1. Complete the test with these prepositions:  about, at, for, in, of, and with.  you will have to use some prepositions more than once.  

If somebody told you they were building a lift to take people into space, you would probably laugh (1)__________the idea. But in fact, if you listen (2)___________scientists and engineers talking about the plan, you soon realise they are being completely serious.

The elevator would consist (3)_________ a carbon fibre ribbon 100,000 km long. One end would be in the ocean at the equator, and the other end would be in space.

At the moment, it takes months or years to prepare (4)_________ a trip into space by rocket. Space agencies have begun searching (5)_________ a better option – partly because they worry (6)_________ the cost of space missions. The idea of a space elevator appeals (7)_________ governments because it would be far cheaper than sending rockets into space. It would be slower, but that would give passengers more time to adjust (8)_________ the different conditions as they left the earth.

It may not be easy though: countries might argue (9)_________ the exact location of the elevator. But if the political leaders can cope (10)_________ these problems and manage to take part (11)_________ the project together, it is certainly possible.

Science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke wrote a novel (12)_________ the idea in 1979. He said in a speech that humans would build a space elevator ten years after they stopped laughing at the idea. Well, they’ve stopped laughing now.