25 Reading Comprehension Practice
25.1 Introduction
Reading Comprehension (RC) is one of the most heavily weighted areas in aptitude exams. It tests not only your ability to read but also your understanding, inference, tone analysis, and critical evaluation of a passage.
RC questions usually come in the form of multiple-choice or true/false, and passages may be descriptive, argumentative, narrative, or expository.
25.2 1) Types of RC Questions
25.2.1 1.1 Factual / Detail Based
Directly stated in the passage.
Tip: Scan for keywords.
25.2.2 1.2 Inference Based
Not directly stated; you must “read between the lines.”
Tip: Eliminate extreme options.
25.2.3 1.3 Main Idea / Central Theme
Summarizes what the passage is about.
Tip: Ignore examples, focus on the core argument.
25.2.4 1.4 Tone / Attitude
Identify whether the author is critical, analytical, sarcastic, optimistic, etc.
25.2.5 1.5 Vocabulary in Context
Meaning of a word/phrase as used in the passage.
25.2.6 1.6 Application / Critical Reasoning
Applying passage ideas to new scenarios or evaluating arguments.
25.3 2) General Strategy
- Skim the passage first for structure (intro, body, conclusion).
- Identify paragraph roles (definition, example, critique, conclusion).
- Highlight keywords: however, therefore, but, thus.
- Read questions carefully before rereading passage.
- Eliminate distractors (too extreme, irrelevant, factually wrong).
25.4 3) Solved Examples
25.4.1 Example 1 – Factual
Passage excerpt:
“Electric vehicles are gaining momentum. In 2023, global sales crossed 10 million, with China and Europe leading adoption.”
Q: Which regions led adoption?
A: China and Europe.
25.4.2 Example 2 – Inference
Passage excerpt:
“Despite technological advances, rural healthcare in India continues to face challenges of access and affordability.”
Q: Which of the following can be inferred?
(a) Technology has completely solved rural healthcare problems.
(b) Rural healthcare issues are due only to technology.
(c) Access and affordability remain challenges despite technology.
(d) Rural healthcare is better than urban healthcare.
A: (c)
25.4.3 Example 3 – Main Idea
Passage excerpt:
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a social, economic, and political challenge requiring global cooperation.”
Q: Main idea?
A: Climate change requires global, multi-dimensional response.
25.4.4 Example 4 – Tone
Passage excerpt:
“While e-learning platforms promise flexibility, their effectiveness is questionable without proper guidance.”
Tone: Cautionary / Critical
25.4.5 Example 5 – Vocabulary
Passage excerpt:
“The CEO’s response was pragmatic, focusing on feasible solutions rather than idealistic dreams.”
Q: Meaning of pragmatic?
A: Practical.
25.5 4) Practice Passages
25.5.1 Passage 1
“Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing industries. From automation of repetitive tasks to predictive analytics, businesses are adopting AI rapidly. However, concerns about job displacement and ethical implications remain strong.”
Q1. What is the central theme?
Q2. Which concern does the passage highlight?
Q3. Tone of the passage?
25.5.2 Passage 2
“India’s demographic dividend is often described as its greatest strength. With a large young population, the country has the potential to drive innovation and growth. But without adequate education, skills, and jobs, this dividend may turn into a liability.”
Q1. What does ‘demographic dividend’ mean here?
Q2. What danger is highlighted?
Q3. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
(a) India’s population is too large.
(b) Youth must be skilled and employed to realize demographic benefits.
(c) Innovation depends only on technology.
(d) Education is not important for growth.
25.5.3 Passage 3
“Globalization has integrated markets, making countries interdependent. While this has spurred growth, it has also increased vulnerability to global shocks, such as financial crises or pandemics.”
Q1. What is the dual effect of globalization?
Q2. Example of vulnerability mentioned?
25.6 5) Answer Key
Passage 1
Q1. AI is transforming industries but raises concerns.
Q2. Job displacement and ethics.
Q3. Balanced/Analytical tone.
Passage 2
Q1. Youth population advantage.
Q2. Risk of unemployment and lack of skills.
Q3. (b) Youth must be skilled and employed.
Passage 3
Q1. Growth + vulnerability.
Q2. Financial crises, pandemics.
25.7 6) Summary
- RC is not about speed-reading but about comprehension and elimination.
- Classify each question type before answering.
- Use passage keywords to locate evidence.
- Practice with diverse passages: science, economics, philosophy, politics.
- Focus on author’s intent, structure, and tone—not just details.