Complete the sentence by choosing the correct preposition: "I was conscious _____ a break in my voice."

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of prepositions that commonly follow particular adjectives. The sentence describes a speaker who becomes aware that there is a break in his or her voice. You must choose the preposition that naturally follows conscious in standard English usage.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The sentence is:

• I was conscious _____ a break in my voice.

The options are:

• to
• of
• over
• for

We assume the speaker is aware of some change or disruption in his or her voice.

Concept / Approach:
In English, the adjective conscious is normally followed by the preposition of when it means aware of something. For example, we say conscious of a problem, conscious of his mistake, or conscious of a noise. The other prepositions do not form standard combinations with conscious in this sense. Therefore, conscious of is the correct collocation and fits naturally in the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the meaning of conscious in this context. It means aware, not unconscious or unaware. Step 2: Recall common expressions: conscious of danger, conscious of being watched, conscious of her own abilities. Step 3: Insert of into the sentence: I was conscious of a break in my voice. This sounds correct and natural. Step 4: Test to: I was conscious to a break in my voice. This is not standard usage. Step 5: Test over: I was conscious over a break in my voice. Over does not convey the meaning of awareness. Step 6: Test for: I was conscious for a break in my voice. For does not link conscious correctly to what is being observed. Step 7: Therefore, of is the only preposition that completes the sentence correctly.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can compare with similar adjectives: aware of, sure of, doubtful of. Conscious behaves like aware; in all such structures, of is used to introduce the object of awareness. Reference to dictionaries and grammar books confirms that conscious of something is the normal pattern. Any other preposition would sound unusual or incorrect to a fluent speaker.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
To is wrong because conscious to is not a recognised phrase when expressing awareness. Over is wrong because it usually indicates physical position or control, as in over the table or rule over, which does not apply here. For is wrong because it indicates purpose or benefit and does not link the adjective conscious to its object. None of these alternatives convey the right relational meaning.

Common Pitfalls:
Preposition questions are tricky because learners sometimes rely on translation from their own language instead of English collocations. Another pitfall is to overgeneralise patterns like to be known to or grateful for and incorrectly apply them to conscious. The safest way to avoid errors is to memorise common adjective plus preposition pairs such as conscious of, afraid of, fond of, and interested in.

Final Answer:
The correct preposition is of, giving the sentence: I was conscious of a break in my voice.