Summary of "HOW TO SOLVE CLOZE TESTS | BEST STRATEGY | IBPS PO | IBPS CLERK | BANK EXAMS | NIMISHA BANSAL"

Summary of the Video: “HOW TO SOLVE CLOZE TESTS | BEST STRATEGY | IBPS PO | IBPS CLERK | BANK EXAMS | NIMISHA BANSAL”

The video is a detailed tutorial on how to effectively solve cloze tests, especially useful for bank exams like IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk. The instructor, Nimisha Bansal, explains the concept, strategies, and step-by-step methodology to approach cloze tests, followed by live practice with example passages.

Main Ideas and Concepts

What is a Cloze Test?

A passage (sometimes multiple paragraphs) is given with blanks.
The task is to fill in the blanks with the correct word from the given options.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Do not jump directly to filling blanks without understanding the passage.

Step 1: Skimming the Passage

Spend 1 to 1.5 minutes skimming the passage.
Skimming means reading quickly to get the overall idea and tone.
Identify:
- The topic of the passage
- The author’s tone (positive, negative, neutral)
- What is being praised or criticized
- The general theme or subject matter
This step is crucial for contextual understanding.

Step 2: Reading the Questions/Blanks

After skimming, read each blank/question carefully.
Understand the sentence structure and what kind of word (part of speech) fits.

Key Strategies to Solve Cloze Tests

Vocabulary:
- Good vocabulary helps a lot but is not always necessary.
- When vocabulary is weak, other strategies become important.
Part of Speech Method:
- Identify the part of speech required (noun, adjective, verb, etc.).
- Use word endings or suffixes to guess parts of speech (e.g., words ending with “-ion” are usually nouns).
Grammar Method:
- Use grammar rules to determine the correct form of the word (e.g., verb tense, subject-verb agreement).
- Look for clues like “v1 + ing” or phrasal verbs.
Tone and Context:
- Use the overall tone of the passage to eliminate options.
- Recognize negative or positive prefixes like “in-,” “un-,” “dis-” to guess word tone.
- Understand the mood of the passage to select words that fit the tone.

Practice with Real Examples

The instructor practices two cloze tests live.
For each blank, the instructor explains:
- Skimming the passage to understand context and tone.
- Using vocabulary and synonyms to choose the best fit.
- Applying grammar rules and part of speech clues.
- Reasoning through the meaning and tone of options.
Examples include passages about:
- Problems in the power sector and payment delays (negative tone).
- Achievements of athlete Mirabai Chanu (positive tone).

Additional Tips

Synonyms and similar meaning words often appear as options; knowing them helps.
Some words or phrases are phrasal verbs (e.g., “clear up” means to release or resolve).
Time management is important: skim quickly, then spend time on questions.
Practice regularly to improve speed and accuracy.

Encouragement and Engagement

The instructor encourages viewers to like, share, and subscribe.
Provides PDFs with solutions on a Telegram channel for further practice.
Requests viewers to share their scores and participate actively.

Detailed Methodology / Instructions to Solve Cloze Tests

Skim the Passage
- Time: 1 to 1.5 minutes
- Goals: Identify topic, tone, and general meaning.
Read Each Blank and Options
- Analyze sentence structure.
- Identify part of speech needed.
Apply Vocabulary Knowledge
- Choose words that fit meaning and tone.
- Use synonyms and antonyms to eliminate options.
Use Grammar Rules
- Confirm verb tense, adjective/noun forms, phrasal verbs, etc.
Consider Tone and Context
- Use positive/negative cues from the passage.
- Use prefixes/suffixes to understand word connotation.
Make an Educated Guess if Needed
- If unsure, eliminate unlikely options based on above criteria.
Practice Regularly
- Practice multiple cloze tests to improve speed and accuracy.