Last reviewed 30 Sept 2026 · 6 min read
What is a cloze test?
A cloze test gives a passage of about 100–200 words with five to ten blanks. Each blank has four options. Unlike a single sentence, the passage gives context — the theme, tone and logic — and that context often decides the answer. A cloze tests grammar, vocabulary and comprehension together.
Strategy
FormulaA reliable approach
- Skim the whole passage first (ignoring the blanks) to get the theme, tone (positive, negative, neutral) and time (past, present, future).
- Fill the easy blanks first — usually grammar-based (prepositions, articles, tenses, conjunctions, pronouns). These give confidence and more context.
- Look at the words before and after each blank — they often decide the part of speech and the preposition.
- Use the links between sentences: connectors (however, therefore, moreover, for example) tell you whether the next idea agrees, contrasts or explains.
- Test each option by reading the sentence with the word in place, and then the whole paragraph.
- Recheck the completed passage for smooth flow, tense consistency and meaning.
Types of blanks
Grammar blanks
- Prepositions: dependent ______ the weather → on.
- Articles: ______ increase in prices → an.
- Tense and voice: The bridge ______ (build) in 1990 → was built.
- Pronouns and relative pronouns: The engineer ______ designed it → who.
- Conjunctions: ______ it rained, the match went on → Although.
- Subject–verb agreement: Each of the workers ______ paid → was.
Vocabulary blanks
- Single words where several words are similar in meaning but only one fits the collocation or tone.
- Phrasal verbs: carry ______ the plan → out; give ______ smoking → up.
- Abstract nouns and adjectives that match the theme.
Connector blanks
The link between two ideas:
| Relation | Connectors |
|---|---|
| Addition | and, also, moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides |
| Contrast | but, however, yet, nevertheless, on the other hand, whereas, although, though, despite |
| Cause | because, since, as, due to, owing to |
| Result | so, therefore, thus, hence, consequently, as a result |
| Example | for example, for instance, such as, namely |
| Sequence | first, then, next, finally, meanwhile, afterwards |
| Condition | if, unless, provided that, otherwise |
| Emphasis / conclusion | indeed, in fact, in short, in conclusion, overall |