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Cloze Test

SBI Clerk · English Language

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Core Concept

Read this first — the foundation of the topic

Cloze Test is a passage-based question where specific words are removed and you must fill the blanks with the most suitable options. In SSC CGL, you typically get 5-10 questions with one passage having multiple blanks. Think of it as completing a story where some words are missing.

The key is understanding the overall meaning and context of the passage. Core Rules for Cloze Test: 1. Context is King - The blank word must fit the overall theme and tone of the passage 2. Grammar Match - The word must be grammatically correct in that sentence position 3.

Logical Flow - The word should maintain the logical sequence of ideas 4. Word Type - Identify if the blank needs a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb 5. Tense Consistency - Maintain the same tense throughout unless context changes

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Exam Patterns

What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

📋Questions follow predictable patterns

1

Theme identification - Climate change (serious topic)

2

Blank 1 analysis - Needs adjective describing climate change Options: (a) minor (b) serious (c) funny (d) temporary Answer: (b) serious (fits the urgent tone)

3

Blank 2 analysis - Scientists + past tense verb Options: (a) never (b) rarely (c) repeatedly (d) occasionally Answer: (c) repeatedly (matches scientific consensus)

4

Blank 3 analysis - Type of action needed Options: (a) slow (b) delayed (c) immediate (d) future Answer: (c) immediate (matches 'requires immediate attention') SHORTCUT FORMULA 2 - Elimination Technique: - Remove options that are grammatically impossible - Eliminate words that contradict the passage tone - Choose from remaining 1-2 options based on context Worked Example 2: 'Digital payments have __(1)__ popular in India. People find them __(2)__ convenient than cash transactions.' Blank 1: 'have + ___' needs past participle Options: (a) become (b) became (c) becoming (d) becomes Eliminate: (b), (c), (d) - grammatically wrong with 'have' Answer: (a) become Blank 2: 'find them ___ convenient' needs comparative degree Options: (a) much (b) more (c) most (d) many Eliminate: (a), (c), (d) - don't form proper comparative Answer: (b) more SHORTCUT FORMULA 3 - Connector Words Strategy: Memorize common connectors: - Addition: moreover, furthermore, besides - Contrast: however, nevertheless, although - Cause-Effect: therefore, consequently, hence - Time: meanwhile, subsequently, eventually COMMON MISTAKE #1: Students choose words based on individual sentence meaning without considering the overall passage context. They focus on local grammar but miss the global theme. Always read the complete passage before attempting blanks. Many students also fall for 'attractive' options that sound good but don't fit the specific context

💡Time Management Tip

Spend 30 seconds reading the complete passage, then 45 seconds per blank. Don't exceed 6-7 minutes total for a 5-blank cloze test. If stuck between two options, choose the simpler, more commonly used word.

🔑 Key Points

Always read the complete passage before filling any blank to understand the main theme
Use STOP Method: Scan passage, Think theme, Observe structure, Pick suitable option
Eliminate grammatically impossible options first, then choose based on context
Maintain tense consistency throughout the passage unless context specifically changes
Connector words follow patterns: Addition (moreover), Contrast (however), Cause (therefore)
First and last blanks often set tone and conclusion respectively
Choose simpler, commonly used words when confused between two similar options
Adjectives and adverbs must match the passage tone (positive/negative/neutral)
Prepositions depend on the specific verb or noun they accompany
Never spend more than 6-7 minutes on a complete cloze test passage

📌 Exam Facts

SSC CGL typically has 1-2 cloze test passages with 5 blanks each
Most common topics are social issues, environment, economics, and technology
Conjunctions like 'however', 'therefore', 'moreover' appear in 60% of cloze tests
Prepositions 'of', 'in', 'on', 'for', 'with' are tested in 80% of passages
Present perfect tense (have/has + past participle) appears most frequently
Comparative and superlative degrees are tested in 70% of cloze passages
Modal verbs (can, could, should, must, might) feature in descriptive passages
Negative tone passages use words like 'deteriorating', 'alarming', 'crisis'

🚀 60-Second Revision

Remember: Read complete passage first to identify main theme and tone
Formula: Use STOP method - Scan, Think, Observe, Pick for systematic approach
Trap: Don't choose attractive options that don't fit overall passage context
Grammar: Eliminate impossible options first, then apply context logic
Time: Maximum 6-7 minutes per complete cloze test passage
Strategy: Choose simpler words when confused between similar options
Pattern: First blank sets tone, last blank often concludes the main idea

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