Gap questions 5H

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

Gap questions 5H

Content

Today, we’ll take a deeper dive into strategies for answering gap-fill questions on the English exam.

By the end, you’ll have a set of practical tools to help you tackle these questions confidently.

We’ll cover:

Understanding the structure of gap-fill questions

Steps to follow for each question

Specific tips to improve accuracy

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Practice questions with detailed feedback

Step 1: Understand the Context by Reading First

Why: Reading the entire passage helps you get the big picture. Without context, you can easily choose the wrong word, even if it seems to fit.

How: Read through the passage quickly before focusing on the gaps. Try to understand:

What is the overall topic?

What tone is being used (formal, informal, neutral)?

Are there any obvious connections between ideas (cause-effect, contrast, etc.)?

 Step 2 - Identify the Type of Word Needed

Identify the word type: Ask yourself what kind of word is missing:

Noun: A person, place, or thing?

Verb: An action word?

Adjective: A word describing something?

Preposition: A word showing a relationship (in, on, at, by)?

Conjunction: A word connecting two ideas (and, but, because)?

Check grammar: Ensure the sentence remains grammatically correct with your choice

Step 3 - Consider Meaning and Logic

Check the logic: Once you know the type of word, check if it makes sense.

Example: "She studied hard, ___ she passed the exam."

Options: but, so, because, although

Answer: so (the sentence is showing cause and effect).

Trick: Use the process of elimination. Eliminate any options that don't make logical sense.

Step 4 - Pay Attention to Clues in the Sentence

Look for linking words: Words like and, but, however, so often help link two ideas together.

They can provide clues about whether the gap needs a cause, contrast, or addition.

Example: "The weather was cold, ___ we wore warm jackets."

Options: because, so, although, if

Clue: The second part is the result of the first part, so the answer is so.

Check for repetition or patterns: If a similar phrase or structure is used earlier, the gap may need something to match.

Step 5 - Eliminate Wrong Options

Eliminate clearly wrong options: Narrow down your choices by crossing out answers that don’t fit grammatically or logically.

Example:

"He was late, ___ he missed the bus."

A. because

B. so

C. although

D. if

Eliminate: although and if don’t make sense, leaving because and so.

Correct answer: so (cause and effect).

Step 6 - Plug in Your Choice and Re-Read

Re-read the sentence: After choosing an answer, put it back into the sentence and re-read the whole sentence to ensure it makes sense.

Does it fit both grammatically and logically?

Ask yourself:

Does this word complete the sentence smoothly?

Does it change the meaning or clarify it?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t rush: Rushing leads to choosing words that don’t fit. Take your time to evaluate the options carefully.

Don’t rely on word similarity: Just because a word sounds good doesn’t mean it’s the right fit.

Skipping the re-read: Skipping the final step of re-reading with your chosen word can lead to missed mistakes.

Tip 1 - Linking Words and Connectors

Common connectors: Knowing common linking words can give you a huge advantage.

Cause and Effect: so, because, therefore

Contrast: but, although, however

Addition: and, furthermore, also

Example: "He didn’t study, ___ he failed the test."

Answer: so

Example: "It was raining, ___ they still went out."

Answer: but or although

Tip 2 - Using Contextual Clues

Tip: Look at the sentence before and after the gap. These often contain clues that will help you fill in the missing word.

Example:

"He didn’t bring an umbrella, ___ it was raining heavily."

Answer: even though (contrast between not bringing an umbrella and the rain).

Practice Question
"She was feeling tired, ___ she decided to go to bed early."

1. so
2. but
3. if
4. because

Despite the warnings, ___ of the residents evacuated before the hurricane arrived.

1. few
2. most
3. all
4. none

What is still unclear or difficult?

Now

Go to Eindexamensite site and look for:

"Gap questions practice test". You have the remaining time to finish this test individually in silence. Make space inbetween your seats, to make it like a real exam simulator.