Adjectives and prepositions

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Exerci se 1

Read the sentences and underline the adjectives and the prepositions.

a) Im not afraid of spiders.
b) Shes famous for her crime novels.
c) Theyre nervous about going out on their own.
d) Were not very interested in going to the beach.

Exerci se 2

Complete the rules.

In the first pair the adjective is followed by a preposition then a ................................
In the second pair the adjective is followed by a preposition then a
....................................... plus ing.

Exerci se 3

Match the two halves of the sentences.

1) Shes really good a) of his financial problems.
2) Hes aware b) about starting my new job.
3) Managers are responsible c) with always doing the same thing?
4) Im excited d) about making so much noise.
5) Were sorry e) about his driving test.
6) Matts capable f) at listening to people.
7) Hes very worried g) of doing better.
8) Are you bored h) for training their staff.

Adjectives and prepositions
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Exerci se 4

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.


1. Hes afraid ........................... flying.
2. Were very interested ........................... the pyramids.
3. If you want to be good ........................... languages you have to practise a lot.
4. She says shes not responsible ........................... their behaviour.
5. They were very excited ........................... the visit from the Queen.
6. Im really sorry ........................... losing your book. Ill buy you another one.
7. What would you like to be famous ...........................?
8. We werent aware ........................... any problem with the water.
9. J ack was bored ........................... driving on the motorway and stopped to
take a break.
10. Shes too nervous ........................... speaking in public to be a politician.
11. Sandra isnt capable ........................... looking after herself.
12. If youre worried ........................... seeing him, dont go to the party.
Adjectives and prepositions
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Teachers notes and answer key

Level: upper intermediate / lower advanced
Aim: to practise using adjectives with the correct preposition and to
establish how they are used
Duration: 45 minutes

Exerci se 1

Have students read the sentences and underline the adjective and prepositions.

a) Im not afraid of spiders.
b) Shes famous for her crime novels.
c) Theyre nervous about going out on their own.
d) Were not very interested in going to the beach.

Exerci se 2

Let students work out the rule for themselves from the example sentences.

In the first pair the prep is followed by a noun and in the second pair by the
verb + -ing.

Exerci se 3

Have students read the sentences carefully first and then match the two halves.
Make sure they make note of the preposition used.

Answer key: 1f, 2a, 3h, 4b, 5d, 6g, 7e, 8c

Exerci se 4

Using the information from the last exercise ask students to complete the
sentences.

Answer key:

1) of
2) in
3) at
4) for
5) about
6) about




7) for
8) of
9) with
10) about
11) of
12) about