Class 10 : Prepositions : SEBA HSLC Exam Solutions
Prepositions Solved Examples: HSLC Previous Years Question Bank & Exercises
Mastering English grammar prepositions is crucial for scoring high marks in school board examinations. Prepositions indicate spatial, temporal, or logical relationships between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence. To help students prepare efficiently, this comprehensive guide offers fully solved appropriate prepositions directly extracted from the HSLC Previous Year Questions (1998 to 2020). Dive into the year-wise breakdowns below, analyze the correct options highlighted in bold green, read our exam revision insights, and ace your upcoming board exams.
1. HSLC Board Exam Solved Questions (1998–2020)
Review the exact questions asked in past board exams broken down by year. Correct answers are color-coded in clear, high-contrast green text.
HSLC EXAM — 1998
a) Do not boast _______ your wealth. (of / in / for)
Answer: Do not boast of your wealth.
b) The lame man lives _______ begging. (with / from / by)
Answer: The lame man lives by begging.
c) He often suffers _______ illness. (in / from / with)
Answer: He often suffers from illness.
d) I bought this pen _______ five rupees. (by / for / with)
Answer: I bought this pen for five rupees.
e) Shoes are made _______ leather. (of / from / with)
Answer: Shoes are made of leather.
f) The student was sure _______ success. (to / in / of)
Answer: The student was sure of success.
HSLC EXAM — 1999
a) I warned him _______ driving so fast. (for / on / against)
Answer: I warned him against driving so fast.
b) The blind man lives _______ begging. (by / with / on)
Answer: The blind man lives by begging.
c) Always beware _______ false friends. (from / of / with)
Answer: Always beware of false friends.
d) A greedy man hankers _______ money. (after / for / in)
Answer: A greedy man hankers after money.
e) He sent the letter _______ hand. (by / with / in)
Answer: He sent the letter by hand.
f) The tiger lives _______ flesh. (by / on / with)
Answer: The tiger lives on flesh.
HSLC EXAM — 2000
a) The ship was bound _______ India. (to / of / for)
Answer: The ship was bound for India.
b) Virtue consists _______ speaking the truth. (in / of / on)
Answer: Virtue consists in speaking the truth.
c) I was amazed _______ his conduct. (at / by / in)
Answer: I was amazed at his conduct.
HSLC EXAM — 2001
a) She is gifted _______ a sweet voice. (of / to / with)
Answer: She is gifted with a sweet voice.
b) I can't agree _______ your proposal. (at / to / with)
Answer: I can't agree to your proposal.
c) I have great regard _______ my teachers. (for / in / to)
Answer: I have great regard for my teachers.
HSLC EXAM — 2002
a) I am satisfied _______ your work. (by / with / at)
Answer: I am satisfied with your work.
b) The boy was charged _______ stealing. (for / of / with)
Answer: The boy was charged with stealing.
c) You should be polite _______ your seniors. (to / with / for)
Answer: You should be polite to your seniors.
d) I have a distaste _______ Pop music. (in / for / of)
Answer: I have a distaste for Pop music.
HSLC EXAM — 2003
a) Gandhi was convicted _______ lying. (of / for / to)
Answer: Gandhi was convicted of lying.
b) The labourer lives _______ hand to mouth. (by / from / for)
Answer: The labourer lives from hand to mouth.
c) I warned him _______ driving so fast. (of / from / against)
Answer: I warned him against driving so fast.
d) Always beware _______ false friends. (from / at / of)
Answer: Always beware of false friends.
e) Great books deal _______ human problems. (of / with / in)
Answer: Great books deal with human problems.
f) The teacher was annoyed _______ me. (at / from / with)
Answer: The teacher was annoyed with me.
HSLC EXAM — 2004
a) Socrates had no desire _______ wealth or comfort. (for / of / towards)
Answer: Socrates had no desire for wealth or comfort.
b) Pay attention _______ what your teacher says. (at / in / to)
Answer: Pay attention to what your teacher says.
c) He is satisfied _______ his job. (at / with / in)
Answer: He is satisfied with his job.
d) I am indebted _______ you for your help. (with / at / to)
Answer: I am indebted to you for your help.
e) Assam is rich _______ minerals. (in / for / with)
Answer: Assam is rich in minerals.
f) One should be conscious _______ one's faults. (about / of / at)
Answer: One should be conscious of one's faults.
HSLC EXAM — 2005
a) Man doesn't live _______ bread alone. (on / for / by)
Answer: Man doesn't live by bread alone.
b) There is an exception _______ every rule. (on / to / in)
Answer: There is an exception to every rule.
c) You should not boast _______ your wealth. (of / in / for)
Answer: You should not boast of your wealth.
d) Mr Sarma presided _______ the meeting. (on / at / of)
Answer: Mr Sarma presided over the meeting.
e) She prefers tea _______ cold drinks. (for / than / to)
Answer: She prefers tea to cold drinks.
f) Nobody in the class could compete _______ Raju. (against / with / to)
Answer: Nobody in the class could compete with Raju.
HSLC EXAM — 2006
a) I can't part _______ this book. (with / of / from)
Answer: I can't part with this book.
b) I was surprised _______ his behavior. (with / by / at)
Answer: I was surprised at his behavior.
c) He will come back _______ an hour. (by / at / in)
Answer: He will come back in an hour.
d) The lame man lives _______ begging. (by / with / on)
Answer: The lame man lives by begging.
e) Do not run _______ money. (for / after / at)
Answer: Do not run after money.
f) She was tired _______ waiting for him. (with / by / of)
Answer: She was tired of waiting for him.
HSLC EXAM — 2007
a) The train is bound _______ Howrah. (to / at / for)
Answer: The train is bound for Howrah.
b) One should not boast _______ one's wealth. (of / for / at)
Answer: One should not boast of one's wealth.
c) My sister excels _______ dancing. (at / in / by)
Answer: My sister excels in dancing.
d) That man is devoid _______ common sense. (of / in / from)
Answer: That man is devoid of common sense.
e) This film is suitable _______ children. (to / with / for)
Answer: This film is suitable for children.
f) The girl parted _______ her parents in tears. (with / from / by)
Answer: The girl parted from her parents in tears.
HSLC EXAM — 2008
a) Do not boast _______ your wealth. (for / of / in)
Answer: Do not boast of your wealth.
b) The ship was bound _______ India. (to / for / of)
Answer: The ship was bound for India.
c) He goes to school _______ bus. (in / by / with)
Answer: He goes to school by bus.
d) He has been suffering _______ fever. (with / by / from)
Answer: He has been suffering from fever.
e) Assam is rich _______ minerals. (with / for / in)
Answer: Assam is rich in minerals.
f) I prefer tea _______ cold drinks. (to / from / than)
Answer: I prefer tea to cold drinks.
HSLC EXAM — 2009
a) Shoes are made _______ leather. (with / of / by)
Answer: Shoes are made of leather.
b) I can't agree _______ your proposal. (to / with / on)
Answer: I can't agree to your proposal.
c) The man repented _______ his past misdeeds. (for / at / of)
Answer: The man repented of his past misdeeds.
d) She is gifted _______ a sweet voice. (by / of / with)
Answer: She is gifted with a sweet voice.
e) Man doesn't live _______ bread alone. (on / by / for)
Answer: Man doesn't live by bread alone.
f) Always beware _______ false friends. (with / whom / of)
Answer: Always beware of false friends.
HSLC EXAM — 2010
a) What is the time _______ your watch? (in / on / by)
Answer: What is the time by your watch?
b) This is a quotation _______ Milton. (of / from / by)
Answer: This is a quotation from Milton.
c) You should provide well _______ your children. (for / to / of)
Answer: You should provide well for your children.
d) He has not yet recovered _______ his illness. (by / of / from)
Answer: He has not yet recovered from his illness.
e) He sympathised _______ me in my sorrow. (to / with / for)
Answer: He sympathised with me in my sorrow.
f) The old man is hard _______ hearing. (of / for / in)
Answer: The old man is hard of hearing.
HSLC EXAM — 2011
a) There was a noise of children _______ play. (in / on / at)
Answer: There was a noise of children at play.
b) Her mother is _______ the town council. (in / on / over)
Answer: Her mother is on the town council.
c) The teacher knows his students _______ name. (with / by / for)
Answer: The teacher knows his students by name.
d) Babysitters are a boon _______ parents. (for / upon / to)
Answer: Babysitters are a boon to parents.
HSLC EXAM — 2012
a) I met him _______ the street. (in / at / on)
Answer: I met him on the street.
b) Please pay attention _______ your studies. (for / to / on)
Answer: Please pay attention to your studies.
c) He is an authority _______ science. (of / for / in)
Answer: He is an authority on science.
d) The teacher is in full control _______ the class. (of / over / in)
Answer: The teacher is in full control over the class.
HSLC EXAM — 2013
a) Happiness consists _______ speaking the truth. (of / in / for)
Answer: Happiness consists in speaking the truth.
b) One should be honest in dealing _______ fellowmen. (on / in / at)
Answer: One should be honest in dealing with fellowmen.
HSLC EXAM — 2014
a) She is looking _______ a domestic help. (to / in / for)
Answer: She is looking for a domestic help.
b) The burden seemed too much _______ him. (to / for / on)
Answer: The burden seemed too much for him.
HSLC EXAM — 2015
a) Health is preferable _______ wealth. (than / for / to)
Answer: Health is preferable to wealth.
b) He is angry _______ his naughty sister. (at / with / upon)
Answer: He is angry with his naughty sister.
HSLC EXAM — 2016
a) The cow lives _______ grass. (by / from / on)
Answer: The cow lives on grass.
b) He lives _______ hand to mouth. (on / from / by)
Answer: He lives from hand to mouth.
c) He is appointed _______ the post. (in / to / at)
Answer: He is appointed to the post.
d) She is junior _______ me by three years. (to / from / than)
Answer: She is junior to me by three years.
HSLC EXAM — 2017
a) We go to school _______ bus. (in / with / by)
Answer: We go to school by bus.
b) I am senior _______ your sister. (than / to / from)
Answer: I am senior to your sister.
c) The president presided _______ the meeting. (in / over / at)
Answer: The president presided over the meeting.
d) She excels _______ dancing. (at / in / by)
Answer: She excels in dancing.
HSLC EXAM — 2018
a) He always runs _______ money. (at / for / after)
Answer: He always runs after money.
b) Flour is made _______ wheat. (of / from / with)
Answer: Flour is made from wheat.
c) Write your answers _______ black ink. (with / by / in)
Answer: Write your answers in black ink.
d) The cow lives _______ grass. (on / upon / with)
Answer: The cow lives on grass.
HSLC EXAM — 2019
a) This train is bound _______ Delhi. (to / upon / for)
Answer: This train is bound for Delhi.
b) Assam is rich _______ minerals. (for / in / about)
Answer: Assam is rich in minerals.
c) I met him _______ the street. (in / on / upon)
Answer: I met him on the street.
d) Happiness consists _______ speaking the truth. (of / in / at)
Answer: Happiness consists in speaking the truth.
HSLC EXAM — 2020
a) They are satisfied _______ your work. (by / at / with)
Answer: They are satisfied with your work.
b) Man doesn't live _______ bread alone. (on / by / at)
Answer: Man doesn't live by bread alone.
c) Rita excels _______ dancing. (at / by / in)
Answer: Rita excels in dancing.
d) He is looking _______ a domestic help. (to / in / for)
Answer: He is looking for a domestic help.
HSLC EXAM — 2021
a) The old man died _______ Covid-19.
Answer: The old man died of Covid-19.
b) Death is preferable _______ dishonour.
Answer: Death is preferable to dishonour.
c) Mina comes _______ a rich family.
Answer: Mina comes of a rich family.
d) Butter is made _______ milk.
Answer: Butter is made from milk.
HSLC EXAM — 2022
a) They are sitting _______ the dining table.
Answer: They are sitting at the dining table.
b) Ravi is senior _______ me by two years.
Answer: Ravi is senior to me by two years.
c) He was prevented _______ going to Delhi.
Answer: He was prevented from going to Delhi.
d) Flour is made _______ wheat.
Answer: Flour is made from wheat.
HSLC EXAM — 2023
a) Put the cup _______ the dish. (at / in / on / over)
Answer: Put the cup on the dish.
b) The cows are _______ the field. (in / on / to / by)
Answer: The cows are in the field.
c) Lila lives _______ her parents. (by / with / upon / at)
Answer: Lila lives with her parents.
d) He is fond _______ reading novels.
Answer: He is fond of reading novels.
e) This shop deals _______ stationery.
Answer: This shop deals in stationery.
HSLC EXAM — 2024
a) The train will stop _______ many stations.
Answer: The train will stop at many stations.
HSLC EXAM — 2025
Question: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank:
________ the long run, it is important to listen ________ our instincts before taking a major decision.
Answer: In the long run, it is important to listen to our instincts before taking a major decision.
HSLC EXAM — 2026
Question: Choose the correct set of prepositions to fill in the passage:
The river (to/from/by) which I went yesterday (along/by/with) my friends abounds (in/of/with) fish. We rowed (across/along/on) the stream to the opposite bank.
Answer: The river to which I went yesterday with my friends abounds in fish. We rowed across the stream to the opposite bank.
2. High-Yield Practice Prepositions for Students
Practice and memorize these essential fixed preposition sets commonly found in school test papers.
| SL | Core Sentence Pattern | Grammar Rule & Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I am fond of sweets. | Fond of: Having a liking or affection for something. |
| 2 | I didn't respond to the roll-call. | Respond to: To answer or react to an event. |
| 3 | The answer to this question is easy. | Answer to: A precise solution mapped to a problem. |
| 4 | I appealed to him for help. | Appeal to / for: Asking a person for a certain favor. |
| 5 | He is delighted with the result. | Delighted with: Very satisfied or happy about a reality. |
| 6 | I am deprived of everything. | Deprived of: Kept from having or keeping essential items. |
| 7 | I am glad at your success. | Glad at: Pleased regarding a distinct event or win. |
| 8 | He hinted at the trouble. | Hint at: Pointing out or referencing something indirectly. |
| 9 | I have no hope of / for success. | Hope of / for: Expectation or optimism for a good result. |
| 10 | The patient is now free from danger. | Free from: Clear of dangerous conditions or ailments. |
| 11 | He is the heir to his brother's property. | Heir to: Legal successor to real assets or property. |
| 12 | He hesitates at nothing. | Hesitate at: Pausing due to specific doubt or worry. |
| 13 | The book is of no use. | Of no use: Idiomatic phrase meaning completely useless. |
| 14 | This book varies from that book. | Varies from: Presenting notable traits of differences. |
| 15 | He is well versed in Sanskrit. | Versed in: Highly experienced or skilled in an area. |
| 16 | I am thankful to you for your help. | Thankful to / for: Mapping appreciation to an individual. |
| 17 | He is used to such hardships. | Used to: Habitually accustomed to direct constraints. |
| 18 | I shall call at your house sometime. | Call at: Visiting a physical house or location briefly. |
| 19 | Please call in a doctor. | Call in: Requesting or summoning a person to arrive. |
| 20 | I shall call on you tomorrow. | Call on: Paying a standard personal visit to a client/friend. |
| 21 | Carry on your work. | Carry on: Phrasal verb denoting to continue an action. |
| 22 | I am waiting for you. | Wait for: Staying expectant of someone's entry. |
| 23 | He is worthy of praise. | Worthy of: Deserving of public credit or attention. |
| 24 | I have talked to him. | Talk to: Directing speech or conversations to a recipient. |
| 25 | Don't stare at me. | Stare at: Gaining long visual focus on a human subject. |
| 26 | This idea is similar to that. | Similar to: Matching characteristics with another baseline. |
| 27 | He retired from service. | Retired from: Leaving a career track permanently. |
| 28 | He took revenge on me. | Revenge on: Retaliating directly against an individual. |
| 29 | He rewarded me with a book. | Rewarded with: Awarded an item for showing great discipline. |
| 30 | He is qualified for the post. | Qualified for: Meeting the target criteria for a career role. |
| 31 | Everybody longs for / after happiness. | Long for / after: Wanting or craving an emotion deeply. |
| 32 | The boy is loyal to the teacher. | Loyal to: Faithful and aligned with an authority figure. |
| 33 | Don't judge anything by its appearance. | Judge by: Forming metrics using direct visible clues. |
| 34 | He dedicated the book to his father. | Dedicated to: Formally assigning creative credits out of respect. |
| 35 | He is preparing for the examination. | Preparing for: Allocating resources/study time to take a test. |
3. Quick Exam Revision Box
💡 Exam Tip: Made of vs. Made from
Use made of if you can still see the starting material (e.g., "Shoes are made of leather"). Use made from if the raw material has completely transformed into something new (e.g., "Flour is made from wheat").
⚠️ Avoid Common Mistake: Preferable / Prefer
Do not use "than" after prefer or preferable. In board exams, phrases like "Tea is preferable than coffee" are incorrect. The correct construction is always **preferable + to** (e.g., "Health is preferable to wealth").
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why do we say "by your watch" instead of "in your watch"?
In standard grammar, time is always monitored and read by an instrument, not inside it. Therefore, "What is the time by your watch?" is the only correct structural form.
Q2: What is the difference between "part from" and "part with"?
We use part from when leaving or separating from a human being (e.g., "She parted from her family"). We use part with when giving up an object or possession (e.g., "I cannot part with this book").
Q3: When should I use "consists in" vs "consists of"?
Use consists in for abstract attributes or definitions (e.g., "Happiness consists in truth"). Use consists of to list structural or physical elements (e.g., "The team consists of ten members").