Cloze Test and Selecting Words

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In 30 seconds

What: Cloze Test gives a short passage (3–6 sentences) with 5–10 blanks. Each blank has four options. Pick the option that fits each blank so the whole passage reads naturally.
Why it matters: NDA carries Cloze blocks across most papers (6 papers in our extract had dedicated blocks). It tests vocabulary, grammar, prepositions, and discourse markers at once.
Key habit: Read the passage twice before filling any blank. The second read sets the topic and tone in your mind; only then do the blanks fall into place.

Cloze Test is the most integrated block in NDA English. A single five-blank Cloze can test prepositions, articles, tense, discourse markers, vocabulary, and collocation — five different skills in five blanks. For prepared candidates it is the highest-value block: each correct answer carries the same marks but takes less time than a Synonym or Spotting Errors item once the passage is read.

The trick is not to solve blanks in isolation. Each blank's answer depends on the surrounding text. Read the full passage twice — first for topic, second for tone and logical flow — before you touch the options.

This page lays out the method, the five blank types you will face, and worked examples. Pair it with Discourse Markers (for marker blanks), Prepositions (for preposition blanks), and Synonyms (for vocabulary blanks).

What This Topic Covers

NDA Cloze — Question Format

Item type: Short passage with numbered blanks. Each blank has four word/phrase options.
Number of blanks: Usually 5–10 blanks per passage.
Topic of passage: Editorial-style — politics, science, education, environment, social commentary.
Difficulty mix: Each passage usually has ~2 easy (preposition, article), ~2 medium (vocabulary), ~1 hard (discourse marker or collocation).

Exam Pattern & Weightage

Year / Paper	Cloze Format	No. of Blanks
2018-I / 2018-II	One passage	5 each
2019-I	One passage	5
2020-I / 2021-I	One passage	5
2023-I / 2024-I/II	Selecting-words items	varies

⚡ NDA Alert

Spend ~1 minute reading the passage twice before touching any option. The reading investment pays for itself in seconds at every blank.

The Read-Twice-Then-Fill Method

First read — topic. Read the entire passage skipping over blanks. Aim: identify what the passage is about (climate, education, governance, etc.) and the writer's stance (supportive, critical, neutral).
Second read — logical flow. Re-read with attention to discourse markers. Where does the passage turn? Where does it give examples? Where does it conclude?
Fill from the easy side. Start with blanks where the cue is local (preposition, article, tense). Save discourse-marker blanks for last, because by then the surrounding logic is clear.
Re-read with your fills. Plug every choice back in and read the passage end to end. Anything jarring is a wrong choice — go back.

Why the Two Reads Matter

Without the first read, you fill blanks in isolation and miss passage-level cues.
The second read solidifies the logical flow — making discourse-marker blanks visible.
Final pass-through confirms internal consistency.

Five Types of Cloze Blanks

Type 1 — Preposition Blank

Asks for a preposition (in, on, at, by, with, for, of, to, from). Solved by the fixed verb+prep pairing rule. See Prepositions page.

Type 2 — Article Blank

Asks for a / an / the / (no article). Solved by countability, first/repeat mention, and the sound of the next word.

Type 3 — Tense / Verb-form Blank

Asks for a verb in the right tense or non-finite form. Solved by matching to the tense of surrounding verbs.

Type 4 — Vocabulary Blank

Asks for an adjective, noun, or verb that fits the sentence's meaning. Solved by the four cues from Sentence Completion (discourse marker / cause-effect / definition / parallel).

Type 5 — Discourse Marker Blank

Asks for a contrast / addition / cause / example / summary marker. Solved by reading the sentences on either side of the blank and identifying their logical relationship.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1 — Mini Cloze (5 blanks)

Passage: "Education has always been _____1_____ the most powerful tool for social change. _____2_____ this view has been challenged in recent decades, the basic claim still holds. The world's most prosperous nations invest heavily _____3_____ schools. They _____4_____ that an educated citizenry is the foundation of every other reform. _____5_____, when budgets are cut, education spending is often the last to be reduced."

Options:

1: (a) at (b) for (c) the (d) about

2: (a) Because (b) Although (c) Therefore (d) Moreover

3: (a) for (b) in (c) on (d) to

4: (a) ignore (b) reject (c) believe (d) deny

5: (a) However (b) Indeed (c) For instance (d) On the contrary

First read: Topic — education as a force for social change, defended even against challenges.

Second read: Stance — positive about education investment.

Fill:

1: "Education has always been ___ the most powerful tool" — "the" article fits (since "most powerful tool" is the definite phrase). (c) the.

2: Marker + "this view has been challenged ... the basic claim still holds" → concession-contrast pattern. (b) Although.

3: "invest heavily ___ schools" — "invest in" is the fixed pairing. (b) in.

4: "They ___ that an educated citizenry is the foundation" — positive stance. (c) believe.

5: Adds emphasis to the positive claim. (b) Indeed.

Worked Example 2 — Logical Flow Test

Passage: "The new technology promises to transform agriculture. _____1_____ it costs more than traditional methods. Farmers in poor regions cannot afford it. _____2_____, government subsidies are essential. Otherwise, the gap between rich and poor farms will widen _____3_____."

1: (a) Hence (b) However (c) Therefore (d) Moreover

2: (a) Therefore (b) Although (c) On the contrary (d) Nevertheless

3: (a) gradually (b) further (c) finally (d) instantly

Fill:

1: Promise vs cost = contrast. (b) However.

2: Poor farmers can't afford → subsidies needed = effect from cause. (a) Therefore.

3: Gap will widen by ... more. (b) further.

Three Traps NDA Exploits

The "fits-locally-not-globally" trap. An option fits its blank in isolation but contradicts the rest of the passage. Always re-read the full passage with your fills.
The "wrong-marker-direction" trap. A discourse marker that signals the wrong relationship. However instead of therefore, because instead of although. Identify the relationship before picking the marker.
The "synonym-of-the-target-but-wrong-collocation" trap. Two options share meaning but only one is the natural collocation. "Invest on schools" reads wrong even though "on" means "to a focus".

Preparation Strategy

3-Week Cloze Plan

Week 1: Two cloze passages / day. Focus on read-twice-then-fill method. Track blank type distribution.
Week 2: Practise with timer — 5-blank cloze in 4 minutes max. Build speed.
Week 3: Mixed cloze with other blocks at exam pace. Confirm consistency.

Drill Cloze with the Read-Twice-Then-Fill Method

NDA-pattern Cloze passages with blank-type explanations: preposition, article, tense, vocabulary, discourse marker.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Cloze items per NDA paper?

One passage with 5 blanks in most papers from 2018 onwards. Occasionally larger blocks in earlier papers.

Should I read the passage first or fill blanks as I go?

Read first. Reading the full passage once or twice before filling pays for itself — blank cues hide in the surrounding text.

How fast should I be on Cloze?

4 minutes for a 5-blank passage. 1 minute for reading; 30 seconds per blank; 30 seconds for re-read.

Which NDA English topics connect to Cloze?

Discourse Markers, Prepositions, Sentence Completion, Synonyms, Reading Passages.