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IBPS ENGLISH · Cloze tests

Connect the clues. Complete the passage.

Choose words that fit both the grammar of a sentence and the meaning of the whole paragraph.

Learn the method ↓Choose a practice set

3 worked examples · 3 practice sets · 24 original questions

BUILD A REPEATABLE METHOD

Four steps to a better answer.

Read the complete passage

Identify its topic and overall direction before looking at individual gaps. Later sentences can clarify an earlier choice.

Identify the job of the gap

Does the gap need a noun, verb, adjective, preposition or connector? Check the words immediately before and after it.

Follow the meaning

Decide whether the ideas show purpose, contrast, result, addition or sequence. A grammatically possible word may still express the wrong relationship.

Read it again with your answers

Check each completed sentence, then the flow of the whole paragraph. Do not solve eight gaps as eight unrelated sentences.

SEE THE THINKING

Three worked examples.

Grammar narrows the choice

The team is committed to ___ the service.

Would improve or improving fit?

Improving: “The team is committed to improving the service.”

In committed to, to is a preposition. A verb used after it takes the -ing form. Compare “The team wants to improve”, where to introduces an infinitive.

Meaning chooses the connector

The first trial failed, ___ the team redesigned the form.

Which connector shows the redesign as a result: so or although?

So: “The first trial failed, so the team redesigned the form.”

So links the result to the earlier problem. Although would make the second clause a concession and would change the intended relationship.

A noun phrase or a full clause?

___ the delay, the volunteers completed the task.

Which fits this sentence: despite or although?

Despite: “Despite the delay, the volunteers completed the task.”

Despite can introduce a noun phrase such as the delay. Although normally introduces a clause with a subject and verb: “Although there was a delay, the volunteers completed the task.”

Common mistakes to avoid
Looking at one word only

Read the whole sentence and nearby sentences before deciding.

Treating synonyms as interchangeable

Words with similar meanings can require different structures: despite + noun, but although + clause.

Ignoring verb form

Prepositions commonly take an -ing form when followed by a verb; an infinitive marker takes the base form. Identify which use of to you have.

Skipping the final read

An answer can fit locally but make the paragraph’s overall sequence illogical.

PUT THE METHOD TO WORK

Three sets. Twenty-four questions.

Choose a set below. Work through eight questions at a time, then review the explanations before moving to another set.

Untimed learning practice, not an official paper or full mock exam. One point per correct answer; no negative marking here. Show answer earns no point. Your score lasts for this page visit and does not predict an exam result.

Read the full questions below and expand each answer explanation. The interactive version needs JavaScript.

All 24 questions & answer explanations

Set 1 · Museum visiting hour

Read the full eight-gap passage. For each gap, check form first, then the relationship between ideas. This is one original ESS learning passage, not a previous-year paper.

Practice passage

A local museum introduced a quiet visiting hour (1) ___ make its galleries more comfortable for people who find crowded spaces difficult. Staff first asked visitors (2) ___ changes would help them most. Many requested fewer announcements and clearer signs. The museum responded (3) ___ lowering the volume of announcements and adding simple direction boards. Attendance during the quiet hour was small at first, (4) ___ it increased after local groups shared the information. Staff kept a record of comments so that they could (5) ___ recurring problems. They also trained volunteers to give assistance when it was (6) ___. The team avoided assuming that every visitor wanted the same kind of help. Instead, volunteers asked before offering it. After six weeks, the museum reviewed the feedback and decided to continue the programme. The manager said that making services accessible required (7) ___ attention rather than a single change. She encouraged staff to keep (8) ___ to visitors.

  1. Choose the best word for gap (1). Sentence from the passage: A local museum introduced a quiet visiting hour (1) ___ make its galleries more comfortable for people who find crowded spaces difficult.

    1. for
    2. despite
    3. because
    4. to
    5. although
    Set 1 · Answer 1 & explanation

    D. to

    To + base verb expresses purpose: introduced an hour to make the galleries more comfortable. For would need a different structure, such as “for making”; the other options do not fit this sentence.

  2. Choose the best word for gap (2). Sentence from the passage: Staff first asked visitors (2) ___ changes would help them most.

    1. where
    2. what
    3. whose
    4. when
    5. why
    Set 1 · Answer 2 & explanation

    B. what

    What changes would help asks about the changes visitors wanted. What modifies changes. Where, whose, when and why do not fit the intended question about helpful changes.

  3. Choose the best word for gap (3). Sentence from the passage: The museum responded (3) ___ lowering the volume of announcements and adding simple direction boards.

    1. to
    2. despite
    3. of
    4. for
    5. by
    Set 1 · Answer 3 & explanation

    E. by

    By + -ing describes the method of responding: by lowering the volume and adding signs. The two -ing phrases share the preposition by.

  4. Choose the best word for gap (4). Sentence from the passage: Attendance during the quiet hour was small at first, (4) ___ it increased after local groups shared the information.

    1. but
    2. unless
    3. because
    4. so that
    5. despite
    Set 1 · Answer 4 & explanation

    A. but

    But contrasts low initial attendance with the later increase. Unless expresses a condition, so that usually expresses purpose here, and despite cannot directly introduce the full clause “it increased”.

  5. Choose the best word for gap (5). Sentence from the passage: Staff kept a record of comments so that they could (5) ___ recurring problems.

    1. identification
    2. identifies
    3. identify
    4. identified
    5. identifying
    Set 1 · Answer 5 & explanation

    C. identify

    After the modal could, use the base verb identify. The meaning is to recognise recurring problems. The noun identification and the inflected verb forms do not fit after could.

  6. Choose the best word for gap (6). Sentence from the passage: They also trained volunteers to give assistance when it was (6) ___.

    1. need
    2. needs
    3. needing
    4. needed
    5. to need
    Set 1 · Answer 6 & explanation

    D. needed

    Was needed is the passive form: assistance was needed by visitors. The structure requires the past participle needed, not the base form or -ing form.

  7. Choose the best word for gap (7). Sentence from the passage: The manager said that making services accessible required (7) ___ attention rather than a single change.

    1. continually
    2. continuous
    3. continue
    4. continuation
    5. continuedly
    Set 1 · Answer 7 & explanation

    B. continuous

    The adjective continuous modifies the noun attention: ongoing attention is required. Continually is an adverb, continue a verb and continuation a noun. Continuedly is not the standard choice in this expression.

  8. Choose the best word for gap (8). Sentence from the passage: She encouraged staff to keep (8) ___ to visitors.

    1. listen
    2. listened
    3. listens
    4. to listen
    5. listening
    Set 1 · Answer 8 & explanation

    E. listening

    Keep + -ing means continue an activity: keep listening to visitors. The base form, past form, third-person form and to-infinitive do not fit this pattern.

Set 2 · Community garden

Read the complete garden passage, then choose a word for each numbered gap. The relevant sentence is repeated with each question; return to the full passage when you need the wider context.

Practice passage

A neighbourhood group turned an unused plot (1) ___ a small community garden. Before work began, members agreed (2) ___ a rota so that watering would not depend on one person. They chose plants that could survive with relatively little water. At first, some residents were doubtful, (3) ___ they later became enthusiastic after seeing the first plants grow. A noticeboard listed tasks and invited suggestions. Each volunteer was asked to record any tools that needed (4) ___. When several plants began to wilt, the team checked the soil instead of (5) ___ assuming that insects were responsible. The soil was dry, so they adjusted the watering schedule. By the end of the month, more neighbours had joined. Their help made it possible to share the work more (6) ___. The organisers welcomed new ideas but checked whether each proposal was (7) ___ before adopting it. They understood that a successful garden depended not only on enthusiasm but also on regular (8) ___.

  1. Choose the best word for gap (1). Sentence from the passage: A neighbourhood group turned an unused plot (1) ___ a small community garden.

    1. onto
    2. into
    3. among
    4. through
    5. under
    Set 2 · Answer 1 & explanation

    B. into

    Turn something into something describes a change of form or use: the unused plot became a community garden. Onto suggests movement to a surface; the other prepositions do not express this transformation.

  2. Choose the best word for gap (2). Sentence from the passage: Before work began, members agreed (2) ___ a rota so that watering would not depend on one person.

    1. creating
    2. created
    3. to create
    4. create
    5. for create
    Set 2 · Answer 2 & explanation

    C. to create

    Agree to + base verb expresses a decision to do something: agreed to create a rota. The other forms do not fit this verb pattern in the sentence.

  3. Choose the best word for gap (3). Sentence from the passage: At first, some residents were doubtful, (3) ___ they later became enthusiastic after seeing the first plants grow.

    1. because
    2. unless
    3. despite
    4. but
    5. so that
    Set 2 · Answer 3 & explanation

    D. but

    But contrasts residents’ initial doubts with their later enthusiasm. Despite cannot directly introduce the following clause, while because, unless and so that do not express this change from doubt to support.

  4. Choose the best word for gap (4). Sentence from the passage: Each volunteer was asked to record any tools that needed (4) ___.

    1. to repairing
    2. to repairs
    3. repairs it
    4. repaired
    5. repairing
    Set 2 · Answer 4 & explanation

    E. repairing

    Tools that needed repairing means tools that needed to be repaired. Need + -ing can express this passive meaning. The other options do not fit the structure: to would require the base form repair or the passive to be repaired, not repairs or repairing.

  5. Choose the best word for gap (5). Sentence from the passage: When several plants began to wilt, the team checked the soil instead of (5) ___ assuming that insects were responsible.

    1. immediately
    2. immediate
    3. immediacy
    4. immediateness
    5. more immediate
    Set 2 · Answer 5 & explanation

    A. immediately

    Immediately is an adverb modifying assuming. The team checked the soil rather than jumping straight to the insect explanation. Immediate is an adjective; the noun forms do not modify the action here.

  6. Choose the best word for gap (6). Sentence from the passage: Their help made it possible to share the work more (6) ___.

    1. equal
    2. equality
    3. equally
    4. equalise
    5. equals
    Set 2 · Answer 6 & explanation

    C. equally

    More equally describes how the work could be shared. An adverb is needed to modify share; equal is an adjective, equality a noun, and equalise a verb.

  7. Choose the best word for gap (7). Sentence from the passage: The organisers welcomed new ideas but checked whether each proposal was (7) ___ before adopting it.

    1. practically
    2. practical
    3. practice it
    4. practise
    5. practicality
    Set 2 · Answer 7 & explanation

    B. practical

    The adjective practical follows was and describes the proposal as workable. Practically is an adverb and practicality a noun; the other options do not fit this sentence structure.

  8. Choose the best word for gap (8). Sentence from the passage: They understood that a successful garden depended not only on enthusiasm but also on regular (8) ___.

    1. maintaining it
    2. maintain
    3. maintained
    4. maintenance
    5. maintains
    Set 2 · Answer 8 & explanation

    D. maintenance

    Regular modifies the noun maintenance: the ongoing work needed to care for the garden. Maintain and maintains are verb forms, and the other options do not fit after regular.

Set 3 · Sharing practical skills

Read the complete skills-exchange passage. Choose a word that fits both meaning and structure. Each gap’s sentence is repeated beside its question for easier mobile practice.

Practice passage

A community centre started a skills-exchange programme in which residents could share knowledge (1) ___ charging a fee. Participants described what they could teach and what they hoped (2) ___. The coordinator matched people according (3) ___ their interests and availability. Although some participants felt nervous at first, short introductory sessions helped them become more (4) ___. Each pair agreed on a schedule and wrote down the meeting details so that they would not be (5) ___. Either person could suggest a change if necessary. A learner might receive help with basic computer tasks and later offer a different skill to someone else. The organisers did not expect every exchange to involve the same subject or last the same length of time. After the first month, the team asked for (6) ___ feedback instead of simply counting registrations. They used the comments to identify problems and (7) ___ the next round. The aim was not to make every session identical, but to ensure that learning remained (8) ___ to people with different schedules. The coordinator explained that useful participation mattered more than a large list of names.

  1. Choose the best word for gap (1). Sentence from the passage: A community centre started a skills-exchange programme in which residents could share knowledge (1) ___ charging a fee.

    1. against
    2. until
    3. without
    4. among
    5. of
    Set 3 · Answer 1 & explanation

    C. without

    Without + -ing expresses the absence of an action: residents shared knowledge without charging a fee. The other prepositions do not convey the intended fee-free exchange in this sentence.

  2. Choose the best option for gap (2). Sentence from the passage: Participants described what they could teach and what they hoped (2) ___.

    1. learning
    2. to learn
    3. learned
    4. learns
    5. for learn
    Set 3 · Answer 2 & explanation

    B. to learn

    Hope to + base verb expresses what someone wants to do: what they hoped to learn. Learning, learned and learns do not fit directly after hoped in this pattern.

  3. Choose the best word for gap (3). Sentence from the passage: The coordinator matched people according (3) ___ their interests and availability.

    1. with
    2. for
    3. at
    4. of
    5. to
    Set 3 · Answer 3 & explanation

    E. to

    According to is the fixed expression meaning in line with or on the basis of. People were matched according to their interests and availability. The other prepositions do not complete this expression.

  4. Choose the best word for gap (4). Sentence from the passage: Although some participants felt nervous at first, short introductory sessions helped them become more (4) ___.

    1. confidence
    2. confidently
    3. confiding
    4. confident
    5. confided
    Set 3 · Answer 4 & explanation

    D. confident

    Become more confident describes a change in how participants felt. Become takes the adjective confident here. Confidence is a noun and confidently an adverb; confiding means willing to share private thoughts, which is not the meaning established by reduced nervousness.

  5. Choose the best word for gap (5). Sentence from the passage: Each pair agreed on a schedule and wrote down the meeting details so that they would not be (5) ___.

    1. forgotten
    2. forget
    3. forgetting
    4. forgets
    5. forgot
    Set 3 · Answer 5 & explanation

    A. forgotten

    Would not be forgotten uses be + past participle to form the passive. The meeting details are the things people might forget. Forgotten is the participle; forgot is the simple past.

  6. Choose the best word for gap (6). Sentence from the passage: After the first month, the team asked for (6) ___ feedback instead of simply counting registrations.

    1. constructively
    2. construct
    3. constructive
    4. construction
    5. constructing
    Set 3 · Answer 6 & explanation

    C. constructive

    Constructive is an adjective meaning useful and intended to help improve something. It modifies feedback. Constructively is an adverb, construction a noun, and the other forms do not fit this expression.

  7. Choose the best word for gap (7). Sentence from the passage: They used the comments to identify problems and (7) ___ the next round.

    1. improvement
    2. improving
    3. improves
    4. improved
    5. improve
    Set 3 · Answer 7 & explanation

    E. improve

    Identify and improve are coordinated base verbs sharing to: to identify problems and improve the next round. The other forms break that parallel structure.

  8. Choose the best word for gap (8). Sentence from the passage: The aim was not to make every session identical, but to ensure that learning remained (8) ___ to people with different schedules.

    1. access
    2. accessible
    3. accessibly
    4. accessibility
    5. accessing
    Set 3 · Answer 8 & explanation

    B. accessible

    Remained accessible means continued to be available or easy to take part in. Accessible is the adjective required after remained. Access and accessibility are nouns, while accessibly is an adverb.

MAKE THE LEARNING STICK

Review before moving on.

  1. Write each correct word into the passage and reread it.
  2. Name the clue for each gap: grammar, word meaning or paragraph relationship.
  3. Make one new sentence using by + -ing and one using could + base verb.

Use the IBPS exam routes and official sources for the current pattern, timings and marking rules. These lessons develop shared English skills; question types and requirements differ by exam and stage.

KEEP BUILDING YOUR SKILLS

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