GAP-FILLING OR CLOZE EXERCISES

Some papers test your knowledge of grammar. You are usually given a text with gaps in it, and you have to fill each gap with only one word. Follow these steps to help you do this well.

1. READING A TEXT

Always read the texts through a couple of times, until you have seen the whole picture. The text will have a title, so think about it:

2. FILLING IN THE GAPS

Start filling in the gaps. There is an example at the beginning (0) which is always done. Do the easy gaps first - don't be afraid to move backwards and forwards through the text.

3. ABOUT DIFFICULT GAPS

Work at the difficult gaps. Think about the grammar and the meaning of the missing word. Let's check this brief example:

Magellan's trip (2) . . . for three years and only a (3) . . . people survived the dangers of the expedition.

(2) You need a verb after 'Magellan's trip'. It is followed by 'for three years', so it must be something to do with time. 'For' suggests duration. What about lasted, spent or took? Which is right? Why?

(3) What sort of word would fit grammatically before 'people'? What about couple, few or some? Which is right? Why?

FINAL ADVICE

Check your ideas. When you have filled in a gap, read the sentence through and ask yourself:

-  Does it make sense?
-  Does it sound like good, correct English?
 

Remember:

1. Only ONE word per gap. Never put in two, even if they make sense.

2. If you have no idea what to put, guess. You don't lose marks for a wrong answer – and you might just be right!