Step 1: Understanding prepositions of place.
Prepositions like “under,” “below,” “inside,” and “down” describe the position of one object in relation to another. The sentence describes a situation where the thief is hiding in a position covered by the table.
Step 2: Difference between ‘under’ and ‘below’.
- “Under” means directly beneath something and usually covered or protected by it.
- “Below” means at a lower level, but not necessarily directly beneath or covered.
In this case, “under the table” is correct because the thief is concealed by the table.
Step 3: Analyze the options.
- (a) below: Incorrect; not directly covered.
- (b) under: Correct; indicates a covered or sheltered position beneath something.
- (c) down: Incorrect; used for direction, not position.
- (d) inside: Incorrect; used for enclosed spaces like rooms or boxes.
Step 4: Constructing the correct sentence.
“The thief had been hiding under the table.”
Step 5: Conclusion.
Hence, the correct preposition is “under.”