50 MIXED-ABILITY GRAMMAR LESSONS

47 The Sword in the Stone

Enter
11

Prepositions (2)

Read this text about The Sword in the Stone and underline ten prepositions. Long ago in the 6th century, King Uther Pendragon ruled England wisely for many years. When he died, his step-daughter, Morgan Le Fay, wanted his crown. But she was neither wise nor good. Many knights wanted to be king but none of them was wise or good enough. Only one person knew the name of the true king. And that person was Merlin the Magician. Merlin went to London. Here he turned a little pebble into a great stone. Then he created a magic sword and put it into the stone. Then he wrote these words on the stone: Only the real King can pull this sword from this stone. Then he arranged a tournament. There were competitions with swords, horse races and other games. Many knights tried to pull the sword from the stone. Nobody could do it.

22

Underline the correct preposition in these sentences. Merlin placed the stone (a) under / on top of / above a tree. He walked (b) alongside / through / across the river for a few minutes. He looked (c) opposite / at / across the river to the busy city. The sun rose (d) up / by / in the sky (e) by / to / at that moment.

Step up
11 Read about The Sword in the Stone in Enter 1 and then read the text below. Complete it with the following prepositions.

at for from in (x3) of (x2) on out of to (x3) with

One knight was called Sir Ector. He had lands (a) (b) (c)

in

the south-west

England. He had two sons, Sir Kay and Arthur. He was unkind Arthur, however. He treated him like a servant. He brought his sons (d) the tournament (f)

him (e)

London. But when they got there, Sir Kay had

forgotten his sword. Hed left it (g) Ill run back (h)

home.

it, said Arthur. (i)

the way, he passed Merlins stone.

Ill take this sword, he thought. He didnt read Merlins words and easily pulled it (j)

the stone. He brought it back (k)

Sir Kay. Sir Kay recognised it at once

and held it up (l)

the air.

Look, Sir Kay said. I am the true King (m) (n)

England! I have pulled the sword

the stone!

Arthur and his knights had many adventures. Find out about one. Write the story in your own words. Include as many prepositions as you can. Work in pairs or in groups. Read your stories to each other. Count the prepositions. Who has the most?
50 MIXED-ABILITY GRAMMAR LESSONS MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC.

116

50 MIXED-ABILITY GRAMMAR LESSONS

47 The Sword in the Stone

Prepositions (2)

Fly

Read about The Sword in the Stone in Enter 1 and Step up 1. Read the text below. Cross out the prepositions that are wrong and replace them with the correct preposition.

in
Merlin appeared. He took the sword and put it back along the stone. Show us, he said behind Sir Kay. Many knights were now watching. Sir Kay looked nervous. Easy! he said. And of course, he failed. In fact, he fell towards backwards. Everybody laughed like drains. Arthur, you try, said Merlin. The knights laughed louder. Arthur easily pulled the sword into the stone. Everyone fell beside their knees through their new king. Merlin explained. Arthur is the real son with Uther Pendragon, the last true King to England. I took him to Sir Ector before safekeeping 16 years ago, when he was a baby. Arthur became king and ruled justly. He built his castle off Camelot during Somerset. This is now called Cadbury Castle. Here he established the Order under the Round Table.

Complete this story of the Lady of the Lake with the correct prepositions. The sword that Arthur took (a) broke during a battle (b)

the stone was not a great sword. It

a wicked knight, Sir Pellinore. Sir Pellinore

was about to cut off Arthurs head, when Merlin arrived (c) time. Arthur was upset (d) Merlin took Arthur (e)

the nick of

his sword.

the Isle of Avalon, where Glastonbury stands a lake. An arm rose (g)

today. Here they stood (f)

the

lake and held up a beautiful sword covered (h) Excalibur. A beautiful lady emerged (i) Arthur. She led him (k)

jewels. This was

the lake and came (j)

the lake so that he could claim Excalibur and the mist. Arthur took Excalibur back

then she disappeared (l) (m)

Merlin. This sword will never break, he told him.

T) or false (F)? a) A preposition can never be more than one word.T / F b) A preposition doesnt have an object. T / F c) A preposition joins a verb, adjective or noun to a noun/pronoun. T / F
Read these statements about prepositions. Are they true ( d) If a preposition precedes a verb, the verb is always in the ing form, eg Im looking forward to meeting your boyfriend.

T/F
50 MIXED-ABILITY GRAMMAR LESSONS MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES, AN IMPRINT OF SCHOLASTIC INC.

117