Idiomatic and Phrasal Usage with Preposition

Question 1 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

She found the subject difficult at first, but now she is really getting off her stride.

but now she is really getting off her stride.
but now she really is getting off her stride.
but now she is really getting into her stride.
but now she is really getting on her stride.
but now she is really getting at her stride.

Question 2 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Not till a baby kangaroo is four month old, does it begin to live outside its mother's pouch.

Not till a baby kangaroo is four month old, does it begin to live outside its mother's pouch.
Not till a baby kangaroo is four month old, it begins to live outside its mother's pouch.
Not until a baby kangaroo is four month old, does it begin to live outside its mother's pouch.
Not till a baby kangaroo is four months old, does it begin to live outside its mother's pouch.

Question 3 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

It was the favorite place for my dog who loved running alongside my car over the ancient bridge.

alongside my car over the ancient bridge.
besides my car over the ancient bridge.
along my car over the ancient bridge.
beside my car on ancient bridge.
in the side of my car on the ancient bridge.

Question 4 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

For many players, keeping a coach during tournament seems satisfying their need for self performance.

keeping a coach during tournament seems satisfying their need
keeping a coach during tournament seems to satisfy their need
keeping a coach during tournament seeming satisfies their need
to keep a coach during tournament seems satisfying their need
the keeping of a coach during tournament seems to satisfy their need

Question 5 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Scientists are still a long way of a cure for AIDS.

Scientists are still a long way of a cure for AIDS.
Scientists still are a long way of a cure for AIDS.
Scientists are still a long way from a cure for AIDS.
Scientists are still a long way off a cure for AIDS.
Scientists are still a long way to find a cure for AIDS.

Question 6 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

I speak of this school for reverence, for the good it has done, by the assertion of historic truth and of its legitimate authority over the minds of men.

I speak of this school for reverence, for the good it has done
I speak about this school of reverence for the good it has done
With reverence, I speak of this school, for the good it has done
I speak of this school with reverence, for the good it has done

Question 7 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

I have adopted in this work the method which I think most suitable, proceeding analytically from common knowledge to the determination of its ultimate principle.

I have adopted in this work the method which I think most suitable
I have adopted in this work the method which I think the more suitable
I have adopted in this work the method which I think is the most suitable
I have adopted in this work the method which I think was more suitable
I had adopted in this work the method which I thought was the most suitable

Question 8 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Instead of promoting a state of near-sleep, hibernation does not make an animal vulnerable to attack by predators because the brain is kept in a normal state of alertness.

Instead of promoting a state of near-sleep,
In spite of promoting a state of near-sleep,
Even when promoting a state of near-sleep,
Irrespective of promoting a state of near-sleep,
Despite promotion a state of near-sleep,

Question 9 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

He continued his singing, dancing and acting in plays since his school and college years but gradually got more and more involved in social work.

since his school and college years but gradually got
since his school and college years and gradually got
throughout his school and college years but gradually got
for his school and college years but gradually got
through his school and college years but gradually got

Question 10 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The fire of knowledge kindled by science has already burnt many dogmas and beliefs, held sacred by the superstition of the past, which stood in the way of truth-seeking minds.

has already burnt many dogmas and beliefs
has already burnt away many dogmas and beliefs
has already burnt down many dogmas and beliefs
has already burnt out many dogmas and beliefs
has already burnt up many dogmas and many beliefs

Question 11 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

For behalf of any of these causes she was ready from time to time to dash off an article at short notice or address an audience.

For behalf of
In behalf of
In the behalf of
For the behalf of
On behalf of

Question 12 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

It is expensive getting the children fitted in with clothes for their new school.

getting the children fitted in with clothes for their new school.
getting the children fitted with clothes for their new school.
to get the children fitted with clothes for their new school.
getting the children fitted out with clothes for their new school.
to get the children fitted in with clothes for their new school.

Question 13 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

You will be sorry by the time I have finished you up.

by the time I have finished you up.
by the time I have finished with you.
by the time I have finished up with you.
by the time I have finished you off.
by the time I have finished you.

Question 14 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

He came on the of chance for finding me at home.

on the of chance for finding me at home.
on the off chance for finding me at home.
on the off chance in finding me at home.
on the of chance for finding me in home.
on the off chance for finding me in home.

Question 15 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

He who fails to see any justification for money and time given up to the collection of postage stamps will scarcely deny that these lines of study can scarcely fail to be both fascinating and profitable.

money and time given up to the collection of postage stamps will scarcely deny
money spent and time given up to collecting of postage stamps will scarcely deny
money spent and time given up to the collection of postage stamps will scarcely deny
money and time given up to the collecting of postage stamps will scarcely deny
money spent and time given up to postage stamps will scarcely deny

Question 16 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The last but not the least, I would like to thank all the workers without whose co-operation, the rally wouldn't be a success.

The last but not the least, I would like to thank all the workers without whose cooperation
Last but not the least, I would thank all the workers without whose cooperation,
Last but not least, I would like to thank all the workers without whose cooperation,
Last but not the least, I would like to thank all workers without whose co-operation,

Question 17 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Mother nature helps us survive in this world; something as simple as a tree provides us with so much - food, shade, wood and oxygen - and expects nothing in return.

something as simple as a tree provides us with so much - food, shade, wood and oxygen -
something simple as a tree provides us with so much: food shade, wood and oxygen
something simple as a tree provides us with so much; food, shade, wood and oxygen:
something as simple as a tree provides us with so much; food, shade, wood and oxygen:

Question 18 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The differences in the two groups of the party had reached a flashpoint where one group had to part one's way.

The differences in the two groups of the party had
The differences within the two groups of the party had
The differences between the two groups of the party had
The differences between the two groups in the party had

Question 19 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Upon arrival at any place of posting I find it greatly different than what I had imagined.

Upon arrival at any place of posting I find it greatly different than what I had imagined.
When arriving at any place of posting I find it greatly different from what I had imagined.
Upon arrival on any place of posting I find it greatly different than what I had imagined.
Upon arrival at any place of posting I find it greatly different from what I had imagined.

Idiomatic and Phrasal Usage with Preposition

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