A cloze is a practice exercise where learners have to replace words missing from a text.

Student in Italy doing a test

These are removed at regular intervals, for example every five words. This contrasts with a gap-fill exercise, where words are chosen and removed in order to practise a specific language point.

Example
The third sentence above as a cloze would be: 'This contrasts with a ______ exercise, where words are ______ and removed in order ______ practise a specific language ______'.

In the classroom
Clozes are often used to practise reading skills or as a general language review. They are common in testing.

Further links:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/larry-ferlazzo/larry-ferlazzo-assessing-english-language-learners

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/listening-activities-songs

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/after-lunch-higher-level

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