Cloze Test is a crucial part of the English section in Bank PO exams (IBPS PO, SBI PO, etc.). Many candidates struggle with it due to weak vocabulary or poor comprehension. But with the right approach, you can master it easily! Here are 8 proven tricks to solve Cloze Test quickly and accurately—now with examples and extra practice tips!
Tricks to Solve Cloze Test
1. Understand the Theme First
- Before attempting any blank, read the entire passage to understand the context.
- This helps in identifying the theme, tone, and flow of the passage.
Before filling blanks, read the entire passage once to grasp the central idea. This helps in choosing contextually correct words.
Example:
“The (1) of renewable energy is increasing due to environmental concerns. Solar and wind power are (2) as sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.”
Theme: Renewable energy growth.
Blank (1): “use” (not “cost”)
Blank (2): “adopted” (fits context)
2. Look for Linking Words
- Check whether the blank requires a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, or conjunction.
- Eliminate options that don’t fit grammatically.
Words like however, because, therefore, meanwhile help predict the next blank’s meaning.
Example:
“Many people love coffee; (3), some prefer tea.”
Blank (3): “however” (shows contrast)
3. Use Grammar & Context Clues
- The sentences before and after the blank often contain hints.
- Example: If the passage discusses “pollution,” words like “environment,” “clean,” “toxic” may fit.
- Check verb tense (past/present/future).
- Identify if the blank needs a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
Example:
“She (4) a book every month.”
Blank (4): “reads” (singular verb, present tense)
4. Improve Vocabulary
- Sometimes, the correct word is a synonym or antonym of a nearby word.
- Example: If the passage says “despite the challenges,” the blank may need a positive word like “succeeded.”
- Learn synonyms, antonyms, and common phrases.
- Use root words (e.g., “bio” = life → “biology”).
Tip: Read newspapers (The Hindu, Economic Times) daily.
5. Elimination Method
- Remove obviously wrong options first.
- If two options seem close, pick the one that best fits the context.
Remove obviously wrong options first.
Example:
“The government announced a new (5) to reduce pollution.”
Options: (a) policy (b) apple (c) chair (d) shoe
Eliminate (b), (c), (d) → Correct: (a) policy
6. Avoid Overthinking
Stick to the given context—don’t assume extra details.
Example:
“He was (6) after running a marathon.”
Best fit: “exhausted” (not “happy” unless specified).
7. Practice Daily
- Solve 5 cloze tests daily (from previous papers).
- Track mistakes to improve weak areas.
- After filling all blanks, re-read the passage to ensure it makes sense.
- Sometimes, a wrong choice becomes obvious when read in full context.
8. Manage Time Wisely
- Spend 30-45 seconds per blank; don’t get stuck.
- Mark unsure questions and revisit if time permits.
Bonus: Solved Cloze Test Example
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is (7) the way businesses operate. Many companies now use AI for (8) tasks like customer support and data analysis. Experts believe AI will (9) job roles but also create new opportunities.”
Blanks:
(7) “transforming”
(8) “automating”
(9) “replace”
Final Tips
✔ Download PDF Summary of these tricks here.
✔ Take a Quick Quiz to test your skills here.
By following these 8 tricks + practicing regularly, you’ll crack Cloze Tests easily in Bank PO exams!
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