What is the difference between in front of and behind?

In front of means before or facing something, such as a car in front of a house. Behind means at the back of something, such as a garden behind a house. These two words describe opposite positions, so they can never replace each other in a sentence.

Does this place prepositions test have answers?

Yes. All 50 questions in the five exercises show the right answer and a short, simple explanation when you check them. Nothing is hidden, the test is completely free, and you do not need to make an account before you start.

Why does between need two things?

Between describes the middle position of exactly two things, such as a pen between a book and a ruler. Using between with only one thing, such as between the book, is a common mistake because it leaves the second reference point missing.

What is the difference between next to and between?

Next to means beside just one thing, such as next to the sofa. Between means in the middle of two things, such as between the sofa and the chair.

Do in front of and next to always need an extra word?

Yes. In front always needs of before the noun, and next always needs to before the noun. Leaving these words out is a very common A1 mistake.

Place Prepositions – A1 Grammar Test (with Answers)

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Practice Questions & Answers

All A1 questions for “Place Prepositions – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.

✅ Correct	❌ Wrong
The cat is under the table.	The cat is next the table.

Where Is It? Choosing the Right Place Preposition

1. The cat is sleeping ___ the table.
- A. under ✓
- B. next to
- C. behind
- D. between
Answer: under
Under means below something.
2. The lamp is ___ the sofa.
- A. behind
- B. next to ✓
- C. under
- D. in front of
Answer: next to
Next to means beside or very close.
3. The car is parked ___ the house.
- A. under
- B. behind
- C. in front of ✓
- D. next to
Answer: in front of
In front of means before or facing something.
4. The garden is ___ the house.
- A. next to
- B. under
- C. between
- D. behind ✓
Answer: behind
Behind means at the back of something.
5. The book is ___ two pens on the desk.
- A. under
- B. between ✓
- C. behind
- D. next to
Answer: between
Between means in the middle of two things.
6. The dog is sitting ___ its bed.
- A. next to ✓
- B. behind
- C. under
- D. in front of
Answer: next to
Next to means beside or very close.
7. The mirror is ___ the door.
- A. next to
- B. under
- C. behind ✓
- D. between
Answer: behind
Behind means at the back of something.
8. The bike is ___ the shop.
- A. behind
- B. under
- C. next to
- D. in front of ✓
Answer: in front of
In front of means before or facing something.
9. The ball is ___ the sofa and the chair.
- A. behind
- B. between ✓
- C. under
- D. next to
Answer: between
Between means in the middle of two things.
10. The shoes are ___ the bed.
- A. under ✓
- B. next to
- C. in front of
- D. behind
Answer: under
Under means below something.

Place Prepositions in a Story: Leo's Messy Room

1. Leo cannot find his things today. His room is very messy. His shoes are next _____ the bed.
Answer: to
Next always needs to before the noun.
2. He picks them up happily. His book is _____ the chair.
Answer: under
Under means below something.
3. He pulls it out carefully. His backpack is _____ the door.
- A. behind
- B. in front of ✓
- C. under
- D. between
Answer: in front of
In front of means before or facing something.
4. He grabs it for school. His jacket is _____ the sofa.
Answer: behind
Behind means at the back of something.
5. He did not expect that. His pencil is _____ two books on the desk.
Answer: between

Odd One Out: Place Preposition Mistakes

1. Which option does not belong?
- A. The chair is next to the table.
- B. The lamp is next the sofa. ✓
- C. The bag is next to the door.
- D. The rug is next to the bed.
Answer: The lamp is next the sofa.
Next always needs to before the noun: next to the sofa.
2. Which option does not belong?
- A. The car is in front the house. ✓
- B. The bike is in front of the shop.
- C. The bus is in front of the school.
- D. The van is in front of the garage.
Answer: The car is in front the house.
In front always needs of before the noun: in front of the house.
3. Which option does not belong?
- A. The pencil is between the books.
- B. The pencil is between two books.
- C. The pencil is between the pens.
- D. The pencil is between the book. ✓
Answer:

Where Is It? Describing a Room

1. Is your bag ___ the door?
- A. next to ✓
- B. under
- C. behind
- D. between
Answer: next to
Next to means beside or very close.
2. No, it's ___ the chair.
- A. behind
- B. under ✓
- C. next to
- D. in front of
Answer: under
Under means below something.
3. Are your shoes ___ the wardrobe?
- A. under
- B. behind
- C. in front of ✓
- D. next to
Answer: in front of
In front of means before or facing something.
4. No, they are ___ the sofa.

Combining Words into a Place Sentence

1. lamp / sofa / next to
Answer: The lamp is next to the sofa.
Next to means beside or very close.
2. cat / table / under
Answer: The cat is under the table.
Under means below something.
3. car / house / in front of
Answer: The car is in front of the house.
In front of means before or facing something.
4. garden / house / behind
Answer: The garden is behind the house.
Behind means at the back of something.
5. pen / two books / between
Answer: The pen is between two books.
Between means in the middle of two things.
6. dog / bed / next to
Answer: The dog is next to the bed.

Place Prepositions – A1 Grammar Exercises with Answers

The cat is sleeping ___ the table.

Keep practising

Adjectives: Word Order and Basic Rules

Adverbs of Manner: Quickly, Well, Carefully

Articles: A, An, The or No Article

Conjunctions: And, But, Or and Because

More A1 English Practice

A Day in the Life of an Airline Pilot (A1 Reading)

A Day in the Life of an Airline Pilot: A1 Reading Practice

Practice Questions & Answers

Where Is It? Choosing the Right Place Preposition

Place Prepositions in a Story: Leo's Messy Room

Odd One Out: Place Preposition Mistakes

Where Is It? Describing a Room

Combining Words into a Place Sentence

A Simple Restaurant Menu (A1 Reading)

A Study Timetable (A1 Reading)

An Email to a Friend (A1 Reading)

Looking for the Perfect Home (A1 Reading)