Fill in the blank with the suitable preposition. She is adept solving complex mathematical problems.

Question

Fill in the blank with the suitable preposition.

She is adept solving complex mathematical problems.

1. A. on
2. B. at (Correct answer)
3. C. with
4. D. for

Correct Answer

Option B — at

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is at.

Key Points

• The correct preposition after the adjective 'adept' is 'at' — the fixed collocation is 'adept at (doing) something', meaning highly skilled at it.
• So the sentence reads: 'She is adept at solving complex mathematical problems.'
• The other prepositions do not fit this idiom: we do not say 'adept on', 'adept with' or 'adept for' in standard English.
• many English adjectives take a fixed preposition that must be memorised rather than reasoned out. 'Adept', 'good', 'skilled' and 'expert' all commonly pair with 'at' when followed by an activity (good at, skilled at, expert at).

Exam Tip

• learn adjective + preposition pairs as set phrases — afraid of, fond of, interested in, capable of, adept at, proud of, dependent on — as JKSSB and SSC repeatedly test these collocations in fill-in-the-blank format.