Objective Proficiency p 19. Prepositions. Extra Gapped Sentences Exercise 2

Think of ONE word only that can be used appropriately in all three sentences of each exercise.
1.
a. We cannot afford to take risks when people's lives are _____________ stake.
b. She was ____________ her wits' end wondering how she'd manage it all in the time.
c. Martin has reached the top in his career, but _________ a price. His health and his marriage are both ruined. 
2.
a. He spent a couple of years ___________ bars as a youth but has since been a responsible member of society.
b. There was endless activity ___________ the scenes days  before the visit of the royal couple. 
c. The preliminary hearing of the case was __________ closed doors.
3.
a. Unfortunately, politicians often hit ______________ the belt to discredit their opponents.
b. Grandfather had been feeling a bit ______________ par for a few days before he was taken to hospital.
c. The newspapers clearly thought that the story wouldn't sell copies and placed it ___________ the fold.
4.
a. The work on her new novel is going ____________ fits and starts at the moment because she's writing a TV script as well.
b. My teacher says my English has improved _________ leaps and bounds since I started using idioms.
c. I know that ________ rights it's Jean who should have been given the credit for the success, as the idea was hers, not mine.
5. 
a. When the pony started to gallop, Ben lost the reins, so he threw his arms round its neck _________ dear life.
b. You don't have to give me the bracelet back. It's yours ________ keeps, if you'd like to have it.
c. _______________ my money, this is the book of its kind on the market.
 

KEY
1. at 
at stake that can be won or lost, depending on the success of a particular action. E.g. The prize at stake is a place in the final. Likely to be lost or damaged if something fails.

be at your wits' end: to be so worried by a problem that you do not know what to do next. E.g. Falsely arrested and charged, in a strange country and all alone, Walter was truly at his wits' end.

at a price: with a sacrifice (of time, money, effort, happiness etc.) or with disadvantages. If you can get something at a price, you have to accept something unpleasant in order to get it. E.g.  Progress has been achieved, but at a price. Many who worked on farms and in factories are now without jobs.

 

 

 

2. behind

behind bars: in prison. E.g. The murderer is now safely behind bars. 

behind the scenes in a way that people in general are not aware of. E.g. A lot of negotiating has been going on behind the scenes. Behind-the-scenes work. 

behind closed doors without the public being allowed to attend or know what is happening; in private. E.g. The meeting was held behind closed doors. 

 

 

  

3. below 

below the belt (of a remark) unfair or cruel. That was distinctly below the belt! That remark about his weight was a bit below the belt. 

below/under par: less well, good, etc. than is usual or expected. E.g.  I may take tomorrow off if I'm still feeling under par. Teaching in some subjects has been well below par. I feel a little below par today. I think I am getting a cold. His work is below par, and he is paid too much money. 

above/below the fold: in/not in a position where you see it first, for example in the top/bottom part of a newspaper page or web page. If information is below the fold in a newspaper, it is below the middle of the page where you cannot see it when the newspaper is folded. If information is below the fold on the first page of a website, you must scroll down to the middle or bottom of the screen to see it. E.g. Your ad will be placed above the fold for prominent exposure. The images all appeared below the fold. What is above the fold on a web page should be whatever it takes to motivate people to scroll below the fold.

 

 

 

4. by  

by/in fits and starts: frequently stopping and starting again; not continuously. E.g. Because of other commitments I can only write my book in fits and starts. He did his work by fits and starts. Replies are arriving in fits and starts. 

by/in leaps and bounds: very quickly; in large amounts. E.g. Her health has improved in leaps and bounds. Her English has come on (= improved) in leaps and bounds this year.

by rights: if things are done as they should be. If the situation was fair. In a just or proper manner; justly. If things had happened or been done fairly or correctly. E.g. By rights, we should split the profits among the three of us. By rights, it should be my turn next. By rights, he should not be playing next week.

5. for

for dear life/ for your life: using all your strength, speed, or determination in order to avoid danger or serious trouble. As hard or as fast as possible. E.g. He clung on to the edge of the cliff for dear life. She was holding on to the rope for dear life. Run for your life!

for keeps: for ever. E.g. Is it yours for keeps or does he want it back? She said she's left him for keeps this time.

for my money (informal) in my opinion. E.g. For my money, he's one of the greatest comedians of all time.