Cloze questions ask children to choose or supply a word that fits a sentence or passage. They test more than vocabulary: grammar, meaning, context and careful reading all matter.
Read the whole sentence first
Do not choose an answer as soon as you see the blank. Read the words before and after it and decide what kind of word is needed: noun, verb, adjective, adverb or connector.
Use context clues
Look for clues about meaning, tone, time and cause. If the passage describes a character who is frightened, a word meaning calm is unlikely to fit even if it looks grammatically correct.
Check grammar
Verb tense, singular and plural forms, articles and prepositions can eliminate options. Read the completed sentence aloud in your head and check that it sounds natural.
Build vocabulary alongside practice
Keep a list of unfamiliar words from cloze and comprehension exercises. Learn their meaning and use them in a new sentence. This creates a useful link between vocabulary learning and exam practice.