Types of Reading Comprehension Questions in CAT Exam

The CAT exam includes reading comprehension passages that have two main types of questions. The first type includes questions whose answers are not directly stated in the passage, requiring the candidate to comprehend the passage well in order to answer correctly.

The second type includes questions whose answers can be found in the passage, but the candidate must locate the relevant information within the passage. Though this process can be time-consuming, the answers are usually correct. This blog will discuss the Types of Reading Comprehension Questions in the CAT Exam. And Explain Each type of RC Question.

Types of RC Questions based on broad understanding:

1. What is the central idea of the passage?
2. What is the main purpose of the passage?
3. What is the main purpose of a specific paragraph/sentence?
4. What is the tone of the passage/author/a specific entity in the passage?
5. What is a suitable title for the passage?
6. What is the source of the passage?
7. What is the profession of the author/who the author is most likely to be?

Types of RC Questions based on inference/suggestions:

In this category, there is a sub-category of question type called inference-based RC questions. The answers to these questions are not explicitly stated in the passage, but there is clear evidence that helps arrive at the correct answer. To answer these questions, it is not always necessary to understand the entire passage. Instead, you can focus on the specific part of the passage where the question is derived from and look for evidence to support the correct answer.

1. What can be inferred about a certain thing in the passage?
2. What is suggested by the author about a particular thing?
3. What does the author imply?
4. What has been assumed by the author?
5. What is the relationship between two things mentioned in the passage?
6. What is analogous to the ideas/issue discussed in the passage?

Types of RC Questions based on information/data:

The second category of questions is based on information/data given in the passage. These questions are relatively easier to answer because the answer can be found within the passage, although not always explicitly stated.

1. What is most responsible for the spread of a specific virus?
2. Which statements would the author likely disagree with?
3. Why is a particular thing ineffective?
4. During which decades was the lowest per capita income recorded?
5. What led to the downfall of something?
6. What is the only thing that the author or another person seems to be happy about?

The difference between these two categories is that in the former, a careful understanding of the passage is necessary, while in the latter, quick searching within the passage is required. The strategy for answering these two types of questions should be different.

In conclusion, for those who are new to reading comprehension (RC) questions, it is recommended to start with the questions based on information/data provided in the passage, gradually moving on to questions based on inference and broad understanding once confidence is gained.