Prepositions (Intermediate / Upper-Intermediate) Test 9

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Congratulations - you have completed Prepositions (Intermediate / Upper-Intermediate) Test 9. You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%

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Question 1

Pressure is _____ inverse proportion _____ volume.

A	in / to
B	at / of
C	in / in
D	on / in

Question 1 Explanation:

The fixed phrase is in proportion to (also in inverse proportion to), meaning that one thing changes in relation to another. Pressure is in inverse proportion to volume means that when the volume goes up, the pressure goes down.

Question 2

We react _____ stress _____ two ways.

A	_____ / in
B	to / in
C	at / on
D	_____ / for

Question 2 Explanation:

We react to something, so the first gap is to. We do something in a certain way or in two ways, so the second gap is in.

Question 3

Heavy drinkers are more prone _____ cirrhosis of the liver.

A	of
B	at
C	with
D	to

Question 3 Explanation:

The adjective prone (likely to suffer from something) is followed by to: prone to illness, prone to accidents. Not of or with, which don't go with prone.

Question 4

_____ objections, he came to the meeting.

A	Instead of
B	Despite
C	According to
D	Between

Question 4 Explanation:

Despite shows contrast. There were objections, but he still came to the meeting. Instead of means 'in place of', which doesn't fit the meaning here.

Question 5

_____ a 1982 survey, one third of Americans regard alcohol as the single greatest threat to family life.

A	Because of
B	Instead of
C	Despite
D	According to

Question 5 Explanation:

According to introduces the source of information: according to a survey / the report / the news. Because of gives a reason, but a survey is not the reason people hold the opinion.

Question 6

He was found guilty _____ murder in the second degree.

A	off
B	from
C	by
D	of

Question 6 Explanation:

The legal phrase is guilty of a crime: found guilty of theft / murder. Not by, which would name the person who decides, not the crime.

Question 7

He was sentenced _____ four years’ imprisonment.

A	_____
B	to
C	in
D	at

Question 7 Explanation:

A court sentences someone to a punishment: sentenced to four years' imprisonment, sentenced to death. No other preposition is used with the punishment.

Question 8

_____ days she remained _____ a deep coma.

A	On / at
B	Since / in
C	For / in
D	For / _____

Question 8 Explanation:

For + a period of time shows how long something lasted (for days, for two weeks). A person is in a coma. Not Since, which needs a starting point (since Monday), not a length of time.

Question 9

There is a growing awareness _____ the link _____ emotions and backaches.

A	in / among
B	for / in
C	of / between
D	of / from

Question 9 Explanation:

The noun awareness is followed by of: awareness of a problem. A link connects two things, so we say the link between A and B. Not from, which doesn't go with link.

Question 10

Many studies have shown less heart disease _____ groups _____ low blood cholesterol.

A	between / of
B	among / with
C	in / of
D	within / at

Question 10 Explanation:

Among is used for things found inside a group or groups: less heart disease among groups. With describes a feature the groups have: groups with low blood cholesterol. Not between, which is normally used for two separate things.

Question 11

As long as the rules remained _____ force, the club could not accept new members.

A	with
B	at
C	on
D	in

Question 11 Explanation:

A law or rule that is in force is valid and must be obeyed: The new rules come into force next month. The phrase always uses in, never on or at.

Question 12

The cost of living index rose _____ 70 percent last year.

A	in
B	by
C	to
D	up

Question 12 Explanation:

Rise by shows the size of a change: rose by 70 percent means it went up by that amount. Rise to would give the final level, which doesn't make sense with a percentage change like this.

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