The Cloze Test for English is one of the most common and high-scoring topics in competitive exams like SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, IBPS PO, SBI Clerk, CAT, MBA, GMAT, and Railway exams. It tests a candidate’s grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills by providing a passage with blanks that must be filled with appropriate words. Since it combines reading comprehension and grammar, practicing Cloze Tests with answers is essential for exam success.
What Is a Cloze Test in English?
A Cloze Test is a passage with missing words, and candidates must choose the correct option for each blank. The goal is to check whether the candidate can understand sentence structure, maintain logical flow, and apply grammar rules correctly. Depending on the exam, it may include word fillers, phrase fillers, or sentence fillers.
Importance of Cloze Tests in Competitive Exams
Cloze Tests are a regular part of SSC CGL, Bank, MBA, GMAT, and Railway English sections. In SSC and Bank exams, they usually appear as 5–10 questions in a passage. In MBA or GMAT, Cloze Tests are more advanced and test contextual vocabulary and reading skills. Practicing previous year Cloze Test questions helps students understand the exam pattern, commonly asked grammar topics, and frequently repeated vocabulary words.
Rules & Strategies for Cloze Test
To solve Cloze Test English grammar questions, candidates should focus on the following rules:
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Read the entire passage first to understand the context.
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Look for grammar clues such as tenses, prepositions, and articles.
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Pay attention to collocations (words that naturally occur together, like “keen on” or “interested in”).
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Use the elimination method to rule out options that don’t fit grammatically or logically.
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Practice vocabulary and connectors like although, despite, because, and however.
By applying these Cloze Test rules, accuracy improves and the time taken per passage reduces.
Practice Cloze Test Questions with Answers
One of the best ways to prepare is by attempting Cloze Test practice questions with answers. Many study platforms provide free and paid Cloze Test PDFs with explanations, which include 100+ solved passages for SSC, Bank, and MBA exams. These PDFs also cover previous year Cloze Test questions with detailed solutions, helping aspirants understand common traps and error patterns.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Solving Cloze Test PYQs is crucial. In SSC and Bank exams, most PYQs focus on grammar rules and vocabulary, while GMAT and MBA questions emphasize contextual understanding and advanced diction. Practicing PYQs ensures candidates are ready for the actual exam environment.
Tips & Tricks to Ace the Cloze Test
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Improve reading speed and comprehension by practicing passages daily.
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Learn synonyms, antonyms, and idioms to tackle vocabulary-based blanks.
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Revise commonly asked grammar topics like subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and prepositions.
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Time yourself while attempting mock Cloze Test quizzes to build speed.
Cloze Test 1 (Q.1–10)
Passage:
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to (1) the world. It is the foundation of our future and a key to (2). Without education, society cannot (3) progress. An educated person has the ability to (4) decisions wisely and contribute to society. Unfortunately, in many countries, education is still not (5) to everyone. Governments must take steps to (6) free and compulsory education for all children. Teachers play an important role in (7) the minds of young learners. Therefore, their contribution should be properly (8). We must also use technology to (9) education more accessible and interesting. Education is not a privilege but a (10) right of every human being.
Options:
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(A) change (B) destroy (C) forget (D) ignore
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(A) poverty (B) darkness (C) success (D) slavery
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(A) possibly (B) truly (C) rarely (D) never
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(A) make (B) do (C) take (D) decide
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(A) available (B) suitable (C) possible (D) known
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(A) provide (B) prevent (C) promote (D) punish
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(A) shaping (B) washing (C) disturbing (D) confusing
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(A) ignored (B) rewarded (C) punished (D) rejected
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(A) make (B) let (C) force (D) bring
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(A) basic (B) costly (C) rare (D) difficult
Answers with Explanations:
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change – education changes the world.
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success – key to success is correct collocation.
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truly – society cannot truly progress.
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make – correct phrase: “make decisions.”
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available – education must be available.
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provide – governments provide education.
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shaping – teachers shape minds.
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rewarded – contribution should be rewarded.
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make – make education accessible.
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basic – education is a basic right.
Cloze Test 2 (Q.11–20)
Passage:
The Internet has become an essential part of our lives. It helps us (11) information within seconds. Students use it to (12) their studies, and businesses use it to (13) their products. However, excessive use of the Internet can (14) negative effects. Many people become (15) to social media, wasting their valuable time. Parents should (16) their children about using the Internet wisely. Cybersecurity is another major (17). Hackers often try to (18) personal information. Thus, it is important to keep your accounts (19) with strong passwords. If used properly, the Internet can be a great (20) for learning and growth.
Options:
11. (A) delete (B) access (C) forget (D) spread
12. (A) disturb (B) support (C) harm (D) confuse
13. (A) promote (B) punish (C) produce (D) provide
14. (A) have (B) take (C) keep (D) do
15. (A) addicted (B) limited (C) punished (D) loyal
16. (A) advise (B) ignore (C) prevent (D) punish
17. (A) result (B) concern (C) success (D) solution
18. (A) protect (B) steal (C) collect (D) provide
19. (A) safe (B) open (C) weak (D) known
20. (A) threat (B) tool (C) issue (D) loss
Answers with Explanations:
11. access – we access information.
12. support – Internet supports studies.
13. promote – businesses promote products.
14. have – correct phrase: “have effects.”
15. addicted – addicted to social media.
16. advise – parents advise children.
17. concern – cybersecurity is a concern.
18. steal – hackers steal data.
19. safe – keep accounts safe.
20. tool – Internet is a tool for growth.