English Lesson (Preposition Problems): Test on the Use of "In" and "On"

LESSON: PREPOSITION PROBLEMS
Test on the Use of the Preposition “IN” and “ON”

Direction: Choose the correct answer. The answers are posted at the end of the test.

1. I put my keys ___ the top of the table.
a.) in
b.) on

2. The book is ___ the library.
a.) in
b.) on

3. The book is ___ the shelf.
a.) in
b.) on

4. She's waiting ___ the platform for the train.
a.) in
b.) on

5. There's food ___ the refrigerator.
a.) in
b.) on

6. She's ___ the movie theater watching a film.
a.) in
b.) on

7. The picture hangs ___ the wall.
a.) in
b.) on

8. The dog is sleeping ___ its bed.
a.) in
b.) on

9. The cat is sleeping ___ the couch.
a.) in
b.) on

10. He works ___ an office downtown.
a.) in
b.) on

11. We're going ___ a trip next week.
a.) in
b.) on

12. Let's have a picnic ___ the beach.
a.) in
b.) on

13. He's standing ___ the corner of the street.
a.) in
b.) on

14. There are clothes ___ the wardrobe.
a.) in
b.) on

15. Let's meet ___ the café for coffee.
a.) in
b.) on

16. The presents are ___ the closet.
a.) in
b.) on

17. The restaurant is ___ the right side of the street.
a.) in
b.) on

18. She's ___ the pool swimming laps.
a.) in
b.) on

19. The vase fell ___ the floor.
a.) in
b.) on

20. The pen is ___ the pencil case.
a.) in
b.) on

21. She's ___ the phone with her friend.
a.) in
b.) on

22. They're ___ the middle of a heated argument.
a.) in
b.) on

23. We're ___ vacation next month.
a.) in
b.) on

24. The meeting is ___ Monday.
a.) in
b.) on

25. He's ___ the mood for pizza tonight.
a.) in
b.) on

26. We're ___ need of some assistance.
a.) in
b.) on

27. They're ___ the same team.
a.) in
b.) on

28. The children are ___ awe of the magician's tricks.
a.) in
b.) on

29. She's ___ the habit of going for a run every morning.
a.) in
b.) on

30. I'm ___ the bus to downtown.
a.) in
b.) on


ANSWERS

1. I put my keys on the top of the table. - Correct answer: b) on. The preposition "on" is used because it refers to placement on a surface.

2. The book is in the library. - Correct answer: a) in. Here, "in" indicates that the book is inside the building of the library.

3. The book is on the shelf. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is used because the book is placed on the surface of the shelf.

4. She's waiting on the platform for the train. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is used to indicate that she is standing on the surface of the platform.

5. There's food in the refrigerator. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" is correct as it indicates that the food is inside the refrigerator.

6. She's in the movie theater watching a film. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" is used because she is inside the structure of the movie theater.

7. The picture hangs on the wall. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" indicates that the picture is attached to the surface of the wall.

8. The dog is sleeping in its bed. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" indicates that the dog is inside the confines of the bed.

9. The cat is sleeping on the couch. - Correct answer: b) on. The preposition "on" is used because the cat is lying on the surface of the couch.

10. He works in an office downtown. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" shows that he works inside an office building.

11. We're going on a trip next week. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is often used with "trip" to indicate being on a journey.

12. Let's have a picnic on the beach. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is used because the picnic will be held on the surface of the beach.

13. He's standing on the corner of the street. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" suggests standing on that part of the street's surface.

14. There are clothes in the wardrobe. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" is correct as the clothes are stored inside the wardrobe.

15. Let's meet in the café for coffee. - Correct answer: a) in. The preposition "in" shows that the meeting point is inside the café.

16. The presents are in the closet. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" is used because the presents are stored inside the closet.

17. The restaurant is on the right side of the street. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is used to describe locations on a surface, including street sides.

18. She's in the pool swimming laps. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" is correct because she is physically inside the pool.

19. The vase fell on the floor. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" indicates the vase fell onto the surface of the floor.

20. The pen is in the pencil case. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" is used as the pen is inside the pencil case.

21. She's on the phone with her friend. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is a colloquial usage meaning engaged in using the phone.

22. They're in the middle of a heated argument. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" here is metaphorical, suggesting being involved in something.

23. We're on vacation next month. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is typically used with "vacation" to indicate the state of being on a break.

24. The meeting is on Monday. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is used for days of the week.

25. He's in the mood for pizza tonight. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" suggests a current state or feeling.

26. We're in need of some assistance. - Correct answer: a) in. Similar to the above, "in" describes a state of requiring help.

27. They're on the same team. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" is commonly used to indicate membership in groups or teams.

28. The children are in awe of the magician's tricks. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" is used to express being in a state of wonder.

29. She's in the habit of going for a run every morning. - Correct answer: a) in. "In" here means she regularly engages in this activity.

30. I'm on the bus to downtown. - Correct answer: b) on. "On" indicates riding or being aboard the bus.

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