Exercise 2. Fill in the gaps with the right prepositions.

1. She arrived home _____ the same time her husband left for the office, but they still missed each other.

2. The only time we can relax is _____ our coffee break.

3. They expect to move into their house _____ Independence Day.

4. William Shakespeare wrote his works _____ the Renaissance Period.

5. He lived _____ 1564 ______ 1616; he lived _____ 52 years.

6. Children with certain genetic disorders are not generally expected to live _____ their teen years.

7. Rosa does her schoolwork at dawn _____ her household chores.

8. Peter expects to live long _____ his 70^th birthday, as he believes in clean living.

9. Amanda stays out of the office way _____ the lunch break.

10. The contestants have around five hours to cross the desert; if they start at four in the morning, they should be on the other side _____ 7 a.m.

Activity five.

There are prepositions that are found in phrases that answer the following questions: How? In what way? (in unison, by messenger), By what means? (with a hammer), With/Without whom/what? (without a partner, with a passport), On what condition? (under written orders).

Exercise 1. Test yourself. Fill in each blank with the correct preposition.

1. Some physically disabled artists paint _____ their feet.

2. This honest judge has a reputation for rejecting bribes or favors _____ batting an eyelash.

3. Many international crises are resolved _____ diplomatic means.

4. Among the Japanese, it is almost a cardinal rule to reach decisions _____ consensus.

5. During traditional holidays, people return to their hometowns _____ droves.

6. It is always easier to find fault _____ hindsight.

7. The most daring tightrope artists perform _____ a net to catch a fall.

8. The employees are complaining that their benefits come _____ trickles.

9. A tyrant wants everything done _____ his say-so.

10. This self-made man reached the top _____ sheer hard work.

Exercise 2. Fill in the gaps with the right prepositions.

1. The delegation chose the winners _____ acclamation.

2. The litigants having failed to settle their differences amicably, the court will decide the case _____ its merits.

3. There is a saying that those who live _____ the gun shall die _____ the gun.

4. Every mother deals with each child _____ a different way, but always _____ the same degree of affection.

5. The forensic evidence came _____ bits and pieces.

6. What life it must be to be forever travelling _____ a coterie of bodyguards!

7. Politicians love to eat _____ their hands to show they are “just plain folk”.

8. The kid solved the puzzle _____ any help from anyone.

9. The witness agreed to testify, but _____ his own terms and _____ the strictest confidentiality.

10. The man learned about his dismissal only _____ newspaper reports.

Activity six.

The following verbs are among the most troublesome in this category: to discuss (to talk about), to request (to ask for), to trigger (to set off), to demand, to order, to page; an order for, a demand for, a request for.

Exercise 1. Test yourself. Underline the correct answer in each of the following sentences.

1. Please page (out, -, for) driver Ted.

2. He has been labeled (for, -, as) a problem child by his parents.

3. This is a request (-, about, for) more laptops for the office.

4. The victim is merely seeking (for, on, -) justice.

5. The employees are demanding (for, -, on) better working conditions.

6. This letter is a demand (for, -, to) a better faculty lounge in the building.

7. I consider my niece (as, -, for) one of the best in the world.

8. She is requesting (to, -, for) a salary increase.

9. My friends are ordering (-, for, on) another round of beers.

10. Mohamed Bouazizi has to be declared (as, -, for) a National Hero of Tunisia.