Cloze test is a sentence completion test.Candidates are required to make a choice from multiple alternatives for each word blanked out, not in a sentence but in the passage. Such types of questions are asked to check the candidate's vocabulary power and the ability to understand the passage as a whole is assessed. Mainly 4-8 questions are asked from the cloze test topic in the exams, especially SSC, Bank, Insurance, and RRB exams. Candidates can score good marks easily in this section with sound reading aptitude.
Directions (Qs. 1 - 5): Below, a passage is given with five blanks labelled (A)-(E). Below the passage, five options are given for each blank. Choose the word that fits each blank appropriately in the context of the passage, and mark the corresponding answer.
The origin of the caste system in India is ... (A) ... to the functional division of labour. The population was divided into classes on the basis of functions or occupations of particular families and groups. However, in the course of time, these divisions between various sections of the society became very ... (B) .... It seems that, in the former times, the caste system gave ... (C) ... for specialization and distributed the work in a way that promoted professional skill and expertise. It helped the various art and industries to ... (D) .... Even the least talented person had the opportunity ... (E) ... his living.
1. Which word comes in the blank labelled A?
A) Opulent B) Attributed C) Effusive D) Yearning E) Derived
Explanation: The blank should be filled with a verb. The appropriate word is 'attributed' which means 'regarded something as being caused by.' The rest of the words are irrelevant as they mean:
Opulent: ostentatiously costly and luxurious.
Effusive: showing or expressing gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
Yearning: a feeling of intense longing for something.
Derived: being, possessing, or marked by a character.
Ans: B
2. Which word comes in the blank labelled B?
A) Rigid B) Untenable C) Attest D) Abrasion E) Defiance
Explanation: The blank should be filled with an adjective. The appropriate word is 'rigid' which means 'unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible.' The rest of the words are irrelevant as they mean:
Untenable: not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection
Attest: provide or serve as clear evidence of
Abrasion: the process of scraping or wearing something away
Defiance: the act or an instance of defying or challenging.
Ans: A
3. Which word comes in the blank labelled C?
A) Articulate B) Arcane C) Earnest D) Scope E) Idea
Explanation: The blank should be filled with a noun. The appropriate word is 'scope' which means 'the opportunity or possibility to do or deal with something.' The rest of the words are irrelevant as they mean:
Articulate: having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently.
Arcane: understood by few; mysterious or secret.
Earnest: resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction.
Ans: D
4. Which word comes in the blank labelled D?
A) Generic B) Brisk C) Flourish D) Draught E) Dearth
Explanation: The blank should be filled with a verb. The appropriate word is 'flourish' which means 'grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way.' The rest of the words are irrelevant as they mean:
Generic: characteristic of or relating to a class or group of things; not specific.
Brisk: active and energetic.
Draught: a current of cool air in a room or other confined space.
Dearth: an inadequate supply - Lack
Ans: C
5. Which word comes in the blank labelled E?
A) Earn B) Iota C) Tardy D) Petty E) Gaudy
Explanation: The blank should be filled with a verb. The appropriate word is 'earn' which means 'obtain (money) in return for labour or services.' The rest of the words are irrelevant as they mean:
Iota: an extremely small amount.
Tardy: delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late.
Petty: of little importance; trivial.
Gaudy: ostentatiously or tastelessly ornamented
Ans: A
Directions (Qs. 6 - 10): Provide the appropriate tense form of the verbs in brackets. Joe was very unhappy with her standard of living. Her dad went bankrupt a few years ago and hence her family was poor. All her clothes were shabby and old and they ....6.... (look) like they would ...7..... (tear) any moment. She ....8.... (envy) the girls who wore pretty frocks to school. They would also bring tasty snacks to ...9..... (eat) during the break while she always had to make do with plain bread and butter. One day she ....10.... (bawl) her eyes out in her room because she couldn't take it anymore when suddenly her mother entered.
6. Which is the correct form of the verb that should come in blank 6?
A) looked B) had looked C) looks D) will look E) will be looking
Explanation: We have to use the simple past tense of the verb 'look' which is 'looked'. The story is written in the past tense. Notice that verbs like 'was' and 'were' are used before. For a story written in the past tense, most of the verbs will be in the simple past tense (verbs can also take other versions of the past tense).The simple past tense shows that you are talking about something that has already happened.Unlike the past continuous tense, which is used to talk about past events that happened over a period of time, the simple past tense emphasizes that the action is finished. The other options are wrong as they make the sentence grammatically incorrect
Ans: A
7. Which is the correct form of the verb that should come in blank 7?
A) tore B) had torn C) tear D) tears E) will tore
Explanation: We have to use the base form of the verb 'tear' which is 'tear' itself. Notice that the modal/ auxiliary verb 'would' is used before the blank. 'Would' is followed by the main verb The main verb stays in its base form. The main verb that is used with 'would' does not change form according to the subject.
Ans: C
8. Which is the correct form of the verb that should come in blank 8?
A) envies B) envied C) had been envied D) envy E) will envy
Explanation: We have to use the simple past tense of the verb 'envy' which is 'envied'. The story is written in the past tense. Notice that verbs like 'was' and 'were' are used before. For a story written in the past tense, most of the verbs will be in simple past (verbs can also take other versions of the past tense). The simple past tense shows that you are talking about something that has already happened. Unlike the past continuous tense, which is used to talk about past events that happened over a period of time, the simple past tense emphasizes that the action is finished. The other options are wrong as they make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Ans: B
9. Which is the correct form of the verb that should come in blank 9?
A) had eaten B) was eating C) eats D) eat E) will eat
Explanation: We have to use the base form of the verb 'eat' which is 'eat' itself. Notice that there is 'to' before the blank. The base form of a verb appears in the infinitive form. The infinitive form of a verb is the verb in its basic form. It is the version of the verb which will appear in the dictionary. The infinitive form of a verb is usually preceded by to (e.g., to run, to dance, to think). The other options are wrong as they make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Ans: D
10. Which is the correct form of the verb that should come in blank 10?
A) was bawling B) bawls C) had bawled D) is bawling E) will be bawling
Explanation: We have to use the past continuous tense of the verb 'bawl' which is 'was bawling'. The past continuous tense refers to a continuing action or state that was happening at some point in the Past. It is formed by
combining the past tense of to be (i.e., was/ were) with the verb's present participle (-ing word). It can also be used to describe something that was happening continuously in the past when another action interrupted it.
E.g.: I was talking to Jessica when he suddenly showed up.
Ans: A
Some Useful Tips
♦ Read thoroughly.
♦ Get overview of the passage.
♦ Look for contextually and grammatically correct opptions.
♦ Understand the tone of the passage.
♦ If you know the answer, immediately tick the correct answer.
♦ When you do not know the answer exactly, make the right choice through the process of elimination.
Process of Elimination:
Step 1: Check the words if any of them does not fit into the structure (eliminate it).
Step 2: Analyse which of them does not fit in with the meaning (eliminate).
Step 3: Apply your awareness to the remaining options of the usage of words.
Step 4: Try finding out a clue in the sentence. Sometimes the clue is hidden in the next sentence or some sentences away.
Step 5: Even now, if the final answer is not reached, apply your logical skill and repeat step to reach the correct option.
