IELTS and Cambridge Open Cloze: How to Practice
Open cloze is a classic exam task where you fill a gap with one word—no options given. It tests grammar, vocabulary, and understanding of context. Both Cambridge (FCE, CAE) and IELTS use variations of this format. Here’s how to practise effectively.
What is Open Cloze?
A short text has gaps. You must write one suitable word in each gap. Common tested areas include:
- Articles (a, an, the)
- Prepositions
- Relative pronouns (who, which, that)
- Auxiliary verbs (do, did, have)
- Linking words (however, although, because)
- Phrasal verbs and collocations
Cambridge vs IELTS
- Cambridge FCE/CAE (Use of English): Usually 8 gaps in one short text. Strong focus on grammar (articles, prepositions, verb forms).
- IELTS: Often appears in Reading. Gaps may test vocabulary as well as grammar.
How to Practise
- Read the whole sentence – The missing word is often determined by the rest of the sentence.
- Think about part of speech – Is it a noun, verb, preposition, article?
- Check collocations – Does the word before or after need a specific partner?
- One word only – Never write two words or a contraction (e.g. "don’t" counts as two).
Build Your Skills with CEFR-Aligned Practice
At donehome.work, our Open Cloze activity is designed for A2–C1 levels and matches exam-style tasks. Teachers can assign homework and track progress; students get instant feedback.
Sign up to practice and see our full range of exam-style activities including Multiple-choice Cloze and Word Transformations.