A five-step method for every passage
- Skim the questions (30 seconds). Note which are fact questions ("according to the passage") and which are inference, tone or title questions.
- Read the first and last paragraphs carefully. They usually hold the main idea and the author's conclusion.
- Read the middle paragraphs at speed, marking where each idea sits — one word in the margin per paragraph.
- Answer fact questions first by going back to the marked paragraph.
- Answer the main idea, title and tone questions last, when you understand the whole passage.
The five question types
| Type | What it asks | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| Fact / detail | What the passage says | Find the line. The answer paraphrases it. |
| Inference | What follows from the passage | Choose the option the passage supports, not one that merely sounds reasonable. |
| Vocabulary in context | Meaning of a word as used here | Replace the word with each option and reread the sentence. |
| Main idea / title | What the whole passage is about | Wide enough to cover every paragraph, narrow enough to be about this passage. |
| Tone / attitude | The author's stance | Look for evaluative words — critical, optimistic, cautious, neutral. |
How to eliminate wrong options
- Out of scope — true in the real world, but the passage never says it. The most common trap.
- Extreme — uses always, never, only, all where the passage is moderate.
- Distorted — uses words from the passage but changes their relationship (cause becomes effect).
- Half right — the first half matches, the second does not.
Building reading speed
- Read one 600–800 word article a day — an editorial, or an economy or science explainer.
- After reading, write the main idea in one sentence without looking back.
- Time yourself weekly: words read per minute and questions right.
- Note every unfamiliar word with its sentence, and revise those sentences — not isolated words.
How passages differ by exam
| Exam | Passage style |
|---|---|
| Bank PO / Clerk | Economy, banking, technology, social issues; 500–700 words |
| SSC CGL / CHSL | Shorter general passages; cloze is more frequent than long RC in Tier 1 |
| CDS / NDA | Several shorter passages; literary and general topics |
| CTET | An unseen prose passage and a poem, with grammar asked from the passage |
Frequently asked questions
Should I read the passage or the questions first?
Skim the questions first so you know what to look for, then read the passage. Answer fact questions first and main-idea or tone questions last.
How can I improve reading comprehension speed for bank exams?
Read one long editorial or economy article daily, summarise it in a sentence, and practise timed passages weekly. Speed comes from daily reading volume, not from tricks.
Why do I get inference questions wrong?
Usually because the chosen option is reasonable in real life but not supported by the passage. An inference must follow from what the passage says, not from general knowledge.