Seventy Years of Cloze Testing: a review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5212/PraxEduc.v.21.26859.075Abstract
The cloze test was originally put forward as a method of measuring text readability. It soon, however, found other uses in various fields of research. The purpose of this literature review is to map the applications the cloze test has found over the 70 years since its inception. The review uncovers six broad areas of use: text readability, students’ reading ability and comprehension, language assessment and language learning, cognition and psychiatry, plagiarism detection, and, most recently, training and evaluation of language models. Each application necessitates a specific method for item deletion, varying answering formats, and distinct scoring strategies. The review delves into the academic discussions surrounding the cloze test, thoroughly examining both the criticisms and the advantages it offers in its varied uses. This ongoing dialogue and continuous discovery of new applications have allowed the cloze test to remain a relevant and adaptable tool.
Keywords: Cloze procedure. Literature review. Authorship verification.
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