Comprehension Cloze

In this article, we will be learning the Comprehension Cloze as per the Primary 6 English. We will also be going through the questions on Comprehension open-ended to test our knowledge of the concepts covered thus far.

Comprehension Open-Ended Highlights

Comprehension Open-Ended questions normally come in one of the following types:

• True/False Questions
• Authorial technique Questions
• Vocabulary Cloze - Synonyms

Let us practice a few questions on each of the above types.

Question 1:

I was descending from my paraglider, moving so rapidly that everything was a blur. Donk! I landed on what appeared to be a desolate island.

Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in bold.

1. wasted 
2. ravaged
3. forlorn
4. discarded

Solution:

(3) forlorn
 

Question 2:

It felt more like dust than sand. “Wait a second,” I pondered. I hesitantly put my finger in my mouth. It was actually frosted sugar.

Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in bold.

1. gently
2. carefully
3. tentatively
4. temporarily

Solution: 

(3) tentatively

Explanation:

Hesitantly - doing something in an unsure/ unconfident manner

Tentatively - doing something without confidence.

Reluctantly - forced to do something though you do not want to do it.

Carefully - doing something with caution and confidence
 

Question 3:

As I edged towards the glimmering water, I noticed many sea worms gliding across algae-covered rocks.

Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in bold.

1. glaring
2. glowering
3. gushing
4. shimmering

Solution:

(4) shimmering

Explanation:

Note the difference in the meaning of the words:

• Glowering - to stare at something
• Shimmering - to shine with a soft light
• Glaring - to shine with a bright eye-blinding light

Question 4:

Having good hygiene helps to keep bacteria, viruses, and diseases at bay. Besides physical benefits, there are also mental ones.

Choose the word closest in meaning to the word in bold.

1. helps
2. gains
3. increases
4. subsidies

Solution:

(2) gains

Comprehension Cloze

Comprehension cloze questions require a certain approach to be followed when attempting to solve them. If you follow the below steps, you will gain confidence and not get easily flustered.

1. Always read the passage more than once.
2. During the first reading, do not fill in any blanks. Understand what the passage is about and focus on reading carefully.
3. While reading the second time, start filling in the blanks using the contextual clues as a guide.
4. Check your answers. Make sure you have filled in the most words and check for accuracy in spelling and use of tenses.

In this article, we will practice comprehension cloze questions on the following topics:

• What is Global Warming?
• Heat Waves
• Melting Ice Caps

Worked Examples

Example 1: 

Passage A: What is Global Warming?

Earth’s climate is changing at an unprecedented rate. As a (1) __________ , storms and drought are becoming more intense. Temperatures are rising and polar ice caps are (2) __________. This is causing oceans to rise. As more floods occur in low coastal areas, animals are losing their habitats. Scientists are sounding the (3) __________. They tell us that if we don’t make changes to (4) __________ global warming, the planet’s climate will become increasingly unbearable.

Solution:

1. result
2. melting
3. alarm
4. stop / halt/ reduce

Practice Questions

Let’s practice a few questions to see if you’ve understood the approach to be followed.

Question 1:

Climate, unlike weather, describes the long-term patterns in the conditions of the atmosphere. Earth’s __________ as a whole has changed several times throughout history.

1. weather
2. climate
3. patterns
4. atmosphere

Solution:

(2) climate

Question 2:

In the past 650,000 years alone, there have been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat. Most of (a) __________ changes are a natural part of Earth’s 4.5 billion-year (b) __________. They are due to tiny variations in the Earth’s orbit, which alter the amount of solar energy reaching the planet. 

Options for (a) Options for (b)

1. these cycle
2. those past
3. cycle variations
4. earth’s history

Solution: 

(a) 1  - these cycle

(b) 4  - earth’s history

Explanation:

Most of these changes are a natural part of Earth’s 4.5 billion-year history.

Question 3:

Scientists say that the recent changes in Earth’s climate are not due to natural causes. (a) __________ to NASA, 97% of climate scientists agree there is a direct connection (b) __________ human activity and the changes occurring on our planet. 

Options for (a) Options for (b)

1. due with
2. according to
3. as between
4. listen among

Solution: 

(a) 2  - according to

(b) 3  - as between

Question 4:

Over the past 150 years, humans have used more and __________ engines, vehicles, and other machines.

1. most
2. bigger
3. fuel
4. more

Solution:

(4) more

Question 5:

These devices burn through fossil __________ like coal and oil. Fossil fuels emit carbon, dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases.

1. more
2. fuels
3. fuel
4. just

Solution:

(2) fuels

Question 6:

Normally, plants, trees, and the oceans absorb carbon dioxide and release it back __________ the atmosphere as oxygen.

1. into
2. to
3. onto
4. on

Solution:

(1) into

Question 7:

But an increase in fossil fuels has created more carbon dioxide __________ nature can take in.

1. so
2. because
3. though
4. than

Solution:

(4) than

Question 8:

Adding to the problem are other human activities such as deforestation and the destruction of habitats. These reduce the number of trees and plants which makes it even harder to __________ all that carbon dioxide.

1. take
2. absorb
3. breathe
4. adsorb

Solution:

(2) absorb

Question 9:

When too much carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere, it __________ problems for earth’s climate.

1. makes
2. is
3. causes
4. creates

Solution:

(3) causes

Question 10:

Sunlight can pass through those gases, but the heat the sun generates cannot escape back out into space. (a) __________ the gases end up trapping that heat and this then (b) __________ the planet into a giant greenhouse.

Solution: 

(a) 1 - Hence 

(b) 3 - turns

Question 11:

This greenhouse effect __________ to changes in the climate, like increased temperatures. Scientists believe that climate change will have an impact far greater than milder winters and warmer summers.

1. due
2. causes
3. turns
4. leads

Solution:

(4) leads

Question 12:

A warmer planet melts glaciers and other large bodies of ice faster than __________ . Earth’s glaciers help cool the planet which means that as the ice melts, temperatures will continue to rise.

1. usual
2. not
3. most
4. slow

Solution:

(1) usual

Question 13:

Rising sea levels, flooding, and stronger weather events will __________ and as the planet gets hotter, some places will become uninhabitable for people and animals.

1. be
2. happened
3. occur
4. warmer

Solution:

(3) occur

Fun Fact

In which of these countries are you able to find the “Cat” zodiac?

1. Japan
2. Korea
3. Vietnam
4. China

Solution: 

(1) Japan

(2) Korea

(4) China

Explanation:

Japan, Korea, and China all have the “cat” zodiac. In Vietnam, the “cat” zodiac replaces the “rabbit” zodiac found in other cultures of East Asia.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned how to approach questions on comprehension cloze. We practised comprehension questions on the following topics:

• What is Global Warming?
• Heat Waves
• Melting Ice Caps

All these questions were in accordance with the Primary 6 English grade. Comprehension is important, not only from the perspective of PSLE but also because it is an important life skill that will help you throughout your life. So practice this topic well.