The process of preparing aqueous solutions involves dissolving a substance, known as the solute, in a solvent. In chemistry, an aqueous solution is specifically a solution where the solvent is water. This is because 'aqueous' implies that water is present, derived from the Latin word 'aqua', meaning water.
Hence, among the given options:
- Water: This is used to prepare aqueous solutions, as it is the solvent in such solutions.
- Kerosene: This is a hydrocarbon and is not used in aqueous solutions as a solvent.
- Petrol: Like kerosene, petrol is also a hydrocarbon and not used in aqueous solutions.
Therefore, the correct solvent for preparing aqueous solutions is Water.