Cloze Test
About 8 min · English Language · English
Time worked out from the lesson's 623 words at 150 words a minute, plus a minute for each question.
You are given a short passage on banking, economy, technology, or social issues, with blanks numbered sequentially. Each blank has 5 options, and you must select the word that fits grammatically and contextually.
Key ideas
- Context is king: The correct answer must fit the sentence's meaning AND the passage's overall theme. A grammatically correct word can still be wrong if it contradicts the passage's direction.
- Part-of-speech identification: Before looking at options, identify what the blank needs—noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or preposition. This instantly eliminates 2–3 wrong options.
- Collocations matter: English has fixed word partnerships (e.g., "impose restrictions," "pose a threat," "address concerns"). The correct answer often completes a standard collocation.
- Sentence connectors signal logic: Words before/after the blank (however, therefore, despite, although) indicate whether the blank continues the idea or contrasts it.
- Tone consistency: If the passage discusses a "crisis" or "challenge," the blank likely needs a word with negative connotation. Positive passages need positive-toned words.
Watch out for
- Solving blanks in isolation → Always read 2–3 sentences around the blank. A word fitting one sentence may contradict the next. Read the full passage first, then solve.
- Confusing similar-sounding words → "Eminent" vs "imminent," "affect" vs "effect," "compliment" vs "complement." Know the meanings, not just spellings.
- Ignoring grammatical structure → Choosing "implementation" when the sentence needs a verb ("implement"). Check what part of speech the blank requires before selecting.
Quick reference
- Read the full passage once before attempting any blank.
- Identify the required part of speech (noun/verb/adjective) before checking options.
- Use context clues: connectors (however, therefore) and tone (positive/negative) guide your choice.
- Eliminate obviously wrong options first—usually 2–3 can be crossed out immediately.
- For double-fills, both words must fit perfectly; one mismatch eliminates the pair.
Check yourself: 3 questions
1. In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Against each number, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. The Reserve Bank of India has announced several measures to __(1)__ the economy during the pandemic. These measures are aimed at providing __(2)__ to businesses and individuals who have been affected by the lockdown. The central bank has also reduced interest rates to __(3)__ borrowing and investment. However, experts believe that these steps alone may not be __(4)__ to revive the economy completely. A coordinated effort involving fiscal policy is also __(5)__ to bring about sustainable growth. Which of the following words most appropriately fits the blank numbered (1)?
2. In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Against each number, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. The Reserve Bank of India has announced several measures to support the economy during the pandemic. These measures are aimed at providing __(2)__ to businesses and individuals who have been affected by the lockdown. The central bank has also reduced interest rates to encourage borrowing and investment. However, experts believe that these steps alone may not be sufficient to revive the economy completely. A coordinated effort involving fiscal policy is also necessary to bring about sustainable growth. Which of the following words most appropriately fits the blank numbered (2)?
3. In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Against each number, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Digital banking has __(1)__ the financial sector in recent years. Customers now prefer online transactions over visiting physical branches because of the __(2)__ and speed they offer. However, this shift has also __(3)__ concerns about data security and cyber threats. Banks are investing heavily in technology to __(4)__ their systems against hackers. Despite these challenges, the __(5)__ towards digital banking appears irreversible. Which of the following words most appropriately fits the blank numbered (3)?
This lesson is cut from the topic's note, not rewritten. Fact-checked on 21 Oct 2026: an AI-assisted check of this note against cited sources; the errors it found were corrected that day. Some errors may remain. The questions are from Shishya's validated question bank.
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