Cloze Tests made Easy-SBI PO/Clerk

In SBI Clerk & PO Exam, the English section encompasses cloze (passages) test questions. In it usually, a passage is given with 10-12 blank spaces. And you’ll be required to fill in the blanks out of the given choices. The purpose of the Cloze Test is to judge the grammatical knowledge, vocabulary power, and common sense of the candidate. The candidate must go through the whole passage before starting to answer the questions.

The tricky part of the Cloze Test is that sometimes, you may find one or two blanks difficult to answer and it may seem that the blanks have more than one correct answer. But what happens is that as you proceed and read carefully you will find that blanks may have some links with the next sentences. So, it is better to read out the whole passage first before making a choice.

And all that becomes easy with a good knowledge of grammar and a good command of vocabulary will be greatly helpful in answering such questions. It must be well understood that this test not just judges your grammatical know-how but also your word power and common sense.

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Three Golden Tips to Master Cloze Test Questions

Solving close tests becomes easy with a few tips if applied properly. Given below are a few effective tips and tricks that you can use while attempting cloze test questions.

1. Read Carefully to Connect the Phrases Together

Always read the given text carefully and slowly and try to highlight the keywords in it. Think about the word or phrase that well suits the condition given in the text and fill in the blanks. Don’t forget that the passage or text with phrases is connected to each other. So, don’t treat each phrase as independent while filling in the blanks. See the logical connection before making a choice.

2. See the Word Type & Tone of the Passage

Pay close attention to find what type of word or tone is involved in the passage, before filling in the word. For instance, what type of speech is it. Like, verb, noun, pronoun, preposition, or conjunction, etc. Also check the tone of the passage, like, narrative, critical, sarcastic, humorous, etc. And then only choose a word.

3. Use the Elimination Option

Try the elimination method by using the given words one by one in the passage to find the words that fit the entire passage context. By this, you can eliminate incorrect options or decisions.

Also read: Important Topics & Questions for General English-SBI Clerk Mains 2021

Directions (Qs. 23-27): In the following passage, some of the words have been left out and replaced by a blank represented by a letter. First, read the passage and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blanks as per the questions given.

Earthquakes can ___(A)___ sperm whales’ ability to hunt for up to a year, according to the first-ever study to look at the effects of the temblors on marine mammals. On November 14, 2016, the magnitude 7.8 Kaikoura earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island, causing a ___(B)___ tsunami, as well as two deaths and a few dozen injuries. Under the surface, the seismic event ___(C)___ strong currents that swept away and mostly killed off diverse ecosystems of invertebrates living along the Kaikoura underwater canyon. The massive landslide not only clouded the water but also flushed the animals hundreds of miles away, likely rearranging the makeup of the entire ecosystem. The ___(D)___ earthquakes have on land animals has been well documented, but scientists know relatively little about what happens underwater. Recent research on Caribbean sharks, for instance, has revealed that fish dive deep to escape roiling surface waters during hurricanes. Such research is important for government agencies, which may need to take recent earthquakes into ___(E)___ when considering fishing quotas.

Question 23

Level – 0

(A)

a) inept

b) disrupt

c) divert

d) attempt

e) intact

Ans: B

Solution: We need a base form verb to fit in the modal verb construction CAN + VERB. DISRUPT (disturb) will fit here as the sentence tells us how earthquakes can disturb the ability of sperm whales to hunt for up to a year. Thus, B is the right answer.

Inept (adjective) – incompetent. Divert – cause to change direction. Attempt – try. Intact (adjective) – entire; whole.

Question 24

Level – 2

(B)

a) imperative

b) insistent

c) destructive

d) compliant

e) demanding

Ans: C

Solution: We need an adjective here to modify the noun TSUNAMI. DESTRUCTIVE (dangerous) will fit here as the sentence tells us how the earthquake caused a dangerous tsunami. Thus, C is the right answer.

Imperative – essential. Insistent – adamant. Compliant – yielding. Demanding – challenging.

Question 25

Level – 2

(C)

a) invaded

b) discarded

c) deposited

d) spawned

e) spoiled

Ans: D

Solution: We need a verb here to link the subject EVENT with the object CURRENTS. SPAWNED (caused) will fit here as the sentence talks about how the seismic event caused strong currents that killed off diverse ecosystems. Thus, D is the right answer.

Invaded – entered without permission. Discarded – threw away. Deposited – submitted. Spoiled – ruined.

Question 26

(D)

a) persistence

b) escape

c) influential

d) accumulation

e) impact

Ans: E

Solution: We need a noun here to be modified by the definite article THE. IMPACT (effect) will fit here as the sentence talks about how the effect that earthquakes have on land animals has been well documented. Thus, E is the right answer.

Persistence – determination. Escape – the act of fleeing from something or someone. INFLUENTIAL is an adjective. Accumulation – collection.

Question 27

Level – 1

(E)

a) consideration

b) hostility

c) information

d) significance

e) scarcity

Ans: A

Solution: We need a noun here to be modified by the preposition INTO. The phrase TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION means to factor in something and will fit here as the sentence tells us how recent earthquakes need to be factored in when considering fishing quotas. Thus, A is the right answer.

Hostility – aggression; unfriendliness. Information – knowledge. Significance – importance. Scarcity – dearth.

Directions (Qs. 28-30): In the question given below, a sentence is given with one blank, followed by five options, each having a word that may or may not fit in the blank. From the given options, choose the one that gives the correct word that fits in the blank.

Question 28

John was a true gentleman whose ________ to his chosen career commanded the highest repute.

a) dedicate

b) conception

c) conjecture

d) continue

e) commitment

Ans: E

Solution: We need a noun here to form the object of the possessive pronoun WHOSE. COMMITMENT will fit here as the sentence tells us how John’s dedication towards his career was reputable. Thus, E is the right answer.

DEDICATE is a verb. Conception – the act of coming into existence. Conjecture – speculation. Continue – the act of carrying on something.

Question 29

Candidates of character and __________ with a sense of social commitment alone are to be elected.    

a) calibre

b) preoccupy

c) empire

d) subdue

e) infusion

Ans: A

Solution: We need a noun here to be parallel with CHARACTER and to form the object of the preposition OF. CALIBRE (ability) will fit here, as the sentence tells us how the competence of the candidates that will be elected. Thus, A is the right answer.

Preoccupy (verb) – engross. Empire – kingdom. Subdue (verb) – quell. Infusion – mixture.

Question 30

Almost all refugees face similar ________, said those who resettle the new immigrants.      

a) resents

b) hurdles

c) delusions

d) troubled

e) ascent

Ans: B

Solution: We need a noun here to be modified by the adjective SIMILAR. HURDLES (obstacles) will fit here as the sentence tells us how all refugees face obstacles that are alike. Thus, B is the right answer.

Resents (verb) – dislikes. Delusions – false beliefs. TROUBLED is an adjective. Ascent – rise.

Directions (Qs.21-25): In the following passage, some of the words have been left out and replaced by a blank represented by a letter. First, read the passage and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blanks as per the questions given.

Among the world’s democracies, Australia is perhaps the most ___(A)___ dependent on China. It is the world’s largest net coal exporter, and its biggest customer is China. It is thus also more dependent on fossil-fuel exports than many other countries, and yet it stands to ___(B)___ more than others as the real-world costs of climate change come due. Still, the Australian economy is unique among industrialized countries in that it has grown ____(C)___ for almost three decades without a recession. For 30 years, Australia, with its ____(D)____ supply of energy and other resources, has been able to surf on a growing wave of Chinese demand. This arrangement was nothing if not convenient. Given the two countries’ relative ___(E)___, Chinese tourists and immigrants started to flock to Australia. Chinese students became mainstays at its universities. The money just kept rolling in, and Australian property prices duly rose.

Question 21

(A)

a) economically

b) innovative

c) scientific

d) imminent

e) None of the above

Ans: (a)

Solution: (a) is the right answer. We need an adverb to modify the phrasal verb DEPENDENT ON. The sentence seeks to convey that Australia is significantly dependent on China in some way. The context of the passage tells us that it talks about Australia’s economy. Thus, ECONOMICALLY fits contextually.

INNOVATIVE- (of a product, idea, etc.) featuring new methods; advanced and original.

SCIENTIFIC- based on or characterized by the methods and principles of science.

IMMINENT- about to happen.

Question 22

(B)

a) assiduous

b) term

c) lose

d) impose

e) None of the above

Ans: (c)

Solution: (c) is the right answer. We need a verb in its base form to fit in the infinitive construction of TO+VERB. The sentence conveys that Australia is the most vulnerable to climate change. LOSE fits contextually. TO STAND TO LOSE means to have a high likelihood of losing or being deprived of something. ASSIDUOUS- showing great care and perseverance; IMPOSE- force (an unwelcome decision or ruling) on someone; TERM- conditions under which an action may be undertaken or agreement reached.

Question 23

(C)

a) responsive

b) pertinent

c) continuously

d) unilaterally

e) None of the above

Ans: (c)

Solution: (c) is the right answer. We need an adverb to modify the verb GROWN. The sentence seeks to convey that the Australian economy has grown without any recession for the last thirty years. CONTINUOUSLY fits contextually. It implies that the economy has grown without interruption or gaps.

RESPONSIVE- reacting quickly and positively.

PERTINENT- relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite.

UNILATERALLY- used to indicate that something is done by only one person, group, or country involved in a situation, without the agreement of others.

Question 24

(D)

a) abundant

b) effective

c) indicate

d) recent

e) None of the above

Ans: (a)

Solution: (a) is the right answer. We need an adjective to modify the noun phrase “SUPPLY OF ENERGY”. The sentence seeks to convey that Australia has been exporting energy to China for thirty years. ABUNDANT fits contextually. ABUNDANT is used to refer to something that exists or is available in large quantities. EFFECTIVE- useful; INDICATE- to imply/demonstrate; RECENT- having happened, begun, or been done not long ago. 

Question 25

(E)

a) reconcile

b) itinerary

c) proximity

d) intent

e) None of the above

Ans: (c)

Solution: (c) is the right answer. We need a noun to be modified by the adjective RELATIVE(considered in relation or in proportion to something else.). The sentence seeks to highlight how the geographical location of Australia and China helped them to trade. PROXIMITY fits contextually. Proximity to a place or person is nearness to that place or person.

RECONCILE- to restore friendly relations between.

ITINERARY- a planned route or journey.

INTENT- intention or purpose.

Directions (Qs. 21-25): In the following passage, some of the words have been highlighted in bold. First read the passage and try to understand what it is about. Then replace the highlighted words with the correct option in order to make grammatical and contextual sense. In case the highlighted word is correct as it is, mark ‘No Replacement’ as the right answer.

One of the (A) lacking images of the general elections 2009 is a young man chiding college students: “Election ke din agar aap vote nahin kar rahen hain toh aap so rahe hain” (If you aren’t voting on election day, then you are sleeping). He would go about “waking up” people to their democratic duty of voting. That was the Jaago Re campaign started by Tata Tea before the general elections. It looked like a public awareness campaign, but according to the executive director, Tata Tea, it is not about corporate social responsibility, it’s actually a brand campaign. The campaign proved a/an (B) illegal step in the way tea is marketed in India. Most Indian tea brands are (C) explained using either the “refresh” or “re-energize” message. Tata Tea itself has used these approaches in the past (Kamal ki Taazgi) but to beat the leader Hindustan Unilever (HUL), it needed something slightly different. The brief given to advertising agency Lowe Lintas was to come up with an idea that will connect to a very large number of people, especially youth, and not use the (D) estranged ‘get refreshed’ line of thought. Tarun Chauhan, executive director, Lowe Lintas said that they decided to come up with a tea that (E) awakens people rather than one that wakes them up. In the two years that Jaago Re ran, it has re-energized the Tata Tea brand. According to AC Nielsen data, in June 2007, the monthly market share in the value of Tata Tea was 19.5 while HUL’s was 22. But figures for March 2009 show that Tata Tea has closed the gap: Its value share was 22.3 compared to HUL’s 23. In a market where it is very difficult to change user habits, even these seemingly small gains are considered significant.

Question 21

(A)

a) harmful

b) celestial

c) dubious

d) abiding

e) No improvement

Ans: (d)

Solution: The passage is talking about the brand campaign of Tata Tea that focuses on awakening people about their election duty. The usage of the word ‘lacking’ is inappropriate. (A) would be filled with an adjective or a participle that would qualify the noun ‘images’. The context talks of one of the lasting images of the general elections in 2009.

Abiding (adjective)- (of a feeling or memory) lasting a long time; enduring. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer. 

Celestial (adjective)- heavenly.

Dubious (adjective)- not certain, doubtful, suspicious.

Question 22

(B)

a) shy

b) disruptive

c) defunct

d) extinct

e) No improvement

Ans: (b)

Solution: The passage is talking about the brand campaign of Tata Tea that focuses on awakening people about their election duty.  The usage of the word ‘illegal’ is inappropriate. The context suggests that the campaign proved an innovative step in the way tea is marketed. 

Disruptive (adjective)- Innovative or groundbreaking. Among the given options, ‘disruptive’ provides the correct context to the blank. 

Hence, option (b) is the correct answer. 

Defunct (adjective)- dead, no longer in use.

Extinct (adjective)- out of existence.

Question 23

(C)

a) absorbed

b) violated

c) advertised

d) derided

e) No improvement

Ans: (c)

Solution: The passage is talking about the brand campaign of Tata Tea that focuses on awakening people about their election duty. The usage of the word ‘explained’ is inappropriate. The context suggests that most Indian tea brands are advertised using either the “refresh” or “re-energize” message. 

‘Advertised’ provides the correct context to the blank. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer. 

Derided (verb)- scoffed at.

Question 24

(D)

a) hackneyed

b) exquisite

c) beautiful

d) facile

e) No improvement

Ans: (a)

Solution: The passage is talking about the brand campaign of Tata Tea that focuses on awakening people about their election duty. Estranged (adjective)- separated. The usage of the word ‘estranged’ is inappropriate. The context talks about coming up with an idea that will connect to a very large number of people, especially youth, and not use the overused ‘get refreshed’ line of thought. Hackneyed (adjective)- (of a phrase or idea) having been overused; unoriginal and trite. Among the given options, ‘hackneyed’ provides the correct context. 

Hence, option (a) is the correct answer. 

Exquisite (adjective)- beautiful.

Facile (adjective)- easy, expert.

Question 25

(E)

a) husbands

b) impedes

c) indicts

d) accuses

e) No improvement

Ans: (e)

Solution: The passage is talking about the brand campaign of Tata Tea that focuses on awakening people about their election duty. The usage of the word ‘awakens’ is appropriate. The sentence conveys that they decided to come up with a tea that awakens people rather than one that wakes them up. No improvement is required. Hence, option (e) is the correct answer. 

Husbands (verb)- utilises.

Impedes (verb)- hinders; hampers.

Indicts (verb)- accuses, charges.

Conclusion

Apart from the three golden tips to master the art of solving cloze test questions, you must read every day to improve your English skills. A better way to practice reading is by reading a daily newspaper. Focus on the editorial part. This way, you’ll not only improve your grammar but also build a huge vocabulary which you can successfully utilize in answering cloze test questions. Practice as much as you can. And needless to say, Mock Tests serve this purpose very well. Give as many Mock Tests as possible. Hard work and exercise always pay off. Try preparing for two to three passages daily and know your weaker areas. Work on eliminating your weakness and perform the best you can in the actual Exam.

The success, undoubtedly, will be yours!