CDS English · Cloze Test
Linkers and Clause Openers: What Joins the Two Halves
A linker joins two ideas and shows how they relate. Read both halves, name the relation, then check the grammar that follows the blank.
Why this matters
These blanks test whether you follow the writer's argument, not just the words. The options are often all joining words that signal different relations. Choosing one that signals the opposite relation is the commonest mistake, and the second is choosing the right relation in the wrong grammar.
Concept 1 of 3: Linkers and what they signal
Before you look at the options, read the two halves the blank joins and say how they relate: more of the same, a contrast, a reason, a choice, or a step in time. Then pick the linker that signals that relation and fits the grammar after it.
Definition
The terms:
- Linker: a word that joins two ideas and shows how they relate.
- Addition: the second idea adds to the first (and, also).
- Contrast: the second idea goes against the first (but, yet).
- Concession: admitting one point while making another (though, despite, even).
- Reason: the second idea explains the first (because).
How to handle them:
- Name the relation between the two halves first.
- Then check what follows the blank. A full clause (a subject and a verb) needs because, though or when. A noun or an -ing form needs because of or despite.
- also sits inside a clause, after the subject or the helping verb: they also have. It does not join two clauses on its own.
| Relation | Linker | In the passage | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | and | on peace and living together | 2021 (I) |
| Addition | and | I lose my head and when I try to do any business there, I behave like an idiot | 2017 (II) |
| Addition, inside a clause | also | those with more equal learning outcomes also have better average learning outcomes | 2025 (II) |
| Alternative | or | life grows across it like grass or trees | 2021 (I) |
| Concession, before a noun | despite | repeated alcohol consumption despite related legal and health issues | 2022 (I) |
| Concession, before a clause | though | Though the term 'ecology' was first coined and used by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in 1869, ... | 2019 (II) |
| Emphasis: even this case | even | he feels that even the happiest man feels elated | 2025 (I) |
| Reason, before a clause | because | started dying because their internal system was getting blocked | 2021 (II) |
| First step in time | initially | Initially when English translations were made, they flipped the pictures | 2018 (II) |
Name the relation first, then check what follows: a clause or a noun.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2021 · CDS (II) 2021 — English · Q105Easy
Example 1 · Cloze Test · Linkers and Clause Openers
Directions: select the most appropriate word for each blank
Passage
The polythene bags ___(101)___ non-biodegradable, i.e., they cannot be decomposed ___(102)___ micro-organisms into manure. They remain as ___(103)___ even after years. Animals that started eating waste food ___(104)___ with these polythene bags, ultimately started dying ___(105)___ their internal system was getting blocked. The Government had no alternative ___(106)___ to ban these polythene bags. It is ___(107)___ duty of the Government to look into this matter; however, it is also the duty of each individual to ___(108)___ that we ___(109)___ use polythene bags. By using these we will not only harm the environment but ourselves as well. Thus, say ‘No’ to plastic bags and contribute ___(110)___ society.
Blank (105): "... ultimately started dying _______ their internal system was getting blocked."
The right relation in the wrong grammar
of and for can also give a reason, but only before a noun. A full clause such as 'their system was getting blocked' needs because. Check what follows the blank.
A linker that signals the opposite
though and because both join clauses, but one concedes and the other explains. Read both halves and ask: does the second half explain the first, or go against it?
In spite of where the sentence needs a clause
'In spite of the term ecology was first coined ...' is wrong: in spite of, like despite, needs a noun. Before a full clause, use though.
Concept 2 of 3: A paired linker is decided by its partner
Some linkers come in pairs: both ... and, either ... or, neither ... nor, not only ... but also, not ... but. If you see one half, the blank is its partner.
Definition
The terms:
- Correlative pair: two linkers that work together across a sentence.
The method:
- Scan the whole sentence around the blank for half of a pair: not, either, neither, not only, and, or, nor.
- If one half is there, the blank is its partner. both goes with and; either with or; neither with nor; not only with but also; not X with but Y.
- If the blank comes before 'X and Y', try both: 'both on war in general, and on any particular war'.
- The partner can be many words away. Read to the end of the sentence.
- The two halves join things of the same kind: two nouns, two phrases or two clauses.
Worked example
Fill both blanks: '___ the captain nor the coach could explain the defeat, and the players were ___ tired and hungry.' First blank: Either / Neither / Both. Second blank: both / either / neither.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2023 · CDS (I) 2023 — English · Q82Easy
Example 2 · Cloze Test · Linkers and Clause Openers
Directions: In this section, there is a passage having some blank spaces with four words or groups of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Passage
It is necessary, ___(81)___ any war, to consider, not its proper justification in past agreements, ___(82)___ its real justification in the balance of good which it is to bring to mankind. At the beginning of a war, each nation, under the influence of what is called ___(83)___ believes that its own victory is ___(84)___ certain and of great importance to mankind. The praiseworthiness of this belief has become an accepted maxim of common sense : even when war is actually in progress it ___(85)___ to be natural and right that a citizen of an enemy country should regard the victory of his side as assured and highly ___(86)___ By concentrating attention upon the supposed advantages of the victory of our own side, we ___(87)___ more or less blind to the evils inseparable from war and equally certain whichever side may ultimately prove ___(88)___ Yet so long as these are not fully realized, it is impossible ___(89)___ justly ___(90)___ a war is or is not likely to be beneficial to the human race. Although the theme is trite, it is necessary therefore briefly to remind ourselves what the evils of war really are.
... to consider, not its proper justification in past agreements, _______ its real justification in the balance of good ...
Mixing the partners
'either ... nor' and 'neither ... or' are both wrong. Each half has one partner only.
Missing a partner far away
In a long sentence the second half can come a line later. If you choose without reading to the end, a word like 'however' or 'as well as' can look right in place of both.
both with more than two
both joins exactly two things. For three or more, drop both: 'He is brave, honest and fit.'
Concept 3 of 3: Clause openers: that, whether, which, where, when, how
Some blanks open a whole clause. The opener depends on the job of the clause: a fact (that), a yes-or-no question (whether), a time (when), a place or a situation (where), a manner (how), or extra detail about a noun (which).
Definition
The terms:
- Clause opener: a word that starts a clause inside a bigger sentence.
- Relative pronoun: which, who or that, used to add detail about a noun. It fills a place inside its own clause, as subject or object.
- Noun clause: a clause that works as a noun, often after verbs such as show, know or judge: showed that ..., judge whether ...
The method:
- Read the clause after the blank. Is it complete, with its own subject and object, or does it have a gap?
- It has a gap (no subject, or a missing object): which or who. 'Leadership which initiates ...': which is the subject of initiates.
- It is complete and follows a noun of place or situation: where. After a noun of time: when ('a time when he was still a primitive being').
- It is complete and follows a verb such as show, prove or say: that.
- After judge, ask or know, with an open yes-or-no idea ('is or is not'): whether.
- It explains the way something happens: how ('understanding how habits work').
- 'It's not that ...' is a fixed opener for denying a reason.
Worked example
Fill the three blanks: 'The cadets could not decide ___ the river was safe to cross. They waited for the hour ___ the water was lowest, and then held a rope ___ the guide had tied across it.' Options: (whether / that / which); (when / which / how); (which / how / when)
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
CDS · 2022 · CDS (II) 2022 — English · Q42Moderate
Example 3 · Cloze Test · Linkers and Clause Openers
Directions: Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four words or group of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
Passage
CLOZE COMPOSITION
Banking is ___(41)___ essential building block to reach greater prosperity and help build a better system ___(42)___ financial services can create a path out of poverty. However, big traditional banks often exclude low-income populations ___(43)___ requirements or by using historically discriminatory practices that keep ___(44)___ low-income customers ___(45)___ from formal finance. Modern lifestyles are predicated ___(46)___ debt. If you have a stable and reliable income, have a bank account with access to a range ___(47)___ modern financial products, you can manage your debts efficiently. This ___(48)___ what the entire financial system is for. But debt ___(49)___ a lifetime's trap if you don't have easy access to ___(50)___ financial products.
Blank (42): "a better system ____ financial services can create a path out of poverty."
which before a complete clause
'the village which I was born' is wrong: 'I was born' is complete, so nothing is left for which to fill. Use where (or in which).
that where the idea is open
'it is impossible to judge ___ a war is or is not likely to be beneficial' leaves the answer open, so whether. that would state it as a fact.
what after a noun
what already contains its own noun ('the thing that'). After a noun such as 'the book', use which or that, never what.
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Reference tables (1)
Linkers and what they signal9 rows
| Relation | Linker | In the passage | Sitting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | and | on peace and living together | 2021 (I) |
| Addition | and | I lose my head and when I try to do any business there, I behave like an idiot | 2017 (II) |
| Addition, inside a clause | also | those with more equal learning outcomes also have better average learning outcomes | 2025 (II) |
| Alternative | or | life grows across it like grass or trees | 2021 (I) |
| Concession, before a noun | despite | repeated alcohol consumption despite related legal and health issues | 2022 (I) |
| Concession, before a clause | though | Though the term 'ecology' was first coined and used by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in 1869, ... | 2019 (II) |
| Emphasis: even this case | even | he feels that even the happiest man feels elated | 2025 (I) |
| Reason, before a clause | because | started dying because their internal system was getting blocked | 2021 (II) |
| First step in time | initially | Initially when English translations were made, they flipped the pictures | 2018 (II) |
Name the relation first, then check what follows: a clause or a noun.
Watch out for (9)
- The right relation in the wrong grammar→ Linkers and what they signal
- A linker that signals the opposite→ Linkers and what they signal
- In spite of where the sentence needs a clause→ Linkers and what they signal
- Mixing the partners→ A paired linker is decided by its partner
- Missing a partner far away→ A paired linker is decided by its partner
- both with more than two→ A paired linker is decided by its partner
- which before a complete clause→ Clause openers: that, whether, which, where, when, how
- that where the idea is open→ Clause openers: that, whether, which, where, when, how
- what after a noun→ Clause openers: that, whether, which, where, when, how
Test yourself on Cloze Test
20 past CDS questions from this chapter, timed at 20 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.