Fill in the blank with correct preposition: The meeting was presided _____ by the Chairman. Choose the option that best completes the standard English expression.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of fixed verb preposition combinations, also called collocations. The sentence describes a formal meeting and asks which preposition correctly follows presided to form a natural English phrase. Such collocations are frequently tested because they cannot be deduced purely from literal meaning and must be learned through exposure and practice.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Sentence: The meeting was presided _____ by the Chairman.
- Options: over, upon, of, in, about.
We assume that the Chairman was in charge of the meeting and led its proceedings.

Concept / Approach:
The standard English collocation is preside over a meeting, a ceremony, or a function. When the passive voice is used, we say The meeting was presided over by the Chairman. None of the other prepositions fit naturally with preside in this context. Therefore, over is the correct choice to complete the sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the base active structure: The Chairman presided over the meeting. Step 2: In the passive voice, the object meeting becomes the subject: The meeting was presided over by the Chairman. Step 3: Check the preposition alternatives: presided upon, presided of, presided in, and presided about are all non standard in this meaning. Step 4: Over is the only preposition that collocates correctly with presided in the sense of taking charge of formal proceedings. Step 5: Therefore, we fill the blank with over to form a natural and grammatically correct sentence.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by using other similar expressions: preside over a court, preside over a function, preside over a meeting. Dictionaries and grammar references consistently show over as the preposition that follows preside when it has this meaning. Replacing over with any other option results in a phrase that native speakers do not use in formal English. This confirms over as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- upon: Preside upon is not an established collocation in this context.

- of: Preside of is ungrammatical in standard English for this meaning.
- in: While we can say in the meeting, presided in the meeting is not correct usage.
- about: Preside about has no accepted meaning related to chairing a meeting.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often try to guess prepositions based on general meaning or their first language. With verbs like preside, rely, depend, complain, and object, the safest approach is to memorise the correct preposition: preside over, rely on, depend on, complain about, object to. Becoming familiar with these combinations through reading and practice reduces errors in exams.

Final Answer:
Correct option: over.