Cloze Test Masterclass
Master the art of solving Cloze Tests in banking exams with speed and accuracy.
Introduction to Cloze Tests
A Cloze Test is a comprehensive test of your English language skills. It presents a passage with numbered blanks, and for each blank you must pick the word that best fits both the grammar and the meaning of the surrounding text.
It tests:
- Vocabulary: Knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, and context-specific word choice.
- Grammar: Command over tenses, prepositions, and parts of speech.
- Reading Comprehension: Ability to follow the flow and logic of a passage as a whole.
Strategies to Solve Faster
- Read the Full Passage First: Resist the urge to fill blanks immediately. Read the complete paragraph to grasp the theme (positive/negative), tone (formal/narrative), and overall argument.
- Pin the Part of Speech: Look at the words immediately before and after each blank.
- Example: "The committee decided to ____ the proposal." (Verb needed)
- Example: "It was a ____ step toward reform." (Adjective needed)
- Spot Transition Words: Connectors like however, although, therefore, moreover signal shifts or additions in meaning — use them as direction markers.
- Eliminate First: Cross out options that are grammatically wrong or factually out of place before committing to an answer.
- Test Collocations: Some words belong together naturally — e.g., "pose a threat," "extend credit," "bridge the gap." If an option breaks a common collocation, drop it.
Practice Sets
Directions: In the following passages, some words have been removed and replaced with blanks. Choose the most appropriate word from the options given to fill each blank.
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Introduction to Cloze Tests
A Cloze Test is a comprehensive test of your English language skills. It presents a passage with numbered blanks, and for each blank you must pick the word that best fits both the grammar and the meaning of the surrounding text.
It tests:
- Vocabulary: Knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, and context-specific word choice.
- Grammar: Command over tenses, prepositions, and parts of speech.
- Reading Comprehension: Ability to follow the flow and logic of a passage as a whole.
Strategies to Solve Faster
- Read the Full Passage First: Resist the urge to fill blanks immediately. Read the complete paragraph to grasp the theme (positive/negative), tone (formal/narrative), and overall argument.
- Pin the Part of Speech: Look at the words immediately before and after each blank.
- Example: "The committee decided to ____ the proposal." (Verb needed)
- Example: "It was a ____ step toward reform." (Adjective needed)
- Spot Transition Words: Connectors like however, although, therefore, moreover signal shifts or additions in meaning — use them as direction markers.
- Eliminate First: Cross out options that are grammatically wrong or factually out of place before committing to an answer.
- Test Collocations: Some words belong together naturally — e.g., "pose a threat," "extend credit," "bridge the gap." If an option breaks a common collocation, drop it.
Practice Sets
Directions: In the following passages, some words have been removed and replaced with blanks. Choose the most appropriate word from the options given to fill each blank.
Set 1: NABARD and Rural Infrastructure
Passage:
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has long (A) as the backbone of agricultural credit in India. Established in 1982, the institution was created to (B) the flow of credit to the farm sector and to support the development of rural infrastructure. Over the decades, NABARD has expanded its mandate significantly, funding irrigation projects, rural roads, warehousing facilities, and watershed management programmes. The bank operates through a (C) network of regional rural banks and cooperative credit societies, ensuring that financial services reach even the most remote villages. One of NABARD's flagship programmes is the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), under which it provides low-cost loans to state governments for building critical rural assets. Despite these (D) efforts, challenges remain. Many small and marginal farmers still find it difficult to access institutional credit and continue to (E) on informal moneylenders who charge exploitative rates of interest. Addressing this gap remains a (F) priority for policymakers who seek to bring every farmer within the formal financial fold.
Q1. Blank (A): "NABARD has long (A) as the backbone of agricultural credit in India."
(a) emerged
(b) functioned
(c) declined
(d) appeared
(e) remained
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) functioned
The sentence describes NABARD's long-standing operational role. "Functioned as" means it has served in that capacity.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (b) functioned | Served in a particular role | Yes — "functioned as the backbone" is natural |
| (a) emerged | Came into being | No — implies it is new, contradicts "long" |
| (c) declined | Decreased or weakened | No — negative meaning, wrong context |
| (d) appeared | Came into view | No — too vague, weak collocation |
| (e) remained | Stayed the same | Possible but "functioned" is more precise |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms for "functioned as" — served as, operated as, acted as.
Q2. Blank (B): "...the institution was created to (B) the flow of credit to the farm sector."
(a) restrict
(b) divert
(c) channelise
(d) disrupt
(e) reduce
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) channelise
The purpose of NABARD was to direct credit toward agriculture, not block or divert it elsewhere.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) channelise | Direct into a specific course | Yes — channelise credit to farming is correct |
| (a) restrict | Limit or control | No — opposite of the intended purpose |
| (b) divert | Turn away from original course | No — implies redirecting away |
| (d) disrupt | Disturb or interrupt | No — negative meaning |
| (e) reduce | Make smaller | No — contradicts the institution's purpose |
Vocabulary Builder: Related words — channel, direct, route, funnel.
Q3. Blank (C): "The bank operates through a (C) network of regional rural banks..."
(a) fragmented
(b) sparse
(c) vast
(d) defunct
(e) limited
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) vast
The passage emphasises reach to "even the most remote villages," which implies a wide, extensive network.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) vast | Very large in size or extent | Yes — supports the idea of wide rural coverage |
| (a) fragmented | Broken into disconnected parts | No — implies poor coordination |
| (b) sparse | Thinly spread | No — contradicts "even the most remote" coverage |
| (d) defunct | No longer functioning | No — clearly wrong |
| (e) limited | Restricted in scope | No — contradicts the passage's positive tone |
Vocabulary Builder: Antonyms — sparse, limited, narrow.
Q4. Blank (D): "Despite these (D) efforts, challenges remain."
(a) negligible
(b) commendable
(c) futile
(d) sporadic
(e) misguided
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) commendable
The word "Despite" signals a contrast — the efforts are positive but challenges still persist. Only a positive word makes sense here.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (b) commendable | Deserving praise | Yes — positive efforts contrasted with remaining challenges |
| (a) negligible | Too small to matter | No — does not fit praising NABARD's work |
| (c) futile | Pointless | No — contradicts the passage's overall positive framing |
| (d) sporadic | Irregular, occasional | Possible but lacks the positive contrast "despite" needs |
| (e) misguided | Based on wrong thinking | No — clearly negative |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms — laudable, praiseworthy, admirable.
Q5. Blank (E): "...continue to (E) on informal moneylenders who charge exploitative rates."
(a) rely
(b) comment
(c) report
(d) insist
(e) depend
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) rely or (e) depend — both fit, but exam options require one; (a) rely is the primary answer.
The phrase "rely on" is the standard collocation when describing dependence on a source.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (a) rely | Depend on with confidence/necessity | Yes — "rely on moneylenders" is a natural phrase |
| (e) depend | Need something for support | Yes — but "rely on" is more common in this context |
| (b) comment | Make a remark | No — wrong meaning |
| (c) report | Give an account | No — wrong meaning |
| (d) insist | Demand firmly | No — wrong meaning |
Vocabulary Builder: "Rely on" collocations — rely on credit, rely on subsidies, rely on rainfall.
Q6. Blank (F): "Addressing this gap remains a (F) priority for policymakers."
(a) fading
(b) peripheral
(c) critical
(d) remote
(e) nominal
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) critical
The tone of the passage is serious; using "critical priority" aligns with the urgency of financial inclusion.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) critical | Extremely important | Yes — matches the urgency of inclusive finance |
| (a) fading | Becoming less important | No — contradicts the call for action |
| (b) peripheral | Of minor importance | No — opposite meaning |
| (d) remote | Distant or unlikely | No — wrong meaning in this context |
| (e) nominal | In name only, very small | No — suggests the priority is not real |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms for "critical priority" — pressing concern, paramount issue, key challenge.
Set 2: Organic Farming in India
Passage:
India's push toward organic farming has gained considerable (A) in recent years, driven by growing consumer awareness about food safety and the long-term damage caused by chemical-intensive agriculture. The government has (B) several schemes to encourage farmers to shift away from synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. One such initiative is the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), which provides financial assistance to clusters of farmers willing to adopt certified organic practices. Proponents argue that organic farming not only (C) soil health but also opens up premium export markets for Indian produce. Critics, however, warn that a rapid and unplanned transition could (D) food production, particularly for small farmers who lack the resources to manage the two-to-three year yield gap that typically accompanies the shift. Striking the right balance — supporting those who choose organic methods while safeguarding overall food security — requires careful (E) and strong extension services to (F) farmers through the transition.
Q7. Blank (A): "India's push toward organic farming has gained considerable (A) in recent years."
(a) resistance
(b) scrutiny
(c) momentum
(d) indifference
(e) controversy
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) momentum
"Gained momentum" is a fixed collocation meaning the movement has grown stronger over time.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) momentum | Driving force that increases over time | Yes — "gained momentum" is standard |
| (a) resistance | Opposition | No — implies it is being opposed, contradicts "push" |
| (b) scrutiny | Close examination | Possible but "gained scrutiny" is not as natural |
| (d) indifference | Lack of interest | No — opposite of what the passage describes |
| (e) controversy | Public disagreement | Possible but too negative for the passage's framing |
Vocabulary Builder: "Gain momentum" — also: gain traction, gain ground, gain impetus.
Q8. Blank (B): "The government has (B) several schemes to encourage farmers."
(a) scrapped
(b) rolled out
(c) concealed
(d) debated
(e) inherited
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) rolled out
"Roll out" means to launch or introduce something officially, which suits government scheme announcements.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (b) rolled out | Launched officially | Yes — government rolls out schemes |
| (a) scrapped | Abandoned | No — opposite meaning |
| (c) concealed | Hidden | No — opposite of publicising schemes |
| (d) debated | Discussed without deciding | No — implies no action taken |
| (e) inherited | Received from a predecessor | No — wrong context |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms — launched, introduced, implemented, unveiled.
Q9. Blank (C): "...organic farming not only (C) soil health but also opens up premium export markets."
(a) depletes
(b) ignores
(c) endangers
(d) restores
(e) contaminates
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) restores
The passage has a positive framing for organic farming. The blank must carry a positive meaning for soil health.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (d) restores | Returns to a former healthy condition | Yes — organic farming is known to restore soil |
| (a) depletes | Reduces or exhausts | No — this is what chemical farming does |
| (b) ignores | Pays no attention to | No — wrong meaning |
| (c) endangers | Puts at risk | No — negative, contradicts the argument |
| (e) contaminates | Pollutes | No — opposite of the claim |
Vocabulary Builder: Related words — rejuvenate, regenerate, replenish, revive.
Q10. Blank (D): "...a rapid transition could (D) food production."
(a) enhance
(b) jeopardise
(c) sustain
(d) accelerate
(e) guarantee
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) jeopardise
The sentence expresses a risk or danger. "Jeopardise food production" means put it at risk — consistent with the critics' warning.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (b) jeopardise | Put at risk of harm | Yes — the critics warn of danger to food output |
| (a) enhance | Improve | No — that is the opposite of the critics' concern |
| (c) sustain | Maintain | No — wrong, the critics fear a drop, not maintenance |
| (d) accelerate | Speed up | No — doesn't express risk |
| (e) guarantee | Ensure | No — too positive for the critics' argument |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms — endanger, threaten, undermine, compromise.
Q11. Blank (E): "...requires careful (E) and strong extension services."
(a) neglect
(b) planning
(c) denial
(d) enforcement
(e) publicity
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) planning
The sentence calls for a measured approach to balancing organic adoption with food security — "careful planning" is the natural phrase.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (b) planning | Organised preparation | Yes — "careful planning" is a standard collocation |
| (a) neglect | Failure to care for | No — opposite meaning |
| (c) denial | Refusal to accept | No — wrong meaning |
| (d) enforcement | Imposing rules | Possible but less apt than planning |
| (e) publicity | Promotion in media | No — not relevant to balancing food security |
Vocabulary Builder: "Careful planning" — also: thoughtful approach, meticulous strategy, prudent management.
Q12. Blank (F): "...strong extension services to (F) farmers through the transition."
(a) abandon
(b) mislead
(c) guide
(d) replace
(e) discourage
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) guide
Extension services exist to inform and support farmers. "Guide through" is the natural phrase for navigating a transition.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) guide | Show the way or advise | Yes — "guide farmers through the transition" is natural |
| (a) abandon | Leave without support | No — opposite of the purpose |
| (b) mislead | Give wrong information | No — opposite |
| (d) replace | Substitute | No — wrong meaning |
| (e) discourage | Deter | No — contradicts the purpose of extension services |
Vocabulary Builder: Collocations — guide through, steer through, walk through, navigate.
Set 3: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Passage:
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), launched in 2016, was designed to provide a comprehensive crop insurance (A) for Indian farmers facing losses due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases. The scheme replaced earlier, more fragmented insurance programmes and aimed to offer broader coverage at lower premium rates for farmers. Under PMFBY, farmers pay a (B) premium — just 1.5% for Rabi crops and 2% for Kharif crops — while the rest of the cost is shared between the central and state governments. Despite its ambitious design, the scheme has faced criticism over (C) in the settlement of claims, with many farmers waiting months or even years to receive compensation. Technology has been (D) to address these delays; satellite imagery, drones, and mobile-based crop cutting experiments are now being used to speed up damage assessment. However, experts argue that the scheme's effectiveness ultimately (E) on the quality of data collection and the willingness of insurance companies to honour claims (F) disputing them in court.
Q13. Blank (A): "...designed to provide a comprehensive crop insurance (A) for Indian farmers."
(a) burden
(b) barrier
(c) net
(d) penalty
(e) obligation
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) net
"Safety net" or "insurance net" describes a protective system that catches people when they fall — perfectly fitting for crop insurance.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) net | A protective system | Yes — "insurance net" = safety net for farmers |
| (a) burden | A heavy load | No — insurance is not a burden in this context |
| (b) barrier | An obstacle | No — wrong meaning |
| (d) penalty | A punishment | No — opposite of what insurance provides |
| (e) obligation | A duty | No — not the meaning being conveyed |
Vocabulary Builder: "Safety net" — also: protective cover, cushion, shield.
Q14. Blank (B): "...farmers pay a (B) premium — just 1.5% for Rabi crops."
(a) steep
(b) prohibitive
(c) nominal
(d) excessive
(e) hidden
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) nominal
The passage states premiums are "just 1.5% to 2%" — very low. "Nominal" means a very small, token amount.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) nominal | Very small; token | Yes — 1.5% is indeed a nominal premium |
| (a) steep | Very high | No — contradicts the low percentage given |
| (b) prohibitive | So high as to prevent action | No — opposite meaning |
| (d) excessive | More than is necessary | No — the passage emphasises low premium |
| (e) hidden | Concealed | No — the premium is stated openly |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms for "nominal" — token, marginal, minimal, negligible.
Q15. Blank (C): "...has faced criticism over (C) in the settlement of claims."
(a) transparency
(b) speed
(c) delays
(d) generosity
(e) accuracy
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) delays
The sentence says farmers waited "months or even years" — this directly points to delays in claim settlement.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) delays | Taking longer than expected | Yes — supported by "months or years" in the sentence |
| (a) transparency | Openness | No — the criticism is about time, not secrecy |
| (b) speed | Quickness | No — criticism would be lack of speed, not speed |
| (d) generosity | Willingness to give | No — wrong meaning |
| (e) accuracy | Correctness | Possible but the context specifically mentions waiting time |
Vocabulary Builder: "Delay in settlement" — also: slow processing, sluggish disbursal, protracted claims.
Q16. Blank (D): "Technology has been (D) to address these delays."
(a) blamed
(b) abandoned
(c) harnessed
(d) restricted
(e) questioned
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) harnessed
"Harness technology" means to use it effectively for a purpose — a standard collocation in policy and governance writing.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) harnessed | Put to effective use | Yes — "technology has been harnessed" is natural |
| (a) blamed | Held responsible | No — technology is presented as a solution |
| (b) abandoned | Given up | No — opposite of the meaning |
| (d) restricted | Limited | No — would mean technology use is curtailed |
| (e) questioned | Doubted | No — the passage presents tech as helpful |
Vocabulary Builder: "Harness technology" — also: leverage technology, deploy technology, utilise technology.
Q17. Blank (E): "...the scheme's effectiveness ultimately (E) on the quality of data collection."
(a) ignores
(b) hinges
(c) collapses
(d) improves
(e) debates
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) hinges
"Hinge on" is a phrasal verb meaning to depend entirely on something — exactly what the sentence conveys.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (b) hinges | Depends entirely on | Yes — "effectiveness hinges on data" is correct |
| (a) ignores | Pays no attention to | No — opposite meaning |
| (c) collapses | Fails completely | No — too extreme and a different structure |
| (d) improves | Gets better | No — wrong meaning, changes the sentence's argument |
| (e) debates | Argues about | No — wrong part of speech usage |
Vocabulary Builder: "Hinge on" — also: depend on, rest on, turn on, pivot on.
Q18. Blank (F): "...willingness to honour claims (F) disputing them in court."
(a) before
(b) instead of
(c) alongside
(d) despite
(e) regarding
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) instead of
The sentence contrasts honouring claims with the alternative of disputing them — "instead of" signals this substitution.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (b) instead of | In place of; as an alternative | Yes — honour claims instead of disputing them |
| (a) before | Earlier than | No — changes the meaning entirely |
| (c) alongside | Together with | No — you cannot simultaneously honour and dispute |
| (d) despite | In spite of | No — grammatically awkward here |
| (e) regarding | On the subject of | No — wrong meaning |
Vocabulary Builder: "Instead of" — also: rather than, in lieu of, as opposed to.
Set 4: Digital Banking in Rural India
Passage:
The rapid (A) of digital banking into rural India has brought both opportunities and challenges for small borrowers. Mobile banking applications, Aadhaar-linked payment systems, and the Jan Dhan Yojana have collectively worked to (B) millions of previously unbanked households into the formal financial system. For rural borrowers, digital platforms offer the (C) of applying for loans and checking account balances without travelling to a distant bank branch. However, the transition has not been seamless. Low digital literacy, (D) internet connectivity in remote areas, and the prevalence of smartphone fraud continue to pose serious barriers. Several rural customers have reported losing money to phishing scams and fake banking applications. Regulators and banks must therefore (E) their efforts on digital financial literacy campaigns, ensuring that the benefits of technology are not (F) by vulnerability to fraud.
Q19. Blank (A): "The rapid (A) of digital banking into rural India..."
(a) retreat
(b) collapse
(c) penetration
(d) prohibition
(e) withdrawal
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) penetration
"Market penetration" describes how deeply a product or service reaches into a new segment — a standard term in banking and business.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) penetration | Degree to which a product reaches a market | Yes — "penetration of digital banking" is standard |
| (a) retreat | Withdrawal from | No — opposite direction |
| (b) collapse | Complete failure | No — contradicts "brought opportunities" |
| (d) prohibition | A ban | No — clearly wrong |
| (e) withdrawal | Pulling back | No — same as retreat |
Vocabulary Builder: Related terms — market reach, outreach, expansion, spread.
Q20. Blank (B): "...worked to (B) millions of previously unbanked households."
(a) exclude
(b) isolate
(c) bring
(d) integrate
(e) disenfranchise
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) integrate
"Integrate into the formal financial system" means bringing people inside the system — aligns with financial inclusion policy language.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (d) integrate | Combine into a whole | Yes — "integrate into the formal financial system" |
| (a) exclude | Keep out | No — opposite meaning |
| (b) isolate | Separate from others | No — opposite of inclusion |
| (c) bring | Move toward | Possible but "integrate" is more precise |
| (e) disenfranchise | Deprive of rights | No — clearly wrong |
Vocabulary Builder: "Financial inclusion" related — incorporate, enroll, absorb, onboard.
Q21. Blank (C): "...digital platforms offer the (C) of applying for loans without travelling."
(a) burden
(b) inconvenience
(c) hazard
(d) convenience
(e) obligation
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) convenience
The sentence highlights a benefit — not having to travel. "Convenience" is the natural word for this benefit.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (d) convenience | State of being easy and comfortable | Yes — "offer the convenience of" is a fixed phrase |
| (a) burden | Difficulty | No — opposite of the benefit described |
| (b) inconvenience | Trouble | No — opposite |
| (c) hazard | Danger or risk | No — wrong meaning |
| (e) obligation | A duty | No — wrong meaning |
Vocabulary Builder: "Offer the convenience of" — also: ease of, facility for, flexibility to.
Q22. Blank (D): "Low digital literacy, (D) internet connectivity in remote areas..."
(a) reliable
(b) excellent
(c) unreliable
(d) high-speed
(e) expanding
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) unreliable
The passage lists barriers — internet connectivity is a problem in remote areas, so it must be described negatively.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) unreliable | Cannot be trusted to work consistently | Yes — poses a barrier in remote areas |
| (a) reliable | Dependable | No — would not be a barrier |
| (b) excellent | Very good | No — would be a benefit, not a barrier |
| (d) high-speed | Very fast | No — contradicts "remote areas" problem |
| (e) expanding | Growing | No — too neutral; doesn't indicate a problem |
Vocabulary Builder: Antonyms — stable, consistent, robust; synonyms — erratic, patchy, intermittent.
Q23. Blank (E): "Regulators and banks must therefore (E) their efforts on digital financial literacy campaigns."
(a) abandon
(b) reduce
(c) focus
(d) redirect away
(e) question
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) focus
"Focus efforts on" is a standard collocation meaning to direct resources toward something important.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) focus | Concentrate on | Yes — "focus efforts on campaigns" is natural |
| (a) abandon | Give up | No — opposite meaning |
| (b) reduce | Make smaller | No — contradicts the urgency |
| (d) redirect away | Turn in another direction | No — opposite of what's needed |
| (e) question | Doubt | No — wrong meaning |
Vocabulary Builder: "Focus efforts on" — also: direct attention to, concentrate on, channel resources into.
Q24. Blank (F): "...ensuring the benefits of technology are not (F) by vulnerability to fraud."
(a) multiplied
(b) celebrated
(c) amplified
(d) overshadowed
(e) accelerated
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) overshadowed
"Overshadowed" means made less important or visible by something else — here, fraud risks threaten to diminish the benefits.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (d) overshadowed | Made to seem less important | Yes — fraud risk overshadowing benefits is logical |
| (a) multiplied | Increased many times | No — wrong direction |
| (b) celebrated | Praised | No — wrong meaning |
| (c) amplified | Made greater | No — would mean fraud makes benefits bigger |
| (e) accelerated | Sped up | No — wrong meaning |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms — eclipsed, undermined, negated, diminished.
Set 5: Water Conservation Through Irrigation
Passage:
India's agriculture sector consumes nearly 80% of the country's total fresh water resources, making efficient water use an (A) priority for food security. Traditional flood irrigation methods, while widespread, lead to enormous water (B) — a significant portion evaporates or runs off without being absorbed by plant roots. To address this, the government has been (C) the adoption of micro-irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone, dramatically (D) consumption while maintaining or even improving yields. Farmers who have adopted these systems report not only water savings but also reduced fertiliser costs, as nutrients can be (E) precisely through the same pipes. The challenge, however, lies in the initial capital cost of installing these systems, which remains (F) for many smallholder farmers without adequate subsidies.
Q25. Blank (A): "...making efficient water use an (A) priority for food security."
(a) obsolete
(b) overrated
(c) imperious
(d) imperative
(e) optional
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) imperative
"Imperative priority" means an absolutely necessary and urgent priority — consistent with the scale of the problem described.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (d) imperative | Absolutely necessary | Yes — 80% water usage makes it critical |
| (a) obsolete | No longer relevant | No — opposite meaning |
| (b) overrated | Valued too highly | No — contradicts the urgency |
| (c) imperious | Domineering | No — wrong word; often confused with "imperative" |
| (e) optional | Not required | No — clearly wrong |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms — essential, critical, paramount, pressing.
Q26. Blank (B): "...lead to enormous water (B)."
(a) storage
(b) replenishment
(c) wastage
(d) purification
(e) harvesting
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) wastage
The passage explains that water "evaporates or runs off without being absorbed" — this is classic wastage.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) wastage | Loss through careless use | Yes — water evaporating unused is wastage |
| (a) storage | Keeping for future use | No — the opposite of the problem |
| (b) replenishment | Refilling | No — wrong direction |
| (d) purification | Cleaning | No — irrelevant to flood irrigation |
| (e) harvesting | Collecting | No — not the meaning here |
Vocabulary Builder: Related — water loss, seepage, runoff, inefficiency.
Q27. Blank (C): "...the government has been (C) the adoption of micro-irrigation techniques."
(a) hindering
(b) promoting
(c) ignoring
(d) banning
(e) reviewing
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) promoting
The government launched PMKSY to support micro-irrigation — clearly a promotional role.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (b) promoting | Actively supporting or encouraging | Yes — aligns with PMKSY policy |
| (a) hindering | Making difficult | No — opposite of the scheme's purpose |
| (c) ignoring | Paying no attention to | No — a scheme was created, so it is not ignored |
| (d) banning | Prohibiting | No — clearly wrong |
| (e) reviewing | Examining | Possible but too neutral; "promoting" is more precise |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms — encouraging, championing, advancing, facilitating.
Q28. Blank (D): "Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone, dramatically (D) consumption."
(a) inflating
(b) increasing
(c) curtailing
(d) obscuring
(e) documenting
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) curtailing
Drip irrigation is known to reduce water use significantly. "Curtailing" means sharply reducing or limiting.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) curtailing | Sharply reducing | Yes — drip irrigation curtails water consumption |
| (a) inflating | Increasing | No — opposite effect |
| (b) increasing | Making larger | No — contradicts the efficiency argument |
| (d) obscuring | Making unclear | No — wrong meaning |
| (e) documenting | Recording | No — wrong meaning |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms — reducing, cutting, limiting, minimising.
Q29. Blank (E): "...nutrients can be (E) precisely through the same pipes."
(a) consumed
(b) blocked
(c) extracted
(d) delivered
(e) wasted
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) delivered
The sentence describes how fertiliser nutrients are sent through drip pipes directly to plants — "delivered" is the precise verb.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (d) delivered | Brought to a destination | Yes — nutrients delivered via pipes is correct |
| (a) consumed | Used up | No — wrong role in this context |
| (b) blocked | Prevented from moving | No — opposite of the intent |
| (c) extracted | Removed | No — wrong direction |
| (e) wasted | Used carelessly | No — contradicts "precisely" |
Vocabulary Builder: Collocations — deliver nutrients, deliver results, deliver on time.
Q30. Blank (F): "...the initial capital cost remains (F) for many smallholder farmers."
(a) trivial
(b) negligible
(c) prohibitive
(d) accessible
(e) subsidised
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) prohibitive
A "prohibitive cost" is so high that it prevents someone from doing something — the key obstacle for small farmers without subsidies.
| Option | Meaning | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| (c) prohibitive | So expensive as to prevent action | Yes — smallholders cannot afford installation |
| (a) trivial | Very small and unimportant | No — trivial cost would not be a challenge |
| (b) negligible | Too small to matter | No — same issue as trivial |
| (d) accessible | Easy to afford or reach | No — contradicts the problem |
| (e) subsidised | Partly paid by government | No — the passage says subsidies are inadequate |
Vocabulary Builder: Synonyms — unaffordable, steep, exorbitant, beyond reach.
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Strategy | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Read first | Understand passage theme and tone before filling blanks |
| Part of speech | Identify noun/verb/adjective/adverb required |
| Transition words | Use however/although/therefore as directional clues |
| Eliminate | Remove grammatically wrong or contextually absurd options |
| Collocations | Check if the word "belongs" with neighbours |
| Positive/Negative tone | Match the word's connotation with the passage's sentiment |
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