Cloze Test Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the appropriate word and fill in the blank (vi).

Directions: In the given passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. 

The ____(i)____ of India as an economic superpower is not reflected in the ____(ii)____ of life enjoyed by its 1.2 billion citizens according to the Human Development Index which ____(iii)____ India very low among 182 countries. In our performance oriented world, measurement issues have taken on ____(iv)____ importance as what we measure affects what we do. In fact the French President has established an international commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress-owing to his ____(v)____ and that of others with the current state of statistical information about the economy and society. The big question concerns ____(vi)____ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) provides a good measure of living standards. In many cases GDP statistics seem to ____(vii)____ that the economy is doing far better than most citizens feel it is. Moreover the focus on GDP creates conflicts while political leaders are told to maximise it, citizens also demand that ____(viii)____ be paid to enhancing security, reducing air, water and noise pollution all of which actually ____(ix)____ GDP growth. Statistics are ____(x)____ to summarise what is going on in our. complex society, it is therefore obvious that we can't reduce everything to a single number-GDP.

  1. that

  2. unless

  3. because

  4. against

  5. whether

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

'Whether' is correct because the clause introduces a question about GDP's adequacy as a measure. The structure 'whether X provides a good measure' is standard English for raising a question about something. 'That' makes it a statement, 'unless' introduces a condition, 'because' gives a reason, and 'against' doesn't fit grammatically.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the appropriate word and fill in the blank (ix).

Directions: In the given passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. 

The ____(i)____ of India as an economic superpower is not reflected in the ____(ii)____ of life enjoyed by its 1.2 billion citizens according to the Human Development Index which ____(iii)____ India very low among 182 countries. In our performance oriented world, measurement issues have taken on ____(iv)____ importance as what we measure affects what we do. In fact the French President has established an international commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress-owing to his ____(v)____ and that of others with the current state of statistical information about the economy and society. The big question concerns ____(vi)____ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) provides a good measure of living standards. In many cases GDP statistics seem to ____(vii)____ that the economy is doing far better than most citizens feel it is. Moreover the focus on GDP creates conflicts while political leaders are told to maximise it, citizens also demand that ____(viii)____ be paid to enhancing security, reducing air, water and noise pollution all of which actually ____(ix)____ GDP growth. Statistics are ____(x)____ to summarise what is going on in our. complex society, it is therefore obvious that we can't reduce everything to a single number-GDP.

  1. recover

  2. lower

  3. attain

  4. decline

  5. shrunk

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Recover' is correct because pollution reduction efforts help restore GDP growth that would otherwise be damaged. 'Lower', 'decline', and 'shrunk' would mean pollution helps GDP grow, which contradicts the passage's logic. 'Attain' is too neutral - the focus is on restoration after damage.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the appropriate word and fill in the blank (x).

Directions: In the given passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. 

The ____(i)____ of India as an economic superpower is not reflected in the ____(ii)____ of life enjoyed by its 1.2 billion citizens according to the Human Development Index which ____(iii)____ India very low among 182 countries. In our performance oriented world, measurement issues have taken on ____(iv)____ importance as what we measure affects what we do. In fact the French President has established an international commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress-owing to his ____(v)____ and that of others with the current state of statistical information about the economy and society. The big question concerns ____(vi)____ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) provides a good measure of living standards. In many cases GDP statistics seem to ____(vii)____ that the economy is doing far better than most citizens feel it is. Moreover the focus on GDP creates conflicts while political leaders are told to maximise it, citizens also demand that ____(viii)____ be paid to enhancing security, reducing air, water and noise pollution all of which actually ____(ix)____ GDP growth. Statistics are ____(x)____ to summarise what is going on in our. complex society, it is therefore obvious that we can't reduce everything to a single number-GDP.

  1. inferred

  2. difficult

  3. interpret

  4. reveal

  5. intended

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

'Intended' is correct because it shows statistics have a purpose or design to summarize complex societal information. 'Inferred', 'difficult', and 'reveal' don't convey this purposeful design aspect. 'Interpret' is an action (something we do to statistics), not a quality of statistics themselves.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the appropriate word and fill in the blank (iii).

Directions: In the given passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. 

The ____(i)____ of India as an economic superpower is not reflected in the ____(ii)____ of life enjoyed by its 1.2 billion citizens according to the Human Development Index which ____(iii)____ India very low among 182 countries. In our performance oriented world, measurement issues have taken on ____(iv)____ importance as what we measure affects what we do. In fact the French President has established an international commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress-owing to his ____(v)____ and that of others with the current state of statistical information about the economy and society. The big question concerns ____(vi)____ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) provides a good measure of living standards. In many cases GDP statistics seem to ____(vii)____ that the economy is doing far better than most citizens feel it is. Moreover the focus on GDP creates conflicts while political leaders are told to maximise it, citizens also demand that ____(viii)____ be paid to enhancing security, reducing air, water and noise pollution all of which actually ____(ix)____ GDP growth. Statistics are ____(x)____ to summarise what is going on in our. complex society, it is therefore obvious that we can't reduce everything to a single number-GDP.

  1. counted

  2. scored

  3. qualified

  4. regard

  5. ranked

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

'Ranked' is the correct verb for how the Human Development Index positions countries in comparison. 'Counted', 'scored', and 'qualified' don't convey the relative positioning among countries. 'Regard' is grammatically incorrect here (it needs 'as' and doesn't fit the context).

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the appropriate word and fill in the blank (v).

Directions: In the given passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. 

The ____(i)____ of India as an economic superpower is not reflected in the ____(ii)____ of life enjoyed by its 1.2 billion citizens according to the Human Development Index which ____(iii)____ India very low among 182 countries. In our performance oriented world, measurement issues have taken on ____(iv)____ importance as what we measure affects what we do. In fact the French President has established an international commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress-owing to his ____(v)____ and that of others with the current state of statistical information about the economy and society. The big question concerns ____(vi)____ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) provides a good measure of living standards. In many cases GDP statistics seem to ____(vii)____ that the economy is doing far better than most citizens feel it is. Moreover the focus on GDP creates conflicts while political leaders are told to maximise it, citizens also demand that ____(viii)____ be paid to enhancing security, reducing air, water and noise pollution all of which actually ____(ix)____ GDP growth. Statistics are ____(x)____ to summarise what is going on in our. complex society, it is therefore obvious that we can't reduce everything to a single number-GDP.

  1. obedience

  2. confidence

  3. belief

  4. dissatisfaction

  5. compliance

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Dissatisfaction' is correct because the context shows the French President established a commission due to problems with current statistical information. 'Obedience', 'confidence', 'belief', and 'compliance' suggest satisfaction or acceptance - the opposite of what prompted the commission's creation.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (iii).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. followed

  2. tied

  3. called

  4. said

  5. bound

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

After the sons return from their separate trips, the father brings them together to discuss their observations. The context 'When they had all gone and come back, he [blank] them together' clearly indicates that the father 'called' or summoned them for a meeting. This is the logical action after they return - he gathers them to hear what each saw. 'Called' fits the context of a father assembling his family.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (viii).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. flower

  2. season

  3. ground

  4. more

  5. leaf

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Each son saw the tree in a different season (winter, spring, summer, autumn). The moral is about how a single perspective ('one season') cannot capture the full picture. The blank 'they had each seen but only one [blank] in the tree's life' requires 'season' to complete the thematic parallel. The subsequent reference to 'judge...by only one season' confirms this is the correct word that ties the narrative to its message.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (vii).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. tell

  2. leaked

  3. reprimanded

  4. stood

  5. explained

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

After hearing all four descriptions, the father helps his sons understand why each had a different perspective. The word 'explained' fits the context of a parent teaching a lesson. 'The man then [blank] to his sons that they all were right' introduces a clarification or interpretation, which is precisely what an explanation does. This sets up the moral about not judging things prematurely.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (ix).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. let

  2. not

  3. must

  4. should

  5. cannot

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The moral is that a single season gives an incomplete picture, so you cannot make a fair judgment based on limited observation. 'You [blank] judge a tree, or a person, by only one season' requires 'cannot' to convey the impossibility of accurate assessment from partial information. The superlative 'most graceful thing he had ever seen' also supports this. The statement is about the limitation of single-perspective judgments.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (ii).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. quest

  2. airplane

  3. expedition

  4. pilgrimage

  5. requested

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sons are sent to observe a distant tree, which requires a journey with purpose. 'Expedition' means a journey undertaken for a specific purpose, which fits the context of a father sending sons on separate observational missions. 'Quest' typically implies seeking something difficult or abstract, while 'expedition' better captures a structured journey with a clear objective (observing the tree). 'Pilgrimage' has religious connotations that don't fit this context.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (vi).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. worriedly

  2. mostly

  3. ever

  4. forever

  5. forcefully

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase 'the most graceful thing he had [blank] seen' is a superlative construction emphasizing that this summer blossom display was unparalleled in the son's experience. 'Ever' is the standard superlative complement in 'have ever seen' constructions. 'Forever' would imply endless duration, 'mostly' would mean primarily, and 'worriedly' and 'forcefully' don't make sense in this context of aesthetic appreciation.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (x).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. essence

  2. danger

  3. tree

  4. fear

  5. journey

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The moral is about understanding the complete nature of something or someone, not just one aspect. 'Essence' means the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something. The passage argues that the full 'essence of who they are' can only be measured after all seasons are complete. 'Danger', 'fear', 'tree', and 'journey' don't fit the context of understanding someone's complete nature over time.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (v).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. was

  2. fell

  3. colour

  4. smelled

  5. cooked

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The summer son describes blossoms with sensory details. 'Blossoms that [blank] so sweet' in the context of flowers requires 'smelled' as the sense that detects fragrance. 'Was' doesn't convey the sensory experience, 'fell' describes motion, 'colour' is a noun not a verb, and 'cooked' is completely unrelated to flowers. The description captures the olfactory beauty of the tree in bloom.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (iv).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. all

  2. predict

  3. maintain

  4. describe

  5. talk

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The father called his sons together to share their observations of the pear tree. 'Describe' is the correct verb here - he wanted them to describe/express what they had seen during their visits. Other options don't fit: 'all' is grammatically incomplete, 'predict' and 'maintain' don't make sense in this context, and 'talk' would require 'about'.

Multiple choice

Find out the appropriate word to fill blank (i).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which best fits the blank appropriately.

There was a man who had four sons. He ____(i)____ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a _____(ii)____, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn. When they had all gone and come back, he _____(iii)_____ them together to ____(iv)_____ what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that ____(v)_____ so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ____(vi)_____ seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then _____(vii)_____ to his sons that they all were right, because they had each seen but only one _____(viii)_____ in the tree’s life. He told them that you _____(ix)_____ judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the _____(x)_____ of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are over.

  1. created

  2. wanted

  3. placed

  4. meant

  5. teach

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence introduces the father's purpose: 'He ______ his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly.' 'Wanted' is correct - it expresses his desire/intention for his sons to learn this lesson. 'Created' and 'placed' don't make sense with 'to learn', 'meant' would require 'meant for', and 'teach' doesn't fit grammatically (would need 'taught his sons' or 'wanted to teach his sons').