Cloze Test

Cloze Test

Concept

Cloze Test is one of the most challenging question types in SSC CGL Tier 2 because it combines multiple skills in one passage: vocabulary, grammar, contextual inference, and reading comprehension. A passage of approximately 250-350 words is presented with 10 blanks (numbered sequentially). Each blank has 4 options. The candidate must select the word that fits most appropriately — both grammatically and contextually.

The key difference from Fill in the Blanks (single sentence) is that in Cloze, each blank’s answer is influenced by the surrounding context — both before and after the blank. The words you choose affect each other, and the overall coherence of the passage matters.

Cloze questions can be broadly classified:

Type 1: Vocabulary-Based Cloze The blank requires a word whose meaning fits the context. The options may be synonyms, near-synonyms, or words from the same lexical family but with different forms (noun vs verb vs adjective).

Type 2: Grammar-Based Cloze The blank requires a specific grammatical form — tense, part of speech, singular/plural, article, preposition, or conjunction.

Type 3: Mixed (Most Common) Both vocabulary and grammar matter. You need to understand the meaning AND apply the correct grammatical form.

Key Points

• Read the full passage FIRST before attempting any blank. Understanding the overall theme helps you predict word types (positive/negative, formal/informal, technical/simple).
• Context clues surround each blank: Look at the sentence before and after the blank. Words like “but,” “however,” “although” signal contrast. Words like “because,” “therefore,” “as a result” signal cause-effect.
• First and last sentences are anchors: The opening sentence usually introduces the topic without blanks. The closing sentence often concludes the passage. Use these to understand the overall direction.
• Word form matters: If the blank follows “the” and precedes a noun, you need a noun. If it follows a modal verb (“can,” “will,” “must”), you need the base form of the verb.
• Cohesion devices: Words like “however,” “therefore,” “moreover,” “consequently” create logical links between sentences. Their presence in options can help you determine sentence relationships.
• Tone consistency: If the passage is formal, eliminate informal words. If it is critical, eliminate praise words. Maintain tonal consistency.

Worked Example

Passage (reduced for illustration): The environment ______ (1) our most precious asset. However, we ______ (2) it with utter disregard. Rivers that once ______ (3) now resemble open sewers. The air in our cities ______ (4) toxic beyond safe limits. It is ______ (5) that we wake up to this crisis before it is too late.

Blank 1: Options: (a) is (b) are (c) were (d) be Approach: “The environment” is singular → verb must be singular. “Is” is correct. “Are” (plural) is wrong. “Were” (past tense) changes meaning. “Be” (infinitive) doesn’t fit.

Answer 1: (a) is

Blank 2: Options: (a) treat (b) treats (c) treated (d) treating Approach: “We” (plural subject) + “with utter disregard” → active voice, present tense. “Treat” (base form after “we”) is correct.

Answer 2: (a) treat

SSC Pattern / Tips

• 10 blanks per passage — standard SSC format
• 1-2 passages per Tier 2 paper (20 marks)
• Vocabulary level: Graduate-level words — same as Fill in the Blanks (8000-10000 word families)
• Most common blank types: Verb forms (~30%), prepositions (~20%), adjectives/nouns (~25%), conjunctions/adverbs (~15%), articles (~10%)
• Strategy: Do the grammar-based blanks first (easier to identify), then use context for vocabulary blanks
• Time: 4-5 minutes per passage (including reading time)