PREPOSITIONS + in Essays

Directions: Fill in the gaps in the 5 topics & their essays below with the words (almost wholly
prepositions + possibly a few other POS = Parts of Speech) in the wordlist above each topic.
Use caps where necessary.

WORDLIST: to among at behind by for from in of on up with

TOPIC: Modern children are suffering ____ the diseases that were once considered __ be
meant ___ adults only. Obesity is a major disease prevalent _____ children. What are its
causes and what solutions can be offered?

ESSAY: Nowadays, the increasing rate __ overweight children and adults is a worldwide health
issue. Obesity is a major problem which is increasing day __ day __ schoolgoing children. There
are various reasons ______ it. This essay will discuss the causes __ obesity and offer some
solutions.

The first cause __ obesity is junk food. It is often seen that mostly children are fond __ burgers,
pizzas, noodles and coke. These types __ foods are easily available __ them __ school canteens.
Children love __ purchase chips, chocolates, - ice-cream ___ lunch. Moreover, __ this modern
era, parents are working and they do not have time __ cook __ home. Parents often buy dinner
___ their children instead __ preparing food __ home. This calorie-rich diet is making children
obese. This problem can be solved __ teaching children __ cook healthy foods ___ themselves
and banning junk foods and fizzy drinks __ schools. This diet can be replaced __ milk, juice and
fruits ___ lunch.

The second cause __ obesity is sedentary life style. It is true that the use __ computers and
television is increasing __ children. They spend most __ their time watching television or
playing video games __ a computer. This technological advancement has reduced the level __
physical activity __ this specific age group. This issue can be resolved __ encouraging children
__ do physical exercises. Parents can take their children __ park __ encourage playing ____
friends. Furthermore, schools can add sports __ their curriculum __ maintain physical fitness __
their students.

__ sum __, it is clear that main causes __ obesity are unhealthy eating and not enough physical
activities. This ailment can be prevented and treated __ healthy eating habits and physical
exercises.
2

WORDLIST: despite from in on to under about above at but for from of with

TOPIC: Some people think that schools should select students according __ their academic
abilities, while others believe that it is better __ have students ____ different abilities
studying together. Discuss both views and state your own opinion.

ESSAY: Some people contend that mixed ability classes are more beneficial ___ children’s
development than streaming them __ the basis __ judgement _____ their academic abilities.
However, ____ my perspective, I disagree ____ this contention.

Admittedly, mixed ability classes provide a better environment ___ children’s all-round
development. __ such classes, children ____ different abilities study together and __ turn they
can learn ____ one another. ____ example, a student, who is good __ academic study ___ weak
__ dancing or painting, can learn how __ dance or paint form his peers. __ this sense, mixed
ability classes allow students __ develop their abilities __ different subjects instead __ only
academic abilities.

_______ the argument _____, I believe streaming students brings more benefits __ teachers and
students. As ___ teachers, separating children ____ better academic abilities ____ others
facilitates effective teaching. This practice helps teachers __ control their students more
conveniently and easily. Compared ____ mixed ability __ which teacher should consider
students’ differences when they are using teaching methodologies, streaming makes this situation
simpler. __ be more specific, students are __ the same level __ academic ability __ a class, and
__ turn teachers can use the same methodologies ___ them all. __ this way, the narrower the
spread __ ability __ the class, the more convenient the teaching can be.

__ top __ this, steaming enables students __ learn __ an effective way. According __ students’
different abilities, they are taught __ different ways that are more suitable ___ them. __ the top
streams, students use more difficult materials, therefore, they can learn more. __ sharp contrast,
teachers can explain the material more slowly __ those __ bottom streams. _____ this
circumstance, students ____ different academic abilities can study effectively and efficiently.

__ the final analysis, mixed ability classes are beneficial ___ students’ versatile development,
___ __ my opinion, segregating students based __ different academic ability is better ___ both
teachers and students.
3

WORDLIST: above in to about after before by for of on outside up with

TOPIC: Many offenders commit more crimes _____ serving the first punishment. Why is
this happening, and what measures can be taken __ tackle this problem?

ESSAY: It is true that some criminals commit crimes again _____ they have been punished.
While there are several reasons ___ this alarming trend, some effective measures can be taken __
governments __ tackle this problem.

There are two main reasons ___ re-offenders-. Firstly, the prison system can make the situation
worse. Criminals put together __ prison and they make friends ____ other offenders. While they
are locked __ __ prison, they do not have much __ do there, and they would exchange
information _____ what they have done ______ they came __ the prison or they may plan crimes
____ other inmates. Secondly, offenders often do not have any other means __ earning money.
They are poor, uneducated and lacking skills needed __ maintain a job. Also, a criminal record
makes finding a job difficult as people usually avoid hiring ex-convicts.

__ solve this problem, governments should focus __ rehabilitation __ criminals rather than
punishment. _____ all, prisons need vocational training which makes inmates __ prepare ___ life
_______ the prison. They can learn practical skills such as computer programming, car
maintenance and graphic design. __ this way, they can be hired ___ a position that requires this
certain knowledge and skills. Community service is another way __ reform offenders. Rather
than being locked __ __ prison ____ other inmates, offenders can help society and become useful
__ their local community, and these activities would eliminate the negative influence that prisons
can have.

__ conclusion, it is true the re-offenders are one __ the problems __ our community; it can be
solved __ focusing rehabilitation rather than punishment itself.
4

WORDLIST: for to but by from in into of on out with

TOPIC: When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways __ life die
___. It is pointless __ try and keep them alive. __ what extent do you agree or disagree ____
this opinion?

ESSAY: Nowadays, technological advances and their rapid and wide applications are having a
significant impact __ a nation’s traditional skills and ways __ life. Some argue that such impact
is so extraordinary that it would make conventional skills and life styles obsolete. However, I
believe they would continue __ thrive __ providing alternatives __ modern ways __ life, and
innovative ideas ___ modern technologies.

First __ all, traditional skills and ways __ life are becoming an alternative solution __ the
problems caused __ ‘mainstreamed’ ways __ life which are greatly influenced __ modern
technologies. ___ instance, a cozy restaurant where traditional, home-brewed beer is served,
offers another experience __ people who are bored ____ branded beers that have the same flavor
and come ___ __ mass production ____ new technologies. It is __ such a venue where traditional
skills are preserved, people become relaxed and educated. Providing diversity and thus enriching
modern ways __ life, such traditional skills and ways __ life would continue __ have their place.

Furthermore, conventional skills provide innovative ideas __ the development __ modern

technologies. ___ example, sparkled __ how the word ‘Love’• is traditionally knitted ____ a
sweater __ some ethnic minority women __ some parts __ Asia, some business managers ____
textile industry have developed some production lines __ applying the traditional skills __
Computer-Aided Designs (CAD). The products have boosted the companies’ sales which __ turn
have increased their investment __ preserving traditional skills ___ further developing their
technologies.

__ conclude, traditional skills and life styles are increasingly becoming a useful alternative __
the homogeneity brought __ global applications __ modern technologies. However, the evolution
__ technologies is a selection process, whereby some would become obsolete, ___ there is no
doubt that some would thrive when their roles are appreciated.
5

WORDLIST: for in on through to about after among at between by during from like of with

TOPIC: Popular events ____ the football world cup and other international sporting
occasions are essential __ easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions __
a safe way. __ what extent do you agree or disagree ____ this opinion?

ESSAY: The World Cup football match and the Olympics are held worldwide ____ great
national support and expectations. As a fan __ those competitions, I agree ____ the idea that
sporting events can be necessary ___ international relations and national unity. __ this essay, I
will think _____ the effects __ these popular sporting events.

First __ all, the World Cup, Olympics and other international games work ___ easing tensions
_____ different nations. ___ example, South and North Korea have football games regularly
which give two nations a chance __ understand each other deeply. __ the mid-1990s, a hundreds
__ North Korean supporters came __ South Korea ____ the footballers and they were very
excited ______ the sporting events. Even if it sounds ridiculous, many South Koreans were quite
surprised __ that moment when North Koreans shouted and cried ______ the match. We all
realized that they were very normal sports fans even though they were occasionally very
secretive. _______ the sports, two divided nations could reduce their political and ideological
tensions and could feel the patriotic unity.

__ the other hand, some sports matches can make international relations worse. ___ instance,
football or baseball games _______ Korea and Japan are always big matches __ two countries
where full __ tensions overflow. Sometimes, _____ the matches, the two rivals blame each other
and their patriotic emotions explode __ an aggressive way. Even much worse scenario is that the
troubles caused __ losing games affect the players directly. As far as I know, a couple __ Korean
players __ Japan are suffered ____ invisible discrimination _____ the match _______ two
countries.

__ conclusion, I think that international sporting occasions can be one __ the good ways __ ease
tensions or __ release patriotism safely. However, I believe that games cannot be the
fundamental ways ___ the sound patriotism or peaceful international relations.