Q1. The lawyer tried to expostulate ________ the judge about the unfair verdict.
(CAT Level)

A) to
B) with
C) on
D) for

Answer & Explanation: B) with
‘To expostulate with’ someone means to express strong disapproval or disagreement with them.

Q2. We must not trifle ________ such a serious matter.
(SSC CGL Mains)

A) on
B) with
C) at
D) over

Answer & Explanation: B) with
‘To trifle with’ something means to treat it without seriousness or respect.

Q3. I cannot acquiesce ________ your unreasonable demands.
(UPSC CSE Prelims)

A) to
B) with
C) in
D) for

Answer & Explanation: C) in
‘To acquiesce in’ a decision or demand means to accept it reluctantly but without protest.

Q4. He was grappling ________ a difficult financial problem.
(Bank PO Mains)

A) to
B) at
C) with
D) from

Answer & Explanation: C) with
‘To grapple with’ a problem means to struggle to deal with or understand it.

Q5. He will have to atone ________ his misdeeds.
(CDS Exam)

A) with
B) at
C) of
D) for

Answer & Explanation: D) for
‘To atone for’ means to make amends for a wrongdoing.

Q6. The company decided to dispense ________ the services of a few employees.
(IBPS PO)

A) with
B) of
C) from
D) away

Answer & Explanation: A) with
‘To dispense with’ means to get rid of or stop using something or someone.

Q7. The rebels are still holding out ________ the government’s forces.
(NDA Exam)

A) to
B) over
C) for
D) against

Answer & Explanation: D) against
‘To hold out against’ an opponent means to resist or continue to defend oneself.

Q8. You should not gloat ________ your opponent’s misfortune.
(Advanced Vocabulary)

A) at
B) over
C) on
D) with

Answer & Explanation: B) over
‘To gloat over’ means to dwell on one’s own success or another’s misfortune with smugness.

Q9. Do not meddle ________ my private affairs.
(PGT English)

A) with
B) into
C) in
D) on

Answer & Explanation: C) in
‘To meddle in’ someone’s affairs means to interfere. ‘To meddle with’ means to tamper with an object.

Q10. You need to account ________ every penny you spent.
(Bank PO)

A) for
B) to
C) of
D) with

Answer & Explanation: A) for
‘To account for’ means to provide an explanation or justification for something.

Q11. The scientist will delve ________ the mysteries of the universe.
(KVS PGT)

A) on
B) with
C) at
D) into

Answer & Explanation: D) into
‘To delve into’ means to explore or research something in depth.

Q12. You must expatiate ________ the benefits of the new scheme to convince them.
(CAT Level)

A) with
B) upon
C) for
D) in

Answer & Explanation: B) upon
‘To expatiate upon’ (or on) a subject means to speak or write at length or in detail about it.

Q13. Let us not harp ________ the same string again and again.
(Idiomatic Verb)

A) in
B) over
C) on
D) about

Answer & Explanation: C) on
‘To harp on’ means to talk or complain about something repeatedly.

Q14. The teacher impressed ________ us the importance of discipline.
(TGT English)

A) at
B) upon
C) to
D) with

Answer & Explanation: B) upon
‘To impress upon’ someone means to make them understand the importance of something.

Q15. She prides herself ________ her culinary skills.
(Common PYQ)

A) for
B) at
C) of
D) on

Answer & Explanation: D) on
‘To pride oneself on’ something means to be proud of a quality or skill one has.

Q16. He has already apprised his boss ________ the situation.
(Bank PO)

A) of
B) about
C) with
D) to

Answer & Explanation: A) of
‘To apprise someone of’ something means to inform them.

Q17. She seems to be infatuated ________ her new neighbour.
(CDS Exam)

A) with
B) for
C) to
D) about

Answer & Explanation: A) with
‘Infatuated with’ means having an intense but short-lived passion for someone.

Q18. I prevailed ________ him to join our team for the competition.
(SSC CGL Mains)

A) with
B) at
C) over
D) upon

Answer & Explanation: D) upon
‘To prevail upon’ (or on) someone means to persuade them.

Q19. The captain is confident ________ winning the match.
(Common PYQ)

A) to
B) for
C) about
D) of

Answer & Explanation: D) of
‘Confident of’ winning or success is the standard fixed phrase.

Q20. She still pines ________ her long-lost love.
(SSC CGL)

A) for
B) about
C) on
D) after

Answer & Explanation: A) for
‘To pine for’ someone means to miss them and long for them.

Q21. The minister’s comments are not pertinent ________ the matter we are discussing.
(SSC CGL Mains)

A) for
B) to
C) with
D) of

Answer & Explanation: B) to
‘Pertinent to’ means relevant or applicable to a particular matter.

Q22. He has a remarkable predilection ________ exotic food.
(CAT Vocabulary)

A) with
B) for
C) towards
D) in

Answer & Explanation: B) for
‘A predilection for’ something means a preference or special liking for it.

Q23. I have an abiding faith ________ his abilities to lead the team.
(Bank PO)

A) on
B) for
C) of
D) in

Answer & Explanation: D) in
‘Faith in’ is the correct prepositional phrase to express trust or confidence.

Q24. Your conduct is not compatible ________ your high position in society.
(CDS Exam)

A) to
B) for
C) with
D) of

Answer & Explanation: C) with
Something is ‘compatible with’ something else, meaning they can coexist harmoniously.

Q25. There is no exception ________ this rule.
(KVS PGT)

A) for
B) to
C) from
D) in

Answer & Explanation: B) to
The fixed phrase is ‘an exception to’ a rule.

Q26. I am hopeful ________ a positive outcome.
(SSC CHSL)

A) of
B) for
C) with
D) about

Answer & Explanation: A) of
The adjective ‘hopeful’ is followed by the preposition ‘of’.

Q27. The accused had a proclivity ________ violence from a young age.
(UPSC Mains Vocabulary)

A) of
B) with
C) for
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
‘A proclivity to’ (or for) means a tendency to choose or do something regularly.

Q28. He was repugnant ________ the ideas of his extremist friends.
(Bank PO Mains)

A) with
B) at
C) to
D) for

Answer & Explanation: C) to
‘Repugnant to’ means unacceptable or offensive to someone or some principle.

Q29. A judge should be impervious ________ any external pressure.
(Legal Exams)

A) of
B) from
C) to
D) against

Answer & Explanation: C) to
‘Impervious to’ means not allowing something to pass through or be affected by it.

Q30. Her performance is integral ________ the success of the entire show.
(PGT English)

A) for
B) with
C) of
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
‘Integral to’ means being an essential part of something.

Q31. The CEO was resentful ________ the criticism he received.
(CDS)

A) for
B) of
C) at
D) with

Answer & Explanation: B) of
‘Resentful of’ is the correct fixed preposition.

Q32. The country is fraught ________ political instability.
(IBPS PO)

A) from
B) with
C) by
D) of

Answer & Explanation: B) with
‘Fraught with’ means filled with or destined to result in something undesirable.

Q33. He is completely engrossed ________ his new project.
(Common PYQ)

A) with
B) at
C) for
D) in

Answer & Explanation: D) in
‘Engrossed in’ means to be completely absorbed by something.

Q34. She has a deep prejudice ________ people from other cultures.
(UPSC CSE)

A) towards
B) about
C) against
D) with

Answer & Explanation: C) against
‘Prejudice against’ is the standard usage for a bias opposed to something.

Q35. He is content ________ his modest income.
(TGT English)

A) for
B) at
C) with
D) on

Answer & Explanation: C) with
‘Content with’ means to be satisfied with something.

Q36. We must always be alive ________ the dangers around us.
(SSC CGL)

A) with
B) for
C) of
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
‘Alive to’ means to be aware of and responsive to something.

Q37. I am not conversant ________ the latest scientific discoveries.
(Bank PO Mains)

A) to
B) with
C) about
D) of

Answer & Explanation: B) with
‘Conversant with’ means to be knowledgeable about something.

Q38. She has a natural flair ________ public speaking.
(CAT Exam)

A) for
B) in
C) of
D) at

Answer & Explanation: A) for
‘A flair for’ something means a natural talent for it.

Q39. This shirt is superior ________ that one in every way.
(Common PYQ)

A) from
B) than
C) over
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
Latin comparatives like ‘superior’, ‘inferior’, ‘senior’, ‘junior’ are followed by ‘to’.

Q40. I was aghast ________ the level of violence shown in the movie.
(KVS PGT)

A) with
B) of
C) at
D) about

Answer & Explanation: C) at
‘Aghast at’ means to be filled with horror or shock at something.

Q41. It took me a long time to get ________ the shock of her death.

A) over
B) by
C) through
D) about

Answer & Explanation: A) over
‘To get over’ means to recover from an illness or an unpleasant experience.

Q42. The old building was pulled ________ to make way for a new skyscraper.

A) apart
B) down
C) off
D) out

Answer & Explanation: B) down
‘To pull down’ means to demolish a building.

Q43. My salary is not enough to live ________ in a big city.

A) by
B) off
C) with
D) on

Answer & Explanation: D) on
‘To live on’ a certain amount of money means to have that as your income.

Q44. Please do not blow ________ the candle.

A) out
B) off
C) away
D) down

Answer & Explanation: A) out
‘To blow out’ means to extinguish a flame by blowing.

Q45. He came ________ a rare manuscript in the old library.

A) over
B) across
C) by
D) to

Answer & Explanation: B) across
‘To come across’ something means to find it by chance.

Q46. The authorities have cracked ________ on illegal constructions.

A) upon
B) over
C) down
D) with

Answer & Explanation: C) down
‘To crack down on’ something means to take severe measures against it.

Q47. The manager promised to deal ________ the customer’s complaint promptly.

A) in
B) with
C) out
D) on

Answer & Explanation: B) with
‘To deal with’ means to handle or take action on a matter.

Q48. The company is trying to pass ________ this cheap product as a premium one.

A) on
B) away
C) out
D) off

Answer & Explanation: D) off
‘To pass off’ something as something else means to misrepresent it.

Q49. I cannot make ________ what is written in this old document.

A) for
B) of
C) out
D) up

Answer & Explanation: C) out
‘To make out’ means to see or understand with difficulty.

Q50. We need to fall back ________ our original plan if this one fails.

A) on
B) to
C) over
D) in

Answer & Explanation: A) on
‘To fall back on’ means to have something to use as a last resort.

Q51. The opposition is trying to bring ________ the government.

A) off
B) around
C) out
D) down

Answer & Explanation: D) down
‘To bring down’ a government means to cause it to collapse.

Q52. Don’t worry, I will stand ________ you no matter what happens.

A) for
B) with
C) by
D) up for

Answer & Explanation: C) by
‘To stand by’ someone means to support or remain loyal to them.

Q53. How did you come ________ this rare book?

A) across
B) about
C) by
D) to

Answer & Explanation: C) by
‘To come by’ something means to obtain it, especially with difficulty.

Q54. The actor has decided to go ________ for the main role in the new film.

A) with
B) for
C) after
D) to

Answer & Explanation: B) for
‘To go for’ something means to try to get or achieve it.

Q55. He decided to put ________ his plans for vacation due to work pressure.

A) out
B) up
C) away
D) off

Answer & Explanation: D) off
‘To put off’ means to postpone.

Q56. It is hard to keep ________ with the latest technological advancements.

A) on
B) pace
C) track
D) up

Answer & Explanation: D) up
‘To keep up with’ means to stay informed about something.

Q57. He laid ________ his life for his country.

A) out
B) off
C) down
D) aside

Answer & Explanation: C) down
‘To lay down one’s life’ means to sacrifice it.

Q58. She looks ________ on people who are not as wealthy as she is.

A) down
B) up
C) about
D) at

Answer & Explanation: A) down
‘To look down on’ someone means to consider them inferior.

Q59. The company had to make ________ for the losses incurred last year.

A) out
B) over
C) up
D) amends

Answer & Explanation: C) up
‘To make up for’ means to compensate for something.

Q60. You must learn to face ________ to your problems instead of running away.

A) on
B) out
C) up
D) forward

Answer & Explanation: C) up
‘To face up to’ a problem means to accept and deal with it.

Q61. A thorough inquiry in the matter (A)/ is required to bring out (B)/ the hidden facts to the public. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) A thorough inquiry in the matter
The correct preposition is ‘inquiry into’ the matter.

Q62. He has no control upon (A)/ his temper and often (B)/ gets angry without any reason. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) He has no control upon
The correct preposition with the noun ‘control’ is ‘over’. ‘He has no control over…’.

Q63. The politician was so popular (A)/ that his car was followed (B)/ by a crowd upon the road. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: C) by a crowd upon the road.
The correct preposition to show movement along a path is ‘along the road’.

Q64. No sooner did the (A)/ teacher enter into the classroom (B)/ than the students stood up. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: B) enter into the classroom
The verb ‘enter’ is not followed by a preposition when it means to come into a place. ‘Enter into’ is used for agreements or discussions.

Q65. My house is (A)/ inferior and smaller (B)/ than yours in all respects. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: B) inferior and smaller
The adjectives require different prepositions. It should be ‘inferior to and smaller than’. So the entire construction is flawed. A clearer way would be ‘My house is inferior to, and smaller than, yours…’.

Q66. The king of this land is (A)/ blind in one eye but he (B)/ is not blind to the faults of his son. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: D) No Error
The sentence correctly uses ‘blind in’ for a physical defect and ‘blind to’ for being unaware.

Q67. You must work hard because (A)/ there is no alternative (B)/ of success except hard work. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: C) of success except hard work.
The correct fixed preposition is ‘alternative to’.

Q68. He was appointed on that post (A)/ after the untimely demise (B)/ of his senior colleague. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) He was appointed on that post
The correct phrase is ‘appointed to that post’.

Q69. She was so engrossed with her work (A)/ that she did not hear (B)/ the doorbell ring. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) engrossed with her work
The correct preposition is ‘engrossed in’.

Q70. You are requested to kindly (A)/ abstain from smoke (B)/ inside the hospital premises. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: B) abstain from smoke
The verb should be in its gerund form. ‘abstain from smoking’.

Q71. We could not attend the wedding (A)/ because my whole family (B)/ was suffering with a fever. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: C) was suffering with a fever.
The correct idiom is ‘suffering from’.

Q72. There is no point for discussing (A)/ the matter any further (B)/ as the decision has already been made. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) for discussing
The correct idiom is ‘There is no point in discussing’.

Q73. The student sat besides the professor (A)/ during the lecture to (B)/ clarify his doubts immediately. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) sat besides the professor
‘Besides’ means ‘in addition to’. ‘Beside’ means ‘next to’. The correct word here is ‘beside’.

Q74. It was I who was responsible (A)/ for making all the arrangements (B)/ for the successful completion of his studies. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: D) No Error
The sentence is grammatically correct. ‘Responsible for’ is used correctly.

Q75. The politician complied to (A)/ the demands of the public (B)/ to avoid a protest. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) complied to
The correct phrasal verb is ‘complied with’.

Q76. She was overcome from (A)/ sheer joy when she heard (B)/ the news of her promotion. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) overcome from
One is ‘overcome with’ or ‘by’ emotion.

Q77. I am grateful for you (A)/ for having helped me (B)/ in my time of need. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) grateful for you
One is ‘grateful to’ a person and ‘grateful for’ a thing. It should be ‘grateful to you’.

Q78. Our professor insists on us to read (A)/ the newspaper daily to (B)/ stay updated with current affairs. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: A) insists on us to read
The correct structure is ‘insists on + possessive + gerund’. It should be ‘insists on our reading…’.

Q79. His failure is a proof of (A)/ his lack of preparation (B)/ and commitment for the exam. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: C) commitment for the exam.
The correct fixed preposition is ‘commitment to’ something.

Q80. I will not object to my son (A)/ going for higher studies as long (B)/ as he pays for his own fees. (C)/ No Error (D)

Answer & Explanation: D) No Error
The sentence is grammatically correct. ‘Object to’ is correctly followed by the gerund ‘going’.

Q81. The children were delighted with the sight of the colorful balloons.

A) at the sight of
B) for the sight of
C) upon seeing the sight
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: A) at the sight of
‘Delighted at’, ‘surprised at’, ‘alarmed at’ are standard phrases expressing reaction to something.

Q82. His Master’s degree thesis was highly recommended and was unique from many aspects.

A) unique in many respects
B) a unique thing for many aspects
C) unique about many respects
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: A) unique in many respects
The correct idiom is ‘unique in many respects’ or ‘in many ways’.

Q83. He climbed on the tree to pluck the ripe mangoes.

A) in the tree
B) up the tree
C) over the tree
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: B) up the tree
‘Up’ best denotes the directional movement of climbing.

Q84. I have no objection for your proposal to revamp the company structure.

A) about your proposal
B) against your proposal
C) to your proposal
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: C) to your proposal
The correct fixed preposition is ‘objection to’.

Q85. There is no use to argue upon such a trivial point.

A) arguing on
B) arguing about
C) for arguing
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: B) arguing about
The structure is ‘There is no use + gerund (V+ing)’. We argue ‘about’ or ‘over’ an issue.

Q86. This cloth is inferior than the one I bought last week.

A) from
B) with
C) to
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: C) to
Latin comparatives like ‘inferior’, ‘superior’ are followed by ‘to’.

Q87. We have been discussing this matter since two hours.

A) for two hours
B) from two hours
C) since two hour
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: A) for two hours
‘Two hours’ is a period of time, which requires ‘for’.

Q88. It is time the government took steps to bring down illiteracy.

A) on illiteracy
B) about illiteracy
C) to illiteracy
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: D) No improvement
‘Bring down’ (to reduce) is the correct phrasal verb in this context.

Q89. He is blessed from a good sense of humour.

A) by a good sense
B) for a good sense
C) with a good sense
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: C) with a good sense
One is ‘blessed with’ a quality or talent.

Q90. My parents always prevented me to associate with bad company.

A) from associating with
B) in associating with
C) against associating with
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: A) from associating with
The correct structure is ‘prevent someone from doing something’.

Q91. He will be deprived from his property if he continues this behaviour.

A) of his property
B) to his property
C) with his property
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: A) of his property
The correct phrase is ‘deprived of’.

Q92. His political rival is hinting on his imminent resignation.

A) for his imminent resignation
B) at his imminent resignation
C) to his imminent resignation
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: B) at his imminent resignation
‘Hint at’ means to suggest indirectly.

Q93. The jury acquitted him from the crime.

A) to the crime
B) with the crime
C) of the crime
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: C) of the crime
The correct preposition is ‘acquitted of’.

Q94. You need to abstain for all kinds of extravagance.

A) from all kinds of extravagance
B) of all kinds of extravagance
C) with all kinds of extravagance
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: A) from all kinds of extravagance
‘Abstain from’ is the correct fixed preposition.

Q95. This document is a testament of the government’s commitment.

A) for the government’s commitment
B) to the government’s commitment
C) about the government’s commitment
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: B) to the government’s commitment
The correct phrase is ‘a testament to’, meaning proof of something.

Q96. The meeting will start at 10 AM, so you should arrive on time.

A) by time
B) in time
C) timely
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: D) No improvement
‘On time’ means exactly at the scheduled time. It is perfectly correct.

Q97. My mother has always had a special fondness towards me.

A) for me
B) about me
C) with me
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: A) for me
‘A fondness for’ someone is the correct idiom.

Q98. His failure to get the promotion was a great disappointment for him.

A) disappointing for him
B) disappointment to him
C) disappointed to him
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: B) disappointment to him
Something is ‘a disappointment to’ a person.

Q99. This version of the book is different than any other I have read.

A) with
B) from
C) to
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: B) from
‘Different’ is always followed by ‘from’.

Q100. It took him a long time to reconcile with the loss of his beloved pet.

A) to the loss of
B) reconcile over the loss of
C) reconcile himself to the loss of
D) No improvement

Answer & Explanation: C) reconcile himself to the loss of
The correct idiom is ‘to reconcile oneself to’ a situation, meaning to accept it.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Final Challenge!

Exceptional work on finishing this advanced test of Hard Prepositions MCQs! You’ve navigated through some of the most complex prepositional rules and phrasings found in competitive exams. Your grammar skills are clearly reaching an expert level.

• You have mastered a vast list of rare fixed and phrasal prepositions.
• You can now confidently tackle the most complex error spotting and sentence improvement questions from PYQs.

The journey isn’t over. Prepare for the ultimate consolidation in Set 4 of our Prepositions series, which will be a mega-revision test of the most important concepts. Keep up the excellent work!