Cloze Test & Fillers - Complete SSC CGL Guide
What are Cloze Tests & Fillers? Cloze tests are passages with blanks that need to be filled with appropriate words. Fillers are single sentence completion questions. Both test your vocabulary, grammar, and contextual understanding of English language.
Click on words to fill the blanks in the sentence above
Pro Tip – The 3C Approach to Cloze Tests!
1. Context: Read the entire passage first to understand theme
2. Clues: Look for grammatical and vocabulary clues around blanks
3. Check: Read completed passage to ensure logical flow
Visit SKY Practice for 500+ Cloze Test questions with detailed explanations.
Mastering contextual vocabulary is key to solving cloze tests and fillers
1. Cloze Test Basics
What are Cloze Tests? A cloze test is a exercise where words are removed from a passage at regular intervals, and you must fill in the blanks with appropriate words based on context.
Understanding Cloze Test Types
Two Main Types in SSC CGL
SSC CGL features both traditional cloze tests (passages with blanks) and single sentence fillers. Understanding the difference is crucial for preparation.
Traditional Cloze Test
- 150-200 word passage
- 5-10 blanks at regular intervals
- Options provided for each blank
- Tests overall comprehension
- Requires contextual understanding
- Need to maintain paragraph flow
Single Sentence Fillers
- Individual sentences
- One blank per sentence
- Tests vocabulary and grammar
- No passage context needed
- Quick to solve
- Common in recent exams
Double Blank Fillers
- Single sentence with two blanks
- Tests vocabulary combinations
- More challenging
- Requires understanding word pairs
- Check both words fit together
- Common collocations tested
SSC Shortcut: Cloze Test Identification
Passage clues: Read first and last sentences for theme
Blank spacing: Regular intervals (every 5th-8th word)
Option patterns: Similar words with different meanings
Grammar hints: Articles, prepositions, tenses around blanks
Vocabulary level: SSC uses moderate vocabulary (not too complex)
Solved Example: Basic Cloze Test
The Internet has (A) ______ revolutionized communication. It allows people to (B) ______ information instantly. However, it also (C) ______ risks like cybercrime.
Theme: Internet's impact on communication (positive and negative)
Step 2: Blank (A) - Adverb needed
Context: "has ______ revolutionized"
Needs adverb showing degree
Possible options: completely, greatly, totally, significantly
Most appropriate: completely or greatly
Step 3: Blank (B) - Verb needed
Context: "to ______ information instantly"
Needs verb meaning access/share/exchange
Possible options: share, access, exchange, transmit
Most appropriate: share or access
Step 4: Blank (C) - Verb needed
Context: "it also ______ risks"
Needs verb meaning presents/involves/creates
Possible options: poses, involves, creates, carries
Most appropriate: poses or carries
Step 5: Complete passage check
"The Internet has completely revolutionized communication. It allows people to share information instantly. However, it also poses risks like cybercrime."
Logical flow: Positive → Positive → Negative contrast
Grammar correct: tenses match
Common SSC options would be:
(A) completely, greatly, significantly
(B) share, access, exchange
(C) poses, presents, involves
Final Answer: A: completely/greatly, B: share/access, C: poses/presents
2. Solving Strategies & Techniques
Systematic Approach: Use these proven techniques to solve cloze tests accurately and quickly.
Step-by-Step Cloze Test Method
The 5-Step Cloze Test Method
Follow this systematic approach for consistent results. Practice until it becomes automatic.
Contextual Reading Method
Read before and after blank:
Read 2-3 sentences after blank
Understand the flow of ideas
Identify the sentence structure
Note grammatical clues
Look for repetition of ideas
Grammar Clue Method
Use grammatical structure:
- Article (a/an/the) before blank → noun
- Modal verbs (can/may/will) before blank → base verb
- Prepositions after blank → specific word types
- Subject-verb agreement clues
- Tense indicators in sentence
- Pronoun references
Vocabulary Elimination
Eliminate obviously wrong words:
- Words with wrong meaning
- Words with wrong connotation
- Words that don't fit context
- Words with incorrect grammar
- Words that break flow
- Words that contradict theme
SSC Shortcut: Quick Elimination Techniques
Extreme words: Always, never, completely (often wrong unless context supports)
Negative words: Unless passage has negative tone, avoid negative options
Informal words: SSC uses formal English, avoid slang/colloquial words
Similar sounding: Homophones often have different meanings (their/there)
Idioms: Only use if idiom fits perfectly in context
Prepositions: Certain verbs take specific prepositions (depend on, agree with)
Solved Example: Using Contextual Clues
The new policy aims to ______ economic growth. Previous measures had failed to produce significant results, but experts are optimistic about this approach.
Theme: New policy for economic growth
Contrast: Previous measures failed, but experts optimistic about new approach
Tone: Positive about new policy
Step 2: Analyze blank position
Blank after "aims to" → needs base verb
Object: "economic growth"
Meaning: Policy intends to do something to economic growth
Step 3: Consider possible words
Verbs that go with "economic growth":
• promote, boost, stimulate, accelerate, enhance, foster
• restrict, hinder, limit, reduce (negative, don't fit optimistic tone)
Step 4: Check context clues
"Previous measures had failed" → New policy should succeed
"Experts are optimistic" → Positive outcome expected
So need positive verb
Step 5: Select most appropriate
All positive verbs could work, but consider:
• "Promote" is common with policies
• "Stimulate" is stronger, implies active effort
• "Boost" is informal but acceptable
• "Accelerate" implies speed (maybe too specific)
• "Enhance" means improve quality
• "Foster" means encourage development
Best fit: promote or stimulate
Both commonly used with "economic growth" in policy contexts
Step 6: Verify with complete sentence
"The new policy aims to promote economic growth." ✓
"The new policy aims to stimulate economic growth." ✓
Both make sense, maintain positive tone, fit grammatical structure
Final Answer: promote / stimulate
Understanding grammar rules helps eliminate wrong options in cloze tests
3. Contextual Vocabulary
Word Power: Cloze tests test vocabulary in context, not just dictionary meanings.
Vocabulary Types & Usage
Vocabulary in Context
Same word can have different meanings in different contexts. Understanding usage is more important than just knowing definitions.
Common SSC Vocabulary Sets
These words frequently appear in SSC CGL cloze tests
SSC Shortcut: Vocabulary Clues
Positive/negative tone: Match word to passage tone
Formal/informal: SSC uses formal vocabulary
Word strength: Mild vs strong words (concerned vs terrified)
Specificity: General vs specific words (animal vs tiger)
Connotation: Positive vs negative associations (frugal vs stingy)
Field-specific: Technical words for technical passages
Synonyms in Context
Not all synonyms work:
• Big problem ✓
• Large problem ✗ (awkward)
Make vs Do: Different collocations
• Make decision ✓
• Do decision ✗
Context determines correct synonym
Collocation Patterns
Common SSC collocations:
- Make: decision, effort, mistake
- Take: action, decision, step
- Do: homework, research, job
- Heavy: rain, traffic, burden
- Strong: argument, evidence, coffee
- Give: speech, presentation, advice
- Keep: promise, secret, record
- Break: news, promise, record
Word Formation Clues
Prefix/Suffix hints:
Re- → again
Pre- → before
Post- → after
-ful → full of
-less → without
-able/-ible → capable of
-ment, -tion, -sion → noun form
Solved Example: Vocabulary in Context
The company's ______ growth attracted many investors.
Options: (a) meteoric (b) sluggish (c) gradual (d) moderate
"attracted many investors" → Investors attracted by positive growth
So need positive growth adjective
Step 2: Evaluate options
(a) meteoric: Very fast (like a meteor) → Positive
(b) sluggish: Slow → Negative
(c) gradual: Slow but steady → Neutral/positive
(d) moderate: Average, not extreme → Neutral
Step 3: Consider "attracted many investors"
Investors usually attracted by exceptional growth, not gradual/moderate
Meteoric growth would definitely attract investors
Sluggish would not attract investors
Gradual/moderate might attract some, but not "many"
Step 4: Check word strength
"Meteoric" is strong → matches "attracted many"
Other options weaker → don't match "many investors"
Step 5: Verify with complete sentence
"The company's meteoric growth attracted many investors." ✓
Logical: Fast growth → investor interest
Step 6: Consider alternatives if any
Could "rapid" work? Yes, but not in options.
Among given, only "meteoric" matches strong positive growth.
Final Answer: (a) meteoric
4. Grammar Rules for Fillers
Grammar Matters: Many blanks test specific grammar rules rather than just vocabulary.
Essential Grammar Points
Grammar in Cloze Tests
Even vocabulary questions often have grammar clues. Pay attention to sentence structure around blanks.
Tense Agreement
Check surrounding verbs:
• Usually, always, every day
• Is/am/are + verb+ing
Past tense indicators:
• Yesterday, last week, ago
• Was/were + verb+ing
Future indicators:
• Tomorrow, next week, will
Subject-Verb Agreement
Singular/plural matching:
- Singular subject → singular verb
- Plural subject → plural verb
- Collective nouns usually singular
- Either/or, neither/nor → match nearest subject
- Indefinite pronouns (everyone) → singular
- Words between subject and verb don't affect agreement
Preposition Usage
Common preposition patterns:
Agree with (person)
Agree to (proposal)
Good at
Interested in
Afraid of
Responsible for
Familiar with
Different from
Similar to
Do's for Grammar Fillers
- Check subject-verb agreement
- Verify tense consistency
- Use correct prepositions
- Match adjective-noun pairs
- Use articles correctly
- Check pronoun references
Don'ts for Grammar Fillers
- Don't ignore singular/plural clues
- Don't mix tenses unnecessarily
- Don't use wrong prepositions
- Don't break parallel structure
- Don't use double negatives
- Don't ignore article rules
SSC Shortcut: Grammar Clues
Articles: "a" before consonant sounds, "an" before vowel sounds
Verb forms: After modals (can, should, must) → base verb
Gerunds: After prepositions → verb+ing
Infinitives: After certain verbs (want, decide, hope) → to + verb
Comparatives: "than" after comparative adjectives
Superlatives: "the" before superlative adjectives
Solved Example: Grammar-Based Filler
Neither the manager nor the employees ______ satisfied with the decision.
Options: (a) is (b) are (c) was (d) were
Rule for neither/nor: Verb agrees with nearest subject
Structure: Neither A nor B → verb agrees with B
Step 2: Identify subjects
A: the manager (singular)
B: the employees (plural)
Nearest subject: "the employees" (plural)
Step 3: Determine verb form
With plural subject → plural verb
Options: (a) is (singular), (b) are (plural), (c) was (singular past), (d) were (plural past)
Step 4: Check tense
Sentence has no past time indicator
General statement → present tense
So need present plural verb: "are"
Step 5: Verify with complete sentence
"Neither the manager nor the employees are satisfied with the decision." ✓
Grammar correct: Verb agrees with nearest subject "employees"
Tense correct: Present tense for general statement
Step 6: Check if other options could work
(a) is: Would agree with "manager" but not nearest subject "employees"
(c) was: Past tense, singular → wrong on both counts
(d) were: Past tense, plural → wrong tense
Final Answer: (b) are
5. Sentence Fillers Strategies
Single Sentence Focus: Fillers test vocabulary and grammar in isolated sentences without paragraph context.
Filler Question Types
Approach for Sentence Fillers
Single sentence fillers require different strategy than passage-based cloze tests. Focus on sentence structure and word relationships.
Single Blank Fillers
Most common type:
- One blank in sentence
- 4-5 options provided
- Test vocabulary or grammar
- Quick to solve (30-45 seconds)
- Read sentence carefully
- Eliminate obviously wrong options
Double Blank Fillers
More challenging:
- Two blanks in sentence
- Options given as pairs
- Both words must fit together
- Test vocabulary combinations
- Check each word separately
- Then check pair makes sense
Phrasal Verb Fillers
Test verb+preposition combos:
Look into (investigate)
Look up to (admire)
Give up (quit)
Give in (surrender)
Give away (donate)
Take up (start hobby)
Take after (resemble)
Put off (postpone)
Put up with (tolerate)
SSC Shortcut: Filler Strategies
Read entire sentence: Don't just focus on blank area
Predict before looking: Try to guess word before seeing options
Use elimination: Remove grammatically incorrect options first
Check word forms: Noun/verb/adjective as needed
Consider connotations: Positive/negative as per sentence tone
For double blanks: Test each option pair in complete sentence
Solved Example: Double Blank Filler
The ______ weather ______ our picnic plans.
Options:
(a) inclement, disrupted
(b) pleasant, enhanced
(c) sunny, facilitated
(d) beautiful, improved
"weather ______ our picnic plans"
Weather affecting picnic plans
Usually bad weather disrupts picnics
Good weather helps/enhances picnics
Step 2: Evaluate each pair
(a) inclement, disrupted
Inclement = bad/stormy weather
Bad weather would disrupt plans ✓
(b) pleasant, enhanced
Pleasant weather would enhance plans ✓
But "enhanced" means improved, not typical for picnic plans
"Facilitated" or "allowed" might be better
(c) sunny, facilitated
Sunny weather would facilitate plans ✓
Good pair, but check if better than (a)
(d) beautiful, improved
Beautiful weather, "improved" plans?
Plans can't be improved by weather, they're either possible or not
"Improved" doesn't fit well ✗
Step 3: Check which is most logical
Sentence doesn't specify good or bad weather
But "disrupted" implies negative outcome
"Facilitated" implies positive outcome
Need to see which pair makes most sense
Step 4: Consider typical usage
"Disrupted plans" is common phrase
"Facilitated plans" is less common
Often we say "weather permitted our plans" or "weather disrupted our plans"
Step 5: Test both plausible pairs
(a) "The inclement weather disrupted our picnic plans." ✓
Common, logical: Bad weather → plans disrupted
(c) "The sunny weather facilitated our picnic plans." ?
Grammatically correct but awkward
Usually: "The sunny weather allowed our picnic" or "made our picnic possible"
"Facilitated" is formal, not typical for picnic context
Step 6: Consider SSC preference
SSC often tests vocabulary in common, natural usage
(a) uses "inclement" (moderate difficulty word) + "disrupted" (common)
Good for testing vocabulary + common usage
Final Answer: (a) inclement, disrupted
6. Practice Exercises
Hands-on Practice: Apply what you've learned with these SSC-level cloze test and filler questions.
Interactive Practice Questions
Practice Approach
Time yourself: 90 seconds per cloze passage, 45 seconds per filler. Apply the strategies you've learned. Check explanations to understand reasoning.
Practice Question 1: Cloze Test
Climate change is one of the most (A) ______ challenges of our time. It (B) ______ ecosystems, weather patterns, and human livelihoods. Urgent action is (C) ______ to mitigate its effects.
Options for (A):
(1) trivial (2) pressing (3) minor (4) insignificant
Options for (B):
(1) benefits (2) protects (3) affects (4) improves
Options for (C):
(1) unnecessary (2) optional (3) required (4) avoidable
Practice Question 2: Single Filler
The new software will ______ the company's productivity.
Options:
(a) hinder (b) impede (c) enhance (d) obstruct
Practice Question 3: Grammar Filler
Each of the students ______ given a certificate.
Options:
(a) were (b) have been (c) has been (d) are
SSC Shortcut: Practice Tips
Timed practice: Set timer for each question type
Error analysis: Note why you got questions wrong
Vocabulary journal: Maintain list of new words from practice
Grammar review: Revise rules you frequently miss
Mock tests: Practice full English sections regularly
Review solutions: Even for correct answers, check explanation
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many cloze test/filler questions in SSC CGL?
Answer: Typically 5-6 questions in Tier I and 8-10 questions in Tier II. These include both passage-based cloze tests and single/double sentence fillers.
Q2: What's the best strategy for vocabulary-based fillers?
Answer: 1) Read entire sentence, 2) Identify sentence tone (positive/negative), 3) Predict word before looking at options, 4) Eliminate obviously wrong words, 5) Choose word that fits both meaning and tone.
Q3: How to improve vocabulary for cloze tests?
Answer: Read English newspapers daily, maintain vocabulary journal, learn words in context (not just definitions), practice with previous year papers, use flashcards for revision.
Q4: What if two options seem correct in a filler?
Answer: Check subtle differences: connotation (positive/negative), formality level, word strength (strong vs mild), collocation patterns, preposition requirements. Choose the one that fits best in context.
Q5: How much time to spend on cloze test passage?
Answer: For a 5-blank passage: 90 seconds reading and solving, 30 seconds verification. Maximum 2 minutes. If stuck, make educated guess and move on.
Q6: Are there any common topics for cloze tests?
Answer: Common topics: Environment, Technology, Education, Economy, Health, Social Issues. Read editorials on these topics to improve contextual understanding.
Final Exam Strategy for Cloze Tests & Fillers
Time Allocation: Single fillers: 45 seconds, Double fillers: 60 seconds, Cloze passage (5 blanks): 2 minutes maximum.
Priority Order: 1) Grammar-based fillers (quickest), 2) Single vocabulary fillers, 3) Double fillers, 4) Cloze passages (save for middle of section).
Accuracy Check: For cloze tests, read completed passage once. For fillers, read sentence with chosen word. Verify grammar and logical flow.
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