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Types of Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT 2024 Exam

Explore the various types of Reading Comprehension questions in the CAT exam, including inference, vocabulary-based, and tone-based questions. 
authorImageShivani Kumari10 Jul, 2024
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Types of Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT 2024 Exam

Reading Comprehension Questions: The CAT exam's Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section usually consists of 34 questions, with 24 focusing on Reading Comprehension (RC). These RC questions evaluate how well candidates can understand passages and respond to related questions.

Moreover, to excel in the CAT Reading Comprehension section, it's crucial for candidates to master these question types and practice a range of RC passages. It's important to get the main ideas and logical progression of the passages rather than getting bogged down by minor details.

Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT Exam

Reading Comprehension (RC) is a crucial part of the CAT exam, accounting for about 24 out of 34 questions in the Verbal Ability section. RC passages cover a wide range of topics including philosophy, business, art, science, and technology. The difficulty level of CAT RC passages and questions has increased in recent years, with more critical reasoning, inference, and tone/attitude questions.
  • To excel in CAT RC, it is important to read a variety of articles daily to improve reading speed and comprehension. Solving previous year CAT RC questions and analyzing the types of passages and questions asked is also very helpful.
The key is to focus on the main idea, author's tone, and purpose rather than minor details when reading the passages. With regular practice and the right strategies, aspirants can consistently score well in the RC section of CAT.
Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT Exam
Category Details
Question Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Number of Questions 24-26 questions
Marks per Question 1 mark per question
Total Marks 24-26 marks
Time Allotted 40-45 minutes
Passage Types Fiction, non-fiction, newspaper articles, essays, etc.
Question Formats Factual, inferential, vocabulary-based, etc.

Types of Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT Exam

Reading Comprehension (RC) is a crucial part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in the CAT exam. It typically accounts for around 24 out of the 34 questions in the VARC section. Given the importance of RC in the CAT, it is essential for candidates to understand the different types of RC questions they may encounter.

Main Idea Based Questions

These questions test the candidate's ability to identify the central theme or the main purpose of the given passage. Some examples of main idea based questions include:
  • What is the central idea of the passage?
  • What is the main purpose of the given passage?
  • The main point that the passage implies is _______.
  • Which of the options properly implies the gist of the passage?
  • The structure of the passage can be best described by ________.
To answer these questions, candidates need to carefully read the passage and identify the overall subject, theme, or the author's primary argument. They should be wary of answer choices that are too broad or specific, and instead select the option that best captures the essence of the passage.

Title Based Questions

In these questions, candidates are required to choose the most appropriate title for the given passage from the answer options. Examples include:
  • Which of the following is the most suitable title for the passage?
  • The most apt title for the passage is ______.
  • The title of the passage can be perfectly represented by _______.
To answer title-based questions, candidates need to understand the context and the central focus of the passage. They should look for an option that concisely and accurately captures the main subject or theme of the passage.

Paragraph and Structure Based Questions

These questions test the candidate's understanding of the organization and structure of the passage. They may ask about the purpose, tone, or focus of a specific paragraph, or how the passage as a whole is structured. Some examples include:
  • The organization of the passage can be best described as _____.
  • The second paragraph criticises ______.
  • The third paragraph describes _______.
To answer these questions, candidates need to closely analyze the flow of ideas and the logical structure of the passage. They should pay attention to transitional words and phrases that signal the author's intent or the relationship between different parts of the text.

Vocabulary Based Questions

These questions test the candidate's command over vocabulary and their ability to understand the contextual meaning of words. They often involve identifying synonyms or antonyms of a given word. Examples include:
  • Which word means the same as "___"?
  • What does the word "___" mean?
  • The antonym of the word "___" is?
To answer these questions, candidates need to have a strong vocabulary and the ability to understand the meaning of words in the given context. They should not rely solely on the literal dictionary definitions, but rather consider how the word is being used in the passage.

Inference Based Questions

These questions require candidates to draw logical conclusions or make inferences based on the information provided in the passage. They test the candidate's analytical and reasoning skills. Some examples include:
  • Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
  • The passage suggests that _______.
  • It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
To answer inference-based questions, candidates need to carefully read the passage, identify the key information and ideas, and then use logical reasoning to arrive at a conclusion that is supported by the passage, but not explicitly stated.

Fact Based Questions

These questions test the candidate's ability to identify and recall specific details or facts mentioned in the passage. Examples include:
  • According to the passage, _______.
  • The passage states that _______.
  • Which of the following is true about _______ as mentioned in the passage?
To answer fact-based questions, candidates need to have a good understanding of the passage and be able to quickly locate and extract the relevant information from the text.

Tone Based Questions

These questions assess the candidate's ability to identify the overall tone or attitude of the author in the passage. Examples include:
  • The tone of the passage can be best described as _______.
  • The author's attitude towards _______ is _______.
  • The passage conveys a _______ tone.
To answer tone-based questions, candidates need to pay attention to the language, word choice, and the overall sentiment expressed in the passage, and then select the option that best captures the author's tone or perspective.

Strategies for Tackling CAT Reading Comprehension Questions

Here are some effective strategies that can help candidates tackle the different types of RC questions in the CAT exam:
  1. Understand the passage : Before attempting to answer the questions, it is crucial to carefully read and understand the passage. Identify the main idea, the author's perspective, and the key details and arguments presented.
  2. Prioritize question types : Allocate more time to questions that test your understanding of the passage, such as main idea, inference, and tone-based questions. These tend to be more time-consuming but carry higher weightage.
  3. Manage time effectively : Quickly skim through the questions before reading the passage, so you can identify the key information to focus on. Spend more time on difficult questions and move on if you are stuck.
  4. Strengthen your vocabulary : Build a strong vocabulary by regularly reading a variety of materials, including newspapers, magazines, and books. This will help you understand the contextual meaning of words and answer vocabulary-based questions.
  5. Practice actively : Solve a wide range of RC passages from different sources, including previous year CAT papers. Analyze your mistakes and work on improving your weaknesses.
  6. Develop a systematic approach : Familiarize yourself with the different types of RC questions and practice using a consistent approach to tackle each type effectively.
To crack CAT 2024 with commendable scores it is crucial to follow a strategic preparation plan. Join PW CAT Online Coaching for comprehensive syllabus coverage, 24/7 doubt clarification, and expert guidance to streamline exam preparation.

Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT

What are the main idea based questions in CAT Reading Comprehension?

Main idea based questions in CAT RC test your ability to identify the central theme or purpose of a passage. For example, you might be asked to choose the main idea or the primary argument of the passage.

What are vocabulary based questions in CAT Reading Comprehension?

Vocabulary based questions assess your understanding of words in context. They may ask you to find synonyms, antonyms, or meanings of words as used in the passage.

What are inference based questions in CAT Reading Comprehension?

Inference based questions require you to draw conclusions based on information provided in the passage. You need to use logical reasoning to determine what can be inferred from the passage.

How can I tackle tone based questions in CAT Reading Comprehension?

Tone based questions evaluate your ability to identify the author's attitude or tone towards the subject. You need to analyze the language and style used in the passage to determine the author's perspective.

What strategies should I use to excel in CAT Reading Comprehension?

To perform well in CAT RC, focus on understanding the main ideas rather than minor details, practice with a variety of passages, and develop a strong vocabulary. Effective time management and systematic practice are also key to improving your RC skills
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