Reading Comprehension Guide PDF- Strategy, Tips & Questions for Practice

SBI PO 2021 notification is yet to be released. Going by the dates of past years, it is highly anticipated that SBI PO 2021 notification can be released anytime now. Therefore aspirants should start getting ready for the SBI PO 2021 Prelims exam. Once the SBI PO notification is out, banking aspirants will not have much time for the preparation and this is the reason why they should take a free mock test of SBI PO 2021 Prelims, evaluate their preparation level and start working on the areas which need improvement.

Importance of Reading Comprehension Questions

One of the sections which SBI PO aspirants find difficult is the English section. In this section, reading comprehension questions have been asked on a continuous basis. It’s worth noting that Reading comprehension questions often constitute the maximum number of questions in the English section in the banking exams. Also, it has been often observed that despite preparing well for this section, aspirants are often unable to score good marks. Therefore we have come up with a comprehensive guide on Reading Comprehension. We will provide the banking aspirants with some ways to approach the RC section along with some tips to score better.

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What is Reading Comprehension

First things first, what is reading comprehension and what do reading comprehension questions intend to check? Reading comprehension checks the ability to read & understand the text and the ability to answer questions asked from the passage. So basically, reading comprehension questions checks an aspirant’s vocabulary and comprehension skills. Vocabulary (word power), as well as comprehension skills, are very important to answer RC questions correctly. As per the latest trends, we have observed that inference-based questions are more frequently asked rather than direct questions. In these questions, aspirants have to infer from the given passage. Also, true/false questions can be there on one or more conclusions in the reading comprehension passage.

Strategy to Answer Reading Comprehension Questions

A very common approach is to read the complete passage and then start answering the questions. If one is following this approach, there are some important things to keep in mind:

• Make notes of the important points while reading the reading comprehension passage. Try to identify the below things: Subject- what the author is talking about, Main Idea- What’s the author’s opinion on the subject, Tone- What has been the author’s tone in the reading comprehension passage.
• Remember GIST: GI (General Idea), S (Structure) & T (Tone). If a banking aspirant is able to figure this out, he/she will be able to answer the questions from the passage.
• Read the first and last passage very carefully and try to find out what the author is saying. One should be able to sense the tone & general idea of the passage. Read the remaining passage fast.
• Structural words signal that there is an important idea or a transition in the passage. Whenever one comes across these structural words, one should be careful and see what important information can one collect from the passage. Structural words can be divided into three categories: continuity words, contrasting words & conclusive words.
• While using continuity words, the author is going to support his point of view. These words are similarly, moreover, additionally, in the same way, likewise etc.
• While using contrasting words, the author would introduce a contrasting point of view. These words are nonetheless, however, but, although, despite etc.
• When using conclusive words, the author sums up his argument. Conclusive words are thus, therefore, hence, in summary, in conclusion etc.
• Also, try to recognize the words which connote a positive or negative sense in the reading comprehension passage. If these words are used, perhaps the author is trying to put across his for or against the argument. Examples of positive words are efficient, enthusiastic, bright, fortunate, passionate etc. Negative words examples are foul, alarming, detrimental, pessimistic, stressful etc.
• If a question is asked on a phrase which is used in the passage, read the immediately preceding & succeeding 3 lines of the phrase’s location to get an idea of the phrase’s meaning.
• Very often it is seen that in banking exams, there are a handful of questions on synonyms and antonyms. However, exercise caution while answering these types of questions and even if you know the actual meaning/opposite of the word/phrase asked, refer to the sentence/paragraph where the word is used. Sometimes, a different meaning of a word is asked then is popular otherwise.

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How to Approach a Reading Comprehension Passage

Approach the Passage first and then the Questions

• Go through the entire passage and then read the questions one by one.
• For each question, refer to the passage. Since you have already read the passage, you get an idea of the paragraph where the answer might be lying.
• Re-read the paragraph if you face any difficulty in getting the answer but don’t waste too much time as well.

Approach the Questions first and then the Passage

• Read all the questions (with or without the options- it’s completely up to you whether you should see the options or not).
• Now start reading the passage. Since you already have gone through the questions, when you reach a paragraph from which you feel a question can be answered, take some time to answer that question.
• Continue reading and try to answer all the questions this way.

Tips to Answer Reading Comprehension Questions

• You can also try the BANE approach to answer questions. BANE stands for B (too Broad), A (Alien), N (too Narrow) & E (too Extreme). Try eliminating the options which fall into any of these categories. Try practising the elimination method while taking mocks and see for yourself if it works for you.
• Don’t presume anything on your own while answering reading comprehension questions. Use only that much information which is given in the passage.
• If you’ve skimmed a reading comprehension passage but can’t make much out of it, skip the passage and move to the next one. However, before skipping it, check if there’s any vocabulary-based questions which can be answered quickly. Even when answering vocabulary based questions, read the preceding & succeeding sentences to get the connotation of the word.
• This is a difficult skill, but with enough practice, you can definitely master it. While reading the passage, try to quickly identify what kinds of questions can be asked and from which parts of the passage.
• Some reading comprehension passages are boring. Keep questioning yourself the basic questions while reading the passage so as to maintain your concentration. These basic questions can again be GIST- GI (General Idea), S (Structure) & T (Tone).
• Last but not least, even if the reading comprehension passage is boring, don’t give up and continue putting your efforts towards answering the questions.

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Download Reading Comprehension Guide PDF- Strategy, Tips & Questions for Practice

SBI PO 2021 Prelims- Questions on Reading Comprehension (with Detailed Explanation)

Directions (Qs. 1-7): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

India is on its way to improve its industrial and economic health through structural reforms. The country has decided to phase out fossil-based energy generation and adopt green energy. This has been instrumental in laying a path to transition towards sustainable energy. The growing need of energy perfectly aligns with the country’s green energy transition initiatives, to satisfy future energy demands while reducing carbon footprints and burden on the country’s foreign currency reserves.

India’s per capita energy consumption currently stands close to one-third of the world average. India is running renewable energy initiatives in a big way and has emerged as the second most attractive market for renewable energy equipment in the world. With the headquarters of International Solar Alliance, India is all set to become a global leader in solar energy.

Solar and wind were once considered costly source of power, but are now much cheaper than the conventional form of energy. India has already achieved 23 GW of solar installations with another 40 GW of solar power being at different stages of bidding and installation. The transition of the energy landscape in India is inevitable with the share of renewable energy going up rapidly. India set ambitious targets for itself to achieve 100 GW of solar power by 2022 and is set to prove that with honest efforts and true intent, no target is difficult to achieve.

In recent years, growth of solar energy in emerging markets had been phenomenal. India has already overtaken the US and has become the second largest solar power market in the world (in terms of solar power installations). The country currently stands with ~25 GW of grid-connected solar power capacity as compared to 9 GW in 2015. Large scale solar installations in India account for 87 percent solar capacity while rooftop sector is all set to pick up. Last year, solar accounted for nearly 53 percent of new energy capacity additions in the country.

In addition to India, most of the developing countries including southeastern Asian countries are aggressively promoting renewable energy. The growth trajectory is expected to rise exponentially in the years to come. For a developing country like India, where electricity for every home was once considered a dream is now close to reality. The government initiative of ‘power for all’ is changing the socio-economic structure of the country. The sector also has immense potential to create new jobs; 1 GW of Solar manufacturing facility generates approximately 4000 direct and indirect jobs. In addition solar deployment, operation and maintenance creates additional recurring jobs in the sector. India’s solar story is largely built over imported products.

Renewable energy cannot completely replace fossil based energy generation because of obvious reasons like sun’s energy not being available 24 hours a day, solar generation being highly unpredictable and technological innovations yet to develop an efficient storage solution. Though tech advancements are underway for storage, which has the potential to revolutionise this sector globally, till then dependence on fossils can be reduced by gradually increasing the share of renewables. China has already identified energy storage opportunity and is marching ahead to establish large manufacturing clusters to offer storage solutions. Solar power can replace fossil-based generation only if efficient and cost-effective mass scale storage solutions are developed.

Question 1

As per the passage, why would it be impossible to rely completely on renewable energy?

1. Renewable energy sources such as the sun are only available during the day and is highly dependent on unpredictable weather phenomena.

2. Developing countries are unwilling to recognise and tap into the potential offered by renewable energy.

3. We still lack a viable storage solution for renewable energy.

a) Only 1

b) Only 1 and 2

c) Only 3

d) Only 1 and 3

e) Only 2 and 3

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 2

As per the passage, the author believes that solar energy presents a huge opportunity for India for which of the following reasons?

1. The solar energy sector has the potential to create a great number of jobs.

2. India is a developing country and solar energy might go a long way in providing electricity to its homes.

3. Most developing countries are making the shift from non-renewable energy to renewable energy, and India should do the same.

a) Only 1

b) Only 1 and 2

c) Only 2

d) Only 1 and 3

e) All 1, 2 and 3

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 3

With which of the following statements is the author most likely to agree?

a) Renewable energy can completely replace fossil fuels.

b) Advancements in the storage technology may revolutionise the renewable energy sector globally.

c) Solar power has the maximum potential in the renewable energy sector.

d) It would be difficult for India to compete with China in the renewable energy sector.

e) None of the above

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT true as per the information given in the passage?

1. Solar and wind energy are more expensive than conventional energy.

2. India’s per capita energy consumption is almost a third of the world’s average.

3. The headquarters of the International Solar Alliance is in India.

a) Only 3

b) Only 1 and 2

c) Only 1

d) Only 1 and 3

e) Only 2 and 3

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 5

Which of the following provides the most suitable title for the passage?

a) The scope of solar power in India

b) The race towards solar power – India versus China

c) Should India rely completely on solar power?

d) The challenges posed by solar and wind power

e) Developing countries as producers of solar power

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 6

Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word TRANSITION given in bold as used in the passage.

a) deploy

b) shift

c) discreet

d) plea

e) safeguard

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 7

Choose the word which is most nearly opposite in meaning as the word INEVITABLE given in bold as used in the passage.

a) reckless

b) avoidable

c) prudent

d) illustrate

e) unique

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

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Directions (Qs 1-6): Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

Paragraph 1:

Over the past three years, the monsoon – the rainy season that runs from June through September, depending on the region – has been weak or delayed across much of India, causing widespread water shortages. With the onset of summer this year, southern India, particularly Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu states, are already wilting under a blistering sun and repeated heatwaves. Drought is expected to affect at least eight states, which is a devastating possibility in a country where agriculture accounted for 17.5% of GDP in 2015 and provides the livelihood for nearly half the population.

Paragraph 2:

Across rural India, water bodies, including man-made lakes and reservoirs, are fast disappearing after decades of neglect and pollution. It wasn’t always this way. For the past 2,500 years, India has managed its water needs by increasing supply. Prior to industrialisation and the accompanying global “green revolution” in the 1960s, which saw the development of high-yield variety crops using new technologies, India’s water availability was plentiful. Households, industries and farmers freely extracted groundwater and dumped untreated waste into waterways without a second thought.

Paragraph 3:

But such practices are now increasingly untenable in this rapidly growing country. Per capita availability of water has been steadily falling for over a decade, dropping from 1,816 cubic metres per person in 2001 to 1,545 cubic metres in 2011. The decline is projected to deepen in coming years as the population grows. India, which currently has 1.3 billion people, is set to overtake China by 2022 and reach 1.7 billion in 2050. Water scarcity is also exacerbated by a growth in water-intensive industries, such as thermal power production, extraction and mining, as India seeks to feed and power its growing population. In addition to affecting biodiversity, these activities also alter natural water systems.

Paragraph 4:

Still, successive governments have pursued the same old supply-centric policies, paying little heed to the country’s waning clean water supplies. For nearly 50 years, a misguided groundwater policy has sucked India dry; water tables have declined by an average of one metre every three years in some parts of the Indus basin, turning it into the second most over-stressed aquifer in the world. Across nearly the whole country, basic sewage management is also lacking. According to the Third World Centre for Water Management, only about 10% of waste water in the country is collected and properly treated. As a result, all water bodies in and around urban centres are seriously polluted. Today, the country is struggling to provide safe drinking water to every citizen.

Paragraph 5:

Even so, residents of New Delhi or Kolkata today use more than twice as much water, on average, than people in Singapore, Leipzig, Barcelona or Zaragoza. Excess consumption is attributable in part to citizen indifference about conserving water after so many years of plentiful supply. Since large swaths of many Indian megacities lack piped supply of clean water, leaks and theft are common. Cities in India lose 40% to 50% due to leakages and non-authorised connections. At this point, the only viable option for India would seem to be managing demand and using water more efficiently. The country is making tentative steps in that direction. The 2016 new National Water Framework, passed emphasises the need for conservation and more efficient water use. But under India’s Constitution, the states are responsible for managing water, so central policies have little resonance. 

Question 1

As per the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

a) Heatwaves are caused because of delay in monsoon.

b) Lack of monsoon can lead to a water crisis in India.

c) Agriculture constitutes a major portion of India’s GDP.

d) Agriculture employs nearly one third of the working population in India.

e) None of the above

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 2

What led to the shortage of water resources after the green revolution?

a) Lack of infrastructure development, which could restrict the loss of rainwater.

b) Lack of green initiatives by the government and lack of awareness among the people.

c) Lack of government regulations to guide the use of water and the absence of a supervising body.

d) Reckless use of water by households, industries and farmers and dumping of untreated waste into waterways.

e) None of the above

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 3

What does the data given in the third paragraph of the passage indicate?

a) Water available per person in India does not depend on monsoon.

b) Water available per person in India depends on monsoon.

c) Water available per person in India is increasing and it would diminish further because of decreasing population.

d) Water available per person in India is decreasing and it would diminish further because of increasing population.

e) Both A & D.

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 4

Which of the following factors have contributed to water scarcity in India?

1. Growth of water intensive industries

2. Obsolete policies of the government which focused on supply of water

3. Lack of adequate sewage management infrastructure

a) Only 1

b) Only 2 and 3

c) Only 1 and 2 

d) Only 1 and 3

e) All 1,2 and 3

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 5

As per the passage, which of the following statements can be inferred?

1. Theft of water is limited to urban areas in India.

2. Water management is a state subject.

3. Human activities can alter natural water systems.

a) Only 1

b) Only 2 and 3

c) Only 1 and 2 

d) Only 1 and 3

e) All 1,2 and 3

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Question 6

Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word VIABLE given in bold as used in the passage.

a) authentic

b) respected

c) execute

d) practical

e) None of the above

Ans: For Answers with Detailed Explanation, Please Download the Free PDF

Download Reading Comprehension Guide PDF- Strategy, Tips & Questions for Practice

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This is all from us in this article We hope that this PDF on Reading Comprehension Questions will definitely help you with your preparation for the upcoming banking exams. After going through, the strategy & tips mentioned in the PDF, take a Free Mock Test of SBI PO 2021 Prelims and see how well are you able to perform in the reading comprehension passages in exam-like conditions.

If you have any feedback/input for us, or if you want PDF on any specific topic, please mention it in the comments section below. Wishing you good luck with your preparation!

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