1. Choose the correct prepositions.

The entire workforce of Norton mining has gone on/in strike following a serious accident at the mine in Coolooma. The cause for/of the accident is unclear, but the union is blaming management attitudes on/to safety regulations. A spokesperson said ‘Damage of/to equipment was frequently ignored and union demands for/of safer working practices were rejected. The managers’ relationship with/to the union was very poor, so although we pointed out that there’s been a rise of/in the number of minor accidents over the past year, they said there was no need for/of a change in working practices.

John Norton, the chairman of Norton Mining, is away on/in a business trip. His secretary said she had spoken to him by/on the phone. The news of the accident had come like/as a great shock to him, she added. She was unable to say when he would be back.

It is understood that the police would like to speak to Mr. Norton in connection with/to a number of his financial dealings.

2. Complete the answers to the questions. Use the prepositions as, at, by, in, like, on with the words provided and any other necessary words.

What’s this room? (store room) – We use it as a store room.

Where’s Geraldine? (holiday) – She’s …

What would you like to do now? (shade) – Let’s sit …

Why aren’t you eating any cake? (diet) – I’m …

Can you really afford to buy that CD player now? (credit card) – It’s OK. I’ll pay ….

Surely they didn’t drive all the way to Istanbul? (plane) – No, they travelled …

Was the exhibition interesting? (little-known Russian artists) – Yes. The works were all …

Why were so many people injured in the crash? (130 km an hour) – Because the train was traveling…

Why are you writing so slowly? (capital letters) – Because I have to put my address…

Can you ring to let me know you’re home safely? (phone) – Not very easily. You see, I’m not …

What was the course like? (whole) – Some parts were a bit dull, but it wasn’t bad …

How do you get on with your father? (best friend) – I regard him …

Why is your hand so swollen? (wasp) – I got stung …

What sort of car has Christine bought this time? (the last one) – A Ford …

Where’s the fax machine? (photocopier) – In the office …

What are you doing in the summer holidays? (motorcycle messenger) – I’ve got a job …

Why were you so late? (fog) – We got lost …

Why does Andrew keep making mistakes? (love) – He must be …

3. Underline the correct word(s). In some sentences, both words are possible.

1. I wasn't late once during/in my first year at school.

2. She got very badly sunburnt during/over her holiday in Spain.

3. You mustn't look directly at the sun during/in the eclipse.

4. During/Over the next two days I made several trips to the library.

5. The castle was built during/over the fourteenth century.

6. Mrs. Peterson made a number of major changes during/in her time as principal of the school.

7. They sat and rested during/for a while and then continued on their way.

8. Dr Brown won't be available during/over the coming months.

9. Because she had to go back to work, she could only stay during/for two weeks.

10. She is going to need a lot of support during/over the next few months.

11. He slept during/in the whole of the second half of the performance.

12. During/For a moment I didn't know whether he was being serious.

13. I visited most of the main museums and art galleries during/for my stay in Italy.

14. She suffered a number of serious injuries during/in her career as a professional tennis player.

15. He listened to the lecture during/for a few minutes more and then left the room quietly.

16. I seem to get lots of colds, particularly during/for the winter.

17. We should be at home during/over the weekend. Come and see us.