The Cloze Test is a common yet high-scoring question type in the English section of most competitive exams like SSC, Banking, RRB, and State PCS. It tests a candidate’s understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and the logical flow of a passage. In this blog, we provided all the details you need to understand Cloze Test questions from concepts and types to quick tricks, and more.
What Is Cloze Test in English?
A Cloze Test is a passage with certain words removed (usually every 5th or 7th word), and candidates must fill in the blanks with the most contextually appropriate word from the given options.
It is a popular question type in competitive exams to assess a candidate’s:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Comprehension skills
- Logical flow of ideas
Candidates must infer the correct word using contextual clues, grammar rules, and logical reasoning.
Why Is Cloze Test Important in Competitive Exams?
Cloze Tests are a high-scoring section in the English portion of competitive exams. They test both your speed and accuracy in language understanding.
| Exam | No. of Questions | Difficulty |
| SSC CGL / CHSL | 1–2 sets (5 blanks) | Easy |
| IBPS PO / SBI PO | 1–2 sets (5–10 blanks) | Moderate |
| RRB NTPC / Group D | 1 set (5 blanks) | Easy |
| State PSC / Police | 1–2 sets | Moderate |
Cloze Test English Short Notes
Cloze Tests may seem tricky, but a strong command of basic grammar and vocabulary makes them easy to crack.
| Term | Explanation |
| Contextual Vocabulary | Choosing a word that best fits the overall sentence meaning. |
| Subject-Verb Agreement | Ensuring verb matches the subject in number and person. |
| Preposition Sense | Understanding correct preposition usage. |
| Conjunctions | Words that connect phrases and ensure logical flow. |
| Tone Matching | Keeping a consistent tone (formal/informal/neutral). |
Cloze Test Quick Revision Tips
Some of the quick revision tips to solve Cloze Test questions are as follows:
| Concept | Explanation |
| Context Clues | Look for surrounding words that give hints about the blank. |
| Grammar Consistency | Maintain correct tense, voice, and agreement. |
| Elimination Method | Eliminate clearly incorrect options to narrow down choices. |
| Pronoun Reference | Match pronouns correctly to avoid ambiguity. |
| Logical Connectors | Use conjunctions or linking words to guide sentence flow. |
| Vocabulary Familiarity | A strong vocabulary helps choose exact-fit words. |
What Are the Types of Cloze Test Questions in English?
Different exams may ask different variations of the cloze test.
- Grammar-Based Cloze – Focus on tenses, articles, prepositions, etc.
- Vocabulary-Based Cloze – Requires knowledge of synonyms/antonyms.
- Contextual Cloze – Based on the logical flow and coherence of the passage.
- Theme-Based Cloze – All blanks revolve around a specific topic (e.g., banking, environment).
- Mixed Cloze – Combines grammar and vocabulary logic.
Cloze Test Question Pattern in English
Cloze Test question patterns are as follows:
- Read Entire Passage First – Understand the context before filling blanks.
- Fill Easy Blanks First – Build momentum and identify passage tone.
- Match Tone – Use options consistent with the passage’s emotional tone.
- Use Grammar Clues – Look for prepositions, articles, verbs nearby the blank.
- Eliminate Out-of-Context Words – If it sounds off, it probably is wrong.
Cloze Test Tricks for SSC CGL and Other Exams
Apply these exam-oriented strategies to improve accuracy:
- Read the full passage first to understand the theme and tone.
- Identify keywords around each blank to determine grammatical or vocabulary clues.
- Try each option mentally in the blank before choosing.
- Start with known blanks that are easy to fill, then infer the rest.
- Eliminate illogical words that break the sentence flow.
- Watch out for modifiers that change the meaning of verbs/nouns.
- Keep tense consistency throughout the passage.
- Rely on contextual logic, not just word familiarity.
Solved Cloze Test Questions from 2024–25 Exams
Question 1:
Asked in SSC CGL 2024 Tier 1 Shift 2 – Memory-Based
Passage:
The government has announced a new policy aimed at improving the (1) of renewable energy in the country.
Options for (1):
a) deployment
b) employment
c) enjoyment
d) engagement
Answer: a) deployment
Explanation: The context is about implementing renewable energy, so “deployment” fits best.
Question 2:
From IBPS PO Prelims 2024 – Mock
Passage:
The bank manager was (1) for his negligence in verifying loan documents.
Options for (1):
a) applauded
b) suspended
c) promoted
d) elevated
Answer: b) suspended
Explanation: “Negligence” indicates a negative outcome, so “suspended” fits contextually.
Cloze Test Concepts for Bank Exams
Banking exams often test candidates with tougher or more professional vocabulary. For example:
Example:
“The RBI is expected to (1) the interest rates to control inflation.”
Options:
a) lower
b) raise
c) maintain
d) cut
Answer: b) raise or d) cut (depending on tone)
Common Mistakes to Avoid while Solving Cloze Test
While solving Cloze Test English questions candidates must keep the below mentioned details in mind:
- Skipping the passage and directly attempting blanks
- Ignoring tone and tense consistency
- Choosing words based on familiarity, not context
- Not checking subject-verb agreement
- Misunderstanding conjunctions or linking phrases
FAQs
Common types include Grammar-Based, Vocabulary-Based, Contextual, Theme-Based, and Mixed Cloze Tests.
Read the sentence carefully, understand the context, and eliminate words that don’t fit grammatically or logically.
Yes. Read the entire passage first, solve the easiest blanks, and use the elimination method for tricky ones.
Vocabulary helps, but understanding context and grammar rules is equally important.
Yes, especially in exams like SBI PO, SSC CGL, and RRB, the language is mostly formal and topic-specific.
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