Cloze Test Strategy Guide
Read this guide before you start the practice sets. It will help you understand what each question is testing — and how to find the right answer.
What is a cloze test?
In a cloze test, you read a short passage with gaps. Each gap has four options, and you choose the one that fits correctly. The questions test your grammar, not your vocabulary. The correct answer is always the one that follows the grammar rules AND fits the meaning of the passage.
Every gap has a grammar clue hidden in the sentence. Your job is to find that clue and use it to choose the right option.
Three steps to the right answer
1
Read the whole sentence, not just the gap
Never choose an answer by looking at the gap alone. Read the complete sentence — the words before AND after the gap always contain the clues you need.
2
Identify what type of question it is
Ask yourself: Is this about a verb form? A connecting word? A relative pronoun? A modal verb? Once you know what is being tested, you know what to look for.
3
Find the grammar signal in the sentence
Every gap has a clue nearby — a preposition, a time expression, a subject, or a relationship between two ideas. Find that clue and let it guide your choice.
Seven question types
Each question in a cloze test belongs to one of the types below. Learn what clue to look for in each type — and what the wrong options usually do.
1
Verb Tense
The question asks you to choose the right tense.
Look for time words near the gap:
- yesterday / last year / in 1990 / ago → past simple
- when / before + a past event → past perfect (the earlier action)
- every day / usually / always / generally → present simple
- at the moment / right now / currently / still → present continuous
- while / when + an ongoing past action → past continuous (was/were doing)
- tomorrow / next week / soon → future (will / going to)
Look for present perfect signals — these appear very often in academic passages:
- since / for + a time period
- just / already / yet / recently
- over the past two decades / over the past few years
- in recent years / in recent decades
- throughout history / for a long time / for centuries
- The action started in the past and the result is still relevant now
Wrong options usually offer the same verb in a different tense.
Example
Original sentence:
Over the past two decades, billions of products __(1)__ through digital platforms.
Signal:
over the past two decades → present perfect; the subject (products) receives the action → passive → have been sold
💡 Ask yourself: When did this happen? Is it a finished past event, or does it connect to the present?
2
Active or Passive Voice
The question asks you to choose between an active verb form and a passive one.
- If the subject does the action → active (discovers, wrote, has built)
- If the action is done to the subject → passive (is discovered, was written, has been built)
Signals that the answer is passive:
- by + a person or group after the gap → passive
- The subject is a thing, not a person → very likely passive
- The subject clearly receives the action — it does not perform it
Wrong options usually offer the active form of the same tense, or the wrong tense in passive.
Example
Original sentence:
In the past, clothes __(2)__ to last for many years.
Signal:
clothes (a thing) did not make themselves — someone made them → passive; in the past → past simple
💡 Ask yourself: Is the subject doing the action, or is the action being done to it?
3
-ing Form or Infinitive
The question asks you to choose between the -ing form and to + verb (or the verb without to).
- If a preposition comes directly before the gap → always use the -ing form: interested in doing / capable of making / without saying / by doing
- Many verbs before the gap require the -ing form on the next verb: suggest going / recommend watching / avoid smoking / consider moving / keep studying
- Many other verbs require to + verb: want to sleep / decide to choose / hope to see / manage to survive / tend to forget / find it difficult to live; encourage students to practise / allow people to leave
- A few verbs are followed by the verb without to: make students leave / let teenagers choose / help people socialise
- Wrong options usually use to + verb instead of -ing after a preposition, or the wrong form after a specific verb.
Example
Original sentence:
Most volunteers agree that they genuinely enjoy __(3)__ with others towards a common goal.
Signal:
enjoy always takes the -ing form
💡 Ask yourself: What is the word directly before the gap — a preposition, or a specific verb?
4
Modal Verbs
The question asks you to choose the right modal verb.
Ask yourself: what meaning does the context need?
| Meaning | Modal verb |
|---|---|
| Ability or possibility (present) | can |
| Something is uncertain or possible | might / may / could |
| Advice or a recommendation | should |
| Strong necessity — something must happen | must / have to |
| You are certain (logical conclusion from evidence) | must |
| You are certain about a past event | must have + past participle |
| A situation that is unreal or hypothetical | would |
| Ability in the past | could |
Wrong options usually offer a modal with a similar but different meaning — for example, must instead of should, or can instead of might.
Example
Original sentence:
Experts argue that companies __(4)__ be more transparent about how they use personal data.
Signal:
experts argue + the meaning is strong necessity, not just advice → must
💡 Ask yourself: What is the speaker expressing — ability, advice, strong necessity, or something that is not real?
5
Relative Pronouns
The question asks you to choose the right relative pronoun.
Look at the noun just before the gap — the clause after the gap gives more information about it:
- The noun is a person → who
- The noun is a thing or animal → which or that
- The noun is a place → where
- The word immediately after the gap is a noun (e.g. whose data, whose purpose) → whose
Wrong options usually confuse person / thing / place — for example, who instead of which, or where instead of which.
Leaving out the relative pronoun — no word needed
Sometimes the correct answer is to choose nothing. This happens when the relative pronoun would be the object of the clause — not the subject. If you try each option and the sentence reads most naturally with nothing, choose the empty option.
- The apps ∅ people use every day → the pronoun would be the object of use → can be left out
- The factories ∅ these clothes are made in → the pronoun is the object of in → can be left out
Example
Original sentence:
There are thousands of websites __(5)__ customers can browse and purchase almost anything.
Signal:
websites is a place where things happen → where
💡 Ask yourself: Is the noun a person, a thing, or a place? And would the pronoun be the subject or the object of the clause?
6
Noun Clauses
This type looks similar to relative pronouns but works differently. You are choosing a word that introduces a clause which works like the object of the main verb.
Noun clauses with 'that' (reporting a fact)
After verbs like believe, recognise, understand, find, we use that to introduce a clause that states a fact. The word that can sometimes be left out.
- Researchers find that diverse communities tend to be more creative.
- Many people believe that technology has changed modern life.
- Signal: one of these verbs before the gap → that (or sometimes nothing — it can be left out)
Noun clauses with how, what, whether
The best way to find the right word is to turn the clause into a direct question:
- Researchers study how smartphones change behaviour → ask: How do they change it? → how
- Governments debate what the best approach is → ask: What is the best approach? → what
- People question whether this is ethical → ask: Is it ethical? (yes/no) → whether
- People turn to music whenever they want → ask: When do they turn to it? → no specific time → whenever (no matter when)
Use whether for yes/no questions. Use how / what / when / where / why for open questions.
💡 Ask yourself: Can you turn the clause into a direct question? Is it a yes/no question (whether) or an open question (how/what/when)? Or is the missing element a thing, a time, or a place?
7
Linkers
The question asks you to choose the right connecting word or phrase.
Read both parts of the sentence and identify the relationship between them:
| Relationship | Linkers |
|---|---|
| The second idea is the opposite or surprising | however / although / even though / while / whereas |
| The second idea is the result of the first | therefore / as a result / consequently / thus |
| The second idea adds to the first | moreover / furthermore / in addition / besides |
| The first idea is the reason for the second | because / since / as / because of / due to |
| The second idea gives an example | for example / for instance / such as |
| A condition | if / unless / as long as / provided that |
- Important: because is followed by a clause / because of is followed by a noun — they are not interchangeable.
- Important: since can mean because (reason) OR from a point in time — check which meaning fits.
- Wrong options usually come from the wrong category (e.g. therefore instead of however), or use the wrong grammar form.
Example
Original sentence:
__(8)__ more people are becoming aware of the link between diet and health, demand for plant-based food has grown.
Signal:
the first part gives the reason for the second → since (= because)
💡 Ask yourself: Are the two ideas in contrast, in a cause-result relationship, or is one an addition to the other?
Before you choose — a quick check
Before confirming your answer, ask yourself these four questions:
- Did I read the full sentence, not just the gap?
- Did I identify what type of question it is?
- Did I find the grammar signal in the sentence?
- Does my answer fit both the grammar and the meaning of the passage?
Other Grammar Structures
These grammar structures appear less often than the main seven types — usually one or two per set. You will not see them in every passage, but it is important to recognise them when you do.
1st and 2nd Conditionals
- 1st conditional (real / likely): if + present simple → will + verb
- 2nd conditional (unreal / hypothetical): if + past simple → would + verb
- Signal: look at the other clause — does it use will (1st) or would (2nd)?
Example
If doctors __(1)__ music more seriously as a treatment, it would become more widely available.
Clue: would become in the result clause → 2nd conditional → past simple in the if-clause → took
Comparatives and Superlatives
- than after the gap → comparative (more + adj or adj + -er)
- far / much / even before the gap → comparative (e.g. far more convenient)
- the before the gap + of all / in the group → superlative (most + adj or adj + -est)
Example
Many shoppers find this far __(2)__ convenient than visiting physical stores.
Clue: far … than → comparative → more
Quantifiers
- Look at the noun after the gap: is it countable or uncountable?
- Countable nouns → many / few / a few / several / a number of
- Uncountable nouns → much / little / a little / a great deal of
- a few / a little = some (positive meaning) vs few / little = not much/many (negative meaning)
Example
There are, of course, __(3)__ young people who manage to find well-paid jobs.
Clue: young people = countable noun + the context is positive (some do manage) → a few
Such / So / Too / Enough
- so + adjective or adverb: it was so difficult that…
- such + (a/an) + noun: it was such a difficult exam that…
- too + adjective + to: it is too expensive to buy (negative result)
- adjective + enough + to: it is good enough to pass (positive result)
- Signal: look at what comes before AND after the gap to identify the pattern
Example
The results were __(4)__ impressive that the study was published internationally.
Clue: __ impressive that → adjective follows, no noun → so + adjective + that
Past Perfect (Sequence of Past Events)
- When two past events are mentioned, the earlier one uses the past perfect
- Signal: before / after / when / by the time + two past events → past perfect for the earlier action
- This is also covered in the Verb Tense section above
Example
By the time the doctor arrived, the patient __(5)__ the medication already.
Clue: by the time the doctor arrived → two past events; patient took medication earlier → past perfect → had taken
Wish Clauses
- wish + past simple → unreal wish about the present: I wish I had more time
- wish + past perfect → regret about the past: I wish I had studied harder
- wish + would → wish for a change in behaviour: I wish people would listen
- Signal: wish before the gap → identify the time frame to choose the right form
Example
Many residents wish the city __(6)__ more money on public transport.
Clue: wish + unreal present situation → past simple → spent
Reflexive Pronouns
- myself / yourself / himself / herself / itself / ourselves / yourselves / themselves
- Signal: the subject and the object of the verb refer to the same person or thing
- Also used for emphasis: she did it herself (no one helped her)
Example
After years of practice, she was finally able to express __(7)__ clearly in English.
Clue: she … express → subject and object are the same person → reflexive → herself
Prepositions in Fixed Collocations
- These cannot be guessed from context — the verb or adjective before the gap determines the preposition
- contribute to / result in / depend on / responsible for
- free from / in favour of / aware of / capable of / interested in
- Signal: a specific verb or adjective before the gap → recall the fixed preposition it takes
Example
Air pollution contributes __(8)__ a significant number of health problems every year.
Clue: contribute is always followed by the preposition to → fixed collocation
Grammar Signal Table
Use this table as a quick reference when you are not sure what a gap is testing. Find the signal in the sentence, then use the table to identify the correct form.
Tense Signals
| Signal in the sentence | Tense |
|---|---|
| yesterday / last year / in [year] / ago | Past simple |
| when / before + a past action | Past perfect (the earlier action) |
| every day / usually / generally / always | Present simple |
| at the moment / right now / currently | Present continuous |
| tomorrow / next week / soon | Future (will / going to) |
| since / for + time period | Present perfect |
| just / already / yet / recently | Present perfect |
| over the past two decades / few years | Present perfect |
| in recent years / in recent decades | Present perfect |
| throughout history / for a long time | Present perfect |
| result of a past action still true now | Present perfect |
Passive Voice Signals
| Signal | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| by + a person or group | Passive voice |
| The subject is a thing, not a person | Very likely passive |
| The subject receives the action | Passive voice |
-ing Form & Infinitive Signals
| The word before the gap | Verb form |
|---|---|
| A preposition (in, of, without, instead of…) | -ing form |
| enjoy / avoid / keep / stop / practise | -ing form |
| want / decide / plan / manage / tend / continue | to + verb |
| make / let / help | verb without to |
Modal Verb Signals
| What the context expresses | Modal verb |
|---|---|
| Ability or general possibility | can |
| Something uncertain (maybe, perhaps) | might / may / could |
| Advice or a recommendation | should |
| Strong necessity — it must happen | must |
| A logical conclusion from evidence | must |
| Something unreal or hypothetical | would |
| Ability in the past | could |
Relative Pronoun Signals
| The noun before the gap is… | Pronoun |
|---|---|
| A person | who |
| A thing or animal | which / that |
| A place | where |
| The word after the gap is a noun | whose |
| The pronoun would be the object of the clause | ∅ (leave it out) |
Noun Clause & -ever Signals
| What to test | Word |
|---|---|
| Open question (How? What? When? Where?) | how / what / when / where / why |
| Yes/no question | whether |
| No matter what (a thing) | whatever |
| No matter when (a time) | whenever |
| No matter where (a place) | wherever |
Linker Signals
| Relationship between ideas | Linkers |
|---|---|
| Contrast or surprise | however / although / despite / while / whereas |
| Result or consequence | therefore / as a result / consequently / thus |
| Reason or cause | because / since / as / because of / due to |
| Addition | moreover / furthermore / in addition |
| Concession | although / even though / despite / in spite of |
| Example | for example / for instance / such as |
| Condition | if / unless / as long as / provided that |
1st & 2nd Conditional Signals
| Signal in the sentence | Structure |
|---|---|
| if + present simple … will in the other clause | 1st conditional (real / likely) |
| if + past simple … would in the other clause | 2nd conditional (unreal / hypothetical) |
| would in the result clause | Past simple in the if-clause |
Comparative & Superlative Signals
| Signal | Form |
|---|---|
| than after the gap | Comparative (more + adj / adj + -er) |
| far / much / even before the gap | Comparative (far more / much better) |
| the before gap + of all / in the group | Superlative (most + adj / adj + -est) |
Quantifier Signals
| The noun after the gap | Quantifier |
|---|---|
| Countable noun, positive context | many / a few / several |
| Countable noun, negative / limited context | few |
| Uncountable noun, positive context | much / a little / a great deal of |
| Uncountable noun, negative / limited context | little |
Such / So / Too / Enough Signals
| Pattern around the gap | Word |
|---|---|
| __ + adjective + that | so (so cold that…) |
| __ + a/an + noun + that | such (such a cold day that…) |
| __ + adjective + to + verb (negative result) | too (too cold to go out) |
| adjective + __ + to + verb (positive result) | enough (warm enough to go out) |
Wish Clause Signals
| What the context expresses | Form after wish |
|---|---|
| Unreal wish about the present | past simple |
| Regret about the past | past perfect (had + V3) |
| Wish for a change in someone's behaviour | would + verb |
Prepositions in Fixed Collocations
| Verb / Adjective | Fixed preposition |
|---|---|
| contribute / lead / result | to / to / in |
| depend / rely | on |
| responsible / capable / aware / free | for / of / of / from |
| interested / involved / result | in / in / in |
| in favour / in spite | of |