This page covers SBI PO Cloze Test with complete concept notes, 17 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.
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.
Context is King - The blank word must fit the overall theme and tone of the passage
Grammar Match - The word must be grammatically correct in that sentence position
Logical Flow - The word should maintain the logical sequence of ideas
Word Type - Identify if the blank needs a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb
Tense Consistency - Maintain the same tense throughout unless context changes
SSC CGL typically presents passages on social issues, economics, environment, or general topics. Questions follow predictable patterns: - Blank 1: Usually sets the topic tone (often an adjective or key noun) - Middle blanks: Test conjunctions, prepositions, and context-specific words - Last blank: Often a concluding word that summarizes the idea SHORTCUT FORMULA 1 - STOP Method: S - Scan the entire passage first T - Think about the main theme O - Observe the sentence structure around each blank P - Pick the option that fits grammatically and contextually
Theme identification - Climate change (serious topic)
Blank 1 analysis - Needs adjective describing climate change Options: (a) minor (b) serious (c) funny (d) temporary Answer: (b) serious (fits the urgent tone)
Blank 2 analysis - Scientists + past tense verb Options: (a) never (b) rarely (c) repeatedly (d) occasionally Answer: (c) repeatedly (matches scientific consensus)
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
#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.
17graded MCQs · easy to hard · full solution & trap analysis
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. Passage: The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most renowned institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean region travelled to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library contained knowledge on subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. However, the destruction of this magnificent structure constituted a significant loss to human civilisation. Today, historians _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria and work to preserve similar repositories of learning. Question 5: Which word best fills blank (5)? A) Cherish B) Cherished C) Are cherishing D) Have cherished
Read the passage and fill in the blank with the most appropriate word. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most _____ institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean travelled there to access its vast collection of manuscripts and scrolls. The library's destruction remains one of history's greatest losses, as countless irreplaceable texts were lost forever. Today, a modern library has been built on the same site to honour the legacy of the original. Which word best fills the blank?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. Directions: In the passage given below, there are 5 blanks. Choose the most appropriate word/phrase from the options given to fill each blank. Passage: The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most _____(1) institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean region _____(2) to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library _____(3) knowledge on subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. However, the destruction of this magnificent structure _____(4) a significant loss to human civilisation. Today, historians _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria and work to preserve similar repositories of learning. Question 1: Which word best fills blank (1)? A) Renowned B) Notorious C) Obscure D) Trivial
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. Passage: The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most renowned institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean region travelled to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library _____(3) knowledge on subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. However, the destruction of this magnificent structure _____(4) a significant loss to human civilisation. Today, historians _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria and work to preserve similar repositories of learning. Question 3: Which word best fills blank (3)? A) Contained B) Contained of C) Contained with D) Contained in
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. Passage: The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most renowned institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean region travelled to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library contained knowledge on subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. However, the destruction of this magnificent structure _____(4) a significant loss to human civilisation. Today, historians _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria and work to preserve similar repositories of learning. Question 4: Which word best fills blank (4)? A) Represented B) Constituted C) Symbolised D) Demonstrated
Read the passage and fill in the blank with the most appropriate word. The government's new policy on renewable energy has __________ significant debate among economists and environmental experts. While some argue that the subsidies will accelerate the transition to clean energy, others contend that they represent an inefficient use of public funds. Despite these disagreements, most stakeholders acknowledge that climate change demands urgent action. The policy is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 30% within the next decade, a target that many believe is both ambitious and necessary for the nation's sustainable future.
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most prestigious institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean would converge to study its vast collection of manuscripts. However, the library faced numerous threats over centuries. Wars, fires, and political upheaval decimated its holdings significantly. Despite these challenges, the knowledge preserved there _____(4) the intellectual development of Western civilisation. Today, efforts to _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria continue through digital archives and modern research initiatives. Which word best fills blank (4)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most _____(1) institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean would _____(2) to study its vast collection of manuscripts. However, the library faced numerous threats over centuries. Wars, fires, and political upheaval _____(3) its holdings significantly. Despite these challenges, the knowledge preserved there _____(4) the intellectual development of Western civilisation. Today, efforts to _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria continue through digital archives and modern research initiatives. Which word best fills blank (1)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most prestigious institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean would _____(2) to study its vast collection of manuscripts. However, the library faced numerous threats over centuries. Wars, fires, and political upheaval _____(3) its holdings significantly. Despite these challenges, the knowledge preserved there _____(4) the intellectual development of Western civilisation. Today, efforts to _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria continue through digital archives and modern research initiatives. Which word best fills blank (2)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most prestigious institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean would converge to study its vast collection of manuscripts. However, the library faced numerous threats over centuries. Wars, fires, and political upheaval _____(3) its holdings significantly. Despite these challenges, the knowledge preserved there _____(4) the intellectual development of Western civilisation. Today, efforts to _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria continue through digital archives and modern research initiatives. Which word best fills blank (3)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most prestigious institutions of the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean would converge to study its vast collection of manuscripts. However, the library faced numerous threats over centuries. Wars, fires, and political upheaval decimated its holdings significantly. Despite these challenges, the knowledge preserved there shaped the intellectual development of Western civilisation. Today, efforts to _____(5) the legacy of Alexandria continue through digital archives and modern research initiatives. Which word best fills blank (5)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The rapid urbanisation of developing nations has posed unprecedented challenges to city planners and administrators. While infrastructure development is crucial, the social fabric of communities often _____(2) neglected in the pursuit of economic growth. Studies have shown that sustainable urban development requires a _____(3) approach that balances growth with cultural preservation. However, many governments _____(4) to implement such policies due to budgetary constraints and political pressures. Unless we _____(5) a comprehensive strategy now, future generations will inherit cities devoid of character and community cohesion. Which word best fills blank (2)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The rapid urbanisation of developing nations has posed unprecedented challenges to city planners and administrators. While infrastructure development is crucial, the social fabric of communities often is neglected in the pursuit of economic growth. Studies have shown that sustainable urban development requires a holistic approach that balances growth with cultural preservation. However, many governments fail to implement such policies due to budgetary constraints and political pressures. Unless we _____(5) a comprehensive strategy now, future generations will inherit cities devoid of character and community cohesion. Which word best fills blank (5)?
Read the passage below and fill in the blank numbered (1). The rapid urbanisation of developing nations has created unprecedented challenges for city planners and environmental scientists alike. While infrastructure development is essential for economic growth, the _____(1)_____ environmental consequences cannot be ignored. Deforestation, air pollution, and water scarcity have become endemic problems in metropolitan areas. Policymakers must strike a delicate balance between progress and preservation, ensuring that future generations inherit a habitable planet rather than a wasteland of concrete and steel.
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The rapid urbanisation of developing nations has _____(1) unprecedented challenges to city planners and administrators. While infrastructure development is crucial, the social fabric of communities often _____(2) neglected in the pursuit of economic growth. Studies have shown that sustainable urban development requires a _____(3) approach that balances growth with cultural preservation. However, many governments _____(4) to implement such policies due to budgetary constraints and political pressures. Unless we _____(5) a comprehensive strategy now, future generations will inherit cities devoid of character and community cohesion. Which word best fills blank (1)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The rapid urbanisation of developing nations has posed unprecedented challenges to city planners and administrators. While infrastructure development is crucial, the social fabric of communities often is neglected in the pursuit of economic growth. Studies have shown that sustainable urban development requires a _____(3) approach that balances growth with cultural preservation. However, many governments _____(4) to implement such policies due to budgetary constraints and political pressures. Unless we _____(5) a comprehensive strategy now, future generations will inherit cities devoid of character and community cohesion. Which word best fills blank (3)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The rapid urbanisation of developing nations has posed unprecedented challenges to city planners and administrators. While infrastructure development is crucial, the social fabric of communities often is neglected in the pursuit of economic growth. Studies have shown that sustainable urban development requires a holistic approach that balances growth with cultural preservation. However, many governments _____(4) to implement such policies due to budgetary constraints and political pressures. Unless we _____(5) a comprehensive strategy now, future generations will inherit cities devoid of character and community cohesion. Which word best fills blank (4)?