A cloze test (also cloze deletion test or occlusion test) is an exercise, test, or assessment in which a portion of text is masked and the participant is asked to fill in the masked portion of text. Cloze tests require the ability to understand the context and vocabulary in order to identify the correct language or part of speech that belongs in the deleted passages. This exercise is commonly administered for the assessment of native and second language learning and instruction.
The word cloze is derived from closure in Gestalt theory. The exercise was first described by Wilson L. Taylor in 1953.[1]
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 extensive academic literature;[2] nonetheless, teachers commonly devise ad hoc tests.
- ^ Taylor, W. L. (1953). "Cloze procedure: A new tool for measuring readability". Journalism Quarterly. 30 (4): 415–433. doi:10.1177/107769905303000401. S2CID 206666846.
- ^ Sachs, J.; Tung, P.; Lam, R. (1997). "How to Construct a Cloze Test: Lessons from Testing Measurement Theory Models". Perspectives. 9. City University of Hong Kong.