KS1 Prepositions | Words that Show Position in Sentences

English Quiz - Prepositions 1 (Questions)

Prepositions are little position words. They tell us where things are, like on the table, under the chair or behind the door, helping KS1 children follow instructions.

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Fascinating Fact:

Prepositions on and under make picture clues easy, as “on the table” and “under the table” paint two totally different scenes.

In KS1 English, children learn prepositions to describe where things are and how they move. Using words such as on, under, in, behind and next to helps them follow instructions and write clearer sentences.

Key Terms

Preposition: A word that shows the position or relationship between things, like on, under or behind.
Position word: A simple preposition that tells us where something is.
Prepositional phrase: A group of words starting with a preposition, such as under the table.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a preposition for KS1 children?

A preposition is a small word that tells us where or when something is, for example on the chair, under the bed or after lunch.

What are some easy examples of prepositions to teach in Year 1 and 2?

Useful early prepositions include in, on, under, next to, behind, in front of, over and between. These work well with pictures, toys and classroom objects.

How can I teach prepositions in a fun way in KS1?

Use toys or children themselves to act out instructions, like “put the teddy on the box” or “stand behind the chair,” then ask pupils to say or write what happened.

Try These Related Quizzes

'The cat sat on the chair.' Which word is a preposition?

[ ]	The
[ ]	cat
[ ]	sat
[ ]	on

'The fish were caught in the net.' Which word is a preposition?

[ ]	fish
[ ]	caught
[ ]	in
[ ]	net

'The crocodile went into the river.' Which word is a preposition?

[ ]	went
[ ]	into
[ ]	crocodile
[ ]	river

'We went on the swings.' Which word is the preposition?

[ ]	We
[ ]	swings
[ ]	went
[ ]	on

Look at the picture, which sentence is correct?

[ ]	The cars drove under the bridge.
[ ]	The cars were by the bridge.
[ ]	The cars drove above the bridge.
[ ]	The cars were on the bridge.

Which word isn't a preposition?

[ ]	in
[ ]	on
[ ]	under
[ ]	hat

What is a preposition?

[ ]	A country.
[ ]	A word that tells us the position of something.
[ ]	A doing word.
[ ]	A word that describes something.

Look at the picture, which answer is correct?

[ ]	The mouse lived in the hole.
[ ]	The mouse lived on the hole.
[ ]	The mouse lived under the hole.
[ ]	The mouse lived up the hole.

We know a preposition tells us the position of two things, in relation to each other. In this sentence, which two things are we relating? 'The man jumped into the river.'

[ ]	man and river
[ ]	The and into
[ ]	jumped and man
[ ]	jumped and river

10.

Which two things are we relating in this sentence? 'She jumped on his back.'

[ ]	She and jumped
[ ]	She and back
[ ]	jumped and on
[ ]	jumped and back

English Quiz - Prepositions 1 (Answers)

'The cat sat on the chair.' Which word is a preposition?

[ ]	The
[ ]	cat
[ ]	sat
[x]	on

The word 'on' tells us the position of the cat.

'The fish were caught in the net.' Which word is a preposition?

[ ]	fish
[ ]	caught
[x]	in
[ ]	net

They are in the net and so, the place they are is 'inside' or 'in'.

'The crocodile went into the river.' Which word is a preposition?

[ ]	went
[x]	into
[ ]	crocodile
[ ]	river

The word 'into' is the preposition because that is the position he is going. A preposition tells you how one thing relates to the other, so how the crocodile relates to the river.

'We went on the swings.' Which word is the preposition?

[ ]	We
[ ]	swings
[ ]	went
[x]	on

You go on swings because you sit on top of them.

Look at the picture, which sentence is correct?

[ ]	The cars drove under the bridge.
[ ]	The cars were by the bridge.
[ ]	The cars drove above the bridge.
[x]	The cars were on the bridge.

The words 'under,' 'by' and 'above' are all prepositions, however, in these sentences they aren't quite right. The picture shows the cars on the bridge, not under it. They weren't by or beside the bridge as they were on it and they weren't above the bridge as this would suggest there is a gap between the bridge and the cars.

Which word isn't a preposition?

[ ]	in
[ ]	on
[ ]	under
[x]	hat

The first three answers tell you the position of something.

What is a preposition?

[ ]	A country.
[x]	A word that tells us the position of something.
[ ]	A doing word.
[ ]	A word that describes something.

Prepositions can be: in, by, on, under, above, off, up and into.

Look at the picture, which answer is correct?

[x]	The mouse lived in the hole.
[ ]	The mouse lived on the hole.
[ ]	The mouse lived under the hole.
[ ]	The mouse lived up the hole.

If you use the preposition 'in' then it is inside something.