Reading Comprehension • Passages with direct and inferential questions • Synonyms/antonyms in context

Reading Comprehension: Full-Length Notes

Focus:

• Passages with Direct and Inferential Questions

• Synonyms/Antonyms in Context

1. What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading Comprehension (RC) is the ability to read, understand, interpret, and analyze written text. In exams, RC typically involves a passage followed by questions that test your understanding, ability to infer, and vocabulary skills135.

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2. Types of Passages and Questions

A. Passage Types

• Factual/Informative: Presents facts, data, or events (e.g., history, science, current affairs).

• Opinion/Argumentative: Expresses an author’s viewpoint or argument.

• Literary: Extracts from novels, stories, or poems.

• Philosophical/Psychological: Abstract or conceptual themes.

• Imaginative: Fictional or hypothetical scenarios13.

B. Question Types

• Direct (Fact-based): Answers are explicitly stated in the passage.

• Inferential: Answers require deduction or reading between the lines.

• Vocabulary in Context: Meaning of words/phrases as used in the passage (synonyms/antonyms).

• Title/Theme: Best title or central idea for the passage.

• Tone/Attitude: Author’s tone or perspective.

• Assumptions/Conclusions: What can be inferred or concluded from the passage.

• Fill in the Blanks: Based on context within the passage135.

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3. Skills Tested in Reading Comprehension

• Identifying main ideas and supporting details

• Understanding explicit information

• Making inferences and drawing conclusions

• Interpreting the author’s tone and intent

• Contextual vocabulary understanding (synonyms/antonyms)

• Summarizing and paraphrasing information135

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4. Strategies for Answering RC Questions

A. General Approach

1. Read the Passage Carefully: Focus on understanding, not speed.

2. Identify the Structure: Note the introduction, key arguments, examples, and conclusion.

3. Underline Key Points: Main ideas, facts, and contrasting words (however, but, nevertheless).

4. Read the Questions: Before or after the passage based on preference.

5. Refer Back: Always base your answers on the passage, not outside knowledge13.

B. For Direct Questions

• Scan for keywords from the question.

• Match facts directly from the passage.

C. For Inferential Questions

• Look for clues, implications, or logical consequences.

• Use elimination: remove options contradicted by the passage.

D. For Synonyms/Antonyms in Context

• Re-read the sentence containing the word.

• Replace the word with options to see which fits the context.

• Beware: The contextual meaning may differ from the most common meaning15.

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5. Sample Question Types with Examples

A. Direct Question Example

Passage Excerpt:
“Many United States companies have, unfortunately, made the search for legal protection from import competition into a major line of work. Since 1980 the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has received about 280 complaints...”

Question:
How many complaints has the ITC received since 1980?
Answer:
About 280 complaints (directly stated)1.

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B. Inferential Question Example

Passage Excerpt:
“Contrary to the general impression, this quest for import relief has hurt more companies than it has helped.”

Question:
What can be inferred about the impact of import relief on companies?
Answer:
It has generally been more harmful than beneficial (not stated directly, but inferred)1.

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C. Synonym in Context Example

Question:
In the passage, what is the synonym of “alleged” as used?
Answer:
“Claimed” (since “alleged” means claimed or asserted without proof)15.

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D. Antonym in Context Example

Question:
In the passage, what is the antonym of “benefit”?
Answer:
“Harm” or “damage,” depending on the context15.

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E. Tone/Attitude Example

Question:
What is the author’s tone in the passage?
Answer:
Critical or skeptical (if the author questions the effectiveness of import relief)1.

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6. Tips for Synonyms/Antonyms in Context

• Always use the context: The meaning of a word can change depending on how it is used.

• Eliminate options: Remove choices that don’t fit the passage’s meaning.

• Check for subtle differences: Sometimes, words have similar but not identical meanings; pick the one that best fits the sentence15.

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7. Common Pitfalls

• Using outside knowledge: Only use information from the passage.

• Ignoring context for vocabulary: Don’t rely on the dictionary meaning alone.

• Not reading all options: Always review all answer choices before selecting.

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8. Practice and Improvement

• Read regularly: Newspapers, editorials, and essays improve comprehension skills.

• Practice RC sets: Use online resources and previous exam papers268.

• Expand vocabulary: Learn new words in context, not isolation.

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9. Recap Table: RC Question Types

Type	What to Do	Example
Direct	Find the fact in passage	“How many complaints?”
Inferential	Read between the lines	“What can be inferred?”
Synonym/Antonym	Use context to find meaning	“Synonym of ‘alleged’?”
Tone/Attitude	Judge author’s perspective	“What is the tone?”
Title/Main Idea	Summarize passage’s core message	“Best title for the passage?”

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10. References for Practice and Further Reading

• [BYJU’S: Reading Comprehension for Govt Exams]15

• [Testbook: RC Notes and Practice]3

• [Smartkeeda: RC Practice Sets]2

• [BankExamsToday: 100 RC Sets]6

• [Guidely: 1000 RC PDF]8

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Summary:
Reading Comprehension assesses your ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written text. Master both direct and inferential questions, and practice contextual vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms) to excel in RC sections of competitive exams

Passage 1

Read the passage and answer the questions:

The Amazon rainforest is home to more species of plants and animals than any other terrestrial ecosystem on the planet. The forest acts as a ‘carbon sink,’ absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and helping to regulate the Earth’s climate. However, deforestation and fires threaten this vital resource.

1. What is the Amazon rainforest known for?

2. What does the forest act as, according to the passage?

3. What threatens the Amazon rainforest?

4. The word “vital” in the passage most nearly means:
   (A) Unnecessary (B) Essential (C) Weak (D) Unusual

5. The main idea of the passage is:
   (A) The Amazon is dangerous
   (B) The Amazon is important for biodiversity and climate
   (C) Only animals live in the Amazon
   (D) Fires are good for forests

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Passage 2

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and is still the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences. Her pioneering research on radioactivity paved the way for advances in both physics and chemistry.

6. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize?

7. In how many different sciences did Marie Curie win Nobel Prizes?

8. What did her research help advance?

9. The word “pioneering” as used in the passage means:
   (A) Dangerous (B) Leading (C) Boring (D) Careless

10. Which of the following can be inferred about Marie Curie?
    (A) She only studied chemistry
    (B) She made significant contributions to science
    (C) She disliked radioactivity
    (D) She never won a Nobel Prize

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Passage 3

Many cities are encouraging people to use bicycles instead of cars to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. Some cities have created special bike lanes and offer rental bikes to make cycling safer and more convenient.

11. Why are cities encouraging bicycle use?

12. What have some cities done to make cycling safer?

13. The word “congestion” in the passage means:
    (A) Cleanliness (B) Crowding (C) Celebration (D) Danger

14. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of cycling?
    (A) Reduces pollution
    (B) Reduces traffic
    (C) Improves safety
    (D) Saves money

15. What is the tone of the passage?
    (A) Critical (B) Informative (C) Humorous (D) Aggressive

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Passage 4

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the spread of information. Books became more affordable, and literacy rates increased as more people gained access to knowledge.

16. What was invented in the 15th century?

17. What effect did the printing press have on books?

18. The word “revolutionized” most nearly means:
    (A) Made expensive (B) Changed completely (C) Ignored (D) Delayed

19. Which of the following is a result of the printing press?
    (A) Fewer people could read
    (B) Books became less available
    (C) Literacy increased
    (D) Knowledge decreased

20. What can be inferred about access to knowledge before the printing press?
    (A) It was limited
    (B) It was widespread
    (C) It was free
    (D) It was not important

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Passage 5

Honeybees communicate with each other through a unique “waggle dance,” which tells other bees where to find food. This form of communication is highly efficient and helps the hive survive.

21. How do honeybees communicate food locations?

22. What is the purpose of the waggle dance?

23. The word “efficient” in the passage means:
    (A) Wasteful (B) Effective (C) Slow (D) Unusual

24. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
    (A) Bees cannot communicate
    (B) The waggle dance helps the hive survive
    (C) Bees only eat honey
    (D) Bees do not work together

25. What can be inferred about the importance of communication in a bee hive?
    (A) It is not important
    (B) It helps the hive function
    (C) It is confusing
    (D) It is dangerous

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Vocabulary in Context (Synonyms/Antonyms)

For questions 26–35, choose the synonym or antonym as used in the context.

26. The “arid” climate made farming difficult.
    (A) Wet (B) Dry (C) Cold (D) Fertile

27. The scientist made a “startling” discovery.
    (A) Ordinary (B) Surprising (C) Boring (D) Expected

28. The “fragile” vase broke easily.
    (A) Strong (B) Weak (C) Delicate (D) Heavy

29. The “generous” donor gave a large sum.
    (A) Stingy (B) Kind (C) Angry (D) Careless

30. The “scarcity” of water was a problem.
    (A) Abundance (B) Lack (C) Cleanliness (D) Pollution

31. The “abundant” harvest fed the whole village.
    (A) Plentiful (B) Scarce (C) Rotten (D) Small

32. The “hostile” crowd booed the speaker.
    (A) Friendly (B) Angry (C) Large (D) Quiet

33. The “meticulous” artist paid attention to every detail.
    (A) Careless (B) Careful (C) Lazy (D) Messy

34. The “obsolete” machine was replaced.
    (A) Modern (B) Useless (C) Outdated (D) Expensive

35. The “reluctant” student did not want to participate.
    (A) Eager (B) Unwilling (C) Happy (D) Quick

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Short Passages with Inference and Vocabulary

Passage 6:
Rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate, mainly due to logging and agriculture. This loss threatens countless species and disrupts the global climate.

36. What is the main reason for rainforest disappearance?

37. The word “alarming” as used means:
    (A) Frightening (B) Slow (C) Expected (D) Encouraging

38. What is one consequence of rainforest loss?

39. What can be inferred about the importance of rainforests?

40. Which word is closest in meaning to “disrupts” as used in the passage?
    (A) Protects (B) Changes (C) Destroys (D) Maintains

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Passage 7:
Polar bears rely on sea ice to hunt for seals. As the climate warms and sea ice melts, polar bears must travel greater distances to find food, threatening their survival.

41. Why do polar bears rely on sea ice?

42. What is the effect of melting sea ice on polar bears?

43. The word “threatening” in the passage means:
    (A) Helping (B) Endangering (C) Supporting (D) Feeding

44. What can be inferred about the future of polar bears if the climate continues to warm?

45. Which word is an antonym for “rely” as used in the passage?
    (A) Depend (B) Ignore (C) Trust (D) Need

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Standalone Inference and Vocabulary Questions

46. If a person is “elated,” they are:
    (A) Sad (B) Angry (C) Joyful (D) Tired

47. To “scrutinize” something means to:
    (A) Ignore (B) Examine closely (C) Destroy (D) Repair

48. If a law is “repealed,” it is:
    (A) Enforced (B) Cancelled (C) Written (D) Ignored

49. If a person is described as “candid,” they are:
    (A) Dishonest (B) Honest (C) Quiet (D) Angry

50. To “augment” production means to:
    (A) Decrease (B) Increase (C) Maintain (D) Ignore