Reading Comprehension For Bank Exams – Reading comprehension is a critical component of bank exams, testing your ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages under time constraints. Whether you're preparing for IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Assistant, or other banking exams, mastering reading comprehension is essential to boost your English section score.
This section assesses your vocabulary, grammar, and critical thinking skills through passages on diverse topics like economics, social issues, technology, and current affairs.
Our carefully curated practice tests, designed with bank exam patterns in mind, include passage-based questions, error detection, cloze tests, and vocabulary exercises to enhance your speed and accuracy. Start practicing now to build confidence and excel in your bank exam preparation!
Reading Comprehension For Bank Exams
Directions (Q.1-5): Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is ‘E’.
1. The manager insisted (A)/ that all employees submit (B)/ their reports by (C)/ the end of day (D)/. No error (E)
2. She was reading (A)/ a novel when (B)/ the phone rings (C)/ unexpectedly (D)/. No error (E)
3. The team has been (A)/ working hardly to (B)/ meet the project (C)/ deadline this month (D)/. No error (E)
4. Ravi, who is (A)/ my best friend, have (B)/ decided to pursue (C)/ higher studies abroad (D)/. No error (E)
5. The children was (A)/ playing in the park (B)/ when it started (C)/ to rain heavily (D)/. No error (E)
Directions (Qs. 6 to 20): Read the following passage carefully and answer these questions. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
In a bustling town, a young librarian named Anjali transformed the local library into a community hub. She introduced storytelling sessions, book clubs, and digital literacy workshops, which attracted people of all ages. Her efforts were not without challenges; many residents were initially skeptical about the library’s relevance in the digital age. However, Anjali’s persistence paid off. She collaborated with local schools to promote reading and secured funding from a philanthropist to upgrade the library’s facilities. One day, during a book club meeting, a heated discussion arose about the library’s future. Some members proposed turning it into a commercial space, arguing it would generate more revenue. Anjali, however, defended the library’s role as a cultural and educational cornerstone, convincing the group to support her vision. Her leadership earned her the town’s admiration, and the library became a symbol of community unity.
6. Why did Anjali transform the local library?
(A) To gain personal recognition
(B) To make it a community hub
(C) To compete with digital platforms
(D) To earn additional income
(E) None of these
7. What challenges did Anjali face initially?
(A) Lack of funding for the library
(B) Residents’ skepticism about the library’s relevance
(C) Opposition from local schools
(D) A shortage of books
(E) None of these
8. How did Anjali promote reading among students?
(a) By organizing digital literacy workshops
(b) By collaborating with local schools
(c) By selling books to schools
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Both (a) and (b)
(D) Both (b) and (c)
(E) None of these
9. Which of the following best describes Anjali’s role in the town?
(A) She was a commercial entrepreneur
(B) She was a visionary leader
(C) She was a strict administrator
(D) She was a temporary worker
(E) None of these
10. Why did some book club members suggest turning the library into a commercial space?
(A) They wanted to modernize the town
(B) They believed it would generate more revenue
(C) They disliked Anjali’s leadership
(D) They wanted to replace the library with a school
(E) None of these
11. What surprised the book club members about Anjali’s response during the discussion?
(a) Her refusal to consider their proposal
(b) Her ability to defend the library’s cultural role
(c) Her decision to close the library
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Both (a) and (b)
(D) Only (c)
(E) None of these
12. Why did the library become a symbol of community unity?
(A) It attracted tourists to the town
(B) Anjali’s leadership brought people together
(C) It generated significant revenue
(D) It replaced the town’s commercial spaces
(E) None of these
13. Which of the following does not describe Anjali’s approach to managing the library?
(a) She sought funding from external sources
(b) She ignored the community’s opinions
(c) She introduced innovative programs
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Both (a) and (c)
(D) Both (b) and (c)
(E) None of these
14. Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage?
(A) Anjali collaborated with schools to promote reading
(B) The library faced no challenges under Anjali’s leadership
(C) Anjali secured funding from a philanthropist
(D) The library became a community hub
(E) Anjali was admired by the town
15. What was the community’s reaction to Anjali’s efforts?
(A) They opposed her initiatives
(B) They admired her leadership
(C) They demanded her resignation
(D) They ignored her contributions
(E) None of these
Directions (Qs. 16 to 18): Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
16. Skeptical:
(A) Doubtful
(B) Supportive
(C) Enthusiastic
(D) Curious
(E) Confident
17. Persistence:
(A) Hesitation
(B) Determination
(C) Apathy
(D) Failure
(E) Delay
18. Proposed:
(A) Rejected
(B) Suggested
(C) Opposed
(D) Ignored
(E) Accepted
Directions (Qs. 19 & 20): Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
19. Unity:
(A) Harmony
(B) Division
(C) Cooperation
(D) Agreement
(E) Strength
20. Vision:
(A) Blindness
(B) Insight
(C) Clarity
(D) Focus
(E) Plan
Directions (Qs. 21-25): These questions are based on idioms. From among the options, choose the one that is closest in meaning to the given idiom/phrase.
21. Break the ice:
(A) Cause a delay
(B) Start a conversation
(C) Create tension
(D) End a relationship
(E) Ignore someone
22. Hit the nail on the head:
(A) Make a mistake
(B) Do something perfectly
(C) Avoid responsibility
(D) Cause confusion
(E) Waste time
23. A wild goose chase:
(A) A pointless pursuit
(B) A successful venture
(C) A dangerous journey
(D) A well-planned trip
(E) A quick decision
24. Let the cat out of the bag:
(A) Keep a secret
(B) Reveal a secret
(C) Create a problem
(D) Avoid a situation
(E) Ignore a warning
25. Barking up the wrong tree:
(A) Making a correct choice
(B) Misunderstanding something
(C) Achieving success
(D) Following the right path
(E) Helping someone
Directions (Qs. 26-35): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.
Sarita was a dedicated teacher who believed in the power of education. She always (26) her students to dream big and work hard. Despite facing (27) resources, she created engaging lesson plans that made learning enjoyable. Her colleagues often (28) her for her innovative methods. Sarita’s (29) approach helped students overcome their fears and excel in their studies. She was (30) that every child deserved a chance to succeed. Over time, her classroom became a (31) of inspiration for the entire school. Sarita’s efforts were (32) when several of her students won national awards. She never sought (33) for her work, but her impact was undeniable. Her story continues to (34) young teachers to make a difference. This is the (35) of true education.
26. (A) Discouraged
(B) Encouraged
(C) Ignored
(D) Criticized
(E) Restricted
27. (A) Abundant
(B) Limited
(C) Modern
(D) Expensive
(E) Adequate
28. (A) Criticized
(B) Ignored
(C) Praised
(D) Opposed
(E) Questioned
29. (A) Careless
(B) Negative
(C) Supportive
(D) Strict
(E) Traditional
30. (A) Doubtful
(B) Convinced
(C) Uncertain
(D) Hesitant
(E) Curious
31. (A) Symbol
(B) Burden
(C) Challenge
(D) Failure
(E) Task
32. (A) Ignored
(B) Forgotten
(C) Recognized
(D) Hidden
(E) Delayed
33. (A) Fame
(B) Criticism
(C) Failure
(D) Opposition
(E) Support
34. (A) Discourage
(B) Confuse
(C) Inspire
(D) Restrict
(E) Ignore
35. (A) Cost
(B) Failure
(C) Essence
(D) Limit
(E) Risk
Directions (Qs. 36-40): Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C), and (D) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentence to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and No correction is required, mark (E) as the answer.
36. The project will complete by next month.
(A) will be completed
(B) completes
(C) is completing
(D) has completed
(E) No correction required
37. She was too tired for attending the meeting.
(A) too tired to
(B) so tired for
(C) too tired of
(D) very tired to
(E) No correction required
38. The company plans to launch its new product at the trade fair.
(A) its new product in
(B) its new product on
(C) their new product at
(D) its new product during
(E) No correction required
39. He is more smarter than his brother.
(A) smarter than
(B) more smart than
(C) most smarter than
(D) much smarter than
(E) No correction required
40. The team have been working on the project for months.
(A) has been working
(B) were working
(C) is working
(D) are working
(E) No correction required
Directions (Qs. 41 to 48): Rearrange the following eight sentences (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
(a) However, concerns about transparency in the process remain unresolved.
(b) Many citizens support the initiative but want assurances of fairness.
(c) The government has promoted its new policy as a step toward progress.
(d) These concerns are not limited to a small group but are widespread among the public.
(e) The minister has promised to address these issues openly.
(f) Yet, they are cautious about potential misuse of authority.
(g) The public does not wish to challenge the policy without evidence.
(h) They hope the minister will clarify all doubts soon.
41. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
42. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
43. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
44. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
45. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement?
(A) (f)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
46. Which of the following should be the SIXTH sentence after rearrangement?
(A) (a)
(B) (g)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
47. Which of the following should be the SEVENTH sentence after rearrangement?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (e)
(D) (d)
(E) (e)
48. Which of the following should be the EIGHTH sentence after rearrangement?
(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (h)
(E) (e)
Directions (Qs. 49 and 50): Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold.
49. Initiative
(A) Effort
(B) Failure
(C) Delay
(D) Resistance
50. Cautious
(A) Reckless
(B) Careful
(C) Hasty
(D) Bold
ANSWERS
1. E 2. C 3. B 4. B 5. A 6. B 7. B 8. B 9. B 10. B 11. B 12. B 13. B 14. B 15. B 16. A 17. B 18. B 19. B 20. A 21. B 22. B 23. A 24. B 25. B 26. B 27. B 28. C 29. C 30. B 31. A 32. C 33. A 34. C 35. C 36. A 37. A 38. D 39. A 40. A 41. C 42. B 43. F 44. A 45. D 46. G 47. E 48. D 49. A 50. B
