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CLOZE TEST
Cloze Test
Cloze tests are common on all bank exams. They usually
require you to choose the correct choice out of four possibilities.
A cloze test (also cloze deletion test) is an exercise, test, or
assessment consisting of a portion of text with certain words
removed (cloze text), where the participant is asked to replace the
missing words. Cloze tests require the ability to understand context
and vocabulary in order to identify the correct words or type of
words that belong in the deleted passages of a text.
opinions. However, the placement of the blank at the end of the
sentence restricts the possible words that may complete the
sentence; following an adverb and finishing the sentence, the
word is most likely an adjective. Romantic, chivalrous or gallant
may, for example, occupy the blank, as well as foolish or cheesy.
How to Tackle a Cloze Test
• Read the text through trying to understanding the general
meaning.

1 : A language teacher may give the following passage
to students:
Today, I went to the ________ and bought some milk and eggs.
I knew it was going to rain, but I forgot to take my ________, and
ended up getting wet on the way ________.
• Look at each missing word gap and try to imagine what the
correct word should be.
• Decide which part of speech (adjective, noun, gerund, etc.)
needs to be used to fill each gap.

Explanation : Students would then be required to fill in the blanks
with words that would best complete the passage. Context in
language and content terms is essential in most, if not all, cloze
tests. The first blank is preceded by "the"; therefore, a noun, an
adjective or an adverb must follow. However, a conjunction follows
the blank; the sentence would not be grammatically correct if
anything other than a noun were in the blank. The words "milk
and eggs" are important for deciding which noun to put in the
blank; "market" is a possible answer; depending on the student,
however, the first blank could either be store, supermarket, shop
or market while umbrella or raincoat fit the second.
2 : I saw a man lay his jacket on a puddle for a woman
crossing the street. I thought that was very ______.
Explanation : Given the above passage, students' answers may
then vary depending on their vocabulary skills and their personal
• Read the text again, trying to fill a gap as you come to it by
imagining what the correct answer should be.
• Read the text another time, this time choose the correct answer
from the five answers given.
• If you are unsure of any given answer, try reading the sentence
with each of the possibilities.
• Try to eliminate the obvious false choices.
• Always think about the overall meaning of the text (i.e.,
whether the text is negative, positive, etc.) to make sure that
your answer choice fits the context.
• Trust your intuition. If you feel a word is right instinctively,
it probably is correct.
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Directions (Qs. 1-10) : In the following passage there are blanks, Directions (Q. 11–20) In the following passage there are blanks,
each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed
below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, below the passage and against each, five words are suggested,
one of which fills the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate
word in each case. word in each case.
Fourteen centuries ago when the world was much younger, When sound …(11)…, the world of cinema, mime made a
the ruler of all India, Rajah Balhait, was .....(1).... about his people. gracious exit. …(12)… then, it stood proudly as a performing art
A new game of dice, called hard, had ...(2) the imagination of his in itself, independent and …(13)… in style, approach, treatment
subjects, teaching them that chance alone-a-roll of the dice guided and performance not matched however, by …(14)… acceptance.
the ...(3) of men. All who played this game of fortune lost their During the silent era, actors in silent films had to …(15)… totally
...(5) in the virtues of courage, prudence, wisdom and hope. It on mime as the only way of …(16)… their emotions, expressions,
bred a fatalism that was ...(5) the spirit of the kingdom. incidents, events and interactions between and among characters.
Raja Balhait commissioned Sissa, an intelligent courter at German Expressionist cinema, the acting of classic performers like
his court to find an answer to this ...(6) After much ...(7) the Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton used mime they
clever Sissa invented another game. Chaturanga, the exact ...(8) had …(17)… as part of their theatrical …(18)… in their films with
of hard, in which the four elements of the Indian army were the great effect. A French mime artist once said, “Mime is the poetry
key pleces. In the game these pieces-chariots, horses, elephants of silence.” But once talking …(19)… entered the scenario, mime
and foot soldiers-joined with a royal counselor to defend their was …(20)… ever used in films, even though a character introduced
king and defeat the enemy. Forceful ...(9) was demanded of the as a mime artist.
players? not luck. Chaturanga soon became more popular than 11. (a) entered (b) came
hard, and the ...(10) to the Kingdom was over. (c) saw (d) became
1. (a) concerned (b) confident (e) featured
(c) ignorant (d) indifferent 12. (a) From (b) So
(e) partisan (c) Since (d) By
2. (a) propelled (b) enshrined (e) Until
(c) captured (d) activated
13. (a) single (b) fair
(e) enhanced
(c) dependent (d) unique
3. (a) communities (b) ways
(e) treacherous
(c) abnormalities (d) destiny
14. (a) drama (b) conclusion
(e) groups
4. (a) bravado (b) interest (c) opinion (d) judgement
(c) peace (d) wealth (e) popular
(e) faith 15. (a) portray (b) act
5. (a) appalling (b) crushing (c) rely (d) depict
(c) moistening (d) promoting (e) earn
(e) overwhelming 16. (a) mentioning (b) designing
6. (a) apprehension (b) risk (c) stimulating (d) expressing
(c) problem (d) game (e) considering
(e) destiny 17. (a) worked (b) learnt
7. (a) deliberation (b) absorption (c) qualified (d) bought
(c) insight (d) hesitation (e) invested
(e) reluctance 18. (a) experience (b) showings
8. (a) nature (b) equivalent (c) vision (d) distance
(c) picture (d) opposite (e) story
(e) replica
19. (a) toys (b) worlds
9. (a) prediction (b) concentration
(c) films (d) people
(c) manipulation (d) attack
(e) mimes
(e) fortune
20. (a) and (b) hardly
10. (a) devastation (b) anxiety
(c) impeachment (d) nuisance (c) then (d) thus
(e) threat (e) for
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Directions (Q. 21 to 30) In the following passage there are blanks 30. (a) trust (b) assured
each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed (c) wanted (d) think
below the passage and against each, five words are suggested (e) knew
one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate
word in each case.
Directions—(Q. 31–40) In the following passage there are
Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to marry a
blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are
princess; but she would have to be a real princess. He …(21)… all printed below the passage and against each, five words are
over the world to find one, but nowhere could he get what he suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the
wanted. One evening during a terrible storm; there was thunder appropriate word in each case.
and lightning, and the rain poured down in torrents. Suddenly a
When sound …(31)…, the world of cinema, mime made a
knocking was …(22)… at the palace door, and the old king went
gracious exit. …(32)… then, it stood proudly as a performing art
to open it. It was a princess standing out there. But, good gracious
in itself, independent and …(33)… in style, approach, treatment
! What a sight the rain and the wind had made her look. The water
and performance not matched however, by …(34)… acceptance.
ran down her hair and clothes; into the toes of her shoes and out
During the silent era, actors in silent films had to …(35)… totally
again at the heels. And yet she Insisted that she was a real
on mime as the only way of …(36)… their emotions, expressions,
princess. Well, we'll soon …(23)…out, thought the old queen.
incidents, events and interactions between and among characters.
But she said nothing, went into the bedroom, took all the bedding
German Expressionist cinema, the acting of classic performers like
off the bedstead, and …(24)… a pea on the bottom; then she took
Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton used mime they
twenty mattresses and laid them on the pea, and then twenty
had …(37)… as part of their theatrical …(38)… in their films with
quilts on …(25)… of the mattresses. On this the princess had to
great effect. A French mime artist once said, “Mime is the poetry
lie all night. In the …(26)… she was asked how she had slept.
of silence.” But once talking …(39)… entered the scenario, mime
“Oh, very badly !” said she. “I scarcely closed my eyes all night.
was …(40)… ever used in films, even through a character
Heaven only knows what was in the bed, but I was lying on
introduced as a mime artist.
something hard, as a…(27)… I am black and blue all over my
body. It's horrible !” Now they knew that she was a real princess 31. (a) entered (b) came
because she had …(28)… the pea right through the twenty (c) saw (d) became
mattresses and the twenty quilts. Nobody but a real princess (e) featured
could be as …(29)… as that. So the prince took her for his wife, for 32. (a) From (b) So
now he …(30)… that he had a real princess. (c) Since (d) By
21. (a) called (b) tour (e) Until
(c) sent (d) saw 33. (a) single (b) fair
(e) travelled (c) dependent (d) unique
22. (a) made (b) felt (e) treacherous
(c) heard (d) seen
34. (a) drama (b) conclusion
(e) sounded
(c) opinion (d) judgement
23. (a) assure (b) find
(e) popular
(c) judge (d) mark
(e) try 35. (a) portray (b) act
24. (a) drew (b) flung (c) rely (d) depict
(c) placed (d) cooked (e) earn
(e) stitch 36. (a) mentioning (b) designing
25. (a) top (b) head (c) stimulating (d) expressing
(c) bottom (d) between (e) considering
(e) middle 37. (a) worked (b) learnt
26. (a) morning (b) dinner (c) qualified (d) bought
(c) room (d) fields (e) invested
(e) dark 38. (a) experience (b) showings
27. (a) vengeance (b) price (c) vision (d) distance
(c) cause (d) result (e) story
(e) time 39. (a) toys (b) worlds
28. (a) slept (b) felt
(c) films (d) people
(c) located (d) carried
(e) found (e) mimes
29. (a) worried (b) rough 40. (a) and (b) hardly
(c) irritable (d) sensitive (c) then (d) thus
(e) pretty (e) for
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Directions (Q. 41–50) In the following passage, there are blanks, Directions (Q. 51–60) In the following passage, there are blanks,
each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed
below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, below the passage and against each, five words are suggested,
one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate
word in each case. word in each case.
There was once a poet who fell upon such hard times that he Once upon a time there lived a peacock and a tortoise in
was no longer able to …(41)… his family. Hearing that the king close proximity and they became the best of friends. The peacock
greatly encouraged talent and was famed for his generosity, the lived on a tree on the …(51)… of a stream which was the home of
poet set off for the Royal Palace. When brought…(42)… the king, the tortoise. It was a daily …(52)… for the peacock to dance near
he …(43)…. low and requested permission to recite a poem. On the stream after he had a drink of water. He would display his
hearing his recitation, the king was well pleased and asked him to
great plumage for the amusement of his friend. One unfortunate
name his reward.
day, a bird-catcher who was on the …(53)… caught the peacock
The poet, …(44)… to a chessboard before the king, said,
and was about to take him away to the market. The unhappy bird
“your highness, if you place just one grain of rice on the first
begged his captor to allow him to bid his friend the tortoise good-
square of this chess-board, and double it for every square, I will
consider myself well …(45)…” “Are you sure ?” asked the king, bye, as it would be the …(54)… time he would see him. The bird-
greatly …(46)…. “Just grains of rice, not gold” ? “Yes, your catcher gave in to his request and took him to the tortoise. The
highness,’’ affirmed the poet. “So it shall be” ordered the king. tortoise was in tears to see his friend held …(55)….
His courtiers started …(47)… the grain on the chess-board. One The tortoise asked the birdcatcher to let the peacock go; but
grain on the first square, two on the second, four on the third, he laughed at the request, saying that it was his means of
…(48)… on the fourth and so no. By the time they reached the livelihood. The tortoise then said, “If I give you an expensive
tenth square they had to place five hundred and twelve grains of present, will you let my friend go ?” “Certainly,” answered the
rice. The number rose to lakhs on the twentieth square. When bird-catcher. Whereupon, the tortoise …(56)… into the water and
they …(49)…. the half way mark, the grain count was over hundred in a few seconds came up with a handsome pearl, which he
crores ! Soon the count …(50)… to lakhs of crores and eventually presented to the bird-catcher. This was beyond the man’s
the helpless king had to hand over his entire kingdom to the expectations, and he let the peacock go immediately. A short time
clever poet. And it all began with just one grain of rice. after, the bird-catcher came back and told the tortoise that he
41. (a) surrender (b) fight thought he had not paid enough for the release of his friend, and
(c) care (d) feed …(57)…, that unless a match to the pearl was obtained for him, he
(e) defend would catch the peacock again. The tortoise, who had already
42. (a) before (b) following …(58)… his friend to shift to a distant jungle on being set free,
(c) after (d) by was greatly …(59)… by the greed of the bird - catcher. “Well,”
(e) aside said the tortoise, “if you insist on having another pearl like the
43. (a) hunched (b) knelt one I gave you, give it back to me and I will fish you an exact
(c) fell (d) stand match for it.” The greediness of the bird-catcher prevented his
(e) bowed reasoning and he …(60)… gave the pearl to the clever tortoise.
44. (a) talking (b) across The tortoise swam out with it saying, “I am no fool to give you
(c) pointing (d) eyeing another pearl, you’re greediness has left you with nothing.
(e) looking 51. (a) fence (b) brim
45. (a) deserved (b) rewarded (c) banks (d) base
(c) blessed (d) fortunate (e) outlet
(e) equipped 52. (a) fact (b) lifestyle
46. (a) surprised (b) vigilant (c) phenomenon (d) adventure
(c) understanding (d) happy
(e) routine
(e) honoured
53. (a) prowl (b) guard
47. (a) sampling (b) hiding
(c) rounds (d) duty
(c) finding (d) placing
(e) moving (e) alert
48. (a) seven (b) eight 54. (a) right (b) last
(c) three (d) five (c) perfect (d) appropriate
(e) six (e) justified
49. (a) entered (b) reached 55. (a) captive (b) custody
(c) revised (d) arrived (c) affectionately (d) badly
(e) interrupted (e) carelessly
50. (a) justified (b) enlarged 56. (a) collapsed (b) dived
(c) risen (d) improved (c) sunk (d) drowned
(e) increased (e) slipped
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57. (a) wished (b) secured 66. (a) exclaimed (b) dazed
(c) contemplated (d) debated (c) open (d) awakened
(e) threatened (e) widened
58. (a) advised (b) left 67. (a) remembered (b) starved
(c) disowned (d) excluded (c) waited (d) rejoiced
(e) wanted (e) looked
59. (a) aware (b) enraged 68. (a) lying (b) forlorn
(c) superstitious (d) touched (c) presented (d) hiding
(e) tolerant (e) secluded
60. (a) deftly (b) clumsily
69. (a) seek (b) say
(c) selfishly (d) affectionately
(c) narrates (d) reveal
(e) promptly
(e) hide
70. (a) fearing (b) selfish
DIRECTIONS (Q. 61–70) In the following passage, there are
blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are (c) concerning (d) citing
printed below the passage and against each, five words are (e) alarmed
suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the
appropriate word in each case. DIRECTIONS (Q. 71–75) In the following passage, there are
Haria, a poor barber lived alone in his small hut. He was blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are
…(61)… to his work and whatever he earned was enough to fulfil printed below the passage and against each, five words are
his needs. One evening, after returning from work, Haria was suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the
hungry. Just as he was …(62)… what he could cook for dinner he appropriate word in each case.
heard a hen clucking outside his hut. “That hen would make a Day dreaming is often overlooked as a proper dream and
great feast for me,” thought Haria and prepared to catch the hen. …(71)… instead as wandering thoughts. However, the meanings
With a little effort he …(63)… in catching the hen and as he was to your nightly dream symbols are also …(72)… to your day
about to kill the hen, it squeaked, “Please do not kill me, Oh kind dreams. The content in your day dreams are helpful in
man ! I will help you.” Haria stopped. …(64)… he was surprised understanding your true feelings and will help you in …(73)…
that the hen spoke, he asked, “How can you help me ?” “If you your goals. Day dreaming is the spontaneous imagining or
…(65)… my life, I will lay a golden egg for you everyday,” said the recalling of various images or experiences in the past or the future.
hen. When you daydream, you are accessing your right brain, which
Haria’s eyes …(66)… in delight. Haria was surprised to hear is the creative and feminine side of your personality. Worrying
this promise. “A golden egg ! That too everyday ! But why should about something creates visual images in your brain of the worst
I believe you ? You might be lying,” said Haria. “If I do not lay a outcome that you are imagining and is a form of daydreaming. By
golden egg tomorrow, you can kill me,” said the hen. After this repeating these negative images in your mind, you are more likely
promise, Haria spared the hen and …(67)… for the next day. to make them happen. So the next time you start worrying, try to
The next morning. Haria found a golden egg …(68)… outside think of a positive outcome. Positive daydreaming is very healthy
his hut and the hen sitting beside it. “It is true ! You really can lay and acts as a temporary …(74)… from the demands of reality. It is
also a good way to …(75)… built up frustrations without physically
a golden egg !” exclaimed Haria with great delight. He did not
acting them out.
…(69)… this incident to any one, …(70)… that others would catch
the hen. 71. (a) composed (b) determined
61. (a) dedicated (b) devote (c) thought (d) felt
(c) enthusiastic (d) good (e) regarded
(e) engrossed 72. (a) duplicated (b) present
62. (a) feeling (b) sounding (c) established (d) applicable
(c) dreaming (d) plotting (e) depictive
(e) wondering 73. (a) thinking (b) holding
63. (a) quit (b) surrendered (c) achieving (d) realise
(c) succeeded (d) won (e) capturing
(e) managed 74. (a) solitude (b) healing
64. (a) Finally (b) Though (c) gateway (d) passage
(c) Since (d) As (e) escape
(e) Because 75. (a) adjust (b) confirm
65. (a) forgive (b) leave
(c) capture (d) release
(c) give (d) spare
(e) demonstrate
(e) consume
6
DIRECTIONS (Qs. 76-83) : In the following passage there are 83. (a) misuse (b) governance
blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are (c) dishonour (d) curbing
printed below the passage and against each, five words are (e) breach
suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the
appropriate word in each case.
DIRECTIONS (Qs. 84-91): In the following passage there are
The Government seems to be in right earnest to ensure more blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are
...(76)... in governance. The Prime Minister’s announcement that printed below the passage and against each, five words are
his Government is ...(77)... drafting legislation to establish the suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the
citizen’s right to information is indeed welcome . Though the talk appropriate word in each case.
on the right to information is not new, we may ...(78)... the bill to be
Trust is the basis of human relationship. As trust between
brought early this time. The previous Government had set up a
people grows, ...(84)... change and interpersonal dynamics are
high-level committee to prepare a draft bill. But nothing has been
transformed. Diverse skills and abilities become ...(85)... and
heard about the matter since, ...(79)... the committee did quite
appreciated as strengths. People begin to ...(86)... one another’s
some work. The issue, however, has come to such a pass that a
attitudes and feelings. They learn to be ...87)... instead of playing
solution cannot be ...(80)... further. Sunlight is the best disinfectant,
roles. As trust grows the barriers that prevent ...(88)... and
a foreign judge once said, while ...(81)... the unwarranted secrecy
openness lessen. People become more expressive, impulsive, frank
in an administrative system. When those in authority know that
and spontaneous. Their communication is efficient and clear. They
people have the right to ask questions and the government is
risk ...(89)... and confrontation, opening the doors to deeper
under the ...(82)... to provide them with answers, ...(83)... of
communication, involvement and commitment. Congestion and
authority, or of public finances, for personal or party ends is less
...(90)... lessen. The flow of data is open and ...(91)....
likely to happen.
84. (a) motivations (b) behaviours
76. (a) strictness (b) rudeness
(c) patterns (d) aspirations
(c) leniency (d) economy
(e) commitments
(e) transparency
85. (a) obvious (b) necessary
77. (a) personally (b) busy
(c) essential (d) recognised
(c) not (d) reluctantly
(e) prominent
(e) absolutely
86. (a) accept (b) participate
78. (a) expect (b) wait
(c) pronounce (d) inculcate
(c) try (d) frustrate
(e) relate
(e) appeal
87. (a) advocates (b) possessed
79. (a) even (b) as
(c) exponents (d) indifferent
(c) because (d) until
(e) themselves
(e) though
88. (a) snobbery (b) egoism
80. (a) found (b) expected
(c) brashness (d) boasting
(c) delayed (d) looked
(e) candour
(e) longed
89. (a) conflict (b) persuasiveness
81. (a) nurturing (b) criticising
(c) dedication (d) propensity
(c) demanding (d) appreciating
(e) jealousy
(e) upholding
90. (a) pervasiveness (b) boundaries
82. (a) pretention (b) affect
(c) sluggishness (d) blocking
(c) substance (d) obligation
(e) enthusiasm
(e) property
91. (a) unanimous (b) uncritical
(c) uninhabited (d) uncanny
(e) unusual
 7

ANSWER KEY
1 (a) 13 (d) 25 (a) 37 (b) 49 (b) 61 (a) 73 (c) 85 (e)
2 (c) 14 (e) 26 (a) 38 (a) 50 (c) 62 (e) 74 (e) 86 (a)
3 (d) 15 (c) 27 (d) 39 (c) 51 (c) 63 (c) 75 (e) 87 (e)
4 (b) 16 (d) 28 (b) 40 (b) 52 (c) 64 (d) 76 (e) 88 (e)
5 (e) 17 (b) 29 (d) 41 (d) 53 (b) 65 (d) 77 (b) 89 (a)
6 (e) 18 (a) 30 (e) 42 (a) 54 (b) 66 (e) 78 (a) 90 (d)
7 (a) 19 (c) 31 (a) 43 (e) 55 (a) 67 (c) 79 (e) 91 (b)
8 (d) 20 (b) 32 (c) 44 (c) 56 (b) 68 (a) 80 (c)
9 (b) 21 (e) 33 (d) 45 (e) 57 (e) 69 (d) 81 (b)
10 (e) 22 (c) 34 (e) 46 (a) 58 (a) 70 (a) 82 (d)
11 (a) 23 (b) 35 (c) 47 (d) 59 (b) 71 (e) 83 (a)
12 (c) 24 (c) 36 (d) 48 (b) 60 (e) 72 (d) 84 (b)