The cloze passage is the 11th question on the OL English language paper. The question carries 7 marks (14 blanks; 1/2 mark for each).
Well, most students always grumble that the question consumes time and it is challenging. This means you lack practice in answering cloze passages. I also find that most English language teachers also are reluctant to expose children to cloze passages.
Attempting a cloze passage involves intense brain work. It requires a knowledge of vocabulary, grammar and related techniques. More than anything else , 'patience'. Really, a cloze passage put your 'patience' on test.
My students, you can practice cloze passages at home. You can do it for yourself. First, take it as a game.
Well, you can do it the way I mention below. Try it and comment if it works.
Step 01: Select a suitable passage depending on your language proficiency. Make sure that the passage is an appealing one to you. I recommend a short story at first. Write it on a paper or just photocopy it.
Step 02: Read the passage several times until you get some idea of the theme. You may use a dictionary if you find any new words.
Step 03: Leave the first one or two sentences and mark words after every four , five or six words. Then remove the words and write them down on a separate paper.
Step 04: Now jumble the words you have removed as you please.
Step 05: Now you have a cloze passage with you. Try to insert the words. Check your answers yourself with the list of words you took down in order at first.
Note: while attempting to insert the words try to associate the words with the words immediately around the blank.
e.g. If there is a blank with the article 'an' , your answer MUST be a word beginning with a VOWEL.
As you practice you will catch up your own techniques.
Well, you can inform me later.
Bye.
Sajendra Kumara
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