Many Primary 3 pupils complete an English grammar cloze passage by reading a passage and filling in the answers based on their understanding of the passage.
However, such a method results in a higher probability of incorrect answers. This happens especially when a cloze passage is more challenging.
To be precise in answering, the identification of keywords is extremely important.
Selecting the right keywords means that pupils know exactly why the answer must be so.
This ensures that pupils learn with understanding which is the most important part of the learning process.
Using a Primary 3 grammar cloze passage, we will illustrate how to identify keywords to derive the answers.
Question (1)
Step 1 – Understand the sentence
Suddenly, it started to rain so (1)__________________ decided to pack up quickly and return home.
Since there is an action verb decided just after the blank, there must be someone doing the action of deciding. In this case, we will have to identify who is / are the people doing the action.
Step 2 – Look for the keyword
Next, we will look for the keyword which shows the people doing the action
Lisa and Mary were having a picnic at West Coast Park. Suddenly, it started to rain so (1)__________________ decided to pack up quickly and return home.
In the same paragraph, there are two girls – Lisa and Mary.
Since they were the ones having a picnic, they should also be the persons to pack up. Therefore the answer is they.
Question (2)
Step 1 – Understand the sentence
Lisa said, “Oh no! (2)__________________ forgot to bring my umbrella!”
Just like question 1, the action verb forgot indicates that there must be a person.
Step 2 – Look for the keyword
Lisa said, “Oh no! (2)__________________ forgot to bring my umbrella!”
The possessive pronoun my shows that the answer should be a relevant and related pronoun.
In this case, the answer should be I.
Question (3)
Step 1 – Understand the sentence
“Would (3)__________________ like to share an umbrella with me?” asked Mary.
As according to the keyword, the answer has to be a pronoun.
Step 2 – Look for the keyword
“Would (3)__________________ like to share an umbrella with me?” asked Mary.
As stated in Cloze Passage tip number 3, pupils should look within the line of speech first.
In this case, the keywords with me show that the speaker Mary is speaking to someone else.
Therefore the answer has to be you as it is a pronoun which is used to refer to the person being spoken to.
Question (4)
Step 1 – Understand the sentence
“Let’s go quickly! Otherwise, (4) ______________ will get ourselves drenched if the rain gets heavier,” Mary cried as she signaled Lisa to come over.
Step 2 – Look for the keyword
“Let’s go quickly! Otherwise, (4) ______________ will get ourselves drenched if the rain gets heavier,” Mary cried as she signaled Lisa to come over.
The keyword ourselves indicate that the answer should be a pronoun relevant to the keyword.
Therefore the answer is we.
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