English and Verbal Ability: Reading Comprehension

Concept Explanation

Reading comprehension (RC) in campus tests uses short passages (100–250 words) followed by questions on main idea, inference, tone, vocabulary-in-context, and specific details. You do not need outside knowledge — every answer must be supported by the text.

Question types

• Main idea / title: What is the author primarily discussing?
• Inference: What can be reasonably concluded but is not stated word-for-word?
• Tone / attitude: Is the writer neutral, critical, optimistic, or cautious?
• Detail: Which option matches a fact from the passage?

How to solve fast

1. Skim the passage once for topic and structure; note the first sentence of each paragraph.
2. Read the question stem before re-reading the relevant lines.
3. Eliminate options that add new facts, extreme words, or contradict the passage.