1. The owner of the hotel used to cook, but he rarely cooks ___ himself nowadays.

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

Answer: C) by
Explanation: “By himself” indicates that the owner rarely cooks on his own.

2. I have a few suggestions that should improve your presentation, but it was an excellent speech ___ itself.

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

Answer: A) on
Explanation: “On itself” is a phrase that fits the context of praising the presentation.

3. We went ___ Paris for a day in the rain and saw the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.

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

Answer: A) to
Explanation: “Went to” is used to indicate movement toward a place, in this case, Paris.

4. She is supposed to be studying ___ her exam but is instead chatting with her friends.

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

Answer: B) for
Explanation: “For her exam” is the correct phrase to indicate studying with a goal in mind.

5. We bought a stereo music center that was ___ display in the shop window.

A) on
B) in
C) by
D) at

Answer: A) on
Explanation: “On display” is the correct phrase used to describe an item being showcased.

6. All the roads leading ___ the town center were closed because of the flood.

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

Answer: C) to
Explanation: “Leading to” indicates the direction toward the town center.

7. The average human heart beats 72 times ___ minute.

A) per
B) in
C) by
D) on

Answer: A) per
Explanation: “Per minute” is the correct expression to indicate frequency.

8. At the beginning ___ the 16th century, Vasco Núñez de Balboa saw the Pacific Ocean.

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

Answer: B) of
Explanation: “At the beginning of” is the proper phrase to denote time periods.

9. The warders who are ___ the Tower of London are also known as “Beefeaters.”

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

Answer: B) at
Explanation: “At the Tower of London” is used to describe location.

10. The film is being shown ___ Monday night at 9 PM on Channel 4.

A) in
B) at
C) on
D) by

Answer: C) on
Explanation: “On Monday night” is the correct usage to specify a day.

11. 150 passengers ___ a train in Kaprun died when the train caught fire inside a tunnel.

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

Answer: B) on
Explanation: “On a train” is used to describe passengers traveling by train.

12. While we were ___ Istanbul, we visited the Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace.

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

Answer: A) in
Explanation: “In Istanbul” is the correct phrase for being present in a city.

13. Barcelona’s center is a maze of narrow streets and medieval buildings, in contrast ___ the modern apartment buildings.

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

Answer: B) to
Explanation: “In contrast to” is the correct expression to show comparison.

14. I am afraid the book “The House of the Prove” is currently ___ loan.

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

Answer: A) on
Explanation: “On loan” means the book is currently borrowed.

15. Do you pass a newsagent ___ your way? If so, can you pick me up “The Times”?

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

Answer: A) on
Explanation: “On your way” is the appropriate phrase to indicate movement along a route.

16. I don’t think the baby dropped it ___ accident. I think she threw it to gain attention.

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

Answer: B) by
Explanation: “By accident” is the correct expression to indicate an unintentional act.

17. How long have you been ___ a diet? For three weeks now, but I can’t resist eating a little chocolate.

A) on
B) at
C) in
D) by

Answer: A) on
Explanation: “On a diet” is the correct usage to indicate someone following a dietary regimen.

18. Two days after the bombing, we could still see the flames ___ the building.

A) at
B) from
C) on
D) in

Answer: D) in
Explanation: “In the building” is appropriate to describe where the flames were present.

19. In 1984, the British coal miners went ___ strike for almost a year.

A) on
B) in
C) at
D) by

Answer: A) on
Explanation: “On strike” is the correct phrase to indicate workers refusing to work as a form of protest.

20. The number of European companies investing ___ underdeveloped countries is increasing due to lower wages.

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

Answer: B) in
Explanation: “Investing in” is the proper prepositional phrase to show where the investment is being made.