Struggling with Comprehension Cloze? You’re not alone. Many students find this section of the PSLE English Paper 2 tough — not because it’s impossible, but because it tests everything at once: grammar, vocabulary, logic, and even your reading skills.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we’re here to help you crack the code. In this guide, you’ll learn how to spot the most common types of blanks that show up in Comprehension Cloze passages — and how to fill them with the right answers. With the right techniques and a bit of practice, you’ll start seeing patterns and scoring higher in no time.
What is Comprehension Cloze?
Comprehension Cloze is a component of the PSLE English Paper 2. Students are given a passage with 15 blanks and must fill them in using contextual understanding. The answers are not provided in a word bank — students must recall vocabulary and grammar rules to determine the best-fit word. This section tests a wide range of language skills: vocabulary, grammar, logic, and overall comprehension of the text. That means you need to:
- Understand the passage
- Use the correct grammar
- Choose the right word that makes sense
It’s basically a puzzle. But once you learn the types of clues hiding in the passage, it becomes easier to solve.
Why is Comprehension Cloze Challenging?
Unlike multiple-choice questions, there’s no list of options. That means there’s no safety net — if a student isn’t confident in their vocabulary or understanding of sentence structure, they may resort to guessing. Some common struggles include:
- Not reading the entire passage before attempting the blanks.
- Choosing words that are grammatically correct but contextually wrong.
- Not recognising collocations (words that naturally go together).
Common Answer Types in Comprehension Cloze
Understanding the types of answers that frequently appear in Comprehension Cloze gives students a strong advantage. Here are the most common categories:
1. Grammar-Based Answers
Some blanks test grammar knowledge. These often require:
- Articles (a, an, the)
- Prepositions (in, at, on, by)
- Pronouns (he, she, it, they)
- Conjunctions (and, but, although, because)
- Verb tenses (past, present, continuous)
Tip: Look at the sentence before and after the blank. What tense is being used? Is the subject singular or plural?
Example:
The children ___ playing in the park when it started to rain.
Answer: were (subject-verb agreement and past continuous tense)
2. Vocabulary-Based Answers
This is where a strong word bank comes in. These blanks require students to pick a word that fits both logically and contextually. It’s not just about meaning — it’s about choosing the best-fit word for the tone and message of the passage.
Example:
The thief ___ into the house while everyone was asleep.
Answer: crept (more accurate than “went” or “walked”)
Tip: If a student picks a generic word like “go” or “do,” challenge them to think of a more precise or expressive alternative.
3. Collocations
Collocations are combinations of words that are commonly used together in English. These word pairs (or groups) “sound right” to native speakers and are an essential part of natural English. Students who have memorised meanings of individual words may still struggle with Comprehension Cloze if they don’t know how words are paired in real usage. That’s why developing an instinct for collocations is crucial.
Common Collocation Types:
- Make a decision (NOT “do a decision”)
After thinking carefully, he finally made a decision to switch schools.
- Catch a bus (NOT “take a bus” in this context)
She ran quickly so she could catch the bus to school.
- Break a promise
It’s wrong to break a promise, especially to a friend.
- Take a break
The students were tired and needed to take a break.
- Strong coffee (NOT “powerful coffee”)
He needed a cup of strong coffee to wake up.
- Heavy rain (NOT “big rain”)
The game was cancelled due to the heavy rain.
- Deep sleep
She was in such a deep sleep that she didn’t hear the alarm.
- Loud noise
The loud noise from the construction site made it hard to focus.
- Traffic jam
We were late because of a traffic jam on the highway.
- Class trip
The school organised a class trip to the zoo.
- Rely on
You can always rely on your family for support.
- Apologise for
She had to apologise for being rude to the teacher.
- Focus on
Please focus on your homework and stop being distracted.
- Succeed in
He worked hard and succeeded in passing the exam.
- Afraid of
Many children are afraid of the dark.
- Good at
She is good at solving puzzles.
- Famous for
That restaurant is famous for its chilli crab.
- Interested in
He is interested in robotics and science.
Collocations come with practice and exposure. Students must read widely and revise lists of common collocations used in daily English.
4. Contextual Clues and Inference
Some blanks test a student’s ability to infer meaning from the passage. These can’t be answered by focusing on just one sentence — students must look at the entire paragraph or even the passage to figure out the implied idea.
Example:
He forgot to bring his umbrella, so he was completely ___ by the time he got home.
Answer: soaked or drenched (words linked to getting wet)
Tip: Encourage students to read the entire passage before filling in any blanks. Clues for a blank may appear earlier or later in the passage.
5. Linking Words (Cohesive Devices)
Linking words help the passage flow logically. These include:
- Addition: also, furthermore, in addition
- Contrast: however, although, on the other hand
- Cause and effect: because, therefore, as a result
Tip: Pay attention to punctuation marks like commas or full stops. These often accompany transition words and help guide your choice.
6. Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are two- or three-word phrases that act as verbs (e.g., give up, run into, take off). They can be tricky because their meanings often aren’t literal.
Example:
She finally ___ up smoking after ten years.
Answer: gave
Tip: Phrasal verbs are best learned through reading and practice. Keep a notebook of useful phrasal verbs and how they’re used in different contexts.
Primary English Comprehension Tips for Students
Here are 5 smart tips you can use every time you practise Comprehension Cloze:
1. Read the passage once fully
Don’t fill in anything yet. Just get the big picture.
2. Look for clues around each blank
Is the sentence in past tense? Is it talking about a cause or result?
3. Say your answer out loud
Does it sound natural? If not, it may be wrong.
4. Watch out for grammar traps
Check subject-verb agreement and prepositions.
5. Keep a list of tricky words and collocations
Review it often — the more you see them, the easier they stick.
Comprehension Cloze doesn’t have to feel like a mystery. The more you practise spotting these common answer types, the faster you’ll improve. Whether it’s grammar, collocations, or context clues, knowing what to look out for makes all the difference.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we train students just like you to tackle Comprehension Cloze with skill, strategy, and confidence. With our structured lessons and proven techniques, you’ll learn how to read smarter and answer better. So don’t give up — start early, practise smart, and unlock your full potential in Comprehension Cloze!
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