Summary and Cloze: JAMB English Language Questions, Answers & Notes

What Summary and Cloze covers in the JAMB English Language syllabus

This area combines two skills. Summary means capturing a passage's main points concisely and in your own words, leaving out examples and minor details. Cloze tests require filling gaps with the best word, judged by the meaning and grammar of the whole passage — not just the gapped sentence. Both reward a strong grasp of collocations (e.g. 'responsible for', 'congratulate on', 'insist on'), sentence structures ('too...to', 'the more...the better') and agreement rules.

For Summary and Cloze, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Identify the main points for effective summary writing
• Supply appropriate words in cloze passages using context and grammar
• Apply common collocations and sentence structures

Key facts & revision notes: Summary and Cloze

These are the recurring points our Summary and Cloze questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• Summary means capturing the main points concisely in your own words, without copying or adding opinions.
• The fixed expression is 'the key to success'.
• Summaries leave out examples and minor details, keeping only the main ideas.
• 'Too + adjective + to' expresses excess preventing an action: 'too tired to continue'.
• 'Despite' + noun ('the rain') correctly shows contrast; 'although' would need a clause.
• Cloze tests require using context and grammar across the whole passage to select each word.
• The correct collocation is 'responsible for'.
• The 'the more..., the better' comparative structure requires 'the better'.
• Reducing a passage to its main points in far fewer words is a condensation (summary).
• 'Neither' is singular, so it takes the singular verb 'is'.
• The correct collocation is 'congratulate someone on something'.
• A good summary restates the main ideas in your own words, avoiding copied sentences.
• With 'as well as', the verb agrees with the main subject 'The teacher' (singular): 'was'.
• The correct form is 'apologise for' something.
• A good title reflects the passage's central subject or main idea.
• The correct collocation is 'insist on' doing something.
• The third conditional (unreal past) uses 'had + past participle': 'had studied'.
• Cloze tests assess the ability to supply appropriate words using vocabulary and grammar in context.
• 'Between' is used for two parties; 'among' is for three or more.
• 'Since' is used with a point in time ('last week') for an action continuing to now.
• You must understand the passage before you can summarise it, so read it carefully first.
• A good summary restates the main points in your own words, in complete sentences.
• A cloze answer must fit grammatically and make sense in context.
• Summary means presenting the essential points concisely.

Worked examples

Three Summary and Cloze questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Summary and Cloze is tested in JAMB English Language

Our Summary and Cloze bank holds 40 questions (11 easy, 22 medium, 7 hard). JAMB English Language typically returns to Summary and Cloze year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer Summary and Cloze questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Summary and Cloze. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one English Language item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Summary and Cloze is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Summary and Cloze

The errors that cost marks on Summary and Cloze are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Summary and Cloze actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Summary and Cloze part of the JAMB English Language syllabus?

Yes. Summary and Cloze is a recognised topic in the JAMB English Language syllabus, covering identify the main points for effective summary writing. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Summary and Cloze questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 40 original, JAMB-standard Summary and Cloze questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about Summary and Cloze?

This area combines two skills. Summary means capturing a passage's main points concisely and in your own words, leaving out examples and minor details. Cloze tests require filling gaps with the best word, judged by the meaning and grammar of the whole passage — not just the gapped sentence. Both rew…

How do I answer Summary and Cloze questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Summary and Cloze. Practising timed Summary and Cloze questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB English Language Summary and Cloze questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise Summary and Cloze questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Summary and Cloze practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME English Language syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.