Cloze Test

What is a cloze test?

 a test of the ability to comprehend text in which
the reader has to supply the missing words that have been r
emoved from the text at regular intervals
 a test for diagnosing reading ability; words are deleted
from a prose passage and the reader is required to fill in the
blanks
 a technique for measuring reading comprehension, words
are removed from a reading passage at regular intervals,
leaving blanks
 an exercise, test, or assessment consisting of a portion of a
text with certain words removed (cloze text) and the
students are asked to replace the missing words. Words may
be deleted from the text in question either mechanically
(every nth word) or selectively, depending on what aspects
the test intends to give emphasis to.
A cloze passage
A passage used in ________ cloze test is a
________ of written material in ________
words have been regularly _________ . The
subjects must then _________ to
reconstruct the passage _________ filling in
the missing _________ .
Short history of cloze test
 invented by W. Taylor in 1953
 influenced by the Gestalt School of Psychology
which experimented in ‘closure’ regarding
geometrical figures by filling in for the
incomplete figures/details.
 Taylor applied this theory to language and
comprehension testing and was called by him
CLOZE TEST
 generally composed of a passage of (250-500
words) in which words are deleted at standard
intervals
Solution to Sample Cloze Test

A passage used in ____a___ cloze test is a

__part____ of written material in __which__
words have been regularly
___removed___ . The subjects must then
__analyze__ to reconstruct the passage
___by__ filling in the missing __words__.
Types of Cloze Test
a. Fixed Ratio Cloze or Nth word deletion
Words are deleted systematically by counting off, regardless of
the part of speech.
b. Rational Deletion Cloze
Words are deleted by part of speech or content area
vocabulary.
c. Maze Technique
Three word choices are provided at each missing word
interval.
d. Limited Cloze
Word choices (one per blank) are provided all together in a
word bank at the top or bottom of the page.
Sample of a Fixed Ratio Cloze
 People in developing countries are, it
_______ , being persuaded by advertising
that affluent _______ normally smoke,
though non-smokers outnumber smokers
_______ Britain, the United States, Belgium,
Switzerland, Sweden _______ other
European countries.
Rational Deletion Cloze
 Mybrother and I sometimes go to a
football match . Last Friday, we saw a
match _______ we greatly enjoyed.
_______ two teams _______ fast and skilful.
The forwards maneuvered _______ shot
hard and straight.

 Answers : 1. which 2. the 3. were 4. and

Maze Technique/Multiple
Choice Cloze
 While I was standing _______ a red light at the
corner, a yellow car _______ the light and hit a
blue car which was ______ through the
intersection. Obviously, the driver of the yellow
______ was at fault.
Choices for:
Space 1: a.) in b.) with c.) at d.) from
Space 2: a.) ran b.) put out c.) left d.) put on
Space 3: a.) racing b.) going c.) driving d.)
stopping
Space 4: a.) a lorry b.) car c.) bike d.) van
Limited Cloze
 While I was standing _______ a red light at the
corner, a yellow car _______ the light and hit a
blue car which was ______ through the
intersection. Obviously, the driver of the yellow
______ was at fault.
Choices:
car
from
left
going
 Four types of blank (or deletion)
1. within the clause
Their primary purpose is usually _______ give religious
instruction to children.
2. outside the clause within the sentence
Joe is a freshman, and he ______ having all the
problems that most ______ have. As a matter of fact, his
_____ started before he even left home.
3 . across sentences
________ general, people like her.

4. outside the text, (to a learner’s background knowledge)

The bachelor’s degree can _______ followed by
professional studies, ________ lead to degrees in
________ professions as law and ________ , and
graduate studies , which, ________ to master’s and
doctoral ________.
ESSAY TEST
a test that requires the student to compose
responses, usually lengthy up to several
paragraphs.
 it measures Higher Level Thinking Questions that
test higher level processes
Advantages of Essay Test
1. Essay gives students freedom to
respond within broad limits.
2. Guessing is eliminated.
3. Essay tests are practical for testing a
small number of students.
4. Essay tests reduce assembling time.
5. They can measure divergent thinking.
Disadvantages of Essay Test
1. Essays are difficult to score objectively.
2. Extended essays measure only the limited
aspects of student knowledge.
3. Essay questions are time consuming for
teachers and students.
4. Essays eliminate guessing but not bluffing.
5. Most essays require a little more than rote
memory.
6. Essay tests place premium on writing.
The Use of Essay Test to
Facilitate Learning
1. Raises the quality of writing.
2. Teaches students to organize, outline
and summarize assignments rather than
simply look for facts, dates and details
expected in T-F or multiple-choice test.
Arguments Against Essay
1. Essay tests do not allow the students to
revise and rewrite their work since time
is limited.
2. The teachers-over attention to details
can destroy the themes of essay.
Situations that Suggest the Use
of Essay Questions
 Ifthe test has require that students have
to write, recall, or supply information, an
essay examination may be necessary.
 When the class is small, the teacher can
afford to spend more time reading essay
responses.
 If a test can be used only once , essay
test is preferable than a multiple choice
one.
THANK YOU! 