Tips to Solve New Pattern Cloze Test

Read Instructions carefully

In this changing scenario of banking examinations, never assume the pattern of any question to be the same or general. Always read instructions carefully so that you can get what examiner exactly wants you to do. Remember changes introduced in the question types are minor so you should not get panic if you find some changes in the pattern. The pattern introduced in IBPS PO Mains 2017 is:

Directions

Identify the option in which a pair of words can appropriately replace a given fill up.
Over four months into the troubled ………….(1) of the goods and services tax, the Centre has operationalised a provision in the GST law that has been worrying industry.

A. implementation, execution
B. performance, apply
C. significance, problem
D. plan, imposition
E. prosecution, failure

In this new pattern, two words were given instead of one in each option and both the words of the option should correctly fit in the given fill-up. So, there was no major change and way of solving these questions is similar to an old pattern.

Analyze the theme by reading the passage first

Do not directly jump to the questions and do not read the given option first. Read the given passage first and try to figure out the theme as well as the tone of the passage. However, do not waste too much time in reading only. Reading should be done quickly just to get an idea of the passage.

Try to guess an answer before looking at options

Some answers can be guessed before looking at options and in this case looking at options only increase confusion. So, try to have some answer in your mind before going through answers. There are chances that you can exactly find that answer or its synonym in options. This can be done by paying attention towards words that are preceding and following fill up.
Example: Where the consumers are difficult to trace individually, the amount …………. (4) by the authority to be the extent of undue benefit will be deposited in a consumer welfare fund.
So, we just need to connect amount ……. by the authority and authority is going to deposit that amount in the fund. The possible answers coming to the mind are collected, raised etc.

Now look at the given options:

A. earned, collect
B. constructed, raised
C. specified, dismantled
D. annihilated, gathered
E. assembled, taken
In option, A collect is there but we need collected (Past participle). So, Option B is the possible option as other options are out of extent.

Eliminate options by deciding Positive/Negative words

While reading, try to figure out that whether given fill-up should have some positive word or negative. For example, the government is working for the welfare of people by ensuring that …… of the scheme should be passed to consumers.
From the above example, it is clear that answer should be something positive as the government is working for the welfare of people. Now go through the options
A. issues
B. benefits
C. difficulties
D. rules
We can infer B as the possible answer.

Check the tense/grammar

Some options can be directly eliminated as they do not follow the tense used in the passage. So, do check the tense used and eliminate options accordingly. For example, while he was walking, he ……. a single currency coin on the road.
A. noticed
B. observe
C. find
D. put
Only option A grammatically fits in the context.

Pay attention towards connectors

Connectors either support or contradict the previous information. Connectors provide a great help in deciding an answer.
For example, his income kept on increasing continuously till the first quarter. However, in the second quarter, his income followed ……. trend.
Connector “however” contradicts the information and used somewhat like “but”. So, we can guess due to use of however an answer should be opposite of increasing.

Questions

A Sage was passing through the capital city of the famous king. While he was walking, he …….(1) a single currency coin on the road. He picked it up. He was …….(2) with his simple living and he had no use of that coin. So, he planned to ……(3) it to the one who is in need of it. He strolled around the streets throughout the day but didn’t find anyone such. Finally, he reached the rest area and spent a night there.
Next morning, he wakes up in the morning for his daily activities and sees that a king is going for his …….(4) of another state with his war ready army. When the king saw the sage standing, he ordered his army to be stopped. He came to the Sage and said, “Oh Great Sage, I am going to war to win another state so that my state can be ……….(5). So bless me to be victorious”.
After thinking, Sage gave a single currency coin to the king! The king was confused and annoyed with this because what use he has for a single coin while he is already one of the richest kings! He curiously asked a sage, “what’s the meaning of this one coin?”
A Sage explained, “Oh Great King! I found this coin yesterday while …….(6) around the streets of your capital city. But I had no use for it. So, I had decided that I will donate it to someone needy. I strolled around till the evening in your capital but found no one such. Everyone was living a happy life. It …..(7) that they were satisfied with what they had. So I found no one to give this coin. But today, the king of this state, still have the desire to gain more and not satisfied with what he already has, I felt you were in need of this coin.”
The King realized his mistake and gave up the …….(8) war.

Question 1.

A. noticed
B. find
C. got
D. observed

Ans. A

Question 2.

A. happier
B. dissatisfied
C. satisfy
D. contented

Ans. D

Question 3.

A. get
B. donate
C. release
D. donated

Ans. B

Question 4.

A. wandering
B. stroll
C. invasion
D. round

Ans. C

Question 5.

A. happy
B. contented
C. richer
D. expanded