Supply the missing words: 1. The wages of sin death. 2. I trust God. 3. I have no fondness music. 4. I have no doubt your honesty. 5. I am conscious my duties.

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar, specifically the correct use of prepositions. The approach involves identifying the missing preposition that logically completes each sentence, demonstrating an understanding of English sentence structure and common prepositional phrases. Focus should be on selecting the preposition that establishes the correct relationship between the words in each sentence. The answer should be concise and accurate, filling in the blanks with the most appropriate prepositions.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The English language relies heavily on prepositions to convey relationships of time, space, and logic between words in a sentence. Correct preposition usage is crucial for clarity and grammatical accuracy. This exercise assesses a candidate’s fundamental understanding of these essential grammatical components. The following answers demonstrate the correct application of prepositions to complete the given sentences, ensuring both grammatical correctness and logical coherence.

Here are the completed sentences with the missing prepositions:

Completed Sentences

The wages of sin are death.
I trust in God.
I have no fondness for music.
I have no doubt of your honesty.
I am conscious of my duties.

Explanation of Preposition Choices

Sentence 1: "are" - This sentence is a well-known proverb. The correct verb to use is "are" to complete the statement.
Sentence 2: "in" - The phrase "trust in" is a common idiom expressing faith or reliance on someone or something.
Sentence 3: "for" - "Fondness for" indicates a liking or enthusiasm towards something. "Fondness of" is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Sentence 4: "of" - "Doubt of" is the correct prepositional phrase to express uncertainty about something.
Sentence 5: "of" - "Conscious of" is the standard phrase used to indicate awareness of something.

Understanding the nuances of prepositions is vital for effective communication. Incorrect preposition usage can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct completion of these sentences demonstrates a grasp of fundamental English grammar, specifically the appropriate use of prepositions and verbs. Precise prepositional usage is essential for clear and effective written and spoken communication. This exercise highlights the importance of attention to detail in language proficiency, a skill crucial for success in various professional and academic contexts.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Preposition

A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, spatial relationships, or other connections.

Idiom

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of its individual words. For example, "trust in" is an idiom.

Key Statistics

Approximately 300 prepositions are used in the English language, though a relatively small number account for the vast majority of usage.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary (Knowledge Cutoff: 2021)

Studies suggest that approximately 40% of English language learners struggle with preposition usage.

Source: British Council Research (Knowledge Cutoff: 2022)

Examples

Common Prepositional Errors

Confusing "in" and "on" is a common error. For example, saying "I live on India" instead of "I live in India." Similarly, using "at" instead of "in" for larger geographical areas (e.g., "at Delhi" vs. "in Delhi").

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Why are prepositions so difficult to learn?

Prepositions often have multiple meanings and their usage can be idiomatic, meaning they don't always follow strict rules. Context is crucial for determining the correct preposition.

Topics Covered

General EnglishVocabularyGrammarSentence Structure

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