Reading Comprehension: Tips, Questions And Preparation

Let’s look at the weightage of Reading Comprehension in some of the top MBA entrance exams. Apart from the CAT, reading comprehension passages don't dominate the English section in any other exam. The number of English comprehension questions presented in the table below is based on the latest question paper of every MBA exam. This should be seen as a reference and in the upcoming exams, the number of Reading Comprehension questions could be higher or lower.

• The only way to crack Reading Comprehension section of any exam is by developing the habit of reading. Devote 1.5 to 2 hours to reading on daily basis.
• In most probability, the exam will have passages you would not have read before. Thus, the need to practice RC passages from diverse fields and genres.
• Choose variety of  topics to read because the passages can be from Economics, Philosophy, History, Sociology, Politics, Literature, Science, Arts, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Biographies, Psychology or other fields. Also Read: Types of Reading Comprehension questions
• Don’t do speed reading in CAT exam. Take your time and read the passage paying attention to details. If you do this, you’ll be able to answer all the questions in one go. You won’t have to go back and forth between questions and the passage to find the answers.
• However, you cannot take too much time in reading passages on the exam day. So, the solution here is to develop the habit of fast reading but without missing important points. Those who are avid readers, need not worry. Those who are not, start reading from the early stage of MBA preparation.
• You may adopt the strategy of reading the questions before the passage, but remember this strategy works on fact based passages. CAT Reading Comprehension passages are inference-based so don’t apply this strategy in CAT exam. Similarly, in XAT, the RC section has boring and dense passages from Psychology, Philosophy, Art or Research paper or sometimes even poems. Thus, the wise thing to do is read the passage first and then the questions.
• In CAT, Reading Comprehension dominates the VARC section, thus there is no running away from it. The option to solve VA questions and leave out RC is not there in CAT. In fact, even in other MBA entrance exams, it is advisable not to skip RC passages as it can directly affect your sectional score, which in turn may impact the overall score/percentile.
• There is no formula, no theorem to crack a Reading Comprehension passage. So, all that you can do is practice. Practice adequate number of sample RC passages of different variety and time yourself. After every practice session, assess your performance. Take the test again to see whether you can crack the same English passage in lesser time. Your should aim at more accuracy in lesser time.
• Check out Reading Comprehension passages with questions and answers of all the MBA entrance exams. It will give you and idea of what type of questions are asked in this section to help you prepare for multiple exams simultaneously.
• Having a good reading habit will also help you in improving Vocabulary and Grammar. Note down unfamiliar words, phrases and idioms you come across while reading. Check their meaning and origin to build your vocabulary.

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Check out the topics of CAT Reading Comprehension passages of last four years. CAT Reading Comprehension section is considered the toughest among all MBA entrance exams. It you can crack it, you can crack Reading Comprehension section of any exam.

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Listed below are some of the popular books and novels for Reading Comprehension preparation recommended by MBA experts:

• Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
• Cosmos by Carl Sagan
• India in Slow Motions by Mark Tully
• Capitalism & Freedom by Milton Friedman
• Maximum City by Suketu Mehta
• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
• Wings of Fire by APJ Abdul Kalam
• Shantaram by David Gregory Roberts
• Around the world in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
• The Time Machine by HG Wells
• Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome
• Something Fresh by P G Wodehouse
• Where Eagles Dare by Alistair McLean

News and Journals to read for Reading Comprehension section for CAT and other MBA entrance exams are listed below:

• The Hindu
• Time
• Business Week
• Newsweek
• The Economist
• National Geographic
• Fortune
• Business World

The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.

India as a country has been bestowed with several nomenclatures. Right from unity in diversity to birthplace of Hinduism and Sanskrit, the land has always been admired and revered for its rich cultural legacy and variety that it offers. India is a story, a legend, folklore and an anecdote in itself. It needs no introduction, no specific mention. It has continued to thrive for centuries and there are bright chances of it being the next super power. The country has always nourished numerous cultures, traditions and religions. All the major religions thrive in India and none of them have ever felt insecure or unprotected. That’s the beauty of the land.

Go to any part of rich India and you will find numerous temple and shrines and all of them contain their own unique stories. We have always believed in beautiful and fascinating description of Indian Gods and Goddesses. Many stories have been told and retold in different fashions about how particular God originated in a particular place. All the descriptions of deities are believable and they convey just one message of Good winning over the evil. Gods in Indian religion have always fought monsters and even taken human forms to conquer evils in convincing manner. Right from north India to southern and western states, everywhere one can find plenty of amazing tales about our religion and sustenance over the centuries. The essence remains the same, the versions differ.

Indian mythology has always been popular among masses. Its effect can be seen from different religious functions and tales told to the kids by their grandma. The virtues have always been exemplified by the conduct of the Gods. Many present day symbols have been born from our mythology and religious beliefs. For example, Om or Swastika or Trishul etc have always been revered. Religious beliefs are in tune with our traditional way of living and we as staunch believers still believe in following the rules and customs. When you hear of stories about our mythological characters like Ram, Sita, Hanuman, Ravana, Ganesha, Krishna and Bhima etc you get to know about what the essence of India is made of. These characters are now being used in animation movies that will be further helpful in making new generation aware of India’s famous religions and mythology. Religion and mythology is no less than precious treasure that must be respected and preserved. India is a story in itself. There have been civilizations and archaeological facts that are constantly being researched about the birth place of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Though many times there are fake inventions, there seems a lot of history in the shrines and temples in India. Each depiction of God and villains seems appropriate with the truth winning over the evil. Each time and place has the new emergence of a Hindu God who takes care of the three worlds and slays the evil. A swastika or an Om is a revered sign and mentioned as prosperity. There are many symbols like the Trishul or the Trident which is not displayed everywhere as it is considered aggressive. It is customary to smear ash or sandalwood powder in the forehead as it cools the mind. These are beliefs turned to tradition and most of us follow the rules and codes. The latest generation is quite inquisitive about facts yet totally appreciates the quests of Lord Rama, the slaying of the ten headed Ravana, the piousness of Sita and the loyalty of Hanuman. Animation flicks are being created showing characters like Gathotkach the son of Bhima, Hanuman and Ganesha. Though these are kid specials, this would be the best way to teach them about Gods and religion. Dashavatar is a wonderful combination of story and the magnanimous nature of Lord Vishnu. Each avatar or creation has a set nature and character. It is mind blowing to see the story narration and is well received by the all of us. Our art and culture have direct relation with the mythology. The Shravan month is a holy time where people get religiously and maintain fasting. This is also the time for the beginning of all festivals. Magic or splendour is what we see at the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in India. The Durga Puja is another feat. South traditions relate to Lord Muruga( Karthik) or Lord Ayyappa. The shrine of Vaishnodevi in Jammu involves climbing a steep mountain of 14 kilometers bent and the mission seems accomplished once we see the holy pind. People hold allegiance and complete belief in miracles when life challenges them. Mythology is the treasure of Indian religion and must be given to our progeny.

1. The central idea of the passage is best explained by which of the following statements?

(A) India, as a country, has been bestowed with several nomenclatures.

(B) There are bright chances of India being the next super power.

(C) India is all about temples, shrines and amazing tales by grandma.

(D) Mythology is the treasure of Indian religion and must be given to our progeny.

Solution: (D) Option D captures the focus of the passage. The passage explains the significance of mythology in various religions of India.

2. In India mythology is very significant as

(A) It is a source of thousands of centuries old stories.

(B) It is the source of their beliefs, traditions, culture, day to day practices, art, religion, festivals and provides the essence of living i.e. good winning over the evil.

(C) It talks about various avatars that Indian Gods have taken.

(D) It is the primary source of various festivals in the country.

Solution: (B) B is correct as “good winning over evil” is central to Indian mythology. Also provides the essence of living.

3. Animation flicks on religious characters will help

(A) In improving sales in the animation industry like never before

(B) In teaching kids as well as elders about gods and religion and in making new generations aware of India’s famous religions and mythology.

(C)The creative directors in their careers

(D) Parents in keeping their children busy with some good and value loaded entertainment.

Solution: (B) Option B is correct as it describes the right reason behind animation flicks on characters from mythology i.e. making the new generation as well as elders aware of Indian mythology.

4-8: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.

Despite all of the institutional strategies adopted in early America to assure some measure of economic security, huge changes would sweep through America which would, in time, undermine the existing institutions. Four important demographic changes happened in America beginning in the mid-1880s that rendered the traditional systems of economic security increasingly unworkable are the Industrial Revolution, the urbanization of America, the disappearance of the "extended" family and a marked increase in life expectancy.

The Industrial Revolution transformed the majority of working people from self-employed agricultural workers into wage earners working for large industrial concerns. In an agricultural society, prosperity could be easily seen to be linked to one's labor, and anyone willing to work could usually provide at least a bare subsistence for themselves and their family. But when economic income is primarily from wages, one's economic security can be threatened by factors outside one's control--such as recessions, layoffs, failed businesses, etc.

Along with the shift from an agricultural to an industrial society, Americans moved from farms and small rural communities to large cities--that's where the industrial jobs were. In 1890, only 28% of the population lived in cities, by 1930 this percentage had exactly doubled, to 56%.

This trend toward urbanization also contributed to another significant shift in American society, the disappearance of the extended family and the rapid rise of the nuclear family. Today we tend to assume that "the family" consists of parents and children--the so-called nuclear family. For most of our history, we lived in "extended families" that included children, parents, grandparents and other relatives. The advantage of the extended family was that when a family member became too old or infirm to work, the other family members assumed responsibility for their support. But when the able-bodied left the farms to seek employment in the cities, often the parents or grandparents stayed behind. And when new immigrants first arrived in our land, it was often the breadwinner who first made the passage and only later could he bring the family over.

And finally, another significant change happened in the early decades of this century. Thanks primarily to better health care and sanitation, and the development of effective public health programs, Americans began to live significantly longer. In three short decades, 1900-1930, average life spans increased by 10 years. This was the most rapid increase in life spans in recorded human history. The result was a rapid growth in the number of aged persons, to 7.8 million by 1935.

The net result of this complex set of demographic and social changes was that America was older, more urban and more industrial, and fewer of its people lived on the land in extended families. The traditional strategies for the provision of economic security were becoming increasingly fragile.

4. What was the reason for Americans to shift from farm to large cities?

(A) Emergence of industrial revolution has led many people to abstain themselves from agriculture practices.

(B) Agriculture workers started working in industries and became wage earners which further led to their settlement in city only.

(C) There was no economic security for agriculture workers on farm as compared to working in large cities.

(D) There was no sign of prosperity when working on farm and failed business was also threatening their economic security.

Soultion: Option B explains the primary reason very well with all the facts intact. Option A is close but doesn’t convey the complete fact and other options are far-fetched.

5. Based on the passage, which of the following statement strengthen the author’s opinion regarding extended family?

(A) Only the breadwinner can bring the left behind family in farms to the large cities.

(B) There are so many able-bodied persons available to work in an extended family.

(C) The financial burden is reduced as if one person gets old, the other person can take the responsibility.

(D) It becomes easy to provide good childcare due to the availability of many people in the family.

Solution: (C) can be inferred from the lines “The advantage of the extended family was that when a family member became too old or infirm to work, the other family members assumed responsibility for their support.” Option D is far-fetched and other options are close but not absolutely true.

6. Which of the following demographic changes were NOT seen in America in the mid-1880s?

(A) Increase in life span

(B) Emergence of industrial revolution

(C) Trend of Nuclear family

(D) Decline in economic security

Solution: (D) Economic security has not been the major changes in America that has been discussed by the author. The author has mentioned the changes in the first paragraph only.

7. All of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding demographic changes EXCEPT:

(A) Citizen of America could live longer due to the development of good sanitation and public health programmes.

(B) Urbanisation has increased the advent of many other programmes related to economic security affecting demographics.

(C) In 20th century, America saw a wide jump in the life expectancy due to the progression of industrial revolution.

(D) The generation of America was older before many industrial and urban factors took place.

Solution: (A) Option A can be clearly inferred when it comes to demographic changes “Thanks primarily to better health care and sanitation, and the development of effective public health programs, Americans began to live significantly longer.” Other options are not absolutely true.

8. Which of the following statements weakens the author’s argument on economic security?

(A) Demographic changes happened in America has made the economic security weaker.

(B) Self-employed agriculture workers have no control over their economic security as it’s linked to prosperity.

(C) In Industry-based employment the workers have no control on the underlying factors that primarily affect their lives.

(D) With the growing social changes in America the traditional methods for the distribution of economic security became more fragile.

Solution: (C) Option C is a wrong fact and this makes the author’s argument weaker as compare to other options. This can be inferred from the lines “But when economic income is primarily from wages, one's economic security can be threatened by factors outside one's control--such as recessions, layoffs, failed businesses, etc.”

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