“How to solve the Cloze Test?” Best solution

A Cloze test consists a text passage with some certain word removed (cloze text), test taker must replace the missing words from the given options

FOR EXAMPLE:

My mother waved me goodbye and the bus ___(1)___. The man sitting ___(2)___ to me was a doctor ___(3)____ to Kannur, ___(4)___ participate in a conference.

Cloze test is a very complex sentence completion test. In this test you will be given a paragraph with few blanks. And you need to fill these blanks from the given alternatives. This test is complex and bit typical because it evaluates candidates Vocabulary power and his understanding of the message of the passage or we can say to test the ability to judge the overall meaning of the given passage.

Often we provide answer and we end up with wrong one..

How-to-crack-the close-test

This type of test are very common in Bank PO exam because the result of this test provides the ability of a candidate to understand a passage, and his knowledge to grammar as well, as grammar is the root of any language this test can judge the candidate very well. If you make a good command in these types of questions you can easily score good marks.

Now the question arises “How to Crack the Nut”

The Solution to this question is simple but the main thing is practice, more and more practice, but as I said in my earlier articles “Only Practice Not Makes a Man Perfect” But “Perfect Practice Makes a Man Perfect”

How to Crack the Nut?

• First of all go through the complete passage and get a rough idea about the content and the spirit of the passage.
• In a passage mostly all the sentence are logically related to each other. These logics will give you an idea about the appropriate word for the blank space.
•  Sometimes you will easily spot the correct answer, if you get the answer immediately mark it. If not then eliminate the improbable options one by one and get the right answer.

Considering the above example,

My mother waved me goodbye and the bus ___(1)___. The man sitting ___(2)___ to me was a doctor ___(3)____ to Kannur, ___(4)___ participate in a conference

First go through the complete passage we can say according to the passage it is talking about a journey.
Now the options provided for (1) are
(a) going              (b) started          (c) arrived           (d) stopped        (e) traveling

Now in the above passage we can fill the (1) blank with “(b) started” as going is not proper word, it cannot be “arrived” because if someone saying good bye that means other person is going not arriving so it is also not appropriate word. Similarly cannot be “stopped”. And finally it cannot be “traveling”.

In similar way by eliminating improbable words we can find other blank as shown below.

The options for (2) are:
(a) next                (b) besides         (c) near                (d) side                    (e) neighbour
This blank will be filled by “(a) next”

The options for (3) are:
(a) coming           (b) arriving          (c) going               (d) visiting           (e) flying
This blank will be filled by “(c) going”

The options for (4) are:
(a) to                     (b) for                   (c) so                     (d) and                 (e) then
This blank will be filled by “(a) to”

This way you can easily get the point by finding the spirit of the passage as here the spirit of the passage was the boy is going somewhere thus this makes easier to eliminate words like ‘arriving, stopped, etc ’from the given options.

Constant practice will help to answer cloze test quickly and accurately. The best practice to solve these questions is regular reading and interaction with English. And let me remind you again this can help you to score full marks in this cloze test. Practice more and more, clear your doubts, ask questions (off course we are always here for your help).

Now its your Turn To Close This Test  A Practice Passage is given below:

Smile, they say, and soon there will be miles and miles of smiles. If we keep ___(1)___ ourselves and do not mix with others, we shall soon be left alone to ponder ___(2)___ the misfortunes of life. Nobody likes to come across a ___(3)___ and self-centred person. People ___(4)___ gregarious and outgoing souls who are prepared to share their joys and sorrows ___(5)___ if they have the capacity to laugh ___(6)___ their problems and miseries. Laughter brings people ___(7)___ whereas keeping to oneself distances people. It has ___(8)___ been rightly said that laughter is the shortest distance between two persons. Once two persons ____(9)____ together, the circle of acquaintance and consequently friendship ___(10)___, thus making the world a happy place to live in.

1. (a) by                 (b) to                    (c) with                 (d) into              (e) across
2. (a) over             (b) on                   (c) at                     (d) upon            (e) above
3. (a) sad               (b) serious          (c) glum               (d) selfish          (e) resent
4. (a) like              (b) love                (c) hate                 (d) dislike         (e) resent
5. (a) disappear   (b) vanish           (c) increase          (d) fade out      (e) develop
6. (a) at                  (b) over               (c) away                (d) on               (e) above
7. (a) close            (b) near               (c) together          (d) apart          (e) different
8. (a) hence          (b) so                   (c) however          (d) therefore   (e) thus
9. (a) get               (b) come              (c) sit                     (d) are              (e) go
10. (a) widens      (b) broadens      (c) increases         (d) grows         (e) narrows

Answers:
(1) b.     (2) a.      (3) c.      (4) b.     (5) b.     (6) c.      (7) c.      (8) d.     (9) b.     (10). d

Read the article below and decide which answer best fits each space.

Can we see (1) ......... the earth is a globe? Yes, we can, when we watch a ship that sails out to sea. If we watch closely, we see that the ship begins (2) ........ . The bottom of the ship disappears first, and then the ship seems to sink lower and lower, (3) ......... we can only see the top of the ship, and then we see nothing at all. What is hiding the ship from us? It is the earth. Stick a pin most of the way into an orange, and (4) ......... turn the orange away from you. You will see the pin disappear, (5) ......... a ship does on the earth.

1.  A. if    B. where   C. that  D. whether   E. when

2. A. being disappeared   B. to be disappeared   C. to have disappeared
D. to disappear   E. having disappeared

3. A. until  B. since   C. after  D. by the time   E. unless

4.  A. reluctantly   B. accidentally  C. slowly   D. passionately  E. carefully


5.  A. the same  B. alike  C. just as  D. by the way  E. similar to

1.C  2.D  3D  4C  5C

The food we eat seems to have profound ___(1)___ on our health. Although science has made enormous ___(2)___ in making food more fit to eat, it has, at the same time, made many food unfit to eat. Some research has shown that perhaps 80% of all human illnesses are related to diet and 40% of cancer is related to the diet as ___(3)___, especially cancer of the colon. Different cultures are more prone to ___(4)___ certain illnesses because of the food that is characteristic in these cultures. ___(5)___ food related to illness is not a new discovery. In 1945, government researchers realized that nitrates and nitrites, commonly used to preserve color in meats, and other food additives, caused cancer. Yet, these carcinogenic additives remain in our food, and it becomes more difficult all the times to know which things on the packaging labels of processed food are helpful or harmful. The additives, which we eat, are not all so direct. Farmers often give penicillin to beef or poultry, and because of this, penicillin has been found in the milk of treated cows. Sometimes similar drugs are ___(6)___ to animals not for medicinal ___(7)___ but for financial ___(8)___. The farmers are simply trying to fatten the animals in order to ___(9)___ a higher price on the market. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tried repeatedly to control these procedures, the ___(10)___ continue. 

 

 

       1 - 

•  effects
•  importance 
• significance
•  motion
•  2 - steps 
• jumps
•  lapses
•  laps
•  3 - such 
• so
•  that
•  well
•  4 - set
•  contract 
•  attract
•  retract 
•  5 - 
•  What 
•  This 
• Such 
• That                                                                                                                                                6 - doled 
• out 
•  administered
•  extended 
• cast                                                                                                                                                       7 - 
•  purposes
•  objects
•  incentives 
•  points
•  8 -
•  reasons 
• clues 
• prompts 
• tenets                                                                                                                                              9 -
•  pass 
• conquer 
• seize 
•  obtain 
• 10 - 
• operations 
•  
•  practices
•  questions
•  issues

1.A.2.A.3.D.4.B.5.D  6 A  7 A  8 1 9  D  10 B

PRODUCT STRATEGY

PRODUCT MIX, PRODUCT LINES AND PRODUCT STRETCHING

Introduction

Businesses are continuously making critical decisions about their product range. Product decisions will include whether to develop new products and how to manage existing products. This article is about the different ways firms manage the type and number of products they sell and related terms.

Product Mix (Product Portfolio or Product Assortment)

The Product mix is the total variety of products a firm sells. Some firms will sell just one product, whilst others will sell a large number of different products. For example Samsung's product mix includes mobile phones, netbooks, tablets, televisions, fridges, microwaves, printers and memory cards. Firms should select their product mix carefully as they will need to generate a profit from each of the products in the product mix.

Product Line

Firms may decide to split their product mix into groups known as product lines. A product line is a number of products grouped together based on similar characteristics. The characteristic used to split products, will depend on the firm and its product strategy. They include product price, product quality, who the product is aimed at (target group), and product specification/features. For example Samsung's mobile phones are divided into product lines based on the following features; touch screens, slider/folders, QWERTY keyboards and bar phones. Product lines help firms manage their products as product strategy can be designed around product lines. This is useful if the firm has a large product mix as there is less need to concentrate on individual product type strategy.

Product Line Length

The product line length shows the number of different products in a product line. A long product line has lots of different products in it and a short product line has a small number of different products. The product manager's job is to work out how many products to include in the product line. If there are too many product types in a product line, they will begin to compete with each other, increase costs unnecessarily and even confuse customers. If the product line is too short it will limit customer choice and send customers to competitors with a greater selection of products.

 Product Line Depth

Some of the product types in a product line may be split again into groups, the product line depth shows how many subgroups the product line contains. For example Samsung have split their mobile phones into the following product lines touch screens, slider/folders, QWERTY keyboards and bar phones. Each of these product lines can be further split into subgroups at the time of writing this article Samsung had 7 slider mobile phones and 32 touch screen mobile phones, 32 is a deep product line.

Product Line Stretching

Product line stretching occurs when a business adds new product to the product line and the new product types are of a higher or lower quality than existing products in the product line. If the new product types are cheaper or of a lower quality it is known as a downward stretch. If the new product types are more expensive or of a higher quality it is known as an upward stretch. Supermarkets often stretch product lines by offering value, standard and premium versions of their own brand products. Product stretching enables firms to fill any Gaps they have identified in the market.

Product Mix Width

The product mix width is the number of product lines in the product mix. A wide product mix increases the type of customers a firm can target. However it may involve a lot of work as each product line will require a strategy and management. It could also reduce specialisation as it is difficult to offer every variant of a product type if you are selling lots of different types of product. A narrow product mix may be easier to manage and allow the firm to specialise in particular product lines and product types. However a small product mix reduces the type of customers a firm can target as they can't cater for everyone's product "needs and wants".

Conclusion

Product selection is an important decision as the product is the item you are selling. Firms need to strike a balance between giving customers choice and trying to cater for everybody by stocking too many products. Dividing products into product lines and the product line into further groups, helps firms to develop product strategies. It will also help them identify which product ranges sell well and which do not as each product line will be monitored.

Marketing Glossary 

1.     AIDA model of communication:  A communication model which aims to obtain Attention, Interest, Desire and Action.

2.     Advertising objective:  The objective of your communication strategy. To inform of a new development, persuade or remind.

3.     Benefit:  The gain obtained from the use of a particular product or service. Consumers purchase product/services because of their desire to gain these built in benefits.

4.     Benefit Segmentation:  Dividing  a market according to the benefit they seek from a  particular product/service.

5.     Brand name:  Used for the identification of goods or services. Can be a name, term, sign or symbol.  A well managed brand should uphold certain values and beliefs.

6.     Brand extension strategy: The process of using an existing brand name to extend on to a new product/service e.g. The application of the brand name Virgin on a number of business activities.

7.     Break-even:  A point for a business where turnover is equivalent to all costs.

8.     Cash cow: A product/service which generates cash for the business, used to finance other areas of the organisation.

9.     Competitive Advantage: Offering a different benefit then that of your competitors.

10. Competitor Analysis:  Process of understanding and analysing a competitors strengths and weaknesses, with the aim that an  organisation will find a competitive positioning difference within the market.  

11. Competition pricing:  Setting a price in comparison with competitors.

12. Concept testing: Testing the idea of a new product or service with your target audience.

13. Brand repositioning: An attempt to change consumer perceptions of a particular brand. For example VW has successfully repositioned the Skoda brand.

14. Data mining: Application of artificial intelligence to solve marketing problems and aiding forecasting and prediction of marketing data.

15. Dichotomous question:  Questions which limit the responses of the respondent eg YES/NO.

16. Direct marketing: The process of sending promotion material to a named person within an organisation.

17. Diversification:   A growth strategy which involves an organisation to  provide new products or services. The new products on offer could be related or unrelated to the organisations core activities.

1.     Demography: A study of the population.

2.     Demographic segmentation. Dividing the population  into age, gender, income and socio-economic groups amongst other variables..

3.     Early Adopter: Those who adopt a product/service in the early stages of its lifecycle.

4.     Early Majority: Those who adopt a product/service after it has been established and excepted as the standard. 

5.     Engels Law: Suggest that peoples spending patterns change as their income rises.

6.     Exclusive distribution: Limiting the distribution of a product to particular retail store to create an exclusive feel to the brand/product.

7.     Econometric modeling: Application of regression techniques in marketing analysis

8.     Focus Group:   A simultaneous interview conducted amongst 6-8 respondents.  The aim is to obtain qualitative information on the given topic. 

9.     Geographic segmentation: Dividing the market into certain geographic regions e.g. towns, cities or neighborhoods.

10. Innovator:  Those consumers who are the first to adopt a product/service at the beginning of its lifecycle. They are usually willing to pay a premium to have the benefit of being the first.

11. Intensive distribution: Distributing a product to as many retail outlets as possible.

12. Laggards:  Those consumers who adopt the product/service as it reaches the end of its lifecycle. They usally pay a competitive price for the benefit of waiting.

13. Lifestyle segmentation:  Analyzing consumers activities, interest and opinion (AIOs) to develop a profile on the given segment.

14. Market Development Strategy: Selling an existing product/service in a new and developing market. 

15. Mass marketing: The promotion of a product or service to all consumers.

16. Marketing Mix:  The strategy of the organisation consisting  of products, price, place and promotion strategy (also known as the 4p's).  

17. Marketing Planning:  A written document which plans the marketing activities of an organisation for a given period. The document should include an environmental analysis, marketing mix strategies and any contingency plans should an organisation not reach their given objectives.

18. Market position: The perception of a product or an organisation from the view of the consumer.

19. Market research:  Analysing and collecting data on the environment, customers and competitors for purposes of  business decision making.

20. Modified Rebuy:  Where an organiation has to make changes to a  specific buying situation.

21. New buy:  Where an organisation faces the task of  purchasing a new product/service.  

22. Niche marketing: The process of concentrating your resources and efforts on one particular segment

23. Objective to task method:  Setting a advertising budget based on the desired goals of the communication campaign.

24. Open ended questions:   Questions which encourage the respondent to provide their own answers.

25. Paretos Law (80/20) :  A rule which suggests that 80% of an organisations turnovers is generated from 20% of their customers.

26. Penetration pricing: A pricing strategy where the organisation sets a low price to increase sales and market share.

27. Perceptual map:  Mapping a product/organisation alongside all competitors in the hope to find a ' positioning gap' in the given market.

28. Personal selling: Selling a product or services one to one. 

29. Primary data:  The process of organising and collecting data for an organisation.

30. Product Development Strategy:  The development of a new product/service aimed at the organisation existing market.  The aim is to increase expenditure within the segment.

31. Product Life Cycle: The life stage of a product,  includes,  introduction, growth, maturity and decline.

32. Product Cannibalisation: Loosing sales of a product to another similar  product within the same product line.

33. Public relations:  The process of  building good relations with the organisations various stakeholders. 

34. Relationship marketing: Creating a long-term relationship with existing customers. The aim is to build strong consumer loyalty.

35. Sales promotion:  An incentive to encourage the sale of a product/service e.g. money off coupons, buy one, get one free.

36. Secondary data: Researching information which has already been published.

37. Segmentation: The process of  dividing a market into groups that display similar behaviour and characteristics.

38. Skimming pricing:   A pricing strategy where an organisation sets an initial high price and  then slowly lowers the price to make the product available to a wider market.

39. Straight Rebuy: Where an organisation reorders without modification to the specification.

40. SWOT analysis: A model used to conduct a self appraisal of an organisation. The model looks at internal strengths and weaknesses and external environmental opportunities and threats.

41. Test marketing: Testing a new product or service within a specific region before national launch.

42. Usage segmentation: Dividing you segment into non, light, medium or heavy users.

Some Common Spotting Error Sheet

Dear Reader, We are provieding some spotting error rules. It will be helpful to you for upcomming exam.

Misused Word(s)	Rule	Examples
Who/Whom	“Who” is subjective and is used when the pronoun acts as the object of a clause. Usage depends on whether you are referring to the subject or object of a sentence. To test, substitute “he” or “she” for “who,” and substitute “him” or “her” for whom.	Who loves you? (She loves me.) I consulted with a doctorwhom I met in school. (I consulted with him.)
Which/That	“That” is a restrictive pronoun, which means the phrase following it is needed to understand the preceding statement. “Which” introduces a relative clause and is used when there are qualifiers that may not be essential.	I don’t like buying clothesthat aren’t made in the USA. You should only buy clothes made locally,which are usually sold at smaller local businesses.
Lay/Lie	“Lay” requires a direct object (past tense: “laid”). “Lie” doesn’t need an object (past tense: “lay”). Common mistake: People use the past tense of “lay” when they mean to use the past tense of “lie.”	I lay my head upon the pillow. Last night, I laid my head upon the pillow. The stones lie near the river. The stones lay near the river, waiting to be washed.
Nor/Or	“Nor” means “and not.” Rule of thumb: Use “nor” with “neither” and “or” with “either”.	I bet neither Mikenor Jessie will like the movie. I bet either Mike or Jessie will not like the movie.
Affect/Effect	“Affect” is a verb that means “to influence or produce an impression.” “Effect” is a noun that means “the result of.”	That movie affected me like no other movie has. I felt no effect from the movie, I wish itaffected me, but I thought it was boring.
Since/Because	“Since” refers to time. “Because” refers to causation.	Since I saw you last, I’ve gotten a new job. Because I saw you, I looked into that new job you recommended.
Fewer/Less	“Few” and “fewer” are for things you can count. “Less” is for hypothetical quantities.	I ate fewer calories today than I did yesterday. I need to eat less food so I can lose weight.
Whether/If	“Whether” expresses a condition where there are two or more alternatives. “If” expresses a condition where there are no alternatives.	I don’t know whether I will meet up with you later. I will meet up with you tonight if I finish my homework.
May/Might	Both suggest there is a possibility of something happening, but use “may” when there’s a greater likelihood and “might” when there’s little to no chance.	I may see you later if I can finish my essay. I might go to Europe this summer—if I can get over my fear of flying.
That/Who	Whenever you write about people, use “who” to refer to them.	Jane is the girl who lives above me.
Than/Then	“Than” is used when comparing things. “Then” is used when referring to time.	She is much tallerthan me. I will see you first andthen go to the store.
It’s/Its	“It’s” is a contraction of “it is.” “Its” is a possessive pronoun or adjective.	It’s going to rain tomorrow. The dog licked its paw.
There/Their/They’re	“Their” is used when referring to ownership or possession. “They’re” is a contraction of “they are.” “There” is used when referring to location.	Their dog was barking so loudly, I couldn’t sleep. They’re going to go the movies later. There is that sock I was looking for.
Complement/ Compliment	“Complement” refers to something that adds to or completes something else. “Compliment” is something nice said about you.	The fresh herbs reallycomplement the chicken. She complimented me and said she liked my shoes.
Loose/Lose	“Loose” refers to when something is coming undone. “Lose” is the opposite of “win” or “gain.”	My pants are so loose, I need a belt to keep them up. If I lose more weight, I’ll need a belt to keep my pants up.