Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.
The missing truck was traced ________ its owner in Shillong last month.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → to
Trace (something) to (someone or somewhere) means to find, by searching, where something came from or whom it belongs to. The missing truck was found and linked to its owner in Shillong, so the preposition is to.
Complete sentence: The missing truck was traced to its owner in Shillong last month.
Example: The phone call was traced to a hotel in Delhi.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: into — Incorrect. Into shows movement to the inside of something; "traced into" is not used for finding an owner.
Example: The children ran into the house.
Option 3: above — Incorrect. Above means at a higher level; it shows position, not where something belongs.
Example: The plane flew above the clouds.
Option 4: on — Incorrect. On shows position on a surface or a day or date; "traced on its owner" has no meaning.
Example: The keys are on the table.