CAT Reading Comprehension

CAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension questions make up about 20 to 30 marks questions on the verbal section. Reading Comprehension questions come in groups of four to eight questions, and are based on reading passages that range from 250 to 750 words in length.

After the introduction of differential marks within a section i.e., 1 mark and 2 marks, RC questions have started appearing in both 1 mark and 2 marks section.

 

CRACKING THE SYSTEM

To be able to perform well in these types of questions you need to:

1. read quickly in a way that will allow you to understand the main idea of the passage,
2. eliminate answer choices that could not possibly be correct,
3. take advantage of outside knowledge,
4. take advantage of inside information (the answer that is generally correct in exams like CAT), and
5. find answers in some cases without reading the passage.

BASIC PASSAGE TYPES

There are four types of passages.

1. The social science passage: This usually concerns a social or historical issue. You might see a passage about world population control or the history of the rise to power of a clan in medieval India.
2. The science passage: This might describe a scientific phenomenon, such as aviation, super conductivity or plate tectonics.
3. The business passage: This usually discusses a business-related topic. For example, you might see a passage about the privatization of state-owned industries, pricing of options and futures or the causes of inflation.
4. The entertainment passage: This usually discusses a topic related to entertainment, sports, leisure. The passage could be on a topic such as the lifestyles of the rich and famous, the reason for the success of a Hollywood or Bollywood movie.

Click Here for a free sample passage.