SPM PRACTICE

TOPIC 2: RATIONAL CLOZE

SPM Examination Guidelines

1. This topic covers Part 2 of the SPM English Reading
Paper (Kertas 1 [1119/1]).
2. This part consists of an extended text (about 250 – 300
words) with 10 items removed. Four possible options are
given for each item.
3. The questions tests your ability to:
• guess the meaning of unfamiliar words from clues
provided by other words and by context
• recognise typical features at word, sentence and text
levels
4. The questions in this part carry 10 out of the total
40 marks for the SPM English Reading Paper.
5. The time given to answer questions in the Reading Paper
is one hour and 30 minutes. You are advised to spend no
more than 10 minutes on this part. Follow the instructions
provided in the examination paper carefully.

Tips and Techniques

Read the text carefully. Try to Try to fill in the blanks based
understand what the text is on your understanding of the
about. text.

Pay attention to the words before and after the blank before
you decide on the answer. You should also keep in mind that
the sentences in the text are connected to each other. Do not
choose your answer by just looking at individual sentences.

Choose your answer carefully. Eliminate all answer options that

are obviously wrong. Then choose the best answer. If you’re
not sure of the answer, test if by fitting in the options one by one.
Very often, one answer may sound more correct than others.

Read the text again after you have filled in all the answers. Check
whether the passage reads smoothly and makes sense.

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 SPM PRACTICE

Name: .............................................................................................. Class: ..................................... Date: .....................................

SPM Practice 1: Reading – Part 2, Questions 9–18 [10 marks]

Read the text below and choose the best word for each space. For each question, circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Successful Children
while
Why is it that some children become successful (0) others
do not? Experts say that love (1) an important part.
Children who grow up with love and know that they are loved seemed
to survive well. Another important point noted was that children
(2) grew up in families where they were praised tried to
live up to their parents’ expectations. Positive abilities (3)
emphasised in the children so much so that these children grew up
confident and could focus on their strengths.
Children’s interests and hobbies should be (4). Self-
esteem and faith in their abilities make children feel good about
themselves. A study proved that (5) children had a special
interest or activity. They bounced back to an active life because of
their interest in things around them. Children also need good friends.
(6), parents should encourage children to relate to a good
friend, a supportive relative or teacher. Some children find it hard to
reach out to others, so parents can help the children (7)
allowing them to gain added strength from an outside source.
If parents are open to the world and the community, (8) teach the children that the world is a
friendly place. In this way, they help the children to find people who will enrich their lives. Parents must instill a
sense of responsibility in the children. They (9) about cooperation and confidence from chores or a part-
time job. Children need to feel that they are important (10) something real that they can contribute. A
positive environment at home helps a great deal to give the stepping stone to children to become more successful.

0 A if B so C what D while

1 A play B plays C played D playing

2 A who B whom C whose D which

3 A is B was C are D were

4 A grown B cleared C avoided D encouraged

5 A resilient B reserved C humble D dull

6 A However B Moreover C Therefore D Besides

7 A by B in C for D from

8 A we B they C you D their

9 A learning B learned C learns D learn

10 A across B above C with D of

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 SPM PRACTICE

Name: .............................................................................................. Class: ..................................... Date: .....................................

SPM Practice 2: Reading – Part 2, Questions 9–18 [10 marks]

Read the text below and choose the best word for each space. For each question, circle the correct letter
Digital Resource

A, B, C or D.
Earthquake in Japan
The March earthquake in Japan was a shocking event which took
many lives and brought much grief to the (0) people. People
all over the world (1) the painful events unfold and felt
much compassion for the troubles that the Japanese went through.
What was (2) to note was the sense of calm that
the people showed. There was not a single scene of chest-beating or
wild grief. They bore their sorrow (3) great dignity. Their
pain would have been unbearable but the people stood calm in their
sorrow. They showed great discipline (4) they queued for
water and groceries. There was never a rough word or a crude gesture.
(5), they showed grace when they bought only what they
needed for the present so that everybody could get something.
There was no instance of looting. There was no rush to go home.
Everyone waited for their turns. Restaurants (6) prices
and some gave food free to the needy. An unguarded ATM was left
alone. The old and the young knew (7) what to do. The
strong cared for the weak. When the power (8) off in a store, the people put the things back on the
shelves and left quietly.
The road which was split into two was repaired in a week. The architects who put up the tall buildings must have
been (9) that the buildings swayed but did not fall in the disaster. During the nuclear disaster, workers
stayed back to work despite the dangers (10) were exposed to. How will they ever be repaid? Everyone
played their part with great discipline and respect.

0 A a B an C – D the

1 A watch B watches C watched D watching

2 A remarkable B creative C difficult D foolish

3 A of B to C from D with

4 A when B what C whom D why

5 A However B Therefore C Anyhow D Furthermore

6 A cut B cuts C to cut D cutting

7 A quickly B exactly C suddenly D completely

8 A go B goes C went D going

9 A sad B sorry C happy D angry

10 A their B they C we D you

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02 MAMD ENG FORM5 Topic 2 (SC) yt 1P.indd 14 1/8/21 5:41 PM

 SPM PRACTICE

Name: .............................................................................................. Class: ..................................... Date: .....................................

SPM Practice 3: Reading – Part 2, Questions 9–18 [10 marks]

Read the text below and choose the best word for each space. For each question, circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.
STEAM

Technology
People are swept up by self-interest easily and the sophisticated
has
technology of today (0) worsened this aspect even more.
People (1) that they do not need others on a face-to face
basis. After all, even people living in the same house send messages
to each other rather than talk (2).
You can talk to people on the many types of smartphones or video
chat with them (3) they are thousands of miles away. You
can maintain emotionless relationships (4) you do not
really encounter them. It stays at an impersonal level.
People have become so comfortable (5) machines that
they do not look at people easily. Have you noticed the number of
people (6) will be chatting on a mobile phone but would
never look at the person next to them on a train or a bus? The most
irritating thing is of course to see a person jabbering away on the
phone (7) while seated next to other people at the lunch
table! They have no consideration for others. What could possibly be that important?
Many aspects of business can be done online, so there (8) no need to face people on an everyday
basis. Nearly all bills can be (9) online. Things can be bought by ordering them online and faceless
people will send them to you through couriers. Human contact is minimal.
However high-tech (10) lives are, we will still need people in our lives. We need their kindness,
compassion, human touch and their love or we will be machines too. Let us keep our families and friends. They
play fantastic roles in our lives.

0 A had B has C have D to have

1 A feel B felt C feels D feeling

2 A simply B directly C easily D generally

3 A despite B in spite C although D however

4 A over B to C in D as

5 A from B for C with D of

6 A which B whose C whom D who

7 A politely B loudly C softly D clearly

8 A is B are C was D were

9 A pay B pays C paid D paying

10 A their B your C her D our

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02 MAMD ENG FORM5 Topic 2 (SC) yt 1P.indd 15 1/8/21 5:41 PM

 TOWARDS SPM

Name: .............................................................................................. Class: ..................................... Date: .....................................

SPM Practice 4: Reading – Part 2, Questions 9–18 [10 marks]

Read the text below and choose the best word for each space. For each question, circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Happiness

Happiness is something we must work (0) for. We must first

believe that (1) deserve to be happy and then go ahead
to achieve that state of mind. Do not (2) that only some
people deserve happiness and think that it is your fate to suffer.
Surround yourself with (3) people. Do not have
negative people (4) you. They will drag you down.
When something goes wrong, try to figure out a solution instead
of wallowing in self-pity. (5) happy people do not allow
setbacks to affect their moods.
Spend (6) minutes each day thinking about the
things that make you happy. These few minutes will give you the
opportunity to (7) on the positive things in your life. It is
also important to take some time each day to do something nice for
yourself. Whether you treat yourself to lunch, take a (8)
bath or simply go for a run, you will be putting yourself in a better
mood.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Find a way to make light of
mistakes that happen (9) forget the bad things. Maintaining your health is another way to achieve
happiness. (10), exercise has been known to release endorphins that give you a feeling of happiness. Do
fun things and learn to laugh. Don’t forget to enjoy life. We all have only one life to live and savor. Make the most
of it.

0 A working B worked C works D work

1 A us B we C he D they

2 A believe B believes C believed D believing

3 A sad B busy C angry D happy

4 A over B above C around D through

5 A Fully B Truly C Surely D Strangely

6 A a few B a lot C many D much

7 A prepare B think C watch D focus

8 A relaxing B to relax C relaxed D relax

9 A so B but C and D for

10 A Thus B However C Although D Furthermore

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02 MAMD ENG FORM5 Topic 2 (SC) yt 1P.indd 16 1/8/21 5:41 PM

 TOWARDS SPM

Name: .............................................................................................. Class: ..................................... Date: .....................................

SPM Practice 5: Reading – Part 2, Questions 9–18 [10 marks]

Read the text below and choose the best word for each space. For each question, circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Outdoor School
I think the idea of a school set up in the natural woods is (0)
really a great idea. It is more of an outdoor school (1)
students can go out into the open and learn from their environment.
Of course the students absolutely love the idea of being close to nature
and not to (2) desks!
The school has a syllabus and certain rules and regulations.
They have a principal and several teachers. The students
(3) more casual clothes and sneakers so that they can walk
about and learn as much as possible outdoors. They are given certain
(4) to do like studying plant and insect life. They have
the chance to observe and find out information (5)
themselves. They (6) information and chart the growth
of plants and insects. Small animals in the woods (7) also
observed and studied. It is an amazing concept and the children are
totally thrilled to have such hands-on experiences.
The subjects are related to things they see and feel, so the
relationship (8) man and nature is developed well. There
are computers to use and to record information (9) they are not left out of technological knowledge
too. Since they also take care of the gardens and animals reared in the school, there is close bonding with
(10) environment. In many ways it is an ideal school created with an emphasis on acquisition of
knowledge and self-development.

0 A is B are C was D were

1 A why B when C which D where

2 A his B her C their D our

3 A wear B wore C worn D wears

4 A works B tasks C grades D plans

5 A of B for C to D from

6 A record B records C recorded D recording

7 A is B am C are D were

8 A between B among C through D despite

9 A for B thus C however D although

10 A – B a C an D the

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