All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Directions : Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four options. Select whichever preposition or determiner you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

System performance was demonstrated _____________ the Drop Zone from an altitude of 5000 m.  

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2022 English Previous Year Paper (10-April-2022)
The correct answer is

at

Understanding Prepositions in Sentence Completion

The question asks us to select the most appropriate preposition or determiner to fill the blank space in the sentence: "System performance was demonstrated _____________ the Drop Zone from an altitude of 5000 m." We need to choose from the options 'by', 'at', 'in', and 'with'.

Let's analyze the sentence and the context. The sentence talks about where the system performance demonstration took place. "The Drop Zone" refers to a specific location or area where something is dropped, likely from a height. The phrase "from an altitude of 5000 m" indicates the origin of the drop, but the blank is associated with "the Drop Zone".

Analyzing the Options

Let's consider each option:

  • by: The preposition 'by' is typically used to indicate the agent performing an action (e.g., "written by him"), the means of transportation (e.g., "travel by car"), or proximity (e.g., "sit by the window"). It does not fit the context of indicating the location where performance was demonstrated.
  • at: The preposition 'at' is commonly used to indicate a specific point, location, or area. It is used for specific addresses, specific points in time, or specific activities/places considered as points (e.g., "at the station", "at noon", "at school", "at the party"). In the context of a "Drop Zone" being a specific designated area for dropping, 'at' is a suitable preposition to indicate the location of the demonstration.
  • in: The preposition 'in' is generally used for larger areas (countries, cities), enclosed spaces (rooms, boxes), or periods of time (months, years). While a Drop Zone is an area, 'at' is often preferred for referring to a specific functional location or point of activity, especially when contrasted with a larger region that 'in' might describe. For a specific, defined area like a "Drop Zone" where an action occurs, 'at' is often more precise than 'in'.
  • with: The preposition 'with' is used to indicate accompanying someone or something, using an instrument, or possessing a quality. It does not fit the context of indicating the location where the demonstration occurred.

Choosing the Most Appropriate Preposition

Based on the analysis, the preposition 'at' is the most appropriate choice to indicate the specific location, "the Drop Zone", where the system performance was demonstrated.

The completed sentence reads: "System performance was demonstrated at the Drop Zone from an altitude of 5000 m."

This usage of 'at' correctly specifies the particular location for the demonstration activity.

Revision Table: Prepositions of Place

Preposition Typical Use for Place Examples
at Specific point, location, or area (e.g., address, junction, specific functional place) at the corner, at the bus stop, at the airport, at home, at the Drop Zone
in Larger area (country, city, region), enclosed space (room, building, box), volume in India, in London, in the park, in the room, in a car, in the water
on Surface, line (road, river), floor level, public transport (bus, train) on the table, on the wall, on the road, on the third floor, on the bus

Additional Information: Prepositions and Context

Choosing the correct preposition often depends heavily on the context and the specific noun or verb it is used with. While there are general rules, there are also many idiomatic uses.

  • Prepositions like 'at', 'in', and 'on' are fundamental for indicating location in English.
  • 'At' pinpoints a location, viewing it perhaps as a point or a place of activity.
  • 'In' indicates being inside an area or volume.
  • 'On' indicates being on a surface or a line.
  • In the given sentence, "the Drop Zone" functions as a specific, defined location where an event (the performance demonstration) took place, making 'at' the most suitable choice.
Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Directions : Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space and four words or group of words are given after the sentence. Select the most appropriate word or group of words for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

    What you propose is _____________ .

  2. Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.

    Scarcely _______ the teacher entered the class when he heard the noise.
  3. Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.

    I do not think he will ever _________ the shock of his wife’s death.
  4. Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.

    It is no use in crying over _______.

  5. Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.

    You must go to the station now, your brother_______ go just yet as his train leaves after three hours.

  6. Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.

    Every rash driver becomes a _______ killer.

  7. Directions: Fill in the blanks with the word that best completes the sentence.

    The country owes a deep debt of ______ for the freedom fighters.

  8. Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response accordingly.

    The whole lot of young men was very enthusiastic but your friend alone was ________.

  9. Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four options. Select whichever preposition or determiner you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

    The room is a bit dark. Could you please turn ______ the light?

  10. Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four options. Select whichever preposition or determiner you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

    He is all out to blame everyone ______ his mistakes.


Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks

  1. Select the most appropriate article to fill in the blank. If no article is needed, select 'No article required'.

    Raveena's plane landed on time, and she collected her luggage from ________ handler quicky.

  2. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

    This is the ________ snowstorm that I have seen in the last ten years.
  3. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

    The detective remained suspicious of the suspect's alibi, as it was inconsistent ________ the evidence.
  4. Complete the sentence in indirect speech.

    "Why don't we check with Mrinmay?" she said.

    She suggested ______ with Mrinmay.
  5. Select the correctly spelt word to fill in the blank.

    The weather was freezing, ____ she went out without a coat.
Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
CDS img
Defence
UPSC CDS 2026 Mock Test Series
559 Tests 4 Tests Free
1821 Attempts
4.3(195)
English, Hindi
More Questions from CDS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App