I found my friends sitting … the beach.

Analyze the question: This tests your knowledge of prepositions, specifically which one correctly shows position in relation to a place like "the beach."

Explain the concept: Prepositions of place show where someone or something is located. The choice depends on the type of place:

• in: used for enclosed spaces (in the room, in the car)
• at: used for a specific point (at the gate, at the bus stop)
• under: means beneath something (under the tree)
• on: used for surfaces and for places like beaches, coasts, and shores (on the beach, on the road, on the island)

Solution, step by step:

1. The sentence is "I found my friends sitting ___ the beach."
2. A beach is an open stretch of sand or shore, so we treat it as a surface or area you rest upon.
3. Test each option: • "sitting in the beach" sounds wrong, as a beach is not an enclosed space. • "sitting at the beach" is sometimes used informally for a location in general (e.g., "We're at the beach today"), but with "sitting" the standard, expected phrase is "on the beach." • "sitting under the beach" makes no sense, since it would mean beneath it. • "sitting on the beach" is the natural, standard expression.

Answer: The correct option is D. on.

Exam tip: Remember the common fixed phrases: on the beach, on the road, on the farm, on the island. When a WASSCE question uses a word like "beach," think "on" first. Also, watch out for "at," which is a tempting distractor because it is common in casual speech. In exam English, go with the standard form.