On the Bus or In the Car?
Explore “on” and “in” in short travel messages about buses, cars, and other ways to get around.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Fill in the blank.
I'm ___ the bus to school. I'll get off at the next stop.
- on
- by
Show solution
I'm on the bus to school. I'll get off at the next stop.
“By bus” names how you travel. “On the bus” tells where you are.
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2. Fill in the blank.
I'm ___ the car, sitting next to Mom. She's driving.
- on
- in
Show solution
I'm in the car, sitting next to Mom. She's driving.
Use “in the car” for a passenger in either the front seat or the back seat.
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3. Choose the correct answer.
What does her message say?
The train is moving. A passenger sends a message from her seat.
- I'm by the train.
- I'm on the train.
Show solution
- I'm on the train.
“On the train” works for passengers who are sitting or standing during the trip.
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4. Fill in the blank.
I'm ___ a taxi, wearing my seat belt. The driver is taking me home.
- in
- on
Show solution
I'm in a taxi, wearing my seat belt. The driver is taking me home.
Say “in a taxi” for any taxi, or “in the taxi” when the other person knows which one.
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5. Fill in the blank.
A message from a passenger during a flight.
We're ___ the plane. I can see clouds through the window.
- at
- on
Show solution
We're on the plane. I can see clouds through the window.
For a passenger, “on the plane” means inside it—not on its roof.
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6. Fill in the blank.
I'm ___ my bike, riding through the park.
- on
- in
Show solution
I'm on my bike, riding through the park.
“On” stays the same in “on my bike,” “on your bike,” and “on a bike.”
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7. Choose the correct answer.
Where is Alex now?
Alex: “My train just left the subway station. I'm riding to the next stop.”
- Alex is at the subway station.
- Alex is on the subway.
Show solution
- Alex is on the subway.
Use “on the subway” during the ride and “at the station” for the place where you wait.
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8. Fill in the blank.
Leo is ___ his motorcycle. He puts on his helmet before he starts riding.
- in
- on
Show solution
Leo is on his motorcycle. He puts on his helmet before he starts riding.
A motorcycle rider sits on top of the vehicle, rather than inside it.
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9. Fill in the blank.
We're ___ our family van. Dad is driving, and I'm sitting in the back seat.
- in
- on
Show solution
We're in our family van. Dad is driving, and I'm sitting in the back seat.
A family van uses “in,” like a car, even though it has more space.
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10. Fill in the blank.
A message from a ferry passenger.
We're ___ the ferry to the island. It has just left, and we're watching the water from our seats.
- by
- on
Show solution
We're on the ferry to the island. It has just left, and we're watching the water from our seats.
A ferry carries people across water. The usual passenger phrase is “on the ferry.”
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11. Choose the correct answer.
Where is Ben?
A truck driver is giving Ben a ride. Ben is sitting beside her with his seat belt on.
- Ben is in the truck.
- Ben is on the truck.
Show solution
- Ben is in the truck.
Here, “in” describes the seats inside the truck, not the open area at the back.
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12. Choose the correct answer.
Where is Rosa during the trip?
An ambulance is taking Rosa to the hospital. She is lying on a bed with a nurse beside her.
- Rosa is on the ambulance.
- Rosa is in the ambulance.
Show solution
- Rosa is in the ambulance.
An ambulance takes sick or hurt people to the hospital. People traveling inside it use “in.”
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13. Fill in the blank.
I'm not walking today. I'm ___ a horse, riding along the path.
- on
- in
Show solution
I'm not walking today. I'm on a horse, riding along the path.
English uses “on” with animals you ride, such as horses.
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14. Fill in the blank.
Mia leaves her car at home. The store is close, so she goes there ___ foot.
- in
- on
Show solution
Mia leaves her car at home. The store is close, so she goes there on foot.
“On foot” means walking. This expression does not use “a” or “the.”
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15. Choose the correct answer.
Where are the bags?
The bags are tied to the roof, outside the car. There is no space for them inside.
- They are on the car.
- They are in the car.
Show solution
- They are on the car.
The meaning changes the word: passengers are “in the car,” but bags on its roof are “on the car.”