Image occlusion vs cloze deletion: what is the difference?
Image occlusion hides labels on a picture; cloze deletion hides words in a sentence. Both test recall by covering part of something and asking you to fill it in, but image occlusion is for visual material like diagrams and maps, while cloze deletion is for text like definitions and facts. Most students use both.
Drafted with AI by the StudyPDF team. We check dates, numbers and research claims against official sources and read pages on a sample basis. How we write these pages
In more detail
A cloze card takes a sentence and blanks out a key word, for example, the powerhouse of the cell is the [...]. You recall the missing word. It is fast to make from notes and great for definitions, lists, and facts.
An image occlusion card takes a diagram and covers a label, so you see the picture with one part hidden and name it. It is the right tool when the thing you need to know is spatial: where a structure sits, what each part of a cycle is, the regions on a map.
They are not rivals. Use cloze for the wording and image occlusion for the picture. A good anatomy deck usually has both.
Image occlusion vs cloze deletion
| Image occlusion | Cloze deletion | |
|---|---|---|
| Hides | Labels on a picture | Words in a sentence |
| Best for | Diagrams, maps, anatomy | Definitions, facts, lists |
| You recall | What a part is called | The missing word |
| Made from | A labeled image | A sentence or note |
How StudyPDF helps
StudyPDF makes both from your own material. When you make flashcards, it writes cloze-style and question cards from your notes; when you make image occlusion, it masks the labels on the diagrams in your slides. On Pro, everything exports to Anki, so your cloze and occlusion cards live in one deck.
See also
More questions
Is image occlusion better than cloze deletion?
Neither is better; they fit different material. Use cloze deletion for text you need word for word, and image occlusion for diagrams where position and labels matter.
Can one app make both?
Yes. StudyPDF generates cloze-style flashcards and image occlusion from the same upload, and both export to Anki's native note types on Pro.
Do it on your own course
Upload your lectures and ask Bo. Cited answers, plus flashcards, exams, and more built from your material.