Short answer
An open cloze removes the answer choices and asks learners to generate a word that fits the gap. This makes them retrieve language from memory instead of simply recognising the correct option. Support can be added afterwards if they need it.
In S06E15, Em describes covering the suggested word bank so learners have to think before seeing the textbook choices. That tiny change can make a familiar exercise much more active.
Try this in your next lesson
Recall: learners fill the gaps without options.
👇 Scroll down for our practical checklist or activity and download.
Listen to the whole S06E15 discussion in our podcast episode guide here🔊.
Without options, learners have to use grammar, meaning and context together. Is the missing item likely to be a noun, verb, preposition or adjective? What meaning would make sense? What language from recent lessons might fit?
The teacher does not have to leave learners stranded. If the gap is too difficult, reveal the word bank, offer the first letter, give two possibilities or let learners compare ideas with a partner. The task can move gradually from recall towards recognition.
Open cloze work is also useful because the answer key may not always contain the only possible English. A learner might suggest a different word that is grammatically and semantically acceptable. That creates a useful conversation about collocation, register or subtle differences in meaning.
For vocabulary review, build a short paragraph using language from previous lessons and remove five or six key items. For grammar, remove function words such as articles, auxiliaries or prepositions. Keep the task short enough that the discussion around the gaps remains the interesting part.
Why hide the options?
Recognition is easier than recall. Removing the choices first gives learners a chance to retrieve language independently, while the original word bank can still become a useful safety net afterwards.
Our suggested classroom adaptation of the episode discussion.
Gav and Em suggest: Recall, compare, reveal
- ☐ Recall: learners fill the gaps without options.
- ☐ Compare: pairs discuss their answers and alternatives.
- ☐ Reveal: show the word bank or answer key.
- ☐ Discuss any different answers that could also work.
- ☐ Ask learners to reuse two of the target words in new sentences.
📥 Download the free teacher practice card (PDF)
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