The small words that follow a verb, a noun or an adjective — and are not chosen by logic.
How this drill works, and why it is built this way›
Prepositions were 6.8% of errors in a corpus study of IELTS essays. Almost none of them can be worked out by thinking. They have to be learned attached to their word.
Learn verb + preposition as one item: depend on, consist of, result in, contribute to. Never learn the verb alone.
Some verbs take no preposition at all: discuss, enter, reach, answer, request, emphasise. Adding one is the error.
Several items here mark usages that are completely normal in Indian English. Your English is not wrong. IELTS marks against British academic usage, so this is a change of style for the exam.
Worked example
The essay will ______ the causes of urban flooding.
A discuss · B discuss about · C discuss on · D discuss regarding
Answer: A discuss
Discuss takes its object directly, with nothing in between. Discuss about is extremely common in Indian English and is marked wrong every time. The same is true of enter, reach, answer and emphasise. The point: some verbs take no preposition. Learn which.
Moderate · CEFR B1around band 5 – 5.5change level:
The drill moves you up or down on its own. Two good sets and it gets harder; two hard ones and it steps back.
The band range is what this level practises for — it is a guide, not a score. Only your first answer to each item counts towards the level decision.
Your answers and explanations open after the set is complete, the attempt is saved and your email is verified.
