Topics covered (17)

1. Reading Comprehension — What is Reading Comprehension? Reading Comprehension (RC) tests the ability to read a passage and answer questions based on its content, tone, and inferences. In Banking exams…
2. Fill in the Blanks — Types of Fill-in-the-Blank Questions Fill-in-the-blank (FIB) questions ask you to select the correct word(s) to complete a sentence. Types include: (1) single blank —…
3. Cloze Test — What is a Cloze Test? A cloze test is a passage (usually 150-250 words) with 10 blanks, one per sentence or every few words. You choose from 4-5 options for each blank. Unlike…
4. Para Jumbles — Understanding Para Jumbles Para Jumbles (also called sentence rearrangement) present 4-6 jumbled sentences that must be rearranged into a coherent paragraph. The skill tested is…
5. Error Spotting — Common Grammar Error Categories Error spotting questions present a sentence divided into 3-4 underlined parts, and you must identify the part with a grammatical error. Common…
6. Synonyms & Antonyms — Building Vocabulary for Synonyms and Antonyms Synonyms are words with similar meanings (e.g., happy, joyful, elated, content). Antonyms are words with opposite meanings (e.g.,…
7. Idioms & Phrases — What Are Idioms and Phrases? An idiom is a group of words whose meaning cannot be deduced from the individual words. For example, "kick the bucket" means "to die" — you cannot…
8. One Word Substitution — What is One Word Substitution? One Word Substitution (OWS) requires you to replace a long descriptive phrase with a single precise word. This tests vocabulary breadth and…
9. Spelling Errors — Importance of Correct Spelling in Exams Spelling error questions ask you to identify the correctly or incorrectly spelled word from a set. In SSC CGL, 4-5 spelling questions…
10. Sentence Improvement — What is Sentence Improvement? Sentence Improvement questions give an underlined part of a sentence and provide alternatives. You must choose the option that makes the sentence…
11. Active & Passive Voice — What is Active and Passive Voice? In an active voice sentence, the subject performs the action: "She writes a letter." In a passive voice sentence, the subject receives the…
12. Direct & Indirect Speech (Narration) — What is Narration? Narration (also called Reported Speech) involves conveying what someone said either in their exact words (Direct Speech) or in your own words (Indirect Speech).…
13. Tenses — Overview of the 12 Tenses English has 12 tenses divided into four present, four past, and four future forms. Each tense has a distinct structure and usage. Mastering signal words…
14. Articles (A, An, The) — The Three Articles English has three articles: "A", "An", and "The". "A" and "An" are indefinite articles (referring to any one of a class); "The" is the definite article…
15. Prepositions — Prepositions of Time "At" is used for specific times and festivals: at 5 o'clock, at noon, at midnight, at Christmas, at Easter. "On" is used for specific days and dates: on…
16. Sentence Rearrangement (PQRS type) — The PQRS Format In sentence rearrangement questions, a fixed first sentence (1) and a fixed last sentence (6) are given. The middle sentences — labelled P, Q, R, S (sometimes…
17. Phrase Replacement & Odd Sentence Out — Phrase Replacement In phrase replacement questions, part of a sentence is underlined or highlighted. Four alternatives are given, and one option may be "No correction required."…

Reading Comprehension

What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading Comprehension (RC) tests the ability to read a passage and answer questions based on its content, tone, and inferences. In Banking exams (IBPS PO, SBI PO), RC carries the highest marks in the English section — typically 10-15 questions from 2-3 passages. SSC CGL also tests RC with 2 passages of moderate length. The questions test: (1) direct factual retrieval, (2) vocabulary in context, (3) inference and implication, (4) tone and attitude of the author, and (5) title or central idea.

Types of RC Questions

Factual/Direct questions: the answer is stated explicitly in the passage. Inference questions: the answer must be derived from implied meaning. Vocabulary questions: ask the meaning of a word "as used in the passage" — choose meaning based on context, not dictionary definition. Tone questions: is the author critical, appreciative, objective, sarcastic? Title questions: choose the option that best captures the central theme.

Active Reading Strategy

Read the passage actively, not passively. Underline or mentally note: the main idea of each paragraph, the author's stance, any contrast words (however, but, yet, although) that signal a shift in argument, and key facts/dates/names. Skim the questions before reading the passage to know what to look for — this saves time in exams.

Eliminating Wrong Options

In RC multiple-choice questions, wrong options typically: (1) are "extreme" — use absolute words like "always, never, only" when the passage is moderate; (2) are "out of scope" — mention ideas not discussed in the passage; (3) are "half-right" — correct about one part but wrong about another. Practice eliminating these categories to narrow down to the right answer.

Key points

• Never use outside knowledge to answer RC questions — base answers only on the passage
• The correct answer for inference questions will be "strongly suggested" by the passage text
• Tone/attitude questions: look for evaluative words in the passage (unfortunately, remarkably, surprisingly)
• In banking exams, RC passages are often from economics, environment, or social policy topics
• The title question: choose the option that covers the ENTIRE passage, not just one paragraph
• Vocabulary in context: the same word can have different meanings — context is decisive
• Time allocation: spend 6-8 minutes per RC passage (read 3 min + answer questions 3-5 min)

Frequently asked questions

Is this English Language material free?

Yes — all English Language notes and practice on Siksha Sarovar are completely free.

Is the content available in Hindi?

Yes. Lessons are bilingual (English and Hindi) so you can study in whichever language you are comfortable with.

Which exams does this help with?

It is aligned to SSC CGL, IBPS PO, SBI PO, RRB NTPC and similar government exams.