EXERCISE 1: PREPOSITIONS (Mixed)

Fill in the blank with the letter of the correct answer.

_____ 1. _____ the beginning of the 20th century, agriculture and manufacturing played a key role
in the UK economy.
a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 2. The company started to recover in the last months of the year, and _____ new year, it had
regained its initial position.
a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 3. _____ the late 19th century, the rural workforce had declined significantly.
a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 4. The number of accidents _____ 1999 was slightly higher than IN 2000.
a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 5. _____ this year alone, the company produced 10 million units.
a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 6. _____ January, there was a noticeable rise in the number of people taking sick leave from
work.
a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 7. _____ the 20th century, there was a significant increase in production.
a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 8. _____ the first six months, the number of employees remained the same.
a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 9. _____ 2010, there has been a steady decline in sales.

a. at b. by c. in d. for e. since

_____ 10. _____ the summer of 2012, the price of soda increased to nearly $2 per can.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 11. Salmon travel to three different places _____ the cycle, moving from river to estuary to
ocean and back.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 12. The graph illustrates the demands for electricity _____ the normal days of summer and
winter in England.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 13. The line graph shows the average daily viewing figures for Channel One News _____ a 12-
month period.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 14. After an almost two-year drop off to a low of $48 in mid-2000, the price quickly rebounded
_____ the next 3 months to $70.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 15. Overall, it can be observed that the tool was improved _____ the years to a more refined
and finer cutting tool.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at
_____ 16. The line graph shows radio and television audiences _____ the day in 1992.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 17. Overall, part-time education was several times more popular than full-time education
_____ the entire period.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 18. Germany's recycling rate increased sharply _____ the period, exceeding that of France in
2009.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 19. The maps illustrate Foster Road before and _____ the changes.
a. during b. over c. throughout d. after e. at

_____ 20. _____ 1900, only a portion of the village was developed, and later (between 1883 and
1922), the station was built along with other commercial establishments.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 21. Sales fluctuated _____ 5 million and 6 million.

a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 22. The line graph illustrates how the price of steel has varied over the 20-year period, from
1988 _____ 2008.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 23. _____ 1997 to 2006, there was a steady increase in sales of organic produce.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 24. _____ 1950 onwards, industrial use grew steadily to just over 1,000 km 3 while domestic
use rose more slowly to only 300 km3.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 25. Profits rose _____ a low of 4.5 million to a high of 8 million.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 26. In March, the price of gold rose slightly _____ $1,500.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 27. The number of students dropped _____ a low of 1800 in 2003.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 28. Cases of AIDS shot up from 2,400 in 1996 _____ 4,000 in 2003.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 29. Sales increased _____ 300%, from USD1 million to USD3 million.
a. before b. between c. to d. from e. by

_____ 30. Bike sales reached a peak _____ 20,000 in September.

a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 31. A large number _____ students gathered for the protest.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 32. The line graph below shows changes _____ the amount and type of fast food consumed
by Australian teenagers from 1975 to 2000.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around
_____ 33. Sales peaked _____ 2 million in 1999.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 34. At the start of the year, the turnover of the company stood _____ £1.3 million.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 35. In the last three years, the business sector remained constant _____ around 10% of the
workforce.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 36. The amount of meat consumed weekly started at _____ 100 grams.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 37. Use of the tube has been relatively stable, falling from _____ 27% of commuters in 1960
to 22% in 1980.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 38. In winter, demand for electricity increases from about 35 MkW at midnight to _____ 40
MkW at 3 a.m.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 39. Overall, demand for electricity is _____ twice as much in winter as in summer.
a. of b. in c. at d. about e. around

_____ 40. In the previous year, region 3 harvested the greatest proportion of corn, _____ a total of
about 10 million tons.
a. of b. from c. to d. with e. towards

_____ 41. The price began to drop again _____ the end of the period, finishing at under $60.
a. of b. from c. to d. with e. towards