CLOZE TESTS (Practice Set)

Here are some Cloze Tests that a candidate of any competitive exam must practice to crack an exam with good marks. They will be very useful for the competitive exams of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) or Grade-II DASS Exam of the DSSSB, and other similar exams.

Guidelines to remember before starting to solve a Cloze Test

1. In a question on CLOZE TEST we are given a text passage with some words missing; and we have to replace the missing words from the given options. For this one needs to have a strong command of grammar along with good vocabulary.

2. In order to fill in the missing words, we should read it slowly 1-2 times first without filling up the blanks. Certainly this will help us to develop an idea about the topic and figure out what the text is about.

3. Once we are known with that we should fill in only those blanks we are 100% sure of. This process will enable us to fill in the remaining blanks well.

4. A Cloze Test is a passage with sentences that are logically connected to each other, so we should keep it in mind that we must not treat each sentence individually while filling in the blanks. Instead we should think of logical connections that link up the sentences together.

PRACTICE SET CLOZE TESTS — SOLVED

(Solution of all the Cloze Tests is given at the end.)

CLOZE TEST 1

The increasing cost of higher education in the United States has been a –1– topic for debate in recent decades. American society –2– the importance of education after high school, yet the cost of undergraduate and advanced degrees continually rises at a greater rate than –3–.

According to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, cost factors prevent 48% of college-qualified high school graduates from –4– further education (McKeon, 2004, p. 45). The current system requires the majority of students to –5– extensive debt with the expectation that they gain –6– post-graduate employment to repay their loans.

The cost of higher education raises several –7– issues. Among these are the perpetuation of the cycle of debt in American commercial society, the –8– of differing higher education institutions and cost, and the resulting socioeconomic and racial inequities in college demographics. Both an examination of the current trends and figures and a closer look at a real life example show the troublesome state of higher education and its –9– on our commercial society.

Research indicates a steep upward trend in the cost of higher education throughout the 20th century. In recent decades, America has witnessed a widening gap between inflation and tuition. An incoming freshman at a typical college –10– charges for tuition, university fees, books, room and board, and other miscellaneous items.

1. A) contempt      B) constant      C) continuing      D) contrite

2. A) immaculate      B) immune      C) inimical      D) emphasizes

3. A) inflation      B) inference      C) inflammatory      D) incongruous

4. A) prefer      B) perpetual      C) perfunctory      D) pursuing

5. A) accrue      B) accumulate      C) acrimonious      D) accredited

6. A) lascivious      B) luscious      C) lucrative      D) capricious

7. A) ethical      B) ethereal      C) exquisite      D) immoral

8. A) hierarchy      B) dichotomy      C) trichotomy      D) transgression

9. A) arcane      B) affirmative     C) effective      D) effect

10. A) insure      B) incurs      C) insist      D) inflate

CLOZE TEST 2

Demonetisation of high denomination bank notes was in –1– of a series of measures taken by our Government during the last two years. It is a bold and decisive –2–. For several decades, tax evasion for many has become a way of life. This compromises the larger public interest and creates unjust enrichment in favour of the tax evader, to the detriment of the poor and –3–. This has bred a parallel economy which is unacceptable for an inclusive –4–. Demonetisation seeks to create a new ‘normal’ wherein the GDP would be bigger, cleaner and real.

This exercise is part of our government’s –5– to eliminate corruption, black money, counterfeit currency and terror funding. Like all reforms, this measure is obviously –6–, as it seeks to change the retrograde –7–. Drop in economic activity, if any, on account of the currency squeeze during the demonetisation –8– is expected to have only a –9– impact on the economy. I am reminded here –10– what the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, had said: “A right cause never fails”.

1. A) continue B) continuation C) contribute D) contrive

2. A) marigold B) manner C) meager D) measure

3. A) deprived B) decided C) deciduous D) detrimental

4. A) society B) socio-economic C) sociology D) social

5. A) repetition B) repulsive C) resolve D) reprimand

6. A) dissolute B) dissolve C) disbursal D) disruptive

7. A) carte blanche B) status quo C) bona fide D) faux pas

8. A) period B) paranoid C) parabola D) panoramic

9. A) intransitive B) transitive C) transient D) transverse

10. A) with B) off C) about D) of

CLOZE TEST 3

Tennis is a game that gives one plenty of exercise; it develops –1– of eye and limb and –2– the brain too into –3–. A few sets of tennis keep one physically and –4– fit. But for the indoors, chess is the queen of games. People say chess is a –5– game because only two can play.

1. A) movement B) swiftness C) quickness D) agility

2. A) commands B) asks C) signals D) calls

3. A) response B) play C) work D) action

4. A) intellectually B) emotionally C) mentally D) logically

5. A) selfish B) mean C) carefree D) careless

CLOZE TEST 4

The World Health Organisation has confirmed that the Olympic Games –1– to be held in August –2– Rio de Janeiro will go ahead, the Zika virus –3–. An Emergency Committee meeting –4– by the WHO Director-General said there is ‘very low risk’ of the virus spreading globally as a consequence of the Games being –5– in Brazil.

The local mosquito population level is expected to –6– sharply in August, the Brazilian mid-winter, and the annual infection rate is expected to peak before that. Intensive vector-control measures at and around the venue will reduce –7– risks. It is possible that a few individuals –8– get infected and contribute to a global spread and start –9– a new chain of local transmission. But the risk will be the same as in any country where the local transmission of the Zika virus is –10–; it does not get amplified even when thousands come together, as the committee has noted.

1. A) scheduled B) plan C) scheme D) organized

2. A) therewith B) into C) at D) in

3. A) along with B) notwithstanding C) withstanding D) henceforth

4. A) convened B) call C) had D) there

5. A) play B) held C) happen D) hold

6. A) go B) drop C) fell D) happen

7. A) suspension B) suspicion C) transmission D) transportation

8. A) may B) might C) ought to D) will not

9. A) of B) off C) on D) at

10. A) progress B) coming C) going D) ongoing

CLOZE TEST 5

There is –1– that is surprising about India’s recent refusal to allow Google to launch its Street View Service, which gives users a 360-degree view of public spaces. As this newspaper has –2–, the proposal was rejected –3– objections raised by the Defence Ministry. The decision is said to have –4– in the –5– of the terror attack on the Pathankot airbase in January, with investigators suspecting that terrorists used Google Maps to study the topography of the targeted area. Barely days after the airbase attack, the Delhi High Court asked the government to examine the issue of sensitive locations such as defence installations and nuclear power plants showing on Google Maps.

It isn’t clear if these concerns have been –6–. Street View goes a step further than the maps. It displays –7– views of public spaces, thanks to images –8– by Google’s moving vehicles, adding a layer of depth and reality to the maps. India has –9– that its refusal is not final and that such issues could be resolved once the Geospatial Bill, which seeks to regulate map-creation and sharing, comes into force. But it is unclear whether this will help, given that the –10– legislation is somewhat overenthusiastic about regulation.

1. A) little B) few C) nor D) neither

2. A) report B) say C) told D) reported

3. A) following B) follow C) within D) because

4. A) had B) form C) become D) come

5. A) memory B) backdrop C) humour D) set

6. A) recalled B) addressed C) known D) showed

7. A) panoramic B) largest C) extremely D) new

8. A) got B) captured C) made D) served

9. A) make B) might C) hint D) hinted

10. A) proposing B) propose C) given D) proposed

SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION TO THE ABOVE CLOZE TESTS

CLOZE TEST-1

Answer Key

1. C

2. D

3. A

4. D

5. B

6. C

7. A

8. A

9. D

10. B

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘C’ (continuing). CONTINUING = not ended; ongoing; e.g.

a) Every time she tried to think of a continuing future for herself, she felt weak and blocked.

NOTE: We can’t use CONSTANT here as it’s not used in the sense of ONGOING, means it’s not used for future contexts in this meaning. CONSTANT = happening a lot or all the time; e.g.

a) He’s in constant trouble with the police.
b) I have to combat this constant desire to eat chocolate.

2. Option ‘D’ (emphasizes). EMPHASIZES is the correct word here. Also we need a singular verb as the subject (AMERICAN SOCIETY) is in the singular. As you’ll see, that verb should be in the Present Simple Tense. We know a singular verb in the Present Simple Tense takes ‘S’ with it, so EMPHASIZES only is the correct option.

3. Option ‘A’ (inflation). INFLATION = a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money. Here it’s a comparison of THE COST OF UNDERGRADUATE AND ADVANCED DEGREES with something else. So INFLATION suits us the best.

NOTE: INFLAMMATORY (option ‘C’) is incorrect. We need a noun here, but it’s an adjective. It means ‘relating to or causing inflammation of a part of the body. This is totally an out of the context word.

4. Option ‘D’ (pursuing) PURSUE = to carry on or continue a course of action, etc.

5. Option ‘B’ (accumulate). ACCUMULATE = gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of something. ACCRUE (option ‘A’) will be a wrong choice, it means = to increase in number or amount over a period of time, e.g.

Interest will accrue on the account at a rate of seven percent. It’s intransitive whereas we need a transitive infinitive you see.

6. Option ‘C’ (lucrative). LUCRATIVE = producing a great deal of profit.

7. Option ‘A’ (ethical). You see we need a positive word here. ETHICAL = relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these.

8. Option ‘A’ (hierarchy). HIERARCHY = a system in which members of an organization or society are ranked according to relative status or authority.

10. Option ‘B’ (incurs). IMCURE CHARGES/COSTS/EXPENSES = to lose money, owe money, or have to pay money as a result of doing something; e.g.

She may have to meet any costs incurred as a result of the delay.

CLOZE TEST-2

Answer Key

1. B

2. D

3. A

4. A

5. C

6. D

7. B

8. A

9. C

10. D

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘B’ (continuation). CONTINUATION = the action of carrying something on over time. IN is a preposition. After a preposition we can’t use a verb. CONTINUE (option ‘A’) is a verb, hence incorrect. CONTINUATION is a noun, e.g.

The continuation of the strike caused a lot of hardship.

2. Option ‘D’ (measure). MEASURE = assess the importance, effect, or value of something.

3. Option ‘A’ (deprived). DEPRIVED = not having the things that are necessary for a pleasant life, such as enough money, food, or good living conditions

5. Option ‘C’ (resolve). RESOLVE = strong determination

6. Option ‘D’ (disruptive). DISRUPTIVE = to prevent something from continuing or operating in a normal way

7. Option ‘B’ (status quo). STATUS QUO = the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues

9. Option ‘C’ (transient). TRANSIENT = lasting only for a short time; impermanent

10. Option ‘D’ (of). REMIND OF = to make someone think of someone or something else because of being very similar to them; e.g. She was tall and dark, and reminded me of my cousin Babita).

CLOZE TEST-3

Answer Key

1. C

2. D

3. D

4. C

5. A

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘C’ (quickness). QUICKNESS = the quality of being fast, especially at a thing, etc. MOVEMENT = an act of moving the body or part of the body: e.g. hand/eye movements; e.g. (i) She observed the gentle movement of his chest as he breathed. (ii) Loose clothing gives you greater freedom of movement. SWIFTNESS = an act of happening or done quickly and immediately. AGILITY = ability to move quickly and easily; e.g.

He has the agility of a man half his age.

You see in the game of tennis one needs to move one’s eyes or limbs at the speed of the shuttle-cock with a great speed. None of the words given except QUICKNESS is giving that meaning.

2. Options ‘D’ (calls). CALLS INTO ACTION = to give instructions

CLOZE TEST-4

Answer Key

1. A

2. D

3. B

4. A

5. B

6. B

7. C

8. A

9. B

10. D

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘A’ (scheduled). SCHEDULED = arranged to happen at a particular time; e.g.

He went to the doctor on Wednesday for a previously scheduled appointment.

2. Option ‘D’ (in). Before the names of bigger places such as cities, countries, etc. we use IN.

3. Option ‘B’ (notwithstanding). NOTWITHSTANDING = despite the fact or thing mentioned; e.g.

Injuries notwithstanding, the team won the semifinal.

4. Option ‘A’ (convened). CONVENE = to bring together a group of people for a meeting; e.g.

The Prime Minister convened a meeting of his cabinet to discuss the matter.

5. Option ‘B’ (held). After BEING if we need another verb we use V3. HELD is V3 of HOLD.

7. Option ‘C’ (transmission). TRANSMISSION = a process by which a disease spreads from one person to another; e.g.

Doctors are working to prevent the transmission of the virus.

8. Option ‘A’ (may). For possibilities we use MAY. MIGHT is used to express the sense of less possibility, hence incorrect.

10. Option ‘D’ (ongoing). ONGOING = a situation that has been happening for quite a long time and seems likely to continue for some time in the future.; e.g.

No agreement has yet been reached and the negotiations are still ongoing.

CLOZE TEST-5

Answer Key

1. A

2. D

3. A

4. D

5. B

6. B

7. A

8. B

9. D

10. D

Solution with explanation

1. Option ‘A’ (little). LITTLE is used in negative sense. THERE IS LIITLE THAT IS SURPRISING means it’s not surprising at all.

2. Option ‘D’ (reported). REPORTED = described by people although there is no proof yet; e.g.

There has been a reported hijack in Mumbai this morning.

3. Option ‘A’ (following). FOLLOWING = after; e.g. The footballer is likely to receive a three-match suspension following an incident in yesterday’s game.

5. Option ‘B’ (backdrop). IN THE BACKDROP OF= the general situation in which particular events happen

6. Option ‘B’ (addressed). ADDRESS = to give attention to or deal with a matter or problem; e.g.

a) The issue of funding has yet to be addressed.
b) Her speech was full of excuses and never properly addressed the issue.

7. Option ‘A’ (panoramic). PANORAMIC VIEW = An unbroken view of an entire surrounding area.

8. Option ‘B’ (captured). CAPTURE = to record or take a picture of something using a camera; e.g.

A passer-by captured the whole incident on film.

9. Option ‘D’ (hinted). HINT = to say or do something that shows what you think or want, usually in a way that is not direct; e.g.

He has hinted at the possibility of moving to Canada.

Otherwise also, after HAS we use V3, no answer options other than HINTED is a V3.

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