Quiz 13 - Nouns + Prepositions

"practice makes [almost] perfect"

Quiz 13

Noun + preposition (‘reason for’, ‘cause of’ etc.)

Murphy, R. English Grammar In Use. Cambridge University Press, 1989.

Study this list of nouns + prepositions. Sometimes other prepositions are possible – a good dictionary will give you more information.

a cheque FOR ( a sum of money):

¾ They sent me a cheque for £50.

a demand / a need FOR something:

¾ The firm closed down because there wasn’t enough demand for in products.

a reason FOR something:

¾ The train was late but no-one knew the reason for the delay.

a rise / an increase / a fall / a decrease IN something:

¾ There has been an increase in road accidents recently.

an advantage / a disadvantage OF something:

¾ The advantage of living alone is that you can do what you like.

but we say ‘there is an advantage in doing something’:

¾ There are many advantages in living alone.

a cause OF something:

¾ Nobody knows what the cause of the explosion was.

a photograph / a picture OF someone / something:

¾ He always keeps a photograph of his wife in his wallet.

damage TO something:

¾ The accident was my fault, so I paid for the damage to the other car.

an invitation TO a party / a wedding etc.:

¾ Did you get an invitation to the party?

a reaction TO something:

¾ I was surprised at his reaction to what I said.

a solution TO a problem / an answer TO a question / a reply TO a letter / a key TO a door:

¾ Do you think we’ll find a solution to this problem?

¾ The answer to your question is ‘No’!

an attitude TO / TOWARDS someone / something:

¾ His attitude to / towards his job is very negative.

a relationship / a connection / contact WITH someone / something:

¾ Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

¾ Police want to question a man in connection with the robbery.

but: a relationship / a connection / contact / a difference BETWEEN two things:

¾ Police have said that there is no connection between the two murders.

¾ There are some differences between British English and American English.

· difficulty in doing something

Does he have much difficulty in doing his schoolwork?

But note: difficulty with something

Does he have much difficulty with his schoolwork?

· different between

There are a lot of differences between living in the country and living in a city.

Part A. Complete the sentences using the words in the box. In one sentence two answers are possible.

Example: I’ve had an invitation to a wedding next month.

1 I have a good relationship my boss.

2 He refused to give me an answer my question.

3 What are the main differences the two countries?

4 We need a solution the world’s population problem.

5 Smoking is one of the causes heart disease.

6 Has there been an increase unemployment recently?

7 The government want to improve the relationship the police and the general public.

8 He is very shy and has great difficulty making friends.

9 I thought her attitude you was rather unpleasant.

10 There is no need you to shout. I can hear you.

11 Nobody knows the reason his decision.

12 The artist drew a picture my mother.

Part B. In this exercise you have to read a sentence and then complete another sentence with the same meaning.

Example: What caused the explosion? What was the cause of the explosion?

a We’re trying to solve the problem. We’re trying to find a solution .

b Ann gets on well with her brother. Ann has a good relationship .

c Prices have increased a lot. There has been a big increase .

d I don’t know how to answer your question. I can’t think of an answer .

e Nobody wants to buy shoes like these any more.There is no demand .

f I think that being married has some advantages.I think that there are some advantages .

g The number of people without jobs has fallen this year.There has been a fall .

h I don’t think that a new road is necessary. I don’t think that there is any need .