed collocation.
I was aware ___ the problems parents were facing.
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‘Aware of’ is the fixed collocation.
The rains have set ___.
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‘Set in’ is a phrasal verb meaning begin (of rains, winter, etc.).
I looked ___ you at the party, but I didn’t see you.
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‘Look for [someone]’ means search for them.
You should not jest ___ his poverty.
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‘Jest at [someone]’ means mock them — ‘at’ is the fixed preposition.
My friend amused us ___ funny jokes.
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‘Amuse [someone] with [thing]’ shows the means of entertainment.
He persisted ___ silly ideas.
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‘Persist in [action]’ is the fixed collocation meaning continue stubbornly.
Nelson Mandela was deprived ___ his freedom.
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‘Deprived of’ is the fixed collocation meaning denied.
I was astonished ___ his failure.
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‘Astonished at/by’ — ‘at’ is standard after emotion adjectives.
Prepositions MCQs for PPSC, FPSC, NTS & All Pakistani Competitive Exams
Prepositions are the single highest-scoring English topic in Pakistani competitive exams. From PPSC Lecturer, Sub-Inspector and Tehsildar tests to FPSC CSS Screening (MPT), NTS NAT/GAT, OTS, CTS, KPPSC, SPSC, BPSC and AJKPSC — almost every English section contains 3 to 8 preposition MCQs. Because these are fixed collocations (afraid of, good at, insist on), the same 200 combinations recycle across exams, so drilling this one topic can lock in 3–8 easy marks.
QuizWing has compiled 137 verified preposition MCQs from Sir Waleed’s PPSC preparation set and past papers spanning 2002–2026 — every answer cross-checked against standard English grammar rules. The bank covers preposition-verb collocations, preposition-adjective pairs, prepositions of time and place, prepositions of movement and direction, and fixed idiomatic prepositions.
What types of preposition MCQs appear?
- Verb + preposition — “He was accused ___ theft” → of; “She insisted ___ his opinion” → on
- Adjective + preposition — “I am good ___ tennis” → at; “He is fond ___ drawing” → of
- Preposition of time — at 3 o’clock, on Monday, in the morning, by 5 pm
- Preposition of place / direction — at the traffic lights, in the room, across the river, towards the school
- Noun + preposition — “source ___ happiness” → of; “reason ___ delay” → for
- Phrasal verb prepositions — went over the plan, took the criticism to heart, empties out
- Fixed idiomatic prepositions — “different from” (not than), “superior to” (not than), “on behalf of“
Key preposition rules to memorise
Step-by-step solving checklist
- 1. Read the WHOLE sentence first — the preposition depends on the verb/adjective/noun before the blank, sometimes on the object after it
- 2. Identify the head word — is the blank following a verb (insist), adjective (afraid), or noun (source)?
- 3. Recall its fixed preposition — from the grammar rule groups above (afraid → OF, insist → ON)
- 4. Substitute and read aloud silently — the right preposition sounds natural; the wrong one sounds foreign
- 5. Watch for trap options — “different than” (wrong), “superior than” (wrong), “married with” (wrong) — remember the correct: from, to, to
- 6. If unsure, skip — with 0.25 negative marking, a blank beats a guess between two similar prepositions
Mental shortcuts
- Group by preposition, not by verb — memorising “AT: good, bad, amazed, angry, arrive-at, at 3 o’clock” is faster than memorising each verb separately
- Fear takes OF — afraid of, scared of, frightened of, terrified of — all of them
- Compliments/complaints take ON — congratulate on, insist on, blame on, comment on
- Comparisons take TO (Latin origin) — superior/inferior/junior/senior/prior + TO (never “than”)
- “Different FROM” not “different than” — this is the most-repeated MCQ trap in PPSC papers
- “At” for exact time, “in” for periods — at 6 pm, at noon, at night vs in the morning, in January, in 2024
- “Going home” takes NO preposition — never “going to home”; correct is “going home” (option D: None)
How to use this page for revision
Quiz mode: Tap any option — green = correct, red = wrong. Use the pagination buttons to move between sets of 25 MCQs at a time.
PDF download: Click Download PDF in the sticky bar to grab all 137 MCQs with answers for offline study.
Mixed practice: attempt our full PPSC Mock Test with all subjects + weighted distribution to simulate the real exam.
Prepositions weightage by exam
| Exam | Typical Prepositions MCQs | Marks Share |
|---|---|---|
| PPSC One Paper | 3–6 | 3–6 / 100 |
| FPSC Screening | 4–8 | 4–8 / 100 |
| NTS NAT / GAT | 4–8 | 4–8 questions |
| CSS Screening (MPT) | 5–10 | 5–10 / 200 |
| OTS / CTS | 3–6 | 3–6 / 100 |
| SPSC / KPPSC / BPSC | 3–6 | 3–6 / 100 |
All MCQs sourced from official past papers of PPSC, FPSC, SPSC, KPPSC and NTS. Found a wrong answer? WhatsApp 0302-1417839 — we fix every reported issue within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 3 to 6 preposition MCQs appear in every PPSC One Paper test (Sub-Inspector, Tehsildar, Junior Clerk, Lecturer, BPS-14/16/17). FPSC, NTS and CSS papers tend to include 4–8. Prepositions are the highest-yield English topic — because collocations are fixed and repeated, mastering the standard 200 verb-preposition & adjective-preposition pairs can secure 3–8 marks with almost no guesswork.
Based on our analysis of 137 past-paper MCQs, the three most-recurring types are: (1) verb + preposition collocations (afraid of, insist on, accused of), (2) adjective + preposition pairs (good at, fond of, aware of), and (3) prepositions of time & place (at 3 o’clock, in the morning, on Monday, across the river).
There is no rule — preposition-verb combinations are fixed collocations that must be memorised. Fastest method: group them BY preposition, not by verb. Learn all verbs that take OF (accused, afraid, jealous, aware, proud), then all verbs that take AT (good, bad, amazed, angry), then ON (insist, congratulate, depend), then TO (superior, inferior, adhere). QuizWing’s explanations group them this way.
Yes for PPSC and FPSC — 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. Strategy: if you can eliminate 2 out of 4 options confidently, attempt it; otherwise leave blank.
Yes — click the Download PDF button in the sticky bar at the top of the quiz section. You get all 137 MCQs with answers in a branded QuizWing PDF, free, no signup.
Yes — 100% transferable. All provincial public service commissions follow a near-identical Math syllabus. The same prepositions MCQs appear (often verbatim) in SPSC, KPPSC, BPSC, AJKPSC and NTS NAT/GAT papers.
Message us on WhatsApp at 0302-1417839 with the question number and what you believe the correct answer should be. We verify against multiple sources and fix every reported issue within 24 hours.