Reading Comprehension
Why This Chapter Matters
Reading Comprehension (RC) has 10-15 marks in SBI PO, IBPS PO, and every banking exam. It is the most important English section. Speed and accuracy in reading and answering in under 8 minutes is the goal.
Types of RC Questions
1. Main Idea / Central Theme
Question: "The passage is primarily about..." or "The best title for this passage is..."
Strategy: Read the first and last paragraph carefully. The main idea is usually stated in opening or summarized at the end. All body paragraphs should support it.
2. Factual Questions
Question: "According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?"
Strategy: Go back to the passage. Find the exact sentence. Don't rely on memory. Bank RCs often use "distractor" options that seem right but contradict one specific word in the passage.
3. Inference Questions
Question: "It can be inferred from the passage that..."
Strategy: The answer is NOT directly stated but logically follows. Look for what the author implies. Eliminate options that are too extreme or not supported by passage logic.
4. Vocabulary in Context
Question: "The word 'X' in the passage most nearly means..."
Strategy: Read the sentence with the word removed. What word would make sense? Then check which option fits best in context. The word may have multiple meanings — context determines which one applies here.
5. Tone and Attitude
Question: "The author's tone in the passage is..."
Common tones: critical, appreciative, neutral/objective, sarcastic, concerned, optimistic, pessimistic, analytical
Strategy: Look for adjectives and verbs the author uses. Strong negative words = critical. Balanced view = neutral/analytical.
6. Title Selection
Strategy: Title should cover the WHOLE passage, not just one paragraph. Too specific = wrong. Too general = wrong. Should capture the central theme.
Reading Strategy — 5-Step Approach
Step 1: Skim the questions FIRST (30 seconds) — know what to look for
Step 2: Read the passage actively — underline key terms, note structure
Step 3: Identify topic of each paragraph in one word (margin note)
Step 4: Answer questions — go back to passage for each answer
Step 5: Verify — re-read the sentence around your answer to confirm
Common Traps in Banking RCs
Trap 1 — Extreme language: Options with "always," "never," "completely," "only" are usually wrong unless the passage explicitly states these.
Trap 2 — Out of scope: Option mentions something true but NOT discussed in the passage. Always wrong.
Trap 3 — Opposite meaning: Distractor that says exactly the opposite of what the passage says. Very common in banking exams.
Trap 4 — Partially correct: Option with two parts — one correct, one wrong. Entire option must be correct.
Previous Year Pattern
SBI PO 2023: Long RC (600-700 words) on economy/banking topic with 7-10 questions including 2 vocabulary questions.
IBPS PO 2022: Two medium RCs (350-400 words each) on social/environmental topics.
IBPS Clerk 2022: Short RC (200-250 words) with 5 direct factual questions.