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๐ Content updated on 29 April 2026
๐ Cloze Test – Filling gaps with logic, grammar, and word sense
A cloze test gives you a passage with missing words and asks you to choose the best word for each blank. It combines vocabulary, grammar, and understanding of how ideas flow together. To score well, read the whole passage first to catch the mood, then pick words that fit the meaning and the sentence structure.
๐ง๐ซ A quick guide for learners and teachers: Read the passage once to grasp its overall message. Then choose the word that makes the sentence grammatically correct and logically meaningful. Click “Show Answer” to see the correct word, a clear reason, and a fresh example.
A cloze test gives you a passage with missing words and asks you to choose the best word for each blank. It combines vocabulary, grammar, and understanding of how ideas flow together. To score well, read the whole passage first to catch the mood, then pick words that fit the meaning and the sentence structure.
๐ง๐ซ A quick guide for learners and teachers: Read the passage once to grasp its overall message. Then choose the word that makes the sentence grammatically correct and logically meaningful. Click “Show Answer” to see the correct word, a clear reason, and a fresh example.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Cloze tests are a regular feature in language exams. The
Cloze Text
guide explains how to tackle them step by step. For more practice, try the
Cloze Text worksheet.
Hindi learners can also benefit from similar exercises at the
Apathit Bodh Hub.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's work through three short cloze passages together. Read the full passage first, then choose the answers.
Solved Q.1‑5 (Passage 1)
Passage: "The sun (1) ___ brightly in the clear blue sky. A gentle breeze (2) ___ through the trees, carrying the sweet scent of flowers. Children (3) ___ in the park while their parents watched. It was a perfect day (4) ___ a picnic. Everyone (5) ___ happy and relaxed."
Show Answer
Answers:
1. (a) shone (b) shines (c) was shining (d) had shone → was shining (past continuous to set the scene)
2. (a) blew (b) was blowing (c) blown (d) had blown → was blowing (parallel ongoing action)
3. (a) played (b) were playing (c) had played (d) playing → were playing (past continuous matches the scene)
4. (a) to (b) for (c) of (d) by → for (purpose: "a day for a picnic")
5. (a) looked (b) seems (c) appeared (d) was → looked (linking verb "looked happy")
Explanation: The passage describes a past scene, so past continuous verbs set the atmosphere. Prepositions match fixed expressions.
Example: The moon was shining and a cool wind was blowing. The family were sitting on the lawn.
1. (a) shone (b) shines (c) was shining (d) had shone → was shining (past continuous to set the scene)
2. (a) blew (b) was blowing (c) blown (d) had blown → was blowing (parallel ongoing action)
3. (a) played (b) were playing (c) had played (d) playing → were playing (past continuous matches the scene)
4. (a) to (b) for (c) of (d) by → for (purpose: "a day for a picnic")
5. (a) looked (b) seems (c) appeared (d) was → looked (linking verb "looked happy")
Explanation: The passage describes a past scene, so past continuous verbs set the atmosphere. Prepositions match fixed expressions.
Example: The moon was shining and a cool wind was blowing. The family were sitting on the lawn.
Solved Q.6‑10 (Passage 2)
Passage: "There was once a king (6) ___ was very kind. He (7) ___ his kingdom wisely and was loved by all. One day, a poor farmer came (8) ___ his court with a strange problem. The king listened (9) ___ and promised to help. He believed that justice (10) ___ always prevail."
Show Answer
Answers:
6. (a) which (b) who (c) whom (d) whose → who (relative pronoun for a person)
7. (a) ruled (b) rules (c) was ruling (d) has ruled → ruled (simple past for past habit)
8. (a) to (b) at (c) in (d) for → to ("came to his court")
9. (a) attentively (b) attention (c) attentive (d) more attentive → attentively (adverb modifying "listened")
10. (a) will (b) would (c) should (d) must → would (belief about the future in a past context)
Example: A man who is honest rules his heart. A stranger came to his door and knocked attentively. He knew justice would win.
6. (a) which (b) who (c) whom (d) whose → who (relative pronoun for a person)
7. (a) ruled (b) rules (c) was ruling (d) has ruled → ruled (simple past for past habit)
8. (a) to (b) at (c) in (d) for → to ("came to his court")
9. (a) attentively (b) attention (c) attentive (d) more attentive → attentively (adverb modifying "listened")
10. (a) will (b) would (c) should (d) must → would (belief about the future in a past context)
Example: A man who is honest rules his heart. A stranger came to his door and knocked attentively. He knew justice would win.
Solved Q.11‑15 (Passage 3)
Passage: "Books are our best friends. They (11) ___ us knowledge and take us to different worlds without moving an inch. Reading (12) ___ improves vocabulary and concentration. It is a habit (13) ___ should be cultivated from a young age. A person (14) ___ reads regularly never feels lonely. So, pick (15) ___ a book today and begin the journey."
Show Answer
Answers:
11. (a) gave (b) give (c) gives (d) given → give (simple present, universal truth)
12. (a) steady (b) steadily (c) more steadily (d) steadier → steadily (adverb modifying "improves")
13. (a) who (b) which (c) what (d) whose → which (relative pronoun for "habit")
14. (a) who (b) whom (c) which (d) whose → who (relative pronoun for "person")
15. (a) on (b) up (c) at (d) in → up (phrasal verb "pick up")
Example: Books give joy and steadily build the mind. A hobby which is rewarding should be followed by someone who values growth. Pick up a book and start reading.
11. (a) gave (b) give (c) gives (d) given → give (simple present, universal truth)
12. (a) steady (b) steadily (c) more steadily (d) steadier → steadily (adverb modifying "improves")
13. (a) who (b) which (c) what (d) whose → which (relative pronoun for "habit")
14. (a) who (b) whom (c) which (d) whose → who (relative pronoun for "person")
15. (a) on (b) up (c) at (d) in → up (phrasal verb "pick up")
Example: Books give joy and steadily build the mind. A hobby which is rewarding should be followed by someone who values growth. Pick up a book and start reading.
Solved Q.16‑20 (Passage 4)
Passage: "When I reached the station, the train (16) ___ already left. I felt disappointed because I (17) ___ to board that train for a long time. I decided (18) ___ wait for the next one. Suddenly, a stranger walked (19) ___ me and offered help. His kindness (20) ___ my mood instantly."
Show Answer
Answers:
16. (a) has (b) had (c) was (d) is → had (past perfect with "already left")
17. (a) waited (b) had waited (c) had been waiting (d) was waiting → had been waiting (past perfect continuous for duration before another past action)
18. (a) for (b) to (c) on (d) about → to (infinitive "to wait")
19. (a) to (b) towards (c) up to (d) for → up to (phrasal verb "walked up to")
20. (a) lifted (b) rises (c) rose (d) raising → lifted (past tense matching "was")
Example: When I arrived, the show had started. I had been waiting eagerly. I decided to stay. A friend came up to me and his smile lifted my spirits.
16. (a) has (b) had (c) was (d) is → had (past perfect with "already left")
17. (a) waited (b) had waited (c) had been waiting (d) was waiting → had been waiting (past perfect continuous for duration before another past action)
18. (a) for (b) to (c) on (d) about → to (infinitive "to wait")
19. (a) to (b) towards (c) up to (d) for → up to (phrasal verb "walked up to")
20. (a) lifted (b) rises (c) rose (d) raising → lifted (past tense matching "was")
Example: When I arrived, the show had started. I had been waiting eagerly. I decided to stay. A friend came up to me and his smile lifted my spirits.
Cloze tests train you to think about context and grammar at the same time. The
Gap Filling worksheet
and
Sentence Completion worksheet
are excellent companions. For unseen passage practice, try the
Simple Comprehension worksheet.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now it's your turn. Read each passage and choose the best word for each blank.
Practice Q.1‑5 (Passage 1)
"The old bookshop (1) ___ at the corner of the lane was my favourite place. It (2) ___ of adventure and mystery. The shopkeeper, Mr. George, (3) ___ me with a warm smile whenever I visited. I (4) ___ hours browsing through the dusty shelves. Each book (5) ___ a new world to me."
Show Answer
1. (a) situated (b) situatedly (c) situates (d) situating → situated
2. (a) smells (b) smelt (c) smelling (d) was smelled → smelt
3. (a) greets (b) greeted (c) was greeting (d) has greeted → greeted
4. (a) spent (b) spends (c) had spent (d) would spend → would spend
5. (a) opens (b) opened (c) has opened (d) was opening → opened
Example: A shop situated nearby smelt of fresh bread. The baker greeted me and I would spend time there. Each loaf opened a new taste experience.
2. (a) smells (b) smelt (c) smelling (d) was smelled → smelt
3. (a) greets (b) greeted (c) was greeting (d) has greeted → greeted
4. (a) spent (b) spends (c) had spent (d) would spend → would spend
5. (a) opens (b) opened (c) has opened (d) was opening → opened
Example: A shop situated nearby smelt of fresh bread. The baker greeted me and I would spend time there. Each loaf opened a new taste experience.
Practice Q.6‑10 (Passage 2)
"If you (6) ___ to improve your English, read regularly. Reading helps you (7) ___ new words naturally. You don't need to (8) ___ every word in the dictionary; context will guide you. The more you read, the (9) ___ you become. So, make it a habit, (10) ___ you will see the difference."
Show Answer
6. (a) wants (b) want (c) wanted (d) wanting → want (after "you", base form)
7. (a) learn (b) learning (c) learnt (d) to learn → to learn (infinitive of purpose)
8. (a) look up (b) look for (c) look after (d) look into → look up (check dictionary)
9. (a) good (b) better (c) well (d) best → better (comparative after "the more")
10. (a) and (b) but (c) or (d) so → and (result)
Example: If you want to succeed, you need to work hard. Don't look up every word; the more you practise, the better you get, and you'll succeed.
7. (a) learn (b) learning (c) learnt (d) to learn → to learn (infinitive of purpose)
8. (a) look up (b) look for (c) look after (d) look into → look up (check dictionary)
9. (a) good (b) better (c) well (d) best → better (comparative after "the more")
10. (a) and (b) but (c) or (d) so → and (result)
Example: If you want to succeed, you need to work hard. Don't look up every word; the more you practise, the better you get, and you'll succeed.
Practice Q.11‑15 (Passage 3)
"Yesterday, I (11) ___ an old friend at the market. We (12) ___ not seen each other for years. He (13) ___ a lot and looked very different. We decided (14) ___ a cup of coffee together and caught up on old times. It (15) ___ a joyful reunion."
Show Answer
11. (a) meet (b) met (c) was meeting (d) had met → met
12. (a) have (b) had (c) were (d) did → had ("had not seen")
13. (a) changed (b) was changed (c) has changed (d) had changed → had changed (past perfect for change before meeting)
14. (a) have (b) having (c) to have (d) had → to have (infinitive)
15. (a) is (b) was (c) has been (d) were → was
Example: I met her; we had not spoken in years. She had changed greatly. We decided to have tea. It was a lovely evening.
12. (a) have (b) had (c) were (d) did → had ("had not seen")
13. (a) changed (b) was changed (c) has changed (d) had changed → had changed (past perfect for change before meeting)
14. (a) have (b) having (c) to have (d) had → to have (infinitive)
15. (a) is (b) was (c) has been (d) were → was
Example: I met her; we had not spoken in years. She had changed greatly. We decided to have tea. It was a lovely evening.
Practice Q.16‑20 (Passage 4)
"The school bell rang and the children rushed (16) ___ of their classrooms. They were excited (17) ___ the sports day was near. The ground had been decorated (18) ___ colourful flags. The principal (19) ___ a short speech to encourage the students. Everyone (20) ___ eagerly for the events to begin."
Show Answer
16. (a) out (b) outside (c) away (d) off → out
17. (a) because (b) so (c) though (d) unless → because
18. (a) by (b) with (c) for (d) from → with
19. (a) gave (b) gives (c) was giving (d) has given → gave
20. (a) waited (b) was waiting (c) were waiting (d) wait → was waiting (everyone = singular)
Example: They ran out of the hall because the break was near. The stage was decorated with ribbons. The chief gave a speech. The audience was waiting eagerly.
17. (a) because (b) so (c) though (d) unless → because
18. (a) by (b) with (c) for (d) from → with
19. (a) gave (b) gives (c) was giving (d) has given → gave
20. (a) waited (b) was waiting (c) were waiting (d) wait → was waiting (everyone = singular)
Example: They ran out of the hall because the break was near. The stage was decorated with ribbons. The chief gave a speech. The audience was waiting eagerly.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These passages are longer and require careful reading. Each blank tests multiple skills.
Challenge Q.1‑5 (Passage 1)
"In the heart of the jungle, there (1) ___ a hidden waterfall. It was so (2) ___ that very few people knew about it. The water (3) ___ from a great height into a crystal‑clear pool. Birds of every colour (4) ___ around, and the air was filled (5) ___ the sound of nature."
Show Answer
1. (a) is (b) was (c) lay (d) laid → lay ("there lay a hidden waterfall" – past of lie)
2. (a) remote (b) far (c) distant (d) away → remote (meaning isolated)
3. (a) fell (b) was falling (c) had fallen (d) falling → fell (simple past for description)
4. (a) flew (b) were flying (c) had flown (d) fly → were flying (ongoing past action)
5. (a) of (b) with (c) by (d) from → with ("filled with")
Example: In the cave lay a treasure. The spot was remote. Water fell gently, bats were flying, and the air was filled with mystery.
2. (a) remote (b) far (c) distant (d) away → remote (meaning isolated)
3. (a) fell (b) was falling (c) had fallen (d) falling → fell (simple past for description)
4. (a) flew (b) were flying (c) had flown (d) fly → were flying (ongoing past action)
5. (a) of (b) with (c) by (d) from → with ("filled with")
Example: In the cave lay a treasure. The spot was remote. Water fell gently, bats were flying, and the air was filled with mystery.
Challenge Q.6‑10 (Passage 2)
"Although the task seemed impossible, she (6) ___ give up. She (7) ___ herself that she would find a way. Working (8) ___, she solved one problem after another. Her patience (9) ___ rewarded when she finally succeeded. Her story teaches us that determination (10) ___ any obstacle."
Show Answer
6. (a) refused to (b) didn't (c) couldn't (d) wouldn't → refused to (shows strong will)
7. (a) promised (b) told (c) said (d) asked → promised (collocation "promised herself")
8. (a) tirelessly (b) tiredly (c) tired (d) more tired → tirelessly (adverb meaning without getting tired)
9. (a) is (b) was (c) has been (d) had been → was (simple past, passive "was rewarded")
10. (a) overcomes (b) overcame (c) can overcome (d) will overcome → can overcome (universal truth: determination can overcome)
Example: She refused to quit. She promised herself success. Working tirelessly, her effort was rewarded. Hard work can overcome failure.
7. (a) promised (b) told (c) said (d) asked → promised (collocation "promised herself")
8. (a) tirelessly (b) tiredly (c) tired (d) more tired → tirelessly (adverb meaning without getting tired)
9. (a) is (b) was (c) has been (d) had been → was (simple past, passive "was rewarded")
10. (a) overcomes (b) overcame (c) can overcome (d) will overcome → can overcome (universal truth: determination can overcome)
Example: She refused to quit. She promised herself success. Working tirelessly, her effort was rewarded. Hard work can overcome failure.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
What is a cloze test?
Show Answer
Answer: A cloze test is a passage with certain words removed. You must choose the correct word for each blank from given options. It tests your understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and the flow of ideas.
FAQ 2
How do I approach a cloze test?
Show Answer
Answer: First, read the whole passage quickly to understand the overall meaning. Then fill the blanks by considering grammar (tense, prepositions, articles) and logic. Finally, read the completed passage again to check if it sounds natural.
FAQ 3
What types of words are tested in cloze tests?
Show Answer
Answer: Common types include verbs (tense forms), prepositions, articles, conjunctions, adjectives, adverbs, and occasionally vocabulary words that fit the context.
FAQ 4
What is the difference between gap filling and cloze test?
Show Answer
Answer: Gap filling often involves isolated sentences or short paragraphs with targeted blanks for specific grammar items. A cloze test is a longer passage where blanks test overall language ability, including vocabulary and discourse flow.
FAQ 5
How can I improve at cloze tests?
Show Answer
Answer: Read a lot to improve your sense of collocation and flow. Practise grammar exercises, especially tenses, prepositions, and articles. Solve past exam papers to become familiar with the format.
