SSC CHSL Cloze Test is a frequently tested subtopic — 28 previous year questions from 2019–2021 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.
28 questions from actual SSC CHSL papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the greatest repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean came to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction ___3___ a tremendous loss to human civilisation. Many priceless texts were lost forever, and centuries of learning were erased. Today, efforts are underway to reconstruct this magnificent institution. Question: In blank 3, which word best completes the sentence? A) caused B) causes C) has caused D) will cause
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the greatest repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean ___2___ to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction caused a tremendous loss to human civilisation. Many priceless texts were lost forever, and centuries of learning were erased. Today, efforts are underway to reconstruct this magnificent institution. Question: In blank 2, which word best completes the sentence? A) comes B) came C) have come D) will come
Read the passage below and fill in the blank with the most appropriate word. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most important centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean region would _____ there to study manuscripts, conduct research, and exchange ideas. The collection contained thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. Unfortunately, the library was destroyed over several centuries due to wars and neglect, resulting in the loss of invaluable knowledge. Which word best fills the blank?
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the greatest repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean came to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction caused a tremendous loss to human civilisation. Many priceless texts were lost forever, and centuries of learning ___5___ erased. Today, efforts are underway to reconstruct this magnificent institution. Question: In blank 5, which word best completes the sentence? A) are B) were C) have been D) had been
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most renowned centres of learning in the world. Scholars from different lands came to study the vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed thousands of scrolls and texts on various subjects. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was destroyed when the library caught fire. Despite the loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to inspire scholars and historians today. Many attempts have been made to reconstruct the lost works through archaeological research. The discovery of fragments and references in other texts has helped _____(5)_____ our understanding of ancient civilisation. Which word best fills blank (5)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most renowned centres of learning in the world. Scholars from different lands came to study the vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed thousands of scrolls and texts on various subjects. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was destroyed when the library caught fire. Despite the loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to inspire scholars and historians today. Many attempts have been made to _____(4)_____ the lost works through archaeological research. The discovery of fragments and references in other texts has helped _____(5)_____ our understanding of ancient civilisation. 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 renowned centres of learning in the world. Scholars from different lands came to study the vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed thousands of scrolls and texts on various subjects. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was destroyed when the library caught fire. Despite the loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to _____(3)_____ scholars and historians today. Many attempts have been made to _____(4)_____ the lost works through archaeological research. The discovery of fragments and references in other texts has helped _____(5)_____ our understanding of ancient civilisation. 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 renowned centres of learning in the world. Scholars from different lands came to study the vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed thousands of scrolls and texts on various subjects. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was _____(2)_____ when the library caught fire. Despite the loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to _____(3)_____ scholars and historians today. Many attempts have been made to _____(4)_____ the lost works through archaeological research. The discovery of fragments and references in other texts has helped _____(5)_____ our understanding of ancient civilisation. 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 _____(1)_____ centres of learning in the world. Scholars from different lands came to study the vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed thousands of scrolls and texts on various subjects. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was _____(2)_____ when the library caught fire. Despite the loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to _____(3)_____ scholars and historians today. Many attempts have been made to _____(4)_____ the lost works through archaeological research. The discovery of fragments and references in other texts has helped _____(5)_____ our understanding of ancient civilisation. Which word best fills blank (1)?
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the greatest repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean came to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction caused a tremendous loss to human civilisation. Many priceless texts ___4___ forever, and centuries of learning were erased. Today, efforts are underway to reconstruct this magnificent institution. Question: In blank 4, which word best completes the sentence? A) are lost B) were lost C) have been lost D) had been lost
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria ___1___ one of the greatest repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean ___2___ to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction ___3___ a tremendous loss to human civilisation. Many priceless texts ___4___ forever, and centuries of learning ___5___ erased. Today, efforts are underway to reconstruct this magnificent institution. Question: In blank 1, which word best completes the sentence? A) were B) was C) has been D) have been
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean flocked to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to medicine. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the library's legacy continues to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern institutions continue to uphold the principles of knowledge preservation that Alexandria exemplified. The dream of creating a universal repository of human wisdom, which Alexandria _____(5), remains a powerful ideal in our digital age. For Question 5: Which word best fills blank (5)?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean flocked to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to medicine. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the library's legacy continues to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern institutions continue to _____(4) the principles of knowledge preservation that Alexandria exemplified. The dream of creating a universal repository of human wisdom, which Alexandria _____(5), remains a powerful ideal in our digital age. For Question 4: 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 significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean flocked to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to medicine. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the library's legacy _____(3) to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern institutions continue to _____(4) the principles of knowledge preservation that Alexandria exemplified. The dream of creating a universal repository of human wisdom, which Alexandria _____(5), remains a powerful ideal in our digital age. For Question 3: 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 significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean flocked to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to medicine. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge _____(2) lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the library's legacy _____(3) to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern institutions continue to _____(4) the principles of knowledge preservation that Alexandria exemplified. The dream of creating a universal repository of human wisdom, which Alexandria _____(5), remains a powerful ideal in our digital age. For Question 2: 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 significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean _____(1) to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to medicine. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge _____(2) lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the library's legacy _____(3) to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern institutions continue to _____(4) the principles of knowledge preservation that Alexandria exemplified. The dream of creating a universal repository of human wisdom, which Alexandria _____(5), remains a powerful ideal in our digital age. For Question 1: 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 significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean travelled to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the legacy of Alexandria continues to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern archaeologists continue to unearth clues about what the library once contained. The dream of reconstructing this ancient repository of wisdom _____(5) many academics worldwide. For blank (5): Which word best completes the sentence? "The dream of reconstructing this ancient repository of wisdom _____ many academics worldwide."
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean travelled to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge was lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the legacy of Alexandria _____(3) to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern archaeologists continue to _____(4) clues about what the library once contained. The dream of reconstructing this ancient repository of wisdom _____(5) many academics worldwide. For blank (3): Which word best completes the sentence? "Despite these losses, the legacy of Alexandria _____ to inspire researchers and historians today."
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean travelled to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge _____(2) lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the legacy of Alexandria _____(3) to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern archaeologists continue to _____(4) clues about what the library once contained. The dream of reconstructing this ancient repository of wisdom _____(5) many academics worldwide. For blank (2): Which word best completes the sentence? "Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge _____ lost due to fires and political upheaval."
Read the passage and answer the question that follows. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant centres of learning in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean _____(1) to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library housed hundreds of thousands of scrolls covering subjects ranging from mathematics to philosophy. Unfortunately, much of this invaluable knowledge _____(2) lost due to fires and political upheaval. Despite these losses, the legacy of Alexandria _____(3) to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern archaeologists continue to _____(4) clues about what the library once contained. The dream of reconstructing this ancient repository of wisdom _____(5) many academics worldwide. For blank (1): Which word best completes the sentence? "Scholars from across the Mediterranean _____ to study its vast collection of manuscripts."
Read the passage and answer the question. 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's fate was sealed by a series of destructive events. Wars, fires, and political upheaval gradually _____(4) its treasures. Today, only fragments remain, serving as a poignant reminder of what once been lost. Which word best fits blank (4)?
Read the passage and answer the question. 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's fate was _____(3) by a series of destructive events. Wars, fires, and political upheaval gradually eroded its treasures. Today, only fragments remain, serving as a poignant reminder of what once been lost. Which word best fits blank (3)?
Read the passage and answer the question. 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's fate was sealed by a series of destructive events. Wars, fires, and political upheaval gradually eroded its treasures. Today, only fragments remain, serving as a poignant reminder of what once been lost. Which word best fits blank (2)?
Read the passage and answer the question. 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's fate was _____(3) by a series of destructive events. Wars, fires, and political upheaval gradually _____(4) its treasures. Today, only fragments remain, serving as a poignant reminder of what _____(5) once been lost. Which word best fits blank (1)?
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean converged to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction remains one of history's greatest tragedies, as countless irreplaceable texts were lost forever. Despite this loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern archaeologists have endeavoured to uncover fragments of the original collection, hoping to enhance our understanding of ancient civilizations. The library's influence on Western thought _____(5) be overstated. Which word best fits blank (5)?
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean converged to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction remains one of history's greatest tragedies, as countless irreplaceable texts were lost forever. Despite this loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to inspire researchers and historians today. Modern archaeologists _____(3) to uncover fragments of the original collection, hoping to _____(4) our understanding of ancient civilizations. The library's influence on Western thought cannot be _____(5) overstated. Which word best fits blank (3)?
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean converged to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction remains one of history's greatest tragedies, as countless irreplaceable texts were lost forever. Despite this loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to _____(2) researchers and historians today. Modern archaeologists have _____(3) to uncover fragments of the original collection, hoping to _____(4) our understanding of ancient civilizations. The library's influence on Western thought cannot be _____(5) overstated. Which word best fits blank (2)?
Read the passage and answer the question. The ancient library of Alexandria was one of the most significant repositories of knowledge in the classical world. Scholars from across the Mediterranean _____(1) to study its vast collection of manuscripts. The library's destruction remains one of history's greatest tragedies, as countless irreplaceable texts were lost forever. Despite this loss, the legacy of Alexandria continues to _____(2) researchers and historians today. Modern archaeologists have _____(3) to uncover fragments of the original collection, hoping to _____(4) our understanding of ancient civilizations. The library's influence on Western thought cannot be _____(5) overstated. Which word best fits blank (1)?
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.