Cloze Tests are part of English Language preparation for the IBPS PO 2025 exam. These are an important topic from which questions are asked every year. Therefore, practicing questions from this topic becomes an essential part of your exam preparation. To score full marks in cloze tests, you need to understand the concepts and improve your grammar, along with your vocabulary. 3 to 5 questions are asked every year, and this year also at least 3 questions might be asked in the Prelims exam. So, if you are preparing for bank exams, you must practice these questions. Continue reading to know how to answer correctly in this type of question, and download a free PDF with detailed solutions to practice more questions.
Cloze Test Basic Concepts for IBPS PO 2025 with Example
A Cloze Test is a passage with blanks, where each blank needs to be filled with the most appropriate word from the given options. It tests your vocabulary, grammar, and contextual understanding of the given passage.
- Read the entire passage once to understand the theme or tone (formal, informal, opinionated, neutral, etc.).
- Each word must fit logically and grammatically within the sentence and the passage.
- Check for correct tense, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions.
- Some blanks may require conjunctions, modals, or articles.
- Watch for pronoun consistency (e.g., it, they, his/her).
- Eliminate options that sound odd or change the meaning.
- Know the difference between commonly confused words (affect/effect, accept/except).
- Look for collocations (words that go naturally together, e.g., “strong coffee”, “make a decision”).
- Words should match the tone of the passage.
- A positive sentence usually won’t have a negative word in the blank.
- Eliminate clearly wrong options first (grammatically or contextually unfit).
- Narrow down between the remaining 2 and pick the most suitable.
- Use clues from previous and following lines to fill the blank more accurately.
- Transitions (e.g., however, therefore) often determine which word fits best.
Example of Cloze Test Question is provided below:
Passage:
Digital learning has become an essential part of modern education. Many schools have started to ____ (1) online platforms to make learning more accessible.
(1) Options:
(a) resist
(b) adapt
(c) adopt
(d) ignore
Correct Answer: (c) adopt
Cloze Test Weightage in IBPS PO Exam
| Section | Cloze Test in Prelims (approx.) | Cloze Test in Mains (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | (5–7 Questions) | (5–10 Questions) |
Cloze Test Questions To Practice for IBPS PO 2025
Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been highlighted in bold. First read the passage and try to understand what it is about. Then replace the highlighted words with the correct option in order to make grammatical and contextual sense. In case the highlighted word is correct as it is, mark ‘No Improvement’ as the right answer.
The US vice-president Kamala Harris is to visit the heavily armed border separating North and South Korea amid (A) rising tensions on the peninsula. Harris will arrive at the demilitarised zone (DMZ) on the southern side of the border, days after the (B) residence in North Korea warned that South Korea and the US risked triggering a (C) fearless following the launch of large-scale naval exercises for the first time in five years. North Korea has conducted a record-breaking number of weapons tests this year including an intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korea has traditionally avoided doing anything to (D) daring China, because China is its biggest (E) inflict and trading partner.
(A)
a.) arise
b.) rise
c.) emerge
d.) appear
e.) No improvement
(B)
a.) regime
b.) prophecy
c.) commanding
d.) ownership
e.) No improvement
(C)
a.) striking
b.) valiant
c.) strong
d.) conflict
e.) No improvement
(D)
a.) abode
b.) timid
c.) embarrass
d.) reckless
e.) No improvement
(E)
a.) imminent
b.) ally
c.) discern
d.) impose
e.) No improvement
The detailed solution is provided in the PDF below!
How to Answer Cloze Test Questions Correctly?
Step-by-step approach to answer the Cloze Test Questions correctly in your exam:
Step 1: Read the Entire Passage First
- Before attempting the blanks, read the passage once completely to understand the theme, tone, and flow.
- This helps you know whether the tone is positive/negative, formal/informal, or informative/opinionated.
Step 2: Identify the Type of Word Needed
- Is the blank asking for a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction, or preposition?
- Check for:
- Tense consistency
- Articles (a, an, the)
- Subject–verb agreement
- Prepositions before/after the blank
Step 3: Use the Elimination Method
- Remove the obviously incorrect or awkward options first.
- Among the remaining choices, pick the one that fits grammatically and contextually.
Step 4: Check Sentence Coherence
- The selected word should make the sentence sound natural and convey the correct meaning.
- Look for collocations (words that usually go together, e.g., “make progress,” not “do progress”).
Step 5: Re-read with Chosen Option
- Insert the chosen word back into the sentence and read it aloud mentally.
- Check if the sentence is grammatically correct and logically meaningful.
Tips to Master Cloze Test Questions in IBPS PO Exam
- Read editorials (The Hindu, Indian Express).
- Learn 5–10 new words daily with usage.
- Solve at least 2 Cloze tests daily.
- Revise grammar rules regularly.
- Attempt 2 to 3 topic tests of cloze tests every week.
- Make notes of the grammar rules if needed.
- Make reading your daily habit.
- Invest 2 to 3 minutes of your day in learning vocabulary.
Disclaimer: The cloze test questions, examples, and strategies provided are compiled from expert references and exam trends. They are intended for practice and guidance only, not official IBPS PO exam content. Actual exam questions may differ. Candidates should always verify details through official IBPS notices before relying on them.
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Cloze Test Questions for IBPS PO 2025: FAQs
To score full marks in cloze tests, read the sentence thoroughly and search for linking words in the options and choose the option which best suits the sentence and is grammatically correct.
Do a skim reading of the given passage and try to think the correct answer to be filled in the blank given before moving to to option. Use elimination technique for choosing the best possible answer.
The three types of cloze tests mostly asked in the bank exams are: Traditional cloze test, Phrase based cloze tests, Double fillers cloze tests, and Themed passage cloze tests.
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