Cloze test
Cloze test
Cloze test
Task design
Words may be deleted from the text in question either mechanically (every nth word) or selectively, depending on exactly what aspect it is intended to test for. The methodology is the subject of an extensive academic literature ; nonetheless, teachers commonly devise ad hoc tests.
Example
A language teacher may give the following passage to students:
Today, I went to the ________ and bought some milk and eggs. I knew it was going to rain, but I forgot to take my ________, and ended up getting wet on the way ________.
Students would then be required to fill in the blanks with words that would best complete the passage. Context in language and content terms is essential in most, if not all, cloze tests. The first blank is preceded by "the"; therefore, a noun, an adjective or an adverb must follow. However, a conjunction follows the blank; the sentence would not be grammatically correct if anything other than a noun were in the blank. The words "milk and eggs" are important for deciding which noun to put in the blank; "supermarket" is a possible answer; depending on the student, however, the first blank could either be store, supermarket, shop or market while umbrella or raincoat fit the second.
Assessment
The definition of success in a given cloze test varies, depending on the broader goals behind the exercise. Assessment may depend on whether the exercise is objective (i.e. students are given a list of words to use in a cloze) or subjective (i.e. students are to fill in a cloze with words that would make a given sentence grammatically correct).
I saw a man lay his jacket on a puddle for a woman crossing the street. I thought that was very ______.
Given the above passage, students' answers may then vary depending on their vocabulary skills and their personal opinions. However, the placement of the blank at the end of the sentence restricts the possible words that may complete the sentence; following an adverb and finishing the sentence, the word is most likely an adjective. Romantic, chivalrous or gallant may, for example, occupy the blank, as well as foolish or cheesy. Using those answers, a teacher may ask students to reflect on the opinions drawn from the given cloze.
Mad Libs
Main article: Mad Libs
The word game Mad Libs is based on cloze tests. Mad Libs consist of short stories or articles with essential words replaced by blanks. The appropriate part of speech is indicated underneath each blank. One person completes the story by asking the rest of the group for words to fit each blank. In this way the group fills in the blanks with no knowledge of their context. The resulting story, when read out loud, is therefore comical or nonsensical.
See also
Language learning
English language learning and teaching
Communicative competence
Form letter
References
^ Collins English Dictionary
^ Taylor, W.L. (1953). "Cloze procedure: A new tool for measuring readability." Journalism Quarterly, 30, 415-433.
^ J. Sachs, P. Tung, R. Lam, "How to Construct a Cloze Test: Lessons from Testing Measurement Theory Models" Perspectives (City University of Hong Kong) Vol. 9 (1997 Spring)
External links
The Fifth Dimension: The Cloze Test
EnglishLearner.com reading test
VLC: Cloze Tests
Categories: English language | Language education | Tests
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