In the English section of defence entrance exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT, one topic that consistently tests both linguistic intuition and conceptual understanding is the Cloze Test. More than just a gap-filling activity, it evaluates a candidate’s ability to interpret context, apply grammar rules, and choose vocabulary wisely — all within the structure of a meaningful passage.
In the recently conducted Cloze Test MCQ Live Class 1, candidates practiced carefully curated passages with blanks where each question demanded attention to grammatical accuracy and vocabulary relevance. This class aimed to help aspirants become exam-ready by decoding common patterns and strategies used in actual question papers.
Directions: In these questions, in the following passages some of the words have been left out. Read the passages carefully and choose the correct out of four alternatives.
The …(1)… age is the age of machines. From the …(2)… the Industrial Revolution began in Europe, man’s life has been changing …(3)… many ways. At first the change was …(4)…. . Now machines have become …(5)… of our daily lives.
Q1) (a) modern (b) new (c) civilized (d) present
Ans. (a)
Q2) (a) birth (b) time (c) beginning (d) start
Ans. (b)
Q3) (a) into (b) to (c) in (d) with
Ans. (c)
Q4) (a) slow (b) steady (c) fast (d) stagnant
Ans. (a)
Q5) (a) component (b) part (c) necessity (d) support
Ans. (b)
For more questions, check out NDA-CDS-AFCAT 2 2025 Exam English Live – Cloze Test – MCQ Class 1
What is a Cloze Test?
A Cloze Test is a passage with multiple blanks where each blank must be filled with the most appropriate word from four given options. These questions test:
- ✅ Grammar (Tenses, Prepositions, Articles, Subject-Verb Agreement)
- ✅ Vocabulary (Word choice, Collocations, Connotations)
- ✅ Comprehension (Theme recognition, Logical flow)
Learning Outcomes from the Class
- 📚 Understanding Logical Flow: Candidates learned how one blank affects the next, making it crucial to maintain the tone and meaning throughout the passage.
- 🔤 Grammar Spotting: Blanks related to subject-verb agreement, article usage, and conjunctions helped reinforce grammar application in real-time.
- 🧠 Contextual Vocabulary: Students saw how knowing word meanings wasn’t enough — knowing how words fit contextually was the real key.
Common Mistakes Candidates Made
- ❌ Choosing grammatically correct but contextually wrong words.
Tip: Always read a couple of lines before and after the blank to understand the tone. - ❌ Over-relying on one rule without seeing the bigger picture.
Tip: Grammar helps you eliminate wrong choices, but meaning selects the right one. - ❌ Guessing vocabulary without understanding connotation.
Tip: Practice word families and synonyms with example usage.
Tips Shared During the Class to Ace the Cloze Test
- 🧩 Read the full passage once before answering: Get the theme.
- ✂️ Eliminate options logically: Rule out grammatically or contextually wrong choices.
- 📚 Maintain a vocabulary notebook: Learn commonly asked adjectives, verbs, and collocations.
- ⏱️ Practice with a timer: Time-bound practice builds exam stamina.
