Select the option that correctly (and most appropriately) fills in the blank and completes the sentence below? The little boy fell -------the horse.

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The preposition 'off' is used to indicate movement away from and down from a surface.
In English, 'falling off' is the standard and idiomatic phrase for coming down from something you were on top of, such as a horse, a bicycle, a ladder, or a chair.
This choice most clearly and accurately describes the event of the boy becoming detached from the horse's back and landing on the ground.

Option A: The word 'abut' means to be adjacent to or touch at a boundary. It does not describe the action of falling.
Option B: 'Down' describes the direction of the fall but does not correctly link the action to the object (the horse). The phrase 'fell down the horse' is grammatically incorrect.
Option C: While 'fell from the horse' is grammatically understandable, 'off' is more specific and idiomatic for falling from a surface you are physically on.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Correct usage of prepositions in English grammar as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In nursing documentation, using precise prepositions is crucial for accurately describing patient incidents, especially falls. This ensures clarity in reporting and helps in assessing the mechanism of injury.
Documenting 'patient fell off the bed' provides a clearer picture than 'patient fell from the bed,' which is more ambiguous.
Accurate documentation of falls is a key component of patient safety protocols and quality improvement measures in healthcare settings.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the sentence carefully to understand its meaning. The sentence describes an action (falling) in relation to an object (a horse).
Identify the grammatical function of the missing word. In this case, a preposition is needed to connect the verb 'fell' with the noun 'horse'.
Consider the specific context. The action involves coming down from a surface (the horse's back).
Evaluate each option based on its meaning and common usage. 'Abut' has the wrong meaning. 'Fell down the horse' is grammatically incorrect.
Compare the two plausible options: 'from' and 'off'. Recognize that while 'from' is general, 'off' is the specific, idiomatic preposition for falling from a surface you are on.
Select 'off' as the most appropriate and precise answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 4 p. 103-105

Practise the full DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.