NMAT 2026 Quiz 12: Practice Questions with Solutions

Q1. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. The manager distributed the bonus ______ the five team members.
2. A deep mistrust has grown ______ the company and its customers.
3. The committee held a long debate ______ the new tax proposal.
(A) among (B) between (C) beneath (D) about (E) throughout (F) toward BAF ABE CBD ABD AAD Correct Option D … Explanation: Sentence 1 involves distribution over five people, and "among" is used for more than two, so (A) fits. Sentence 2 names exactly two parties — the company and its customers — and "between" is used for two distinct entities, so (B) fits. Sentence 3 needs the preposition of subject matter: a debate is held "about" a proposal, so (D) fits. The sequence is therefore A-B-D. Option A reverses among/between and "toward the tax proposal" does not express subject matter. Option B leaves "throughout the new tax proposal", which treats the proposal as a span rather than a topic. Option C gives "beneath the five team members", which is spatial and meaningless here. Option E repeats "among" for two named parties, violating the two-versus-many rule. Hence, option D. Q2. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. The film begins ______ 9 p.m. sharp.
2. The shop has been closed ______ March.
3. She has been learning French ______ three years.
(A) at (B) on (C) in (D) by (E) since (F) for AEF CEF DFE AFE ACF Correct Option A … Explanation: Sentence 1 states an exact clock time, and clock times take "at", so (A) fits. Sentence 2 uses the present perfect with a starting point in time, and a point of origin takes "since", so (E) fits. Sentence 3 gives a length of time, and durations take "for", so (F) fits. The sequence is therefore A-E-F. Option B uses "in 9 p.m.", but "in" is reserved for longer periods such as months or years, not clock times. Option C uses "by 9 p.m.", which means no later than that time and changes the meaning of a fixed start, and it also reverses since/for. Option D swaps the last two: "closed for March" and "learning French since three years" both misapply the point-versus-duration distinction. Option E gives "closed in March", which cannot follow the present perfect "has been closed". Hence, option A. Q3. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. This edition is quite different ______ the earlier one.
2. The doctor was accused ______ negligence.
3. Their plan runs directly ______ the interests of the farmers.
(A) from (B) with (C) into (D) of (E) for (F) against FDA ADE ADF ABF CDF Correct Option C … Explanation: Sentence 1 uses the fixed adjective collocation "different from", so (A) fits. Sentence 2 uses the fixed verb collocation "accused of" a wrongdoing, so (D) fits. Sentence 3 expresses opposition — a plan that runs counter to someone's interests runs "against" them — so (F) fits. The sequence is therefore A-D-F. Option A scrambles the order, producing "different against the earlier one". Option B ends with "runs for the interests", which reverses the sense from conflict to support. Option D gives "accused with negligence", which is not the accepted collocation. Option E begins with "different into", which is ungrammatical. Hence, option C. Q4. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. The thieves escaped ______ a narrow window.
2. A rope bridge stretches ______ the river.
3. The picture hangs ______ the wall.
(A) on (B) along (C) across (D) through (E) beneath (F) beyond CDA DEA ACD FCA DCA Correct Option E … Explanation: Sentence 1 describes movement in at one side of an enclosed opening and out at the other, which is "through", so (D) fits. Sentence 2 describes a bridge spanning from one bank to the opposite bank, which is "across", so (C) fits. Sentence 3 describes contact with a vertical surface, which takes "on", so (A) fits. The sequence is therefore D-C-A. Option A reverses the first two, giving "escaped across a narrow window", which wrongly treats a window as a span to cross. Option B offers "stretches beneath the river", placing the bridge under the water. Option C begins with "escaped on a narrow window", which expresses surface contact rather than passage. Option D gives "escaped beyond a narrow window", which suggests a position past the window rather than an exit route. Hence, option E. Q5. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. She is very good ______ solving puzzles.
2. I am not familiar ______ this software.
3. They quarrelled ______ money.
(A) at (B) in (C) on (D) to (E) with (F) about BEF AEF AFE CEF BED Correct Option B … Explanation: Sentence 1 uses the fixed adjective collocation "good at" a skill or activity, so (A) fits. Sentence 2 uses "familiar with" something one knows, so (E) fits. Sentence 3 names the subject of the dispute, and one quarrels "about" an issue while quarrelling "with" a person, so (F) fits. The sequence is therefore A-E-F. Option A gives "good in solving puzzles", which replaces the established collocation. Option C swaps the last two, producing "familiar about" and "quarrelled with money", treating money as the opposing party. Option D gives "good on solving puzzles", which is not idiomatic. Option E ends with "quarrelled to money", which is ungrammatical. Hence, option B. Q6. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. The match was abandoned ______ heavy rain.
2. A police van stopped ______ the bank, blocking the entrance.
3. Water is drawn from the well ______ a pulley.
(A) in spite of (B) because of (C) in addition to (D) in front of (E) by means of (F) in place of ADE BDE BCF FDE BEF Correct Option B … Explanation: Sentence 1 gives the cause of the abandonment, so the causal phrase "because of" fits (B). Sentence 2 specifies a position directly before the entrance, which explains the blocking, so "in front of" fits (D). Sentence 3 names the instrument used to raise the water, so "by means of" fits (E). The sequence is therefore B-D-E. Option A begins with "in spite of heavy rain", which would mean the match went ahead despite the rain — the opposite of abandonment. Option C ends with "in place of a pulley", which removes the instrument the sentence requires. Option D opens with "in place of heavy rain", which is meaningless as a cause. Option E gives "stopped by means of the bank", turning the bank into an instrument. Hence, option B. Q7. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. The children are afraid ______ the dark.
2. She apologised ______ being late.
3. He was so angry ______ the waiter that he left without tipping.
(A) of (B) in (C) for (D) with (E) to (F) from FCD AED ACE ACD DCA Correct Option D … Explanation: Sentence 1 uses the fixed collocation "afraid of", so (A) fits. Sentence 2 names the offence apologised for, and one apologises "for" an act (while apologising "to" a person), so (C) fits. Sentence 3 directs the anger at a person, and anger felt towards a person takes "with", so (D) fits. The sequence is therefore A-C-D. Option A begins with "afraid from the dark", which is a common error rather than the standard form. Option B gives "apologised to being late", confusing the person-preposition with the offence-preposition. Option C ends with "angry to the waiter", which is ungrammatical. Option E opens with "afraid with the dark", which breaks the collocation. Hence, option D. Q8. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. Please submit the form ______ seven days.
2. He has lived in this city ______ 2015.
3. The shop stays open ______ midnight.
(A) within (B) during (C) until (D) before (E) since (F) against AEC BEC AEB AFC DEA Correct Option A … Explanation: Sentence 1 sets a deadline falling inside a stated period, which is "within", so (A) fits. Sentence 2 uses the present perfect with a starting year, which requires "since", so (E) fits. Sentence 3 describes a state continuing up to a point in time, which is "until", so (C) fits. The sequence is therefore A-E-C. Option B gives "during seven days", which describes an ongoing period rather than a deadline. Option C ends with "open during midnight", but midnight is a point, not a stretch. Option D gives "lived against 2015", which is ungrammatical. Option E begins with "before seven days", which fixes no clear cut-off and shifts the sense. Hence, option A. Q9. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. She insisted ______ paying for the dinner.
2. I am looking forward ______ meeting you.
3. He is famous ______ his generosity.
(A) on (B) to (C) for (D) in (E) at (F) by DBC ABF ABC AEC FBC Correct Option C … Explanation: Sentence 1 uses the fixed verb collocation "insist on", so (A) fits. Sentence 2 uses "look forward to", where "to" is a preposition followed by the -ing form, so (B) fits. Sentence 3 names the quality one is known for, and "famous for" is the established collocation, so (C) fits. The sequence is therefore A-B-C. Option A begins with "insisted in", which is not the accepted form. Option B ends with "famous by his generosity", which misstates the collocation. Option D gives "looking forward at meeting you", breaking the fixed phrase. Option E opens with "insisted by paying", which changes the verb's meaning entirely. Hence, option C. Q10. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. Her real strength lies ______ her patience.
2. She is suffering ______ chronic back pain.
3. The committee consists ______ twelve members.
(A) with (B) from (C) on (D) of (E) in (F) to CBD DBE EDB EBA EBD Correct Option E … Explanation: Sentence 1 locates an abstract quality, and strength or merit "lies in" something, so (E) fits. Sentence 2 names an ailment endured over time, and "suffer from" is used for illness, so (B) fits. Sentence 3 lists the parts making up a whole, and "consist of" never takes any other preposition, so (D) fits. The sequence is therefore E-B-D. Option A begins with "lies on her patience", which is physical rather than abstract. Option B opens with "lies of her patience", which is ungrammatical. Option C ends with "consists from twelve members", breaking the fixed collocation. Option D gives "consists with twelve members", which is likewise not accepted. Hence, option E. Q11. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. She gave me her old phone ______ my old laptop.
2. The train was delayed by three hours ______ the fog.
3. The building was constructed ______ the approved plan.
(A) in accordance with (B) on account of (C) in case of (D) in front of (E) in favour of (F) in exchange for FBA FBE CBA FCA FDA Correct Option A … Explanation: Sentence 1 describes a mutual swap of goods, which is "in exchange for", so (F) fits. Sentence 2 gives the cause of the delay, which is "on account of", so (B) fits. Sentence 3 states conformity to a standard, which is "in accordance with", so (A) fits. The sequence is therefore F-B-A. Option B ends with "constructed in favour of the approved plan", which expresses support rather than conformity. Option C begins with "in case of my old laptop", which signals a precaution, not an exchange. Option D gives "delayed in case of the fog", which fails to state the actual cause. Option E gives "delayed in front of the fog", which is a position, not a cause. Hence, option A. Q12. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. There is a fierce rivalry ______ the two neighbouring schools.
2. The new proposal was very popular ______ the villagers.
3. The two friends walked ______ the river bank every evening.
(A) between (B) among (C) across (D) along (E) against (F) beyond BAD ABE FBD ABD EBD Correct Option D … Explanation: Sentence 1 names exactly two schools, which requires "between", so (A) fits. Sentence 2 refers to an undifferentiated group, which requires "among", so (B) fits. Sentence 3 describes movement following the length of the bank, which is "along", so (D) fits. The sequence is therefore A-B-D. Option A reverses the first two, using "among" for two entities and "between" for a mass of villagers. Option B ends with "walked against the river bank", which expresses opposition or contact rather than direction. Option C begins with "rivalry beyond the two schools", which misstates who the rivalry is between. Option E opens with "rivalry against the two neighbouring schools", which implies a third party opposing both. Hence, option D. Q13. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. She is proud ______ her daughter's achievements.
2. He is addicted ______ online games.
3. They are deeply interested ______ astronomy.
(A) at (B) on (C) in (D) to (E) of (F) for EDB EDC EFC ADC CDE Correct Option B … Explanation: All three blanks are fixed adjective collocations. "Proud of" takes (E), "addicted to" takes (D), and "interested in" takes (C). The sequence is therefore E-D-C. Option A ends with "interested on astronomy", which is not the accepted form. Option C gives "addicted for online games", breaking the collocation. Option D begins with "proud at her daughter's achievements", where "at" does not follow "proud". Option E opens with "proud in", which is likewise incorrect. Hence, option B. Q14. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. She sat ______ her mother on the sofa.
2. ______ Hindi, she speaks French and Spanish.
3. The problem is ______ my understanding.
(A) between (B) beside (C) besides (D) beyond (E) behind (F) beneath CBD BCE BCD FCD BCA Correct Option C … Explanation: Sentence 1 places one person next to another, which is "beside", so (B) fits. Sentence 2 adds further languages to Hindi, and the additive sense belongs to "besides", so (C) fits. Sentence 3 says the problem exceeds the speaker's grasp, which is "beyond", so (D) fits. The sequence is therefore B-C-D. Option A reverses beside and besides, the classic trap in this pair. Option B ends with "behind my understanding", which is spatial and not idiomatic here. Option D begins with "sat beneath her mother", placing one person under the other. Option E ends with "between my understanding", which needs two things to sit between. Hence, option C. Q15. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. The letter was written ______ a fountain pen.
2. The novel was written ______ Premchand.
3. The company has been operating ______ a loss for two years.
(A) with (B) in (C) by (D) on (E) at (F) for BCE BAD ACD ACF ACE Correct Option E … Explanation: Sentence 1 names the instrument used, and instruments take "with", so (A) fits. Sentence 2 names the agent of the passive verb, and agents take "by", so (C) fits. Sentence 3 uses the fixed business idiom "operating at a loss", so (E) fits. The sequence is therefore A-C-E. Option A begins with "written in a fountain pen", confusing the instrument with the medium — one writes in ink but with a pen. Option B reverses instrument and agent, giving "written by a fountain pen" and "written with Premchand". Option C ends with "operating on a loss", which is not the accepted idiom. Option D ends with "operating for a loss", which likewise breaks the collocation. Hence, option E. Q16. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. ______ your letter of 5 May, I am pleased to confirm your appointment.
2. The couple moved to the hills ______ their daughter's health.
3. She holds the seat ______ her age and seniority.
(A) with reference to (B) in comparison with (C) in contrast to (D) by virtue of (E) for the sake of (F) on behalf of CED AEB AFD AED DEA Correct Option D … Explanation: Sentence 1 opens a formal reply that refers back to an earlier letter, which is "with reference to", so (A) fits. Sentence 2 gives the benefit for which the move was made, which is "for the sake of", so (E) fits. Sentence 3 states the ground or entitlement on which the seat is held, which is "by virtue of", so (D) fits. The sequence is therefore A-E-D. Option A begins with "in contrast to your letter", which sets up an opposition the sentence does not contain. Option B ends with "in comparison with her age and seniority", which compares rather than explains entitlement. Option C gives "moved on behalf of their daughter's health", which requires a party being represented. Option E opens with "by virtue of your letter", which misstates a routine formal reference as a ground of authority. Hence, option D. Q17. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. She is allergic ______ peanuts.
2. She is capable ______ handling the pressure.
3. The road is closed ______ repairs.
(A) at (B) of (C) to (D) with (E) for (F) about CBE CDE DBE ABE CBF Correct Option A … Explanation: Sentence 1 uses the fixed collocation "allergic to", so (C) fits. Sentence 2 uses "capable of" followed by the -ing form, so (B) fits. Sentence 3 gives the purpose of the closure, and purpose takes "for", so (E) fits. The sequence is therefore C-B-E. Option B gives "capable with handling", which breaks the collocation. Option C begins with "allergic with peanuts", which is not the accepted form. Option D opens with "allergic at peanuts", which is ungrammatical. Option E ends with "closed about repairs", which states a topic rather than a purpose. Hence, option A. Q18. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. The Taj Mahal is located ______ the banks of the Yamuna.
2. Her uncle lives ______ Pune.
3. The novel was translated ______ Bengali into English.
(A) in (B) on (C) at (D) by (E) beneath (F) from AEF BAF BEF EAF BAD Correct Option B … Explanation: Sentence 1 uses the fixed expression "on the banks of" a river, so (B) fits. Sentence 2 names a large city of residence, and cities take "in", so (A) fits. Sentence 3 names the source language, and the pairing "from … into" governs translation, so (F) fits. The sequence is therefore B-A-F. Option A begins with "in the banks of the Yamuna", which places the monument inside the banks. Option C gives "lives beneath Pune", which is meaningless. Option D opens with "located beneath the banks", which puts the Taj Mahal underground. Option E ends with "translated by Bengali into English", which turns the language into the agent. Hence, option B. Q19. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. He leaned the ladder ______ the wall.
2. We drove ______ the tunnel to reach the other side.
3. There are three chapters ______ the Mughal empire.
(A) across (B) through (C) over (D) under (E) about (F) against FDE BFE DBE FBE AFE Correct Option D … Explanation: Sentence 1 describes resting an object in firm contact with a vertical surface, which is "against", so (F) fits. Sentence 2 describes movement in at one end of an enclosed passage and out at the other, which is "through", so (B) fits. Sentence 3 names the subject matter of the chapters, which is "about", so (E) fits. The sequence is therefore F-B-E. Option A gives "drove under the tunnel", which places the car below the tunnel rather than inside it. Option B begins with "leaned the ladder through the wall", which implies penetration. Option C opens with "leaned the ladder under the wall", which loses the sense of support. Option E gives "drove against the tunnel", which suggests collision. Hence, option D. Q20. Choose the correct sequence of prepositions that completes the 3 given sentences.
1. The doctor advised him to refrain ______ smoking.
2. She was punished ______ lying to the teacher.
3. Please compare your answers ______ the key.
(A) on (B) with (C) for (D) from (E) against (F) at DCB CDB DEB ACB DCF Correct Option A … Explanation: Sentence 1 uses the fixed collocation "refrain from" an activity, so (D) fits. Sentence 2 names the offence, and one is punished "for" a wrongdoing, so (C) fits. Sentence 3 asks for two things to be examined side by side for similarity and difference, which is "compare with", so (B) fits. The sequence is therefore D-C-B. Option B reverses the first two, giving "refrain for smoking" and "punished from lying". Option C gives "punished against lying", which is not the accepted form. Option D begins with "refrain on smoking", which breaks the collocation. Option E ends with "compare your answers at the key", which is ungrammatical. Hence, option A.