Prepositions of Movement: B1 Exercises

Every answer with the reason behind it. Read the explanation for the ones you got right as well — that is where you find out whether you were right for the right reason.

Multiple choice questions — answers

1. She got ___ the taxi and gave the driver an address. → into

Into describes the movement from outside to inside; in would describe the position.

2. We walked ___ the bridge to reach the old town. → across

Across describes movement from one side of a flat surface to the other.

3. The train went ___ a long tunnel. → through

Through is used when the path passes inside something enclosed.

4. Which sentence is correct? → He entered the room.

Enter takes a direct object with no preposition at all.

5. The plane flew ___ the mountains. → over

Over describes passing above something without touching it.

6. We drove ___ the village without stopping. → past

Past is the preposition; passed is the past tense of the verb to pass.

7. She climbed ___ the wall to fetch the ball. → over

Over describes movement from one side to the other by going above.

8. What is the difference between 'walk to the station' and 'walk towards the station'? → Towards shows direction without necessarily arriving

To implies arrival; towards describes the direction of travel only.

9. The cat jumped ___ the table. → onto

Onto marks the movement to a surface; on would describe the resulting position.

10. We arrived ___ Manchester just after midnight. → in

Arrive in is used for cities and countries; arrive at is for buildings and points.

11. They arrived ___ the airport three hours early. → at

Arrive at is correct for a specific place such as a building.

12. The path runs ___ the river for two miles. → along

Along describes movement following the line of something long.

13. He crawled ___ the fence to escape. → under

Under describes movement passing beneath an obstacle.

14. Which verb needs no preposition before its destination? → reach

Reach takes a direct object: we reached the summit, not reached to the summit.

15. We ran ___ the stairs when we heard the alarm. → down

Down describes movement from a higher point to a lower one.

16. The children ran ___ the garden chasing each other. → round

Round, or around, describes circular or wandering movement within an area.

17. She poured the milk ___ the jug. → into

The liquid moves from outside to inside, which is what into expresses.

18. How long does it take to get ___ the city centre? → to

Get to is the standard combination for reaching a destination.

19. The road goes ___ the forest and out the other side. → through

Through is used for paths that pass inside a dense or enclosed area.

20. He fell ___ the ladder and broke his wrist. → off

Fall off describes separation from a surface or structure.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. She climbed ___ the car and slammed the door. → into

Into expresses movement from outside to inside.

2. We walked ___ the field to reach the footpath. → across

Across describes crossing an open flat area.

3. The tunnel runs ___ the mountain for nine kilometres. → through

Through is used for a path inside something solid.

4. He walked ___ the room without knocking. → into

Into marks entry; the verb enter alone would take no preposition.

5. A helicopter flew ___ the stadium during the match. → over

Over describes movement above something.

6. We drove ___ your house but the lights were off. → past

Past means going by without stopping.

7. The dog jumped ___ the sofa and settled down. → onto

Onto marks the movement to a surface.

8. They arrived ___ Berlin on the overnight train. → in

Arrive in is used with cities and countries.

9. We finally arrived ___ the hotel at midnight. → at

Arrive at is used with buildings and specific points.

10. The lane winds ___ the coast for several miles. → along

Along follows the line of something long and narrow.

11. The cat squeezed ___ the gap in the fence. → through

Through describes passing inside a narrow opening.

12. She ran ___ the hill as fast as she could. → down

Down and up describe vertical movement along a slope.

13. The children chased each other ___ the garden. → round

Round describes circular or wandering movement in an area.

14. He poured the batter ___ the hot pan. → into

Into shows the movement from container to container.

15. How do I get ___ the museum from here? → to

Get to is the standard phrase for reaching a destination.

16. We reached ___ summit shortly before dawn. → the

Reach takes a direct object with no preposition, only an article.

17. The book slid ___ the shelf and landed on the floor. → off

Off describes separation from a surface.

18. A fox ran ___ the road in front of us. → across

Across describes crossing from one side to the other.

19. She walked ___ the station without ever getting there. → towards

Towards gives the direction of travel without implying arrival.

20. The pipe passes ___ the floorboards. → under

Under describes a path beneath something.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Describe entering a vehicle. → She got into the car and drove off.

Describe entering a vehicle.

2. Cross a flat structure. → We walked across the old stone bridge.

Cross a flat structure.

3. Pass inside something enclosed. → The train sped through the long tunnel.

Pass inside something enclosed.

4. Use a verb that needs no preposition. → He entered the room without knocking.

Use a verb that needs no preposition.

5. Pass above something. → A plane flew over the house at dawn.

Pass above something.

6. Go by without stopping. → We drove past the school twice.

Go by without stopping.

7. Move up to a surface. → The cat leapt onto the windowsill.

Move up to a surface.

8. Arrive at a city. → They arrived in Rome late on Friday.

Arrive at a city.

9. Arrive at a building. → We arrived at the hotel after midnight.

Arrive at a building.

10. Follow the line of something long. → The footpath runs along the riverbank.

Follow the line of something long.

11. Pass beneath an obstacle. → The dog crawled under the garden gate.

Pass beneath an obstacle.

12. Describe rapid downward movement. → She ran down the stairs two at a time.

Describe rapid downward movement.

13. Circle something on foot. → We walked round the lake before lunch.

Circle something on foot.

14. Move liquid from one container to another. → He poured the soup into a large bowl.

Move liquid from one container to another.

15. Ask for directions. → How do we get to the station from here?

Ask for directions.

16. Use a verb with no preposition. → They reached the summit just after sunrise.

Use a verb with no preposition.

17. Describe separation from a surface. → The glass fell off the table and smashed.

Describe separation from a surface.

18. Cross from one side to the other. → A deer ran across the road ahead of us.

Cross from one side to the other.

19. Give a direction without arrival. → He walked towards the light in the distance.

Give a direction without arrival.

20. Describe a path underneath something. → The cable runs beneath the whole street.

Describe a path underneath something.