Rajasthan Police Constable – English Language
Topic: Cloze Test
(A type of test where words are omitted from a passage and you have to fill in the blanks.)
1. Simple Explanation
A Cloze test gives you a short passage with a few words removed.
Your job is to choose the best word(s) from the options that fit the blank.
It checks your:
- Grammar (tenses, prepositions, articles, etc.)
- Vocabulary (word meaning, collocations)
- Reading comprehension (understanding the whole passage)
2. Key Points & Tips
| # | Focus | Why it matters | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read the whole passage first | Gives you context and the overall meaning. | 30‑second skim before looking at blanks. |
| 2 | Identify the part‑of‑speech needed | Each blank usually requires a specific grammatical form. | Look at the sentence structure around the blank. |
| 3 | Check the tense & subject‑verb agreement | Mistakes here are common. | Make sure the verb matches the subject’s number. |
| 4 | Watch for collocations (fixed word combinations) | Certain words almost always go together. | Memorise common pairs: make a decision, take a break, strong evidence. |
| 5 | Use the surrounding words | They give clues about meaning, tense, or style. | Pay attention to words like however, therefore, consequently. |
| 6 | Eliminate obviously wrong options first | Saves time and reduces guesswork. | Cross‑out words that clash in grammar or meaning. |
| 7 | Look for relative pronouns (who, which, that) | Often appear in relative clauses. | Check if the clause refers to a person, thing, or event. |
| 8 | Mind the article usage (a, an, the) | Articles can change the sense of a sentence. | “The” is definite, “a/an” is indefinite. |
| 9 | Check for prepositions | Wrong prepositions make sentences wrong. | Common pairs: afraid of, interested in, dependent on. |
| 10 | Use process of elimination in a “multiple‑choice” format | Helps if you’re unsure. | Pick the option that fits the sentence most naturally. |
3. Worked Example
Passage
In the quiet town of [1], the old clock tower was a symbol of [2]. Every morning, the bell would toll, signalling the start of a new day. The townsfolk, [3] in their daily routines, would gather at the square to share news and stories.
One day, a [4] arrived, bringing a [5] that would change everything. The mayor decided to [6] the clock tower, hoping to preserve its historic value.
Options
| Blank | Options |
|---|---|
| 1 | a) Jaipur b) Jodhpur c) Udaipur d) Agra |
| 2 | a) tradition b) tragedy c) triumph d) turbulence |
| 3 | a) busy b) idle c) hurried d) cautious |
| 4 | a) stranger b) stranger c) shepherd d) scholar |
| 5 | a) rumor b) opportunity c) instrument d) catastrophe |
| 6 | a) restore b) remodel c) demolish d) neglect |
Step‑by‑Step Solution
| Blank | Reasoning | Correct Choice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The passage describes a quiet town; Udaipur is a quiet historical town in Rajasthan. | c) Udaipur |
| 2 | The clock tower is a symbol of tradition. | a) tradition |
| 3 | People gather daily, so they are busy in their routines. | a) busy |
| 4 | An unknown person arrives, so stranger fits. (Both a & b are same; choose one). | a) stranger |
| 5 | The stranger brings a catastrophe that changes everything. | d) catastrophe |
| 6 | The mayor wants to restore the clock tower to preserve it. | a) restore |
Final Filled Passage
In the quiet town of Udaipur, the old clock tower was a symbol of tradition. Every morning, the bell would toll, signalling the start of a new day. The townsfolk, busy in their daily routines, would gather at the square to share news and stories.
One day, a stranger arrived, bringing a catastrophe that would change everything. The mayor decided to restore the clock tower, hoping to preserve its historic value.
4. Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | Take‑away |
|---|---|
| Read entire passage first | Context matters |
| Identify required part‑of‑speech | Grammar check |
| Check tense & agreement | Keep verbs correct |
| Memorise collocations | Avoid odd combinations |
| Use surrounding clues | Narrow down options |
| Eliminate wrong choices | Save time |
| Pay attention to articles & prepositions | Small words matter |
| Practice with timed drills | Build speed & accuracy |
Practice Tip
Create a mini‑cloze test for yourself:
- Copy a paragraph from a newspaper or a book.
- Remove 5–7 words at random.
- Write 4 possible options for each blank.
- Time yourself and check your answers.
Repeat weekly to build confidence and speed—essential for the Rajasthan Police Constable exam!