Reading Comprehension [RC] Questions in CAT 2025, Types & Category

CAT Reading Comprehension Practice Question Set Link

Practising a dedicated CAT Reading Comprehension (RC) question set is crucial to excel in the VARC section. Using a structured CAT RC practice questions set helps aspirants improve reading speed, comprehension, and accuracy. Regular practice with a reliable CAT 2025 RC passages set allows candidates to identify patterns, master inference and tone-based questions, and build confidence under timed conditions. Candidates can get the CAT RC practice question set link in the section below.

CAT Reading Comprehension Practice Question Set - Click Here

Trending Reading Comprehension Practice Questions in CAT

Practising Reading Comprehension questions is essential to score high in the VARC section. Trending CAT 2025 VARC practice questions with answers help aspirants tackle philosophical, scientific, historical, literary, and economic passages effectively. Regular attempting Reading Comprehension practice questions improves reading speed, comprehension, and accuracy.

Philosophical Passages

These passages discuss abstract ideas like truth, justice, or existence. Practising CAT 2025 RC practice questions on philosophical content helps aspirants follow complex reasoning.

Sample Passage:
"Justice is often seen as a universal standard, but its application varies with society and time. While some argue that laws alone ensure fairness, others believe moral values must guide judgments."

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

2. Which statement reflects the author’s view on justice?

3. According to the passage, what is the limitation of relying only on laws?

4. The tone of the passage can be described as:
   a) Critical
   b) Neutral
   c) Satirical
   d) Humorous

Scientific and Technical Passages

These passages are based on science, technology, or research. Solving reading comprehension practice questions for CAT 2025 in this area trains candidates to interpret data and technical terms.

Sample Passage:
"A study measured plant growth under different levels of sunlight. Plants exposed to moderate sunlight showed 15% higher growth than those in shaded areas. Researchers concluded that sunlight affects the rate of photosynthesis, but too much can be harmful."

1. What is the main conclusion of the study?

2. Which group of plants grew the most?

3. What does the passage imply about excessive sunlight?

4. Which type of reasoning is used by the researchers?
   a) Inductive
   b) Deductive
   c) Analogical
   d) Hypothetical

Historical Passages

These passages describe events, movements, or figures in history. Practising CAT 2025 RC practice questions on historical content improves timeline tracking and evaluation skills.

Sample Passage:
"The industrial revolution reshaped urban life, attracting workers from rural areas. While it boosted manufacturing output, it also created overcrowded cities and poor living conditions. Historians debate whether the social costs outweighed economic gains."

1. What is the central theme of the passage?

2. Which effect of the industrial revolution is highlighted?

3. Which statement best reflects the historian’s debate?

4. The passage mainly focuses on:
   a) Economic policies
   b) Urban development
   c) Political reforms
   d) Technological inventions

Literary and Art-Based Passages

These passages deal with literature, art, or culture. CAT RC passages with solutions in this area help aspirants analyse tone, style, and themes.

Sample Passage:
"In her poetry, the author often explores isolation and identity. Her imagery of empty streets and silent forests conveys a deep sense of loneliness. Critics praise her ability to merge personal emotion with universal experiences."

1. What theme is central to the passage?

2. Which line best reflects the author’s use of imagery?

3. The passage suggests that the author’s work is:
   a) Humorous
   b) Thought-provoking
   c) Satirical
   d) Informative

4. What do critics value most about her writing?

Economic and Business Passages

These passages cover markets, finance, and trade. Practising CAT 2025 RC practice questions in economics improves understanding of technical terms and inference skills.

Sample Passage:
"Trade liberalisation has increased exports in emerging economies, but not all sectors benefited equally. While manufacturing grew rapidly, agriculture faced stiff competition. Policymakers must balance global engagement with domestic support to maintain economic stability."

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

2. Which sector benefited the most from trade liberalisation?

3. What does the passage suggest about agriculture?

4. Which policy approach is recommended?
   a) Isolation
   b) Balanced support
   c) Rapid liberalisation
   d) Subsidy removal

Tips to Improve Reading Speed for CAT RC Practice Questions

Improving reading speed for CAT RC is crucial to maximise performance in the VARC section. Efficient reading allows aspirants to attempt all CAT 2025 RC passages without sacrificing accuracy. Implementing targeted CAT RC tips and strategies can enhance both speed and comprehension.

Skim and Scan Passages

Use skimming to quickly grasp the main idea, tone, and structure of CAT reading comprehension passages. Focus on the first and last sentences of paragraphs to identify key points. This helps in solving CAT RC practice questions faster.

Chunk Words While Reading

Train your eyes to read phrases or groups of words instead of word by word. CAT RC strategies like chunking reduce eye movement and improve speed. Tools like Spreeder or guided reading apps help practice this technique.

Minimise Subvocalization

Subvocalization slows reading speed. Focus on visualising ideas rather than pronouncing words silently. This technique is especially effective for long CAT RC passages.

Preview the Passage

Before answering CAT comprehension questions, preview the passage to identify keywords, headings, and themes. This ensures focused reading and reduces the time spent on less relevant sections.

Practice CAT RC Sets

Regularly attempting CAT RC practice builds speed and accuracy. Set a timer for each passage and gradually decrease it as you improve. Use authentic resources like CAT 2025 VARC Practice Questions with Answers for realistic preparation.

How to Build Vocabulary for Reading Comprehension for CAT 2025

A strong vocabulary boosts your confidence and accuracy in solving CAT RC practice questions. Many passages include tricky or rarely used words, so understanding meanings quickly is crucial. You can build a robust word bank by following strategies from how to build vocabulary for CAT 2025 VARC, which helps you solve RC passages faster and more effectively.

Maintain a Vocabulary Diary or Digital Note

Keep a small diary or digital note to write new words. Include their meaning, example sentence, and a synonym. This helps you remember them better for CAT 2025 RC practice questions.

Use Flashcards and Revision Apps for Consistent Practice

Apps like Anki or physical flashcards are great for revision. Review them daily to keep words fresh in your memory, especially for reading comprehension for CAT 2025.

Learn Words Through Context, Not Just Meaning

Instead of just memorising meanings, learn how a word is used in a sentence. This method is useful for understanding word usage in CAT RC practice questions.

Solve CAT RC Passages Focusing on Vocabulary and Tone

Some CAT RC passages with solutions focus more on vocabulary and tone. Try solving those regularly. It helps you apply what you’ve learnt in real exam settings.

Expand Vocabulary with Games and Interactive Exercises

Games like Wordle, crossword puzzles, or online vocabulary tests are fun and effective ways to expand your word knowledge.

Complete Guide to CAT 2025 RC Question Types and Categories

In the CAT Reading Comprehension (RC) section, the exam tests candidates with two main types of questions: factual questions, which check understanding of explicit details, and inference questions, which require analysing meaning and tone. Practising CAT 2025 RC practice questions helps candidates boost accuracy, reading speed, and performance in the VARC section.

Category 1: Big Picture Questions

The first type of questions you encounter in CAT are the Big Picture Questions. As the name suggests, these questions are based on the overall content and ideas of the passage. Rather than referring to any specific detail, they refer to the main ideas, tone, and purpose of the author of the passage. For this reading comprehension practice questions for CAT 2025, you need to focus on the overall understanding of the passage and ensure that you identify the critical aspects of the passage. The various question types that fall under this category are:

• Main Idea Questions

• Primary Purpose Questions

• Tone Questions

• Structure and Organisation Questions

• Author Profession Questions

• Title Questions

We will examine each question type and understand the approach for it.

Category 2: SPECIFIC DETAIL QUESTIONS

The second question you encounter in CAT is the SPECIFIC DETAIL QUESTIONS. As the name suggests, these questions are based on specific ideas and parts of the passage. These question types revolve around specific contexts and portions of the passage. The various reading comprehension practice questions for CAT 2025 that fall under this category are:

• Inference-based questions

• Author agreement/disagreement questions

• Paraphrase and meaning identification questions

• 'Must be true' questions

• Fact-based questions

• Vocabulary-based questions

The above represents the broad classification of the different question types probed in CAT reading comprehension. Let's now pick up these question types one by one and highlight the appropriate approach for each.

Question Type 1: RC Main Idea Questions

RC Main Idea Questions test your ability to grasp the central theme of a passage. In the CAT VARC section, these questions check if you can summarise the overall content without getting distracted by details. Practising CAT 2025 RC practice questions of this type helps improve comprehension speed and accuracy.

Passage:
Global warming is causing unprecedented changes in weather patterns worldwide. Rising temperatures lead to melting glaciers, frequent heatwaves, and disruption of ecosystems. Scientists warn that urgent action is needed to mitigate these effects.

Practice Questions:

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

2. Which statement best summarises the author’s message?

3. What is the central focus of this passage?

Question Type 2: RC Primary Purpose Questions

Primary Purpose Questions assess why the author wrote the passage. In CAT reading comprehension, these questions are about understanding the author’s intent or goal. Practising these CAT RC practice questions builds the ability to identify purpose quickly.

Passage:
The government recently introduced policies to improve digital literacy in rural areas. Workshops and training sessions aim to provide residents with computer skills and internet access.

Practice Questions:

1. What is the primary purpose of this passage?

2. Why did the author write about digital literacy initiatives?

3. What goal is highlighted by the author?

Question Type 3: RC Tone Questions

Tone Questions evaluate the sentiment or attitude of the author. The VARC section often includes these to test how well you identify subtle cues. Practising CAT 2025 RC passages for tone improves accuracy in identifying positive, neutral, or negative sentiments.

Passage:
Despite economic growth, income inequality continues to rise. The author criticises policies that favour urban elites over rural communities, emphasising the need for equitable reforms.

Practice Questions:

1. What is the tone of the passage?

2. Which sentiment does the author convey?

3. Is the author neutral, positive, or critical in this passage?

Question Type 4: RC Structure and Organisation Questions

Structure & Organisation Questions focus on how the passage is arranged. In CAT reading comprehension, understanding structure helps answer questions about flow, paragraph organisation, and logical sequencing. Practising these CAT RC practice questions improves your ability to quickly map the passage.

Passage:
The history of vaccines can be divided into three phases: discovery, mass production, and global distribution. Each stage brought unique challenges and milestones in public health.

Practice Questions:

1. How is the passage structured?

2. Which sequence best describes the organisation of ideas?

3. What is the logical flow of the passage?

Question Type 5: RC Author Profession Questions

These questions ask you to identify the probable profession of the author based on the passage content. In the CAT VARC section, this tests analytical reasoning and contextual inference. Practising CAT 2025 RC practice questions of this type helps link content with author background effectively.

Passage:
The neurological study revealed that sleep deprivation affects memory and cognitive function. The research involved MRI scans and controlled experiments on human subjects.

Practice Questions:

1. What is the most likely profession of the author?

2. Based on the content, which field does the author belong to?

3. Which professional background aligns with the study discussed?

Question Type 6: RC Title Questions

RC Title Questions require selecting a title that best summarises the passage. Practising CAT 2025 RC practice questions for titles helps develop the ability to capture the essence of CAT RC passages quickly.

Passage:
Plastic pollution in oceans has reached alarming levels. Marine life suffers from ingestion and entanglement, and microplastics enter the food chain, affecting humans as well.

Practice Questions:

1. Which of the following is the best title for this passage?

2. What headline captures the essence of the passage?

3. Choose a title that reflects the main idea accurately.

Question Type 7: RC Inference-Based Questions

Inference Questions test your ability to deduce information not explicitly stated. These CAT RC practice questions require careful reading of context and logical reasoning. Mastering inference improves accuracy in the VARC section.

Passage:
A recent survey showed that students who read daily score higher in comprehension tests. The study suggests that consistent reading habits improve vocabulary, focus, and analytical skills.

Practice Questions:

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

2. Is it reasonable to conclude that reading less affects test scores?

3. What does the passage imply about reading habits?

Question Type 8: RC Author Agreement/Disagreement Questions

These questions test whether you can identify statements the author would agree or disagree with. Practising CAT 2025 RC practice questions of this type develops your ability to interpret author intent in CAT reading comprehension passages.

Passage:
The rise of electric vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, the production of batteries still poses environmental challenges.

Practice Questions:

1. Which statement would the author agree with?

2. Which statement would the author likely disagree with?

3. Identify the viewpoint supported by the author.

Question Type 9: RC Paraphrase and Meaning Identification Questions

These questions ask you to explain the meaning of a line or phrase in context. Practising CAT RC passages of this type improves vocabulary understanding and context-based reasoning.

Passage:
“Economic policies should focus on inclusive growth, ensuring benefits reach all sections of society rather than just the elite.”

Practice Questions:

1. What does “inclusive growth” imply in the passage?

2. Paraphrase the meaning of the underlined phrase.

3. Which option best expresses the idea in simple terms?

Question Type 10: RC Author ‘Must Be True’ Questions

Must Be True Questions test your ability to identify statements that are explicitly supported by the passage. Practising these CAT 2025 RC practice questions improves content retention and logical evaluation in the VARC section.

Passage:
The city council implemented a waste segregation policy. Residents who follow the rules experience cleaner streets and better public health outcomes.

Practice Questions:

1. Which of the following must be true according to the passage?

2. Which statement cannot be true based on the passage?

3. Identify the fact directly supported by the passage.

Analysing RC Questions Weightage in CAT 2025

Reading Comprehension (RC) carries substantial weight in the CAT exam, typically accounting for 24–28 questions out of 68 in the VARC section, which is approximately 35–40% of that section. Each RC passage usually has 4–5 questions, and aspirants can expect 4–5 passages per CAT exam, covering topics from social sciences, economics, and business to philosophy and literature.

Regular practice with reading comprehension practice questions for CAT 2025 helps students familiarise themselves with diverse passage types and question patterns. Candidates must also understand the CAT topic wise weightage for Reading Comprehension to avoid surprises during the exam.

Step-by-Step Approach to Solve CAT RC Passages

Solving CAT RC passages effectively requires a systematic strategy. Start by understanding the passage thoroughly and identifying key points. Practising with mock tests helps improve speed and accuracy, while reviewing sample papers familiarises you with different question types. Following a well-structured study plan ensures balanced preparation across the VARC section.

Skim the Passage Quickly

Start by reading the passage thoroughly but at a moderate pace to capture the overall theme, structure, and tone. Avoid pausing for difficult words initially; the goal is to get a big-picture understanding. Regularly practising CAT RC practice questions helps improve speed and comprehension simultaneously, allowing you to approach passages confidently in the VARC section.

Highlight and Note Key Points

While reading, underline important names, dates, statistics, and keywords. Jot down the main ideas or themes in the margins. Training with the CAT sample paper 2025 enhances your ability to quickly identify crucial information and reduces the time spent searching for answers during the actual exam.

Classify the Question Type

Before attempting a question, determine its type, factual, inference-based, tone-oriented, or vocabulary-related. Recognising the question type early allows focused reading of the relevant parts of the passage and avoids unnecessary re-reading. This step is vital for solving CAT RC passages efficiently under timed conditions.

Locate Relevant Lines in the Passage

Refer back to the passage to find exact sentences or paragraphs that contain the answer. Avoid relying solely on memory. Practising with CAT mock tests under exam-like conditions helps develop the skill to quickly pinpoint answers and increases overall accuracy in the VARC section.

Eliminate Wrong Options Strategically

Carefully discard obviously incorrect choices using logic and context. Watch out for traps like scope errors, extreme statements, or out-of-context options, which are common in CAT RC passages. Consistent practice with CAT RC practice questions trains you to recognise patterns in distractor options.

Select the Most Accurate Answer

After elimination, choose the option that directly aligns with the passage or accurately reflects the author’s intent. Following a well-structured CAT 2025 study plan ensures you practice this skill regularly and build confidence for exam day.

Review Your Answers

If time permits, revisit challenging questions to verify your reasoning and confirm accuracy. Using a CAT mock test 2025 for timed reviews helps you identify recurring mistakes, refine your strategy, and manage time efficiently in the VARC section.

Advanced Techniques for Solving Tough RC Passages

Tackling tough CAT RC passages requires more than basic reading skills. Aspirants must enhance comprehension speed and apply analytical strategies to solve complex questions accurately. CAT RC exercises and consistent practice build deeper understanding and improve accuracy.

Pre-Read the Passage

Skim the passage quickly to get the main theme and structure. Focus on understanding the flow of ideas rather than individual words. Practising speed reading techniques for CAT VARC can significantly reduce reading time without losing comprehension.

Identify Key Sentences and Keywords

Highlight crucial lines, statistics, and terms that convey the author’s main points. Use notes or margin marks to summarise these key elements. Exercises from how to improve reading comprehension CAT XAT GMAT 2025, can train you to spot these effectively.

Classify Questions Early

Determine if a question is factual, inference-based, or tone-related. Knowing the type helps you locate answers quickly and prevents unnecessary re-reading of the passage.

Use Context to Solve Inference Questions

For inference or opinion-based questions, refer to surrounding sentences to understand the author’s intention. Practising with advanced CAT RC passages improves your ability to interpret subtle cues accurately.

Eliminate Incorrect Options

Cross out extreme, out-of-scope, or irrelevant options. Logical elimination increases the chances of selecting the correct answer and reduces guesswork.

Verify Answers with the Passage

Always cross-check your answer with the text. Even experienced candidates can misinterpret tricky phrasing, so validation is crucial.

Common RC Mistakes CAT Aspirants Make and How to Avoid Them

Many students work hard on Reading Comprehension but still struggle in the CAT exam. The main reason is repeating avoidable mistakes like rushing through passages, misinterpreting tone, or falling for trap options. Regular practice with reading comprehension practice questions for CAT 2025 makes you aware of these patterns.

Avoid Skimming and Focus on Details

Many aspirants skim too fast and miss key details. Spending time on CAT RC practice questions improves your balance between speed and accuracy.

Practice Elimination Techniques for Close Options

The exam often includes close options to confuse you. Working through reading comprehension practice questions for CAT 2025 helps you practise elimination techniques and spot subtle differences in choices.

Interpret Tone Accurately

Misreading tone leads to wrong answers. Solve CAT 2025 RC practice questions and check whether your interpretation of tone matches the solutions.

Review Mistakes and Track Errors

Some students jump to the next set without reviewing mistakes. Always revisit reading comprehension practice questions for CAT 2025 and track errors in a separate logbook.

Learn Pacing Strategies

Spending too long on one passage hurts overall attempts. Simulating exam conditions with reading comprehension practice questions for CAT 2025 ensures you learn pacing strategies that work under pressure.

Avoid Random Guessing

Guessing without logic reduces accuracy. Instead, focus on repeated exposure to reading comprehension practice questions using the CAT Sample Paper 2025 to build confidence and reduce the need for random guesses.

Best CAT RC Study Material and Practice Resources 2025

For effective preparation of the Reading Comprehension (RC) section in CAT 2025, it’s important to use a mix of high-quality study materials. Choose RC practice books that provide diverse passages and questions similar to the actual exam. Regular practice will sharpen your ability to read, understand, and analyse complex texts quickly. Consistent exposure to various topics improves accuracy and speed. You can also download and study specially designed CAT study material 2025 to strengthen your skills and boost your overall performance in the exam.