cloze test Model Questions & Answers, Practice Test for ibps clerk prelims

Directions:

In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

Once upon a time there lived a peacock and a tortoise in close proximity and they became the best of friends. The peacock lived on a tree on the …(1)… of a stream which was the home of the tortoise. It was a daily …(2)… for the peacock to dance near the stream after he had a drink of water. He would display his great plumage for the amusement of his friend. One unfortunate day, a bird-catcher who was on the …(3)… caught the peacock and was about to take him away to the market. The unhappy bird begged his captor to allow him to bid his friend the tortoise goodbye, as it would be the …(4)… time he would see him. The birdcatcher gave in to his request and took him to the tortoise. The tortoise was in tears to see his friend held …(5)….

The tortoise asked the birdcatcher to let the peacock go; but he laughed at the request, saying that it was his means of livelihood. The tortoise then said, "If I give you an expensive present, will you let my friend go ?" "Certainly," answered the bird-catcher. Whereupon, the tortoise …(6)… into the water and in a few seconds came up with a handsome pearl, which he presented to the bird-catcher. This was beyond the man's expectations, and he let the peacock go immediately. A short time after, the bird-catcher came back and told the tortoise that he thought he had not paid enough for the release of his friend, and …(7)…, that unless a match to the pearl was obtained for him, he would catch the peacock again. The tortoise, who had already …(8)… his friend to shift to a distant jungle on being set free, was greatly …(9)… by the greed of the bird - catcher. "Well," said the tortoise, "if you insist on having another pearl like the one I gave you, give it back to me and I will fish you an exact match for it." The greediness of the bird-catcher prevented his reasoning and he …(10)… gave the pearl to the clever tortoise. The tortoise swam out with it saying, "I am no fool to give you another pearl, your greediness has left you with nothing.