English MCQs – Page 28 (Q271-280)

The correct answer is 'on' because 'dependent' pairs with the fixed preposition 'on' (or 'upon') to introduce what someone relies on, as in 'dependent on his parents' or 'dependent on the weather'. This mirrors the identical preposition used with the related verb 'depend on', both expressing reliance on something or someone. Confusing 'dependent on' with 'dependent with' or 'dependent at' is a common error, and remembering that the noun form 'dependence' also takes 'on' helps reinforce this consistent collocation across related word forms.

The correct answer is 'of' because 'confident' pairs with the preposition 'of' when expressing certainty about a specific outcome or ability, as in 'confident of success' or 'confident of winning', though 'confident in' is also acceptable in many contexts, particularly regarding trust in a person or one's own abilities. Exam answer keys in Pakistan typically favor 'confident of' as the standard collocation. This adjective is related to the verb 'confide in', which takes a different preposition entirely, illustrating how related word forms do not always share the same prepositional pattern.

The correct answer is 'on' because 'rely' pairs with the fixed preposition 'on' (or 'upon') to introduce the person or thing being trusted or depended upon, as in 'rely on her judgment' or 'rely on public transport'. This collocation is essentially interchangeable with 'depend on' and 'count on', all three verbs expressing trust or reliance and taking the identical preposition. Confusing 'rely' with 'at' or 'with' is a common error corrected simply by remembering this small cluster of reliance-related verbs that consistently pair with 'on'.

The correct answer is 'of' because 'consist' pairs with the fixed preposition 'of' to introduce the components or parts that make up a whole, as in 'consists of four members' or 'consists of several chapters'. This verb-preposition collocation is essentially fixed and does not vary by context, unlike some adjective collocations that shift meaning with different prepositions. Related composition vocabulary such as 'composed of' and 'made up of' follow the same 'of' pattern, all describing the parts that together form a larger whole.

The correct answer is 'of' because 'aware' pairs with the fixed preposition 'of' to introduce what someone has knowledge or consciousness of, as in 'aware of the danger' or 'aware of his surroundings'. This adjective-preposition collocation is frequently grouped with similar knowledge-related expressions such as 'conscious of' and 'ignorant of', all taking the identical preposition to introduce the object of awareness or its absence. Confusing 'aware of' with 'aware in' or 'aware for' is a common error targeted in competitive English preposition questions.

The correct answer is 'for' because 'search' pairs with the preposition 'for' to introduce what is being sought or looked for, as in 'search for a job' or 'search for the truth'. This is a fundamental verb-preposition collocation, distinct from the noun phrase 'search of', which is used only in the fixed idiom 'in search of', as in 'went in search of water'. Confusing the verb pattern 'search for' with this idiomatic noun usage is a common error tested in competitive English preposition questions.

The correct answer is 'in' because 'invest' pairs with the fixed preposition 'in' to introduce where money, time, or effort is being committed, as in 'invest in stocks' or 'invest in education'. This collocation extends naturally to related financial vocabulary such as 'investment in' and 'investor in', all using the same preposition to introduce the object of investment. Confusing 'invest in' with 'invest on' or 'invest for' is a common error targeted in banking and finance-related English vocabulary questions in competitive exams.

The correct answer is 'from' because 'benefit' pairs with the preposition 'from' to introduce the source of advantage or gain, as in 'benefit from experience' or 'benefit from the new policy'. This collocation is frequently tested alongside similar cause-and-effect vocabulary such as 'profit from' and 'gain from', all using the identical preposition to introduce the beneficial source. Note that 'benefit' can also function as a noun taking 'of', as in 'the benefit of doubt', showing how word class can affect prepositional pairing.

The correct answer is 'with' because 'compete' pairs with the preposition 'with' to introduce the rival or opponent involved in a contest, as in 'compete with each other' or 'compete with rival companies'. A related but distinct preposition, 'for', introduces the prize or goal being competed for, as in 'compete for the trophy', allowing both prepositions to appear together in the same sentence, exactly as shown here. Recognizing that 'compete' can take two different prepositions depending on whether the opponent or the goal is being described is a useful exam distinction.

The correct answer is 'in' because 'participate' pairs with the fixed preposition 'in' to introduce the activity or event someone takes part in, as in 'participate in the competition' or 'participate in a discussion'. This is one of the most commonly tested verb-preposition collocations in competitive English exams, as learners frequently and mistakenly substitute 'at' or 'on' by analogy with other event-related expressions. The related noun form 'participation' also consistently takes 'in', reinforcing this fixed pattern across word forms.