Prepositions of time.

Unit 20 The Preposition

Exercise 279.Fill in the blanks with the prepositions of time in, on, at where necessary.

I. I usually finish work early___Friday. I don't work___the weekend. 2. Let's meet___five___Sunday, July 14. 3.1 am busy___the moment. Come___ten minutes' time, please. 4. There was a boat race in Southampton___Easter Day. A lot of people usually come there___Easter to see the race. 5. Can you imagine what the world will be___.the year 2100? 6. When will you have your holiday,___winter or___summer? — I'll have it late___August. 7. We started off___midnight and reached the place of destination___twelve hours ___noon. 8.1 was in France in 1997.___that time I was working as a waiter in a small cafe. 9.___the age of sixteen he left his parents' house. 10.___her wedding day she got up.___dawn. 11. You must come and have tea with us___next Thursday. Are you free___Thursday? 12.1 received a lot of presents ___ my birthday. 13. Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked __ the Middle Ages. 14.___every day he got up early___the morning and went to bed late___night. 15.___ the 19^th century many people died of cholera and smallpox.

Exercise 280. Use in, on, at, by, until if necessary.

1. Students usually have their exams___the end of each term. 2. The book was rather simple. I read it___ a day. 3. He switched on the radio and TV___the same time. 4. It was difficult to persuade her but___the end she agreed to our proposal. 5. He is very punctual, his lectures always begin___time. 6. She nearly forgot about their meeting, but fortunately she remembered it___ time. 7- They will be working ___ 7 o'clock today. 8. Hurry up! I'm afraid,___the time we get to the station, the train will have already left. 9. Have you finished translating the book? — Not yet. I hope to finish it___ the end of the month. 10.___what time did he come? — He came late___the evening,___midnight, if I am not mistaken. 11. Boogie-woogie became popular in the United States .___the 1950s. 12. They came back___sunset, tired and hungry. 13. They went to the canteen ___ lunchtime. 14.___the past he used to be a skilled surgeon. 15.1 am sure, he will be well again___several days.

Exercise 281. Fill in with for, since during, while,

1. I've known her___last October. 2.1 have been learning English___five years. 3. The film was boring and he went to sleep___the film. 4. He got acquainted with a very beautiful girl ___the holiday. 5. He got acquainted with a very beautiful girl ___he was on holiday. 6. She worked in a cafe___her holiday. She worked there___two months. 7. He has been playing the violin___eight years. 8.1 often read newspapers __. a meal. 9. It happened ___ they were asleep. 10. You'll have to be quiet___the performance. 11. Were there any telephone calls___I was out? 12. Where have you been? I have been waiting for you___ two hours,___ 12 o'clock! I've drunk three cups of coffee___that time. If I had had a book, I would have read it___I was waiting for you. 13. There are lots of people in the streets___the carnival. 14. She has been living in the country___the beginning of the summer. 15. He hurt his ankle___he ' Was playing basketball yesterday.

Exercise 282. Fill in the blanks with prepositions of place at, in, on.

1 „ Excuse me, can you tell me where the concert hall is? — Turn___ the right___ the roundabout. It's___ the corner of the square. 2. We spent our holiday___ the south coast of France. 3. He lives _.___. the tenth floor ___„ the centre of the city. 4. There was a black spot___ the back of the letter. 5. There were no vacant chairs to sit.___, so he sat____ the armchair,.__the corner. 6. Do you know that Englishmen drive _____ the left? 7. Look, how many stars there are___the sky! 8. I'm going to the concert___the Central Concert Hall tomorrow. 9. The delegation was met___ the airport. 10.1 don't want to sit___the back row, let's sit___the front. 11. At first it seemed that there wasn't his name___the list, but then he found it___ the bottom of the page. 12. __ my way home I saw fjelen. She was standing____ the bus stop. 13. She did not want anybody to see her, so she sat ___the back of the car. 14. We were____.the restaurant yesterday. There were a lot of delicious things___ the menu. 15. Where did you meet? — We met__„the party ___ the Greens'.

Exercise 283. Choose the right variant.

1. There are too many people (on/in/by) the bus. I want to go (on/in/by) a taxi. 2. Did you go there (on/in/ by) foot or (on/in/by) car? — I went (on/in/by) Peter's bicycle. 3. It is too hot to be (on/in/by) the sun at noon. We have been sitting (on/in/by) the beach for three hours. Let's sit (on/in/by) the shade. 4. We travelled (on/in/by) 9.45 plane. There was a good lunch (on/in/by) the plane. 5. She didn't want to go (on/in/by) underground, so they came (on/in/by) a taxi. 6. Have you ever ridden (on/in/ by) the elephant? 7. Don't stay (on/in/by) the rain! Come in! 8. The children were afraid to sit (on/in/by) the dark. They came into the dining room and sat (on/in/by) their mother. 9. The rule is written (on/in/by) page twelve. 10. Where shall we hang the picture? — (On/In/By) the window. 11.1 was too tired to talk to somebody (on/in/ by) the train. 12. It was an awful trip. My friend lent me his car, but after we'd been (on/in/by) the car for a few hours, it broke down. We started to go back (on/in/by) foot, but a van-driver stopped and took us (on/in/by) his van. We came back home at dawn.

Exercise 284. Fill in the blanks with in, into, to, at, on, out of, from, off where necessary.

1. He took the wallet___of his pocket, opened it and put the cheque___it. 2. He took his suitcase___ the rack and got.___the train. 3. She got___the car and went___the club. 4. The president arrived___the airport___ ten minutes' time before the flight. He quickly got___the plane and some minutes later the plane took____. 5. Get___the bus. It will take you___„the Green Park. 6.1 haven't heard___him for ages. He went___Canada two years ago, but I don't know if he is,___Canada now or somewhere else.7. When he came ___home, he took___his coat, hang it___the hook and sat ___the armchair. 8. A lot of tourists ___ different counties arrive___Moscow every year. 9. He's never been___any foreign country. 10. Go___the mirror and have a look___yourself. 11. Welcome___ Egypt! A flight___this wonderful country will take ybu about four hours. 12. A sparrow flew___the room through a window. 13. What time does this train get ___Scotland? — It arrives___Glasgow at 10.25 p.m. 14. When you leave the building, turn___the left___ the High Street. 15. Take the hat___the boy. Don't you see what he is doing with it?

Exercise 285. Fill in the blanks with:

A down, up, under, below, over, above

1. Why are you so late? — Our car stuck___the bridge. 2. You are cold. Put this plaid___your knees. 3. It seems to me that she is___twenty-one. 4. There is nothing new___the sun. 5. The branch hit me just___ the elbow. 6. Climb___at once! You may fall! 7. My house is___the street, on the hill, and my brother lives ___the street, by the river. 8. We are on the second floor in the dining room now.___it there used to be a bedroom of the countess and___it you can see the famous orangery which has been carefully kept for two centuries already.

В before, in front of, behind, at the back, opposite

1. She likes to stand___the mirror looking at herself. 2.1 like this cottage very much. There is a lawn___the house and___there is a garden. 3. You should return ___sunset. 4. You've come the last. You are___me in the queue. 5. At lunch she was sitting ___me, so I couldn't help looking at her. 6. If you don't want to go here, you may use another exit___. 7.1 want to take your photograph___our new jeep. 8. You'll find the church easily. There is a cinema___it on the other side of the road.

С along, through, across, past

1. Our cottage is rather far. You should drive___the church,___a small wood, then___the river (there is a wooden bridge) and finally___the wide road. Our house is by this road. 2. Paul is a good swimmer. He can swim ___the river. 3. She went___me without saying a word.4. The burglar got into the house___an open window. 5. He ran___the lawn and came up to the French window. 6. They went___the bank of the river talking loudly. 7. Oil flows___a pipeline. 8. When she was going ___ the jewellery shop, her attention was attracted by a necklace in the shop window.

D among, between

1. Differences in pronunciation___British English and American English are numerous. 2. For her there is not much choice___Paul and Nick. 3. She could see him ___people in the crowd. 4. You may divide this money ___you both. 5. There is an oak tree___birches and pines near my house. 6. Tom is the smartest___the other students. 7. There has always been a tough competition ___ Coca-Cola and Pepsi. 8. Harvard University comes first___the other universities of the USA. 9.___you and me.sheis a wicked old gossip.

E like, as

1. Is he a millionaire? He spends money___a sheikh. 2. People___the Pitts always fail us. 3.___an economist, I can't agree to it. 4. He broke my knife, he used it___a tin opener. 5. She is more___her father than her mother. 6.1 had waited so long for it, it was___a dream. 7.1 used to work___a cabin boy. 8. What has happened to John? He is playing___a beginner. 9.___the weather is bad (it looks___rain), let's stay at home. 10.___a newcomer, he couldn't take part in the debate.

Exercise 286.Choose the right variant.

1. He is a wicked boy. I'm sure he did it (by/on) purpose. 2. She shouted (at/to) me that I was wanted (on/to) the phone. 3. Take a pen. You can't sign contracts (by/in) pencil. 4. The voyage was tiring. The sea was rough and we had to be (in/at) sea more than a fortnight. 5. He lives (at/on) a farm somewhere in Texas. 6. Put your signature (on/at) the bottom of the page. Don't write (at/in) the middle, put it (at/on) the right. 7. She made this sweater herself (at/by) hand. 8. He threw an egg (to/at) the speaker. It hit him (on/to) the shoulder. 9. The car that was going (with/at) the speed of 70 miles per hour braked (on/at) the traffic lights. 10. The participants of Greenpeace rally were standing (by/in) a line (in front of/before) the house of the mayor. 11. He was (on/at) work (before/until) 3 o'clock yesterday. 12. He was sent (in/to) prison for shoplifting (at/by) the age of seventeen. 13. (In/On) the whole, I liked our journey. But next year I'd like to go (to/on) a cruise. 14. She is not (by/on) the phone in the country. — Why won't she buy a mobile telephone? It is so convenient. — Her salary's decreased (on/by) two hundred dollars this year and she can't afford it. 15. (From/In) my opinion, she must go (to/on) a diet.

Exercise 287.Fill in the blanks with the appropriate prepositions where necessary.

1.1 got lost___Mike's house! I went___my bedroom, went___some stairs, walked___a corridor, came___the lounge, walked___an arch, went___some stairs and ___the end I found myself___my bedroom again. 2. Do you know that Alice is___love___Pete? 3. While you dress___dinner, I'll go___the shop___the road. I'll be _______time. 4. The news___the accident came___a great shock___him. 5. Let's look at my school photo. Can you recognise me___it? — I think you are___left corner. — No, you are mistaken. I am___the back___ the last row. 6.___the Middle Ages London was rather a big city. In the 16^th century (___ the time of

Shakespeare) it became a prosperous capital. 7. Sit___ the armchair and write your name___block letters___ the top of the page. Write all dates___words, not___ figures. 8. Sicily is an island___the coast___Italy. 9.1 am afraid, I won't be able to find the theatre. — Oh, our town is rather small and you'll find it easily. Go___bus till Victoria Station. Turn right___the square.___the theatre there are two palms, and___the theatre there is a swimming pool.___the theatre there is a coffee bar. 10. The typist sits___the chair, with a lamp___her. 11. You didn't do it___mistake! You did it___purpose! 12. After the accident I had to go___hospital___a while. I was___hospital___four days, and then spent another week___bed___home. 13.___the end of the

day, most of my colleagues go straight___home, but I prefer to stroll___the streets___the centre. 14.1 quite agree___you that going___air is the quickest and safest means of transport, but I am always airsick___ the plane. 15. Do you remember the robber? — Well, he was a man ______thirty-five,___thin hair,___dark jeans. He looked___an Italian, and used his magazine a sort of mask.

Exercise 288. Translate into English.

1. Он вынул часы из кармана и положил их на стол. 2. Этот поезд останавливается на каждой станции. 3. Во время каникул я побывал в Риме. 4. Он перепрыгнул через забор (fence), прошел через лужайку (lawn) и от­крыл дверь своим ключом. 5. Так как большинство домов в Лондоне в XVII веке было построено из дерева, они все сгорели во время пожара, который длился три дня. 6. Вор (thief) проник в дом через окно, вынул драгоценности (jewelry) из сейфа, сорвал картину со стены, а затем вышел через дверь. 7.Я люблю путе­шествовать на велосипеде. В прошлом году я объехал всю Грецию на моем старом велосипеде. 8. Я случай­но вскрыла ваше письмо. 9. Ирландское море нахо­дится между Ирландией и Великобританией. 10. Он приедет домой на рождественские праздники. В Рождество все дети приезжают к родителям

Test 3. Complete the sentences with in, at or on.

1. Mike lives ___ Oxford. He’s a student ___ Oxford University.

2. Write your name ___ the top of the page.

3. Who is this boy ___ that photo?

4. Meet me ___ the bus stop ___ the end of Regent Street.

5. There is somebody ___ the door. Shall I go and see who it is?

6. You’ll find the sports results ___ the back page of the newspaper.

7. Where are the children playing? They are playing ___ the beach.

8. She lives ___ the ground floor.

9. It can be dangerous when children play ___ the street.

10. I usually buy a newspaper ___ my way to work in the morning.

11. London is ___ the river Thames. I like swimming ___ the river.

12. I was sitting ___ the back of the class.

13. His signature was ___ the back of this photo.

14. I don’t know where my umbrella is. Perhaps I left it ___ the chair.

15. Tom is ill. He wasn’t ___ work today. He was ___ home ___ bed.

16. They live ___ Seal, a small village ___ the road to Vladimir.

17. Let’s meet ___ the entrance to the Supermarket.

18. If you walk to the end of the street, you’ll see a small shop ___ the corner.

19. I wasn’t in when you phoned. I was ___ my sister’s house.

20. The exhibition ___ the Museum of Modern Art finished on Saturday.

Test 4. Complete the sentences with in, at or on.

1. The garden is ___ the back of the house.

2. Write your name ___ the back of this envelope.

3. The bus was full. There were too many people ___ it.

4. Tom is ___ work. He works ___ Cambridge ___ the University.

5. When we were ___ the south we stayed ___ a small hotel ___ the coast.

6. Meet me ___ the entrance to the supermarket ___ Oxford Street.

7. There is a public telephone ___ the corner of the street.

8. I haven’t seen Kate for some time. I last saw her ___ Dave’s wedding.

9. It was a very slow train. It stopped ___ every station.

10. When we were ___ France we stayed ___ a hotel.

11. Nick was waiting ___ the bottom of the stairs.

12. Is Tom ___ this photograph? I can’t find him.

13. She waited for him ___ the bus stop ___ the end of Green Street.

14. There was a knock ___ the door.

15. You’ll find details of TV programmes ___ page seven of the newspaper.

16. There’s nobody living ___ the island. It’s uninhabited.

17. I think her flat is ___ the third floor of that building.

18. It was a lovely day. There wasn’t a cloud ___ the sky.

19. We stopped at a small village ___ the way to London.

20. Brighton is ___ the south coast of England. I like swimming ___ the sea.

Test 5. Complete the sentences with in, at or on.

1. They live ___ Baker Street ___ number 12.

2. Sign your name ___ the dotted line ___ the bottom of the page.

3. I saw a taxi ___ the end of the street.

4. Is there anything interesting ___ the paper today?

5. I waited ___ the door for five minutes.

6. There’s an unusual photograph ___ the back page.

7. Don’t sit ___ the grass.

8. My office is ___ the first floor. It’s ___ the left as you come out of the lift.

9. I love to look up ___ the stars ___ the sky at night.

10. ___ my way home I met Nick. He was standing ___ the corner and waiting for somebody.

11. What time did you arrive ___ the hotel?

12. I was standing ___ the back, so I couldn’t see very well.

13. I was sitting ___ the back of the car when we crashed.

14. Have you ever worked ___ a farm?

15. I hate staying ___ home. That’s why I’ve applied for a job ___ the United Nations ___ Geneva.

16. San Francisco is ___ the west coast of the United States.

17. I didn’t see you ___ the party on Saturday. Where were you?

18. (in a restaurant) ‘Where shall we sit?’ ‘Over there, ___ the corner.’

19. I was ___ Ann’s house last night. The rooms ___ her house are very small.

20. We went to the theatre last night. We had seats ___ the front row.

Test 6. Read the text and fill the gaps with a preposition from the list below. There may be several possibilities.

Mary’s Day Out

The sun rose ___ (1) Mary’s house. It was a beautiful day. Mary came ___ (2) her front door and went ___ (3) the path, ___ (4) the gate and ___ (5) the street. She crossed ___ (6) the road and walked ___ (7) the bus stop. The bus arrived and she got ___ (8) the bus. It went ___ (9) the corner, ___ (10) the High Street, ___ (11) all the shops and ___ (12) the countryside. It stopped ___ (13) the duck pond ___ (14) the next village, and Mary got ___ (15). She climbed ___ (16) a stile and started walking ___ (17) a big field. Suddenly, she saw a huge bull running ___ (18) her! She raced ___ (19) the far side of the field and squeezed ___ (20) the hedge. Out of breath, she sat down ___ (21) the grass ___ (22) the river. She leant back ___ (23) a rock. The sun was warm. Mary closed her eyes and listened to the water flowing ___ (24). Soon she was fast asleep. When she awoke, the sun had disappeared ___ (25) the horizon.