Open Cloze

Master Open Cloze tasks. Learn strategies for completing blanks using context, grammar, and appropriate vocabulary.

Level B2-C1-C2⏱️ 80 min📋 Requires: Advanced grammar, Strong vocabulary, Reading comprehension
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What is Open Cloze?

Open Cloze is Part 2 of the Use of English paper in First Certificate (B2) and Advanced (C1). You must complete 8 blanks in a text with no multiple-choice options, using only ONE word per gap. This task tests grammar, functional vocabulary, and contextual understanding.

Main strategies

1. Read the whole text first

Grasp the general topic before filling the gaps.

Examples:
  • Identify whether the tone is formal or informal
  • Recognise the main theme
  • Note the dominant tense
  • Observe the style of the text

2. Analyse the immediate context

Look at the words before and after the gap.

Examples:
  • Prepositions that require specific words
  • Articles that signal nouns
  • Auxiliaries that signal main verbs
  • Connectors that link ideas

3. Consider grammar

Think about what type of word you need.

Examples:
  • Do you need a noun, verb, or adjective?
  • Which tense fits best?
  • Singular or plural?
  • Positive or negative form?

Common word types at B2 certification level

1. Function words (about 70% of the task)

The most frequent type in Open Cloze exercises.

Examples:
  • Articles: a, an, the (especially 'the' with superlatives)
  • Prepositions: in, on, at, for, with, by, of, from
  • Pronouns: it, they, them, this, that, which, who
  • Auxiliaries: do, does, did, will, would, have, has, had

2. Connectors and transitions

Words that join ideas and paragraphs.

Examples:
  • Contrast: but, however, although
  • Addition: and, also, furthermore
  • Result: so, therefore, consequently
  • Time: when, while, after, before

3. Content words

Common nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Examples:
  • Frequent verbs: make, take, get, go
  • Common nouns: time, way, people, work
  • Basic adjectives: good, bad, big, small
  • Adverbs: very, really, quite, rather

Important rules

1. One word per gap

You usually need only one word per gap.

Examples:
  • Do not use contractions (don't → do not)
  • Avoid long phrases
  • Think of the simplest word that fits
  • Consider high-frequency words

2. Textual consistency

Stay consistent with the rest of the text.

Examples:
  • Same register (formal/informal)
  • Same tense where appropriate
  • Same style of vocabulary
  • Thematic coherence

3. Final check

Always review your answers in context.

Examples:
  • Read the full sentence with your answer
  • Check it is grammatically sound
  • Confirm the meaning is logical
  • Check spelling

Exam-specific strategies

Time management (10–12 minutes)

Suggested timing for Open Cloze in the exam.

Examples:
  • 2–3 minutes: full first read of the text
  • 5–6 minutes: complete all 8 gaps
  • 2–3 minutes: final review and checking
  • Do not spend more than about 1 minute per answer

Frequent exam patterns

Structures that often appear in papers.

Examples:
  • Phrasal verbs: look forward TO, depend ON
  • Fixed expressions: in spite OF, as well AS
  • Comparative structures: as... as, more... than
  • Conditionals: if, unless, provided THAT
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