SSC CGL English · Cloze Test
Grammar of the Blank
Blanks whose options differ in grammar rather than meaning: the part of speech the slot needs, the form and tense of a verb, the preposition a word takes, and the linker that joins two ideas.
Why this matters
One hundred and thirteen questions in the bank, 57 from the 2023 shifts and 56 from the 2024 shifts, and 100 of them EASY. When the options are forms of one word (is, are, was) or small words (and, but, so), the words around the blank decide, and these are the quickest marks in a passage.
Concept 1 of 4: What the slot needs
Look at the words on each side of the blank. After an article or an adjective comes a noun; before a noun comes an adjective; with a verb comes an adverb. Than needs a comparative, one of the needs a superlative and a plural.
Definition
- Noun: after a, an, the or an adjective, and as the object of a verb: "a clear description".
- Adjective: before a noun, or after be, become, seem: "deep sleep".
- Adverb: with a verb: "sang beautifully".
- Comparison: a comparative before than; as ... as with the plain form; one of the + superlative + plural noun.
- Articles and determiners: the for something unique or defined; much with uncountable nouns, many and a few with plurals.
- Pronouns: match the noun they stand for: their before a noun, one's after one.
Worked example
The guide gave us a clear ___ of the old fort. (a) describe (b) description (c) descriptive (d) describing
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
SSC CGL · 2024 · Tier I, 13 Sep 2024, Shift 1 · Q97Easy
Example 1 · Cloze Test · Grammar of the Blank
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Sleeping, dreaming and waking are three important (1)_______ for ordinary humans. But for those who have (2)_______ transcendental knowledge, all three are almost same and there is not much difference among these three. ‘The world and life is a myth and it keeps on changing’ (3)_______ Adi Shankaracharya, the greatest ‘Advaita’ preacher. Ramana Maharshi observed no difference between dreaming and waking states. What he said is that it is from one unreal world to another (4)_______ world. There is no difference between the images one sees when waking up and the images he/she sees during dreams. According to this great sage of the modern century, the first one is daydream and the second one is a night dream. The usual philosophers say that mind and body are the two elements and mind is the source of all diverse thoughts. In the waking up state, the mind is active with all tensions and dissatisfactions, so happiness is missing: during sleep as the mind is absent and so is the physical world, the real happiness (5)______. It is said that deep sleep, where there is no feeling of body, mind and the world, is the natural state of human beings.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
Choosing by meaning when the options are forms of one word
If the options are describe, description and descriptive, the meaning is the same; only the part of speech the slot needs decides.
A plain adjective before than
Than always needs a comparative: taller than, more useful than. "Tall than" is never right.
Concept 2 of 4: The verb's form and tense
A verb blank is settled by three checks: the subject (singular or plural), the time of the passage (present story or past), and the word before the blank (a modal takes the base form; is, are or were before a participle make a passive).
Definition
- Agreement: a singular subject takes a singular verb ("the fair attracts"), even when a phrase stands between them.
- Tense of the passage: a passage told in the present keeps to the present; one told in the past keeps to the past.
- Passive: when the subject receives the action, use be + past participle: "was built", "are used".
- After a modal or begins to: the base form: will go, begins to sink.
- After have, has, had: the past participle: have occurred.
- Parallel lists: reading, writing and counting, not reading, writing and count.
Worked example
The bridge ___ in 1950 by a British firm. (a) built (b) was built (c) has built (d) builds
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
SSC CGL · 2023 · Tier I, 26 Jul 2023, Shift 1 · Q97Easy
Example 2 · Cloze Test · Grammar of the Blank
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
We know infinitely (1)________ about the wealthy people of Egypt than we do about the ordinary people, as most monuments were made for the rich. Houses in which ordinary Egyptian lived have not been preserved, and when most people died they were (2)_______ in simple graves. Most of our traditional sources of information (3)_______ the Old Kingdom are monuments of the rich (4)_______ pyramids and tombs. Even papyri come mainly from pyramid temples. (5) ________ this does not mean that death was the Egyptians’ only preoccupation.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 2.
Ignoring the passage's tense
Each blank is part of a passage. If the passage tells a past story, a present-tense option breaks it even when the sentence alone would allow it.
Losing the subject behind a phrase
In "The list of names ___ long", the subject is list, so the verb is is, not are.
Concept 3 of 4: Prepositions after a word
Many words fix the preposition after them (fond of, according to, a surprise to), and phrasal verbs change meaning with the small word (pass on is tell, pass away is die). Read the word before the blank and the phrase after it.
Definition
- After an adjective or noun: fond of, capable of, according to, a surprise to, information about.
- Time: on a day (on Monday), in a month or year, at a clock time; since a point of time, for a period.
- Place and spread: across the country (all over it), within ourselves (inside), among several.
- Means: by (played by blowing, sent by post).
- Phrasal verbs: pass on (tell), cover up (hide), bring about (cause), call on (urge).
Worked example
She is fond ___ music. (a) of (b) in (c) with (d) at
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
SSC CGL · 2024 · Tier I, 23 Sep 2024, Shift 1 · Q98Easy
Example 3 · Cloze Test · Grammar of the Blank
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Culture is (1)_______, understanding, and protecting, like the cultivation of a garden, not the destruction or eradication of its roots. Understanding the roots and seeds, taking much care and providing instructed nourishment (2)_______ important for good gardening. Culture also is similar; understanding its acquaintance (3)______ literature and art and careful protection are required. Culture is the way of life of a particular society in which a group of people live together in one place. The society's culture is visible in its literature, arts, social system, language and religion. It is a combination of traditions, customs, institutions, food habits, manners, morals, thoughts, tastes, views and beliefs. Usually, families (4)______ culture to the younger generations. As family system is becoming weak, schools, colleges and universities should take up this responsibility as education should promote potential values of its culture. The role of universities (5)_______ only to issue course completed certificates.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
The small word that changes a phrasal verb
Pass on means tell, pass away means die; bring about means cause, bring out means publish. Check which meaning the passage needs.
Since and for
Since takes a point of time (since 1985), for a length of time (for forty years).
Concept 4 of 4: Linkers and clause openers
A linker blank asks how two ideas relate: however and although for a contrast, therefore for a result, moreover and besides for an added point, since for a reason, until and when for time. Name the relation first, then choose the word.
Definition
- Contrast: however, although, whereas, yet, but.
- Result: therefore, as a result.
- Addition: moreover, besides, furthermore, as well as, and.
- Reason and time: since and because for a reason; when, while and until for time.
- Alternatives: or; neither and nor only in a negative pair.
- Relative words: who for people, which for things (and always after a comma), whose for possession.
Worked example
He studied hard; ___, he failed the test. (a) therefore (b) however (c) moreover (d) besides
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
SSC CGL · 2024 · Tier I, 9 Sep 2024, Shift 1 · Q96Easy
Example 4 · Cloze Test · Grammar of the Blank
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
There is a saying that coming events cast their shadows before. (1)________, it is not universally true. Something can happen within a second, and one may not (2)________ it. (3)________, some instances show that predictions based on certain signs have gone wrong. People generally say that natural calamities can be predicted by observing the animals. But what if animals are suffering from some disease and don’t show any signs before the event appears? They may fail to make peculiar sounds or actions about the events which are going to take place. (4)________, some unnatural calamities that are likely to appear may forecast their shadows by some bad omens. (5)________, we should not completely cancel out the possibilities that animals can sense certain unnatural happenings.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
A result word after a contrast
"He studied hard; therefore, he failed" makes no sense. Name the relation before choosing: opposite ideas need a contrast linker.
That after a comma
A clause after a comma that adds information about a thing takes which, not that: "the fort, which was built in 1600".
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.
Watch out for (8)
- Choosing by meaning when the options are forms of one word→ What the slot needs
- A plain adjective before than→ What the slot needs
- Ignoring the passage's tense→ The verb's form and tense
- Losing the subject behind a phrase→ The verb's form and tense
- The small word that changes a phrasal verb→ Prepositions after a word
- Since and for→ Prepositions after a word
- A result word after a contrast→ Linkers and clause openers
- That after a comma→ Linkers and clause openers
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