CLOZE TEST

 

What is a Cloze Test?

A cloze test is an exercise where a passage is provided with certain words missing from it. Actually it is a combination of fill in the blanks and reading comprehension. It is important to understand the flow and context of a passage.

Tips to handle Cloze test

• Read thoroughly: Read the passage thoroughly to get an idea of the passage. Read slowly and gain an understanding of the text. Once the theme of the paragraph is clear, it becomes easy to fill in the blanks.
• Link the sentences together: Always remember, it is a passage, so the sentences are linked to one another. Never make a mistake of treating every sentence an individual one.
• Type of word to fill in: Look at the blanks carefully and try to assess which kind of word to put in the blank. Words can be based on grammar, prepositions, tenses, vocabulary etc.
• Tone: Passage may contain some specific tone like narrative, critical, sarcastic, humorous etc. So, always make a right choice of a word.
• Negate options: Sometimes, words are too close, eliminating wrong choices can help.
• Key words: Pay close attention to key words/ clues in the sentences before and after the given blank.

AUTHOR

Dr L Suresh

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science

Coimbatore - 641020

Contact: 9944138137

e-mail ID: sureshenglit@rmv.ac.in

Subject-Verb Agreement and Common Errors - II

 

Subject-Verb Agreement and Common Errors - II

Dear readers, in the previous post we discussed some of the common errors associated with Subject-Verb Agreement that English as non-native speakers encounter in their daily conversation. In continuation with that, this present post highlights the common errors that people tend to commit in terms of Subject-Verb Agreement.

Mostly we commit mistakes based on subject-verb agreement in our English. We should learn that verb agrees with subject. If a subject is singular, it takes a singular verb; and if a subject is plural, it takes a plural verb. Let us look at some of the common errors that we might encounter in our daily conversations.

1.   The audience has highly appreciated the game.                          (Correct)

The audience have highly appreciated the game.                       (Correct)

Collective nouns namely, audience, organisation, nation, society, department, family, government etc. can be used as both singular and plural depending on the context.

2.   Where is their belongings?                                                         (Incorrect)

Where are their belongings?                                                      (Correct)

Some nouns such as goods, earnings, premises, riches, etc. are plural noun in form, and so they take plural verb.

3.   Bread and butter are my usual breakfast.                                    (Incorrect)

Bread and butter is my usual breakfast.                                     (Correct)

Fixed expressions like, bread and butter, bow and arrow are treated as a singular entity. So, if two subjects refer to the same person or thing, and are joined by ‘and’, then the verb is singular.    

4.   Sixty kilograms are an average weight for a young man.          (Incorrect)

Sixty kilograms is an average weight for a young man.            (Correct)

For metres, kilometres, kilograms, we should use singular verbs though they take plural form.

5.   This sack of sugar are spoiled.                                                   (Incorrect)

This sack of sugar is spoiled.                                                      (Correct)

Uncountable nouns take singular verbs, as they cannot be counted. For example, milk, sugar, rice, water, etc.

 Let us discuss some more ideas on the same topic in the next post.

Author:

Dr. K. Nandhakumar

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science (Autonomous)

Coimbatore- 641 020

 

Common Prepositions - Usage and Mistakes

 Common Prepositions and Usage:

1. In: "The cat is sleeping in the basket." In this example, "in" shows the location of the cat inside the basket.

2. On: "The painting is hanging on the wall." "On" indicates the location of the painting in relation to the wall.

3. Under: "The keys are under the sofa." "Under" reveals the location of the keys beneath the sofa.

4. Between: "She's sitting between John and Mary." "Between" denotes the location of "She" in relation to John and Mary.

Common Preposition Mistakes:

1. Confusing "to" and "too": "To" is a preposition indicating direction or purpose, while "too" means also or very. Be careful not to mix them up.

2. Misusing "at" and "in": "At" is used for a specific point or place, while "in" is used for more general or enclosed locations. For example, "I am at the park" (specific point) vs. "I am in the city" (general location).

3. "Beside" vs. "Besides": "Beside" means next to, while "besides" means in addition to or moreover.

AUTHOR

Dr L Suresh

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science

Coimbatore - 641020

Contact: 9944138137

e-mail ID: sureshenglit@rmv.ac.in