English practice

Reading Comprehension Questions with Answers

Reading comprehension questions give a short passage followed by questions on its meaning, tone and details. SSC CGL, CHSL and MTS include a passage in the English section, and bank prelims such as IBPS and SBI Clerk and PO give one or more passages. Questions ask for the main idea, a stated fact, an inference or the meaning of a word in context. Tip: answer only from what the passage says, not from what you already know.

Rules to remember

Main idea questions ask what the whole passage is about, not a single detail; the correct option covers the whole passage.
Detail questions are answered directly from a line in the passage; find that line and match it.
An inference must be supported by the passage; an option that goes further than the text is wrong.
Be careful with extreme words (always, never, only, all) unless the passage uses the same strength.
For 'EXCEPT' or 'NOT' questions, find the three options the passage supports; the one left is the answer.
For vocabulary in context, test each option in place of the word; the sense must fit the sentence.
Tone questions depend on words showing attitude: critical, neutral, appreciative, concerned.
Contrast words (but, however, yet) usually signal the author's own view.

Worked examples

Q1. Passage: Rainwater harvesting means collecting rain from roofs and storing it for later use. In cities where groundwater is falling, many housing societies have started to install tanks and recharge pits. The water collected is not always fit to drink, but it works well for gardens, cleaning and flushing. Question: According to the passage, rainwater collected this way is best suited for (a) drinking (b) gardening and cleaning (c) generating power (d) irrigating large farms

The passage says the water is 'not always fit to drink', which rules out (a).
It then states that it 'works well for gardens, cleaning and flushing'.
Power generation and large farms are not mentioned.

Answer: (b) gardening and cleaning

Q2. Passage: Many people think that a long working day proves dedication. Studies of office workers, however, suggest otherwise: those who rest properly make fewer mistakes and solve problems faster. A tired employee may be present for twelve hours but productive for only a few of them. Question: What is the main idea of the passage? (a) Long working hours do not necessarily mean greater productivity (b) Dedicated employees always work longer (c) Rest is unnecessary for office workers (d) Mistakes are rare in offices

The passage opens with a common belief and then says 'however' studies suggest otherwise.
The rest of the passage supports the claim that proper rest improves work.
(b) and (c) contradict the passage and (d) is not discussed.

Answer: (a) Long working hours do not necessarily mean greater productivity

Q3. Passage: The council's decision to widen the highway was welcomed by commuters, who had spent years in traffic. Residents of the old market, however, saw it differently. For them, the wider road meant the loss of shops their families had run for generations, and no promise of compensation could replace that. Question: Which of the following can be inferred about the market residents? (a) They are against all public projects (b) Their objection is not only about money (c) They were consulted before the decision (d) They are happy with the compensation offered

The phrase 'no promise of compensation could replace that' means money does not settle their concern.
So their objection goes beyond money, which supports (b).
(a) is too extreme: the passage is about this project only.
(c) and (d) are not stated; there is no mention of consultation or an accepted offer.

Answer: (b) Their objection is not only about money

Shortcuts that save time

Read the question first, then the passage, and mark the lines the question points to. This cuts the time spent on lines that are not tested.
Eliminate options that use extreme or new information not in the passage. A choice that sounds reasonable but is not stated is a common wrong answer.
For inference questions, pick the option you can support with a line from the passage; if you cannot point to one, skip it rather than risk negative marking.

Where this appears

SSC CGL Tier-1	English Comprehension section
SSC CHSL Tier-1	English Language section
SSC MTS	English Language and Comprehension section
IBPS/SBI PO Prelims	English Language section
IBPS/SBI Clerk Prelims	English Language section

Reading Comprehension

Practice Set

Attempted: 0Correct: 0Incorrect: 0

1 of 25

Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

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Reading Comprehension questions with answers

10 sample questions from this topic with the correct option and the solution.

Q1. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: According to the passage, what causes water to evaporate from oceans, rivers, and lakes?
1. Wind blowing across the water
2. Heat from the sun
3. Movement of ocean currents
4. Cooling of the atmosphere
Answer: (B) Heat from the sun
Solution
The passage states evaporation "begins when the sun heats water".
Q2. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: What is condensation, as described in the passage?
1. Water soaking into the soil
2. Water flowing into rivers
3. Water vapour cooling and forming clouds around dust particles
4. Plants releasing water vapour
Answer: (C) Water vapour cooling and forming clouds around dust particles
Solution
The passage describes vapour cooling and condensing "around tiny particles of dust to form clouds".
Q3. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a form of precipitation in the passage?
1. Rain
2. Snow
3. Hail
4. Fog
Answer: (D) Fog
Solution
The passage mentions rain, snow, sleet, and hail â not fog.
Q4. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: What happens to precipitation that soaks into the soil, according to the passage?
1. It becomes groundwater, replenishing aquifers
2. It evaporates immediately
3. It turns into snow
4. It causes soil erosion instantly
Answer: (A) It becomes groundwater, replenishing aquifers
Solution
The passage states it "becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers".
Q5. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: What is transpiration, as explained in the passage?
1. Water freezing into ice
2. Plants absorbing water through roots and releasing vapour through leaves
3. Clouds forming from dust particles
4. Rivers flowing into oceans
Answer: (B) Plants absorbing water through roots and releasing vapour through leaves
Solution
The passage defines transpiration as plants "absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves".
Q6. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: In the context of the passage, the word "replenishing" most nearly means:
1. Depleting
2. Polluting
3. Refilling
4. Evaporating
Answer: (C) Refilling
Solution
"Replenishing" means refilling or restocking, as used with "underground aquifers".
Q7. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: Based on the passage, what can be inferred about regions with very little rainfall?
1. They would have abundant groundwater regardless
2. They would experience more evaporation than anywhere else
3. They would not be affected by the water cycle
4. They might struggle with agriculture and water supply
Answer: (D) They might struggle with agriculture and water supply
Solution
Since the cycle distributes fresh water needed for agriculture, little rainfall implies possible water/agriculture struggles.
Q8. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
1. To explain, in an informational manner, how the water cycle works
2. To persuade readers to conserve water
3. To criticise agricultural water use
4. To narrate a personal experience with rainfall
Answer: (A) To explain, in an informational manner, how the water cycle works
Solution
The passage is a neutral, explanatory description of a natural process.
Q9. Read the passage and answer the question: "The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It begins when the sun heats water in oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapour. As this vapour rises, it cools and condenses around tiny particles of dust to form clouds. When water droplets in clouds become too heavy to remain suspended, they fall back to the Earth's surface as precipitation, which may take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Some precipitation soaks into the soil and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground aquifers. Some flows across the land as surface runoff, eventually reaching streams and rivers. Plants also contribute through transpiration, absorbing water through their roots and releasing vapour through their leaves. The water cycle is essential to life because it distributes fresh water, regulates climate, and shapes landscapes through erosion over long periods." Question: According to the passage, besides distributing fresh water, what else does the water cycle do?
1. It has no other effects
2. It regulates climate/weather and shapes landscapes through erosion
3. It only affects ocean temperatures
4. It causes earthquakes
Answer: (B) It regulates climate/weather and shapes landscapes through erosion
Solution
The passage states it "regulates climate and weather patterns, and shapes landscapes...through erosion".
Q10. Read the passage and answer the question: "The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the second half of the eighteenth century, marked a major turning point in human history. Before this period, most goods were produced by hand in homes or small workshops, and economies were largely based on agriculture. The invention of the steam engine by James Watt, along with innovations in textile machinery such as the spinning jenny and the power loom, allowed production to shift from manual labour to machine-based manufacturing in factories. This transition dramatically increased the speed and scale of production, particularly in the textile industry, which was among the first to be transformed. As factories multiplied, large numbers of people moved from rural areas to rapidly growing towns and cities in search of work, a process known as urbanisation. While the Industrial Revolution brought increased wealth and new technologies, it also created difficult working conditions, including long hours, low wages, and unsafe factory environments, particularly for women and children. Over time, these conditions led to the growth of labour movements and eventually to reforms such as child labour laws and improved workplace safety standards. The Industrial Revolution eventually spread from Britain to other parts of Europe, North America, and beyond, reshaping economies and societies across the world." Question: According to the passage, where did the Industrial Revolution begin?
1. France
2. United States
3. Britain
4. Germany
Answer: (C) Britain
Solution
The passage states it "began in Britain".