Steps to success in MC Cloze

The questions in MC Cloze can be classified as follows:

Context Questions

The correct options must tie in with the overall theme of the passage in terms of their semantic meanings. Here, the focus is on comprehension.

Grammar Questions

The correct options must be grammatical in the context. Special attention should be given to the correctness of verb forms and appropriateness of parts of speech.

Usage Questions

This part of the test assesses students' knowledge of choice of words and collocations. Special attention should be given to idiomatic use of common words and the choice of prepositions.

Steps and skills

With that in mind, the best way to handle MC Cloze is to follow the steps below:

Note the title and browse through the passage quickly to form a general idea of its theme.

Note the options provided to identify the question type.

Get the right answers by considering the three factors in sequence.

Grammar: Is the chosen option grammatical in terms of verb forms and parts of speech?

Meaning: Does it agree with the overall meaning?

Idiomatic Use: Is it the right choice of word or does it collocate with words in the context?

Practise the skills:

Question 1: Effective measures must be ___________ to reduce pollution.

A. taken B. put C. placed D. done

Factors to consider:

i) Grammar: verb (past participle to form a passive); options that pass: all

ii) Meaning: do, carry out, put into action, etc; options that pass: all

iii)Idiomatic use: take measures/steps/action; option that passes: A

Question 2: Even if I ______to get into the bank, I have no confidence to make the tellers there give me all the money.

A. can B. able C. succeed D. manage

Factors to consider:

i) Grammar: verb (basic form)

options that pass: C & D, (A is an auxiliary verb; B is an adjective)

ii) Meaning: be able to/can/could ...

options that pass: C & D

iii) Idiomatic use: succeed in getting into ... = manage to get into ...

option that passes: D

Question 3: _________ to decrease body fat one needs to increase muscle tone through exercise.

A. With hope B. Not only C. Instead of D. In order

Factors to consider:

i) Grammar: adverbial phrase

options that pass: all

ii) Meaning: hoping / wishing / wanting to ...

options that pass: A & D

iii) Idiomatic use: in the hope of decreasing = in order to decrease infinitive

option that passes: D

Note: not only ... but also; instead of + noun phrase or gerund