Let’s go step by step to match each phrase on the left with the correct prepositional phrase on the right.
We’ll look at each number and think about what it means, then find the best matching phrase from the letters a–p.
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1. recite a poem
→ When you recite something from memory, you say it without reading.
→ Match:
g from memory
2. We’re late!
→ Being late means you’re behind schedule.
→ Match:
d behind schedule
3. What a mess!
→ A mess means things are not in order — they’re disordered.
→ Match:
k in disorder
4. very fashionable
→ If something is fashionable now, it’s “in vogue.”
→ Match:
n in vogue
5. I can’t pay!
→ If you can’t pay your bills, you’re “in arrears” (owe money).
→ Match:
i in arrears
6. You’re too young!
→ Too young = under age.
→ Match:
p under age
7. illegal
→ Illegal = against the law.
→ Match:
a against the law
8. simultaneous
→ Simultaneous = happening at the same time.
→ Match:
c at the same time
9. no clothes
→ No clothes = naked → “in the nude”
→ Match:
m in the nude
10. I haven’t eaten!
→ Haven’t eaten = empty stomach → “on an empty stomach”
→ Match:
o on an empty stomach
11. old-fashioned
→ Old-fashioned = out of date → “behind the times”
→ Match:
e behind the times
12. It really hurts!
→ Hurts badly = in agony
→ Match:
h in agony
13. very early
→ Very early in the morning = at daybreak
→ Match:
b at daybreak
14. a prisoner
→ Prisoners are kept “behind bars”
→ Match:
j behind bars
15. It’s burning!
→ Burning = on fire → “in flames”
→ Match:
l in flames
16. gradually
→ Gradually = little by little → “by degrees”
→ Match:
f by degrees
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Now let’s list all matches clearly:
1 – g
2 – d
3 – k
4 – n
5 – i
6 – p
7 – a
8 – c
9 – m
10 – o
11 – e
12 – h
13 – b
14 – j
15 – l
16 – f
Final Answer:
1-g, 2-d, 3-k, 4-n, 5-i, 6-p, 7-a, 8-c, 9-m, 10-o, 11-e, 12-h, 13-b, 14-j, 15-l, 16-f
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of associations worksheet.
