English for AP Exams · Chapter 7

Cloze Test, Para-Jumbles and Sentence Rearrangement

What to remember

A cloze test is a passage with blanks. Read the full passage first, then fill each blank with the word that fits the meaning and the grammar.
A para-jumble gives sentences in a mixed order. Find the opening sentence, then link the rest with clue words and pronouns.
Every correct order has a logic: general idea first, then detail, then example, then result or conclusion.

1. Cloze test: method

A cloze passage usually has 5 to 10 blanks. Each blank has four options.

Steps:

1. Skim the whole passage once without looking at the options. Get the topic and the mood.
2. Read the sentence before and after each blank. The clue is often there.
3. Decide the type of word needed: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition or linker.
4. Check grammar: tense, singular or plural, and the correct preposition.
5. Check meaning: is the idea positive or negative? Does the word fit the topic?
6. Read the finished sentence to hear if it sounds right.
7. If two options seem right, pick the one that fits the whole passage and the usual word pairing.

Types of clues:

Clue type	What it tells you	Example
Grammar clue	form of the word needed	"She has been ___ for an hour" needs an -ing form (waiting).
Linker clue	direction of the idea	"but", "however" show contrast; "so", "therefore" show result.
Pair clue	words that go together	"do homework", "make a mistake", "take a bath".
Meaning clue	the mood of nearby words	"a ___ crowd waited angrily" needs a word like "restless".
Preposition clue	fixed verb + preposition	"depend on", "good at".

2. Linkers and connectors

These words are used in both cloze tests and para-jumbles.

Purpose	Linkers
Add an idea	and, also, moreover, in addition
Contrast	but, however, although, yet, on the other hand
Cause	because, since, as
Result	so, therefore, as a result, thus
Example	for example, for instance
Order	first, then, next, finally
Conclusion	in short, in conclusion, to sum up

Rules:

Although/though are used with a clause; do not use "but" in the same sentence.
Because gives a reason; so gives a result. They are not used together in one sentence.
However often starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma.

3. Worked cloze example

Passage (read the whole thing first):

"Reading is a habit that (1) ___ the mind. People who read daily (2) ___ new words and ideas. (3) ___, they write and speak better. Even ten minutes a day (4) ___ a big difference over a year."

Solving:

Blank 1: a present-tense verb for a general fact, singular subject "habit": strengthens.
Blank 2: a verb that fits "new words": learn.
Blank 3: the idea moves from cause to result: As a result.
Blank 4: the subject is "ten minutes" (a period of time, used as a single idea): makes.

Each answer was found from a grammar or linker clue, not by guessing.

4. Para-jumbles: method

A para-jumble gives four to six sentences (often labelled P, Q, R, S). You must put them in the best order.

Steps:

1. Find the opening sentence. It introduces the topic, gives a general statement, and has no pronoun like "he", "this" or "they" referring back to something unseen. It does not start with a linker like "However".
2. Find the closing sentence. It often gives a result, a conclusion or a final remark.
3. Look for pairs. Two sentences that must sit together (a name and then "he", a question and its answer, a cause and its result).
4. Use pronouns. A sentence with "he/she/it/they/this" must come after the sentence that names the person or thing.
5. Use linkers. "However" follows a point it contrasts with. "Finally" is near the end.
6. Check the chosen order by reading it as a short paragraph.

5. Common patterns for order

Pattern	Order
General to specific	main idea, detail, example
Time order	earlier event, later event, result
Problem and solution	problem, cause, solution
Question and answer	question first, answer next
Person introduced	full name first, then "he/she"
Cause and effect	cause, then effect

6. Worked para-jumble example

Rearrange:

P. It was built by a king to show his love.

Q. The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world.

R. Today, millions of people visit it every year.

S. It is made of white marble.

Solving:

Q opens: it names the subject and gives a general statement.
P and S both start with "It", so they follow Q. P gives the history (who built it), and S describes it. The history comes first, and then the description.
R ends the group with "Today", a time marker that gives the present result.

Correct order: Q P S R.

7. Sentence rearrangement within one sentence

Here, words or phrases of a single sentence are mixed. Put them in a normal English order.

Pattern: Subject + verb + object + place + time.

Adverbs of time often go at the end or the beginning.
An adjective comes before the noun.
A helping verb comes before the main verb in a statement.
In a question, the helping verb comes before the subject.

Example: "every day / walks / to school / she" gives She walks to school every day.

8. More worked examples

Cloze example 2. "The river was (1) ___ after heavy rain, so the villagers (2) ___ the bridge. (3) ___ the water went down, they walked across (4) ___ ease."

Blank 1: the result "so the villagers..." suggests danger; the word flooded or swollen fits (a state after rain).
Blank 2: a past-tense verb showing avoidance: avoided.
Blank 3: a time linker meaning "when": Once or After.
Blank 4: the fixed phrase "with ease": preposition with.

Para-jumble example 2.

P. Therefore, he decided to plant a tree every month.

Q. Ravi was worried about the heat in his village.

R. He learned that trees give shade and cool the air.

S. So he read a few books on the subject.

Q opens: it names Ravi and introduces the problem.
S follows Q: "So" shows a result of the worry (he read).
R follows S: "He learned" comes after reading.
P closes: "Therefore" shows the final decision.

Correct order: Q S R P.

Sentence rearrangement example. Jumbled: "the teacher / the lesson / explained / clearly / to the class".

Order: Subject (The teacher) + verb (explained) + object (the lesson) + manner (clearly) + place (to the class). Result: The teacher explained the lesson clearly to the class.

9. Practice habits

1. Do two cloze passages and two para-jumbles each day.
2. After checking answers, read the final passage again.
3. Note linkers and pronoun clues you missed.
4. Read short English paragraphs and ask why each sentence comes where it does.
5. Do not spend more than two minutes on one para-jumble in the exam.
6. If you are stuck, mark the question, move on, and return at the end with a fresh mind.
7. Keep a small notebook of linkers and fixed word pairs and read it before every mock test.

Exam traps

Opening sentence with a pronoun is rarely first, because the reader does not yet know who "he" is.
"However", "therefore" and "finally" cannot start a paragraph.
A linker with the wrong direction: "but" cannot show a result.
Tense match: a past-time clue ("last year") needs a past verb.
Singular subject takes a singular verb: "each of the students has".
Preposition pairs: "depend on", not "depend from".
Two answers fit grammar: choose the one that fits the whole passage, not just the sentence.
Do not fill from memory of a fact; use only the clues given in the passage.

One-liners

1. Read the whole cloze passage before filling any blank.
2. A cloze test checks grammar and meaning together.
3. "But" and "however" show contrast.
4. "So" and "therefore" show result.
5. A para-jumble opening sentence introduces the topic.
6. A sentence with "he" or "this" comes after the name or thing it refers to.
7. "Finally" belongs near the end.
8. Cause comes before effect.
9. A question comes before its answer.
10. A conclusion sentence often begins with "thus" or "in short".
11. Time words like "today" often close a group.
12. Always read the final order once to check the flow.

Practice questions

In a cloze test, what should you do first?
1. Read the whole passage once
2. Fill the last blank first
3. Pick the longest option
4. Count the blanks only
Answer
A. Read the whole passage once
A first skim gives the topic and mood of the passage.
Which linker shows contrast?
1. Moreover
2. Therefore
3. Thus
4. However
Answer
D. However
However introduces an opposite or different idea.
Which linker shows a result?
1. But
2. Although
3. Therefore
4. Yet
Answer
C. Therefore
Therefore shows a result or effect.
Which word fits: He was tired, ____ he kept working.
1. hence
2. yet
3. so
4. because
Answer
B. yet
The idea contrasts, so a contrast linker is needed.
Fill in the blank: She was late ____ the bus broke down.
1. although
2. but
3. so
4. because
Answer
D. because
The blank gives a reason.
Fill in the blank: ____ it rained, we played the match.
1. Because
2. Therefore
3. Although
4. So
Answer
C. Although
Although shows contrast between rain and the match.
Fill in the blank: Each of the students ____ a book.
1. have
2. has
3. are having
4. were
Answer
B. has
'Each' takes a singular verb.
Fill in the blank: He depends ____ his uncle for help.
1. with
2. at
3. on
4. from
Answer
C. on
Depend is followed by on.
Fill in the blank: She has been ____ for an hour.
1. waits
2. waited
3. wait
4. waiting
Answer
D. waiting
'Has been' needs an -ing form.
In a para-jumble, the opening sentence usually
1. introduces the topic
2. starts with 'However'
3. starts with 'He' for an unnamed person
4. gives the final result
Answer
A. introduces the topic
The first sentence sets up the subject without referring back.
Which of these is least likely to be the first sentence of a para?
1. Water is essential for life.
2. However, he refused to go.
3. The Krishna is a major river of south India.
4. Trees give us shade and fruit.
Answer
B. However, he refused to go.
A linker like 'however' refers to an earlier idea.
In a para-jumble, a sentence that begins with 'He' should come
1. before any sentence
2. as the very first sentence
3. only at the end
4. after the sentence naming the person
Answer
D. after the sentence naming the person
Pronouns need an earlier noun to refer to.
A sentence beginning 'Finally,' most likely belongs
1. near the end
2. anywhere
3. at the start
4. in the middle
Answer
A. near the end
Finally marks the last step.
Which pair must sit together in a good paragraph?
1. Two titles
2. A title and a date
3. A question and its answer
4. Two linkers
Answer
C. A question and its answer
An answer follows its question closely.
Which order is logical?
1. Conclusion then example
2. Result then reason
3. Effect then cause
4. Cause then effect
Answer
D. Cause then effect
Cause is placed before its effect.
Correct order of: P. It is made of marble. Q. The Taj Mahal is a famous building. R. Many people visit it.
1. P Q R
2. P R Q
3. Q P R
4. R P Q
Answer
C. Q P R
Q names the topic; P describes it; R gives the result.
Correct order of: P. Therefore he saved money. Q. Mohan wanted to buy a bicycle. R. But he had very little cash.
1. Q R P
2. P Q R
3. Q P R
4. R Q P
Answer
A. Q R P
Wish first, then problem, then the action taken.
Rearrange: 'she / every day / walks / to school'.
1. Walks she to school every day.
2. She walks to school every day.
3. To school she every day walks.
4. Every day to school she walks.
Answer
B. She walks to school every day.
Subject, verb, place, time is the standard order.
Rearrange: 'the teacher / explained / the lesson / clearly'.
1. Explained the teacher the lesson clearly.
2. The lesson clearly the teacher explained.
3. Clearly the lesson explained the teacher.
4. The teacher explained the lesson clearly.
Answer
D. The teacher explained the lesson clearly.
Subject + verb + object + manner.
In a statement, where does the helping verb go?
1. At the start of a sentence
2. After the object
3. Before the main verb
4. After the main verb
Answer
C. Before the main verb
Example: She has finished.
In a question, the helping verb comes
1. before the subject
2. after the object
3. after the subject
4. at the end
Answer
A. before the subject
Example: Have you finished?
An adjective is normally placed
1. after the verb 'to be' only
2. before the noun
3. at the end of a sentence
4. before the subject
Answer
B. before the noun
Example: a tall boy.
Which linker introduces an example?
1. In short
2. However
3. For instance
4. As a result
Answer
C. For instance
For instance and for example introduce examples.
Which phrase signals a conclusion?
1. For example
2. To sum up
3. Moreover
4. On the other hand
Answer
B. To sum up
To sum up gives a final remark.
Which word fits: He ____ a big mistake in the test.
1. did
2. took
3. gave
4. made
Answer
D. made
The usual pair is 'make a mistake'.
Fill in the blank: Please ____ your homework before dinner.
1. do
2. take
3. give
4. make
Answer
A. do
The usual pair is 'do homework'.
Which linker should NOT be used with 'although' in the same sentence?
1. but
2. and
3. still
4. also
Answer
A. but
Although and but together are repeated contrast.
Which is correct?
1. Although he ill was, he came.
2. Although he was ill but, he came.
3. Although he was ill, he came to school.
4. Although he was ill, but he came to school.
Answer
C. Although he was ill, he came to school.
Do not use 'but' with 'although'.
If a past-time word like 'last year' appears, the verb should be
1. in the future tense
2. in the past tense
3. in the present tense
4. an infinitive
Answer
B. in the past tense
Time clues decide tense.
In a cloze test, if two options seem grammatically correct, you should
1. pick at random
2. pick the longest
3. pick the first
4. choose the one that fits the whole passage
Answer
D. choose the one that fits the whole passage
Meaning across the passage decides.
A good time limit for one para-jumble in an exam is about
1. ten minutes
2. twenty minutes
3. thirty seconds only
4. two minutes
Answer
D. two minutes
Do not spend too long on one question.
Which word completes: The road was blocked, ____ we took another route.
1. so
2. yet
3. although
4. because
Answer
A. so
The second part is a result of the first.
Which linker means the same as 'moreover'?
1. Although
2. In addition
3. However
4. On the other hand
Answer
B. In addition
Both add an idea.
Which linker means the same as 'on the other hand'?
1. Moreover
2. Thus
3. However
4. Therefore
Answer
C. However
Both show contrast.
Consider the statements about para-jumbles. 1. The opening sentence usually introduces the topic. 2. A sentence with 'however' should be the opening sentence.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
A sentence with however depends on an earlier idea.
Consider the statements about cloze tests. 1. Only the single sentence with the blank matters. 2. Reading the whole passage first helps.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
B. 2 only
Nearby sentences give clues too.
Consider the statements about linkers. 1. 'So' shows result. 2. 'Because' shows result.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
Because gives a reason, not a result.
Consider the statements. 1. 'Although' and 'but' can be used together in one sentence. 2. 'Because' and 'so' can be used together in one sentence.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Both pairs repeat the same relationship and are avoided.
Consider the statements. 1. In a statement, the helping verb comes after the main verb. 2. In a question, the helping verb comes before the subject.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
B. 2 only
In a statement, the helping verb comes before the main verb.
Correct order of: P. He therefore planted a tree. Q. Ravi was worried about the heat. R. He learned that trees give shade. S. So he read a few books.
1. S Q P R
2. P Q S R
3. Q S R P
4. Q R S P
Answer
C. Q S R P
Problem, reading, learning, decision.
Fill in the blank: He passed the exam ____ ease.
1. by
2. on
3. in
4. with
Answer
D. with
The fixed phrase is 'with ease'.
Which sentence is a good opener for a paragraph about rivers?
1. This was built long ago.
2. Therefore, they are useful.
3. Also, it flows slowly.
4. Rivers are an important source of fresh water.
Answer
D. Rivers are an important source of fresh water.
A general statement that names the topic is a good opening.
In a para-jumble about a person, how is the person introduced?
1. By full name first, then by 'he' or 'she'
2. By 'he' first, then the name
3. Only by 'they'
4. Only by a linker
Answer
A. By full name first, then by 'he' or 'she'
The name is given before the pronoun.

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Chapter quiz · 10 questions

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1.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. Data centres that power this invisible infrastructure now account for a significant share of global electricity use. B. Renewable energy contracts are also becoming a standard feature of new data centre projects. C. Even so, rising global demand for data storage threatens to outpace these efficiency gains. D. Balancing digital growth with energy sustainability remains an unresolved challenge for the industry. E. Every video streamed and every file stored in the cloud consumes real electricity somewhere. F. Others are experimenting with submerging server units directly in seawater for passive cooling. G. Some companies have begun building data centres in naturally cold climates to cut cooling costs. H. Cooling these facilities, which run hot around the clock, is often the largest single energy expense.
2.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. For many first-time internet users, speaking a query is far easier than typing one. B. Until then, voice interfaces will remain powerful but imperfect tools. C. A decade ago, talking to a device to get information seemed like pure fiction. D. Today, voice assistants quietly handle everything from setting reminders to controlling home appliances. E. Their growth has been especially strong in regions with lower rates of text literacy. F. However, voice systems still struggle with regional accents and mixed-language speech. G. Developers argue that solving this challenge could unlock the next wave of adoption. H. This has made voice technology an unexpected bridge for digital inclusion in rural areas.
3.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. Local repair shops, often just a single room with a skilled technician, keep countless devices running. B. In most Indian neighbourhoods, a broken appliance rarely means an automatic trip to the landfill. C. Manufacturers, meanwhile, increasingly design products that are difficult to open or repair. D. Whether such measures can keep pace with changing product design remains to be seen. E. A few state governments have begun exploring policies to protect independent repair shops. F. This informal repair economy employs millions of people without ever appearing in official statistics. G. Right-to-repair advocates argue this trend quietly undermines a traditionally strong repair culture. H. Sealed batteries and proprietary screws are becoming common even in low-cost electronics.
4.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. Cognitive research suggests attention naturally dips after roughly forty minutes of focused work. B. A growing number of educators now question whether this structure serves students well. C. Critics counter that shorter periods leave less time for deep, uninterrupted learning. D. The debate reflects a broader tension between tradition and emerging classroom science. E. A few pilot schools have experimented with shorter periods and longer, unstructured breaks. F. For generations, the school day has followed the same rigid, subject-by-subject timetable. G. Yet most class periods run well beyond this window without a meaningful break. H. Early results show modest improvements in student engagement and retention of material.
5.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. Yet most class periods run well beyond this window without a meaningful break. B. The debate reflects a broader tension between tradition and emerging classroom science. C. A few pilot schools have experimented with shorter periods and longer, unstructured breaks. D. Critics counter that shorter periods leave less time for deep, uninterrupted learning. E. Cognitive research suggests attention naturally dips after roughly forty minutes of focused work. F. For generations, the school day has followed the same rigid, subject-by-subject timetable. G. Early results show modest improvements in student engagement and retention of material. H. A growing number of educators now question whether this structure serves students well.
6.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. Lasting success, they suggest, depends on treating grassroots sport as a long-term commitment. B. Small towns with well-maintained training facilities often produce disproportionate numbers of athletes. C. A single successful Games can prompt a temporary funding boost that fades within years. D. Coaches in these towns frequently work with limited budgets but strong community support. E. National medal tallies dominate most post-Olympics discussions in the media. F. Sports economists argue that sustained local investment matters more than short-term funding spikes. G. This narrow focus, however, overlooks a much larger story about grassroots sport. H. In many countries, a strong medal haul rests on decades of steady infrastructure investment.
7.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. Many buildings require extensive structural repair before they can safely reopen to the public. B. Multiplexes and streaming platforms offered comforts these older halls simply could not match. C. These adaptive reuse projects are often funded by nostalgic former patrons rather than the state. D. Restoring a decades-old structure, however, is rarely as simple as repainting the walls. E. Still, supporters argue that saving these spaces preserves a piece of local memory. F. Single-screen cinemas across India have closed by the hundreds over the past two decades. G. Yet a small number of towns have found new uses for their abandoned theatres. H. Some have been converted into community libraries, while others now host local theatre troupes.
8.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. These adaptive reuse projects are often funded by nostalgic former patrons rather than the state. B. Many buildings require extensive structural repair before they can safely reopen to the public. C. Still, supporters argue that saving these spaces preserves a piece of local memory. D. Restoring a decades-old structure, however, is rarely as simple as repainting the walls. E. Multiplexes and streaming platforms offered comforts these older halls simply could not match. F. Yet a small number of towns have found new uses for their abandoned theatres. G. Some have been converted into community libraries, while others now host local theatre troupes. H. Single-screen cinemas across India have closed by the hundreds over the past two decades.
9.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. In most Indian neighbourhoods, a broken appliance rarely means an automatic trip to the landfill. B. A few state governments have begun exploring policies to protect independent repair shops. C. Local repair shops, often just a single room with a skilled technician, keep countless devices running. D. Right-to-repair advocates argue this trend quietly undermines a traditionally strong repair culture. E. Sealed batteries and proprietary screws are becoming common even in low-cost electronics. F. Whether such measures can keep pace with changing product design remains to be seen. G. This informal repair economy employs millions of people without ever appearing in official statistics. H. Manufacturers, meanwhile, increasingly design products that are difficult to open or repair.
10.The following sentences are jumbled. Choose the option that gives the correct sequence: A. International agencies have set an ambitious target to fully map the seabed within a decade. B. New autonomous underwater vehicles are now being deployed to close this knowledge gap. C. These vehicles can operate for weeks without human intervention, gathering detailed terrain data. D. The remaining depths are mapped only through low-resolution satellite estimates. E. This gap matters because the ocean floor shapes currents, climate, and marine ecosystems. F. Less than a quarter of the seabed has been surveyed using modern sonar technology. G. Humans have mapped the surface of the Moon in far greater detail than our own ocean floor. H. Whether funding will keep pace with this ambition remains an open question.

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