Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: for
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This cloze question focuses on the correct choice of a simple preposition in a travel anecdote about a tooth brush. The narrator explains that after repeatedly packing and forgetting the tooth brush, he sometimes has to hurry back at the last minute. The sentence tests everyday English usage, specifically which preposition naturally follows the verb phrase “rush upstairs” when you are hurrying back to retrieve something you forgot.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The main concept is correct prepositional usage with verbs of motion. When a speaker goes somewhere in order to obtain or retrieve something, English commonly uses “for,” as in “go back for it,” “run for help,” or “rush upstairs for the book.” The prepositions “of” and “from” express possession, origin, or separation, and “form” is not a preposition at all. Therefore we must choose the option that fits both the meaning and the habitual pattern of English when describing purposeful movement to get something.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognize that the speaker has forgotten the tooth brush and must go upstairs in order to get it back.
Step 2: Notice that the verb phrase is “rush upstairs,” followed by a preposition and the pronoun “it.”
Step 3: Recall common patterns such as “go upstairs for it,” “run back for it,” and “rush for help,” where “for” indicates purpose.
Step 4: Evaluate “of.” It usually links a noun to another noun (as in “part of the room”) and does not show purpose of movement.
Step 5: Evaluate “from.” It usually shows the starting point of movement (“from the station”) rather than the reason or object sought.
Step 6: Recognize that “form” is a different word altogether, used as a noun or verb, not as a preposition, so it is automatically incorrect.
Step 7: Conclude that “for” is the only preposition that correctly expresses rushing upstairs in order to get the tooth brush.
Verification / Alternative check:
Insert each option into the sentence and read it aloud: “rush upstairs for it at the last moment” sounds natural and clearly shows why the speaker is rushing back. “Rush upstairs of it” and “rush upstairs from it” do not make sense in English; they produce ungrammatical or confusing phrases. “Rush upstairs form it” is simply wrong, because “form” does not function as a preposition in this way. You can also compare with real life sentences: “I had to go back for my keys” and “She ran upstairs for her phone.” This pattern matches the situation in the passage exactly.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“Of” expresses possession or composition, but here we need to show purpose, not ownership, so it fails.
“From” suggests movement away from something, which is the opposite of what the speaker is doing when going upstairs to get the object.
“Form” is a different part of speech and cannot act as a preposition in this construction, making the sentence incorrect.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse “for” and “from” because both can occur near movement verbs. A common pitfall is to ignore the sense of purpose and focus only on the fact that the sentence describes movement. Another error is to misread “form” as “from,” especially under exam pressure. To avoid these mistakes, always ask what relationship the preposition must express. If the idea is “go somewhere to get something,” then “for” is the natural choice in English. This habit of checking both meaning and typical collocation will greatly improve accuracy in cloze tests.
Final Answer:
The correct preposition is “for”, giving the phrase “rush upstairs for it at the last moment.”
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