Cloze Test

Why This Chapter Matters

Cloze Test (fill in the blanks in a passage) has 5-10 marks in banking exams. The new pattern is harder — double fillers and contextual vocabulary. Master both old and new patterns.

Types

1. Traditional Cloze Test

A passage with 10 blanks. 5 options given for each blank. Choose the most appropriate word.

Focus: Vocabulary + Grammar + Context

2. Double Fillers (New Pattern)

Two blanks in a single sentence. Both blanks must be filled by the correct pair from given options.

Example: "The economy __ steadily despite __ global headwinds."

(A) grew / strong (B) contracted / weak (C) grew / strengthening (D) declined / weak

Answer: A — "grew" and "strong" both fit grammatically and contextually.

3. New Pattern Cloze (Most Recent)

A passage is given. Multiple sentences in each answer option. Choose the option where ALL words fit correctly in the blanks of that sentence.

Approach

For Traditional Cloze:

1.Read the entire passage first without stopping at blanks

2.Get the overall theme/context

3.For each blank: what part of speech is needed? (noun/verb/adjective/adverb)

4.Check grammatical fit (singular/plural, tense)

5.Check contextual fit (does the word make sense in the sentence?)

6.Eliminate obviously wrong options

For Double Fillers:

1.Fill first blank — eliminate options that don't work

2.Check second blank among remaining options

3.Both must work together — the pair creates the meaning

Common Words in Banking Cloze Tests

Economy/Finance: liquidity, solvency, fiscal, monetary, deficit, surplus, inflation, recession, stimulus, yield, benchmark, sovereign, repo rate, credit, collateral

General formal vocabulary: imperative, albeit, notwithstanding, pursuant, augment, curtail, mitigate, proliferate, stringent, deterrent, lucrative, volatile, prudent, resilient

Connectors: however, nonetheless, therefore, hence, moreover, consequently, albeit, albeit, whereas, thereby

Grammar Rules for Cloze Tests

Subject-Verb Agreement: "The committee ___ decided" → has (singular committee)

Article usage: a + consonant sound | an + vowel sound | the + specific

Preposition after specific words:

•consist OF, depend ON, agree WITH, differ FROM, result IN, lead TO, refer TO

•concerned ABOUT, responsible FOR, similar TO, different FROM

Tense consistency: If passage is in past tense, blank likely takes past tense too

Previous Year Questions

SBI Clerk 2023: 10-word cloze on banking awareness topic (inflation, RBI policy)

IBPS PO 2022: Double filler sentences, 5 pairs each with economic terms

RRB 2022: Traditional cloze — simple vocabulary, grammar-focused

Revision Notes

TRADITIONAL CLOZE:
1. Read whole passage for context
2. Identify part of speech needed
3. Check grammar fit (tense, number)
4. Check meaning fit (context)
5. Eliminate wrong options

DOUBLE FILLER:
Fill first blank → eliminate impossible pairs → check second blank

KEY GRAMMAR:
Subject-verb agreement | Correct prepositions after fixed phrases
Article rules: a/an/the
Tense consistency with rest of passage

VOCABULARY FOCUS AREAS:
Economy: fiscal, monetary, deficit, surplus, repo, liquidity
Connectors: however, therefore, albeit, notwithstanding, consequently
Formal: prudent, stringent, volatile, resilient, mitigate