Master CAT Reading Comprehension:  100+ Practice Questions, Tips, and Strategies to Ace the RC Section

Reading Comprehension (RC) is a subset of the Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) section in CAT.  Typically, RC questions account for about 70% of the VARC section, making it a decisive factor in achieving a high score.

You’ll encounter:

• 4-5 passages in the exam
  
• Each passage ranging from 400 to 500 words
  
• Question types including inference, tone, fact-based, and critical reasoning
  
  

Understanding the importance of this section is the first step toward mastering it.

Essential Strategies for Cracking the CAT RC section

1.  The Active Reading Framework

Through years of research and testing with top-performing candidates, we've developed the Active Reading Framework that has helped countless students improve their RC accuracy from 60% to 85%+:

Skimming for Structure (30 seconds)

• Identify the main idea in the first paragraph
• Locate topic sentences of each paragraph
• Note transition words and argument flow

Strategic Reading (2-3 minutes)

• Focus on understanding author's perspective
• Create mental maps of key arguments
• Mark critical evidence and examples

Question-First Approach (15 seconds per question)

• Read questions before detailed passage reading
• Develop targeted reading goals
• Efficiently locate relevant information
  

2.  Advanced Comprehension Techniques

Critical Reading Skills

• Identifying author's tone and bias
• Recognizing argument patterns
• Understanding implicit assumptions
• Evaluating evidence quality

Time Management Mastery

• 4-minute rule per passage
• 45-second maximum per question
• Strategic passage selection
• When to skip difficult passages
  

Download 100 + Reading Comprehension Questions with Solutions

CAT Reading Comprehension Questions

Passage 1:

Comprehension:  The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question. 

Kant defines art using his analytic method, which is a way of getting at what a thing is by distinguishing it from what it is not. His first distinction concerns the difference between things produced by natural forces on the one hand, and things produced by human effort on the other. Art, as skilled labour, is an instance of the latter. He writes:

By right we should not call anything art except a production through freedom, ie, through a power of choice that bases its acts on reason. For though we like to call the product that bees make (the regularly constructed honeycombs) a work of art, we do so only by virtue of an analogy with art; for as soon as we recall that their labour is not based on any rational deliberation on their part, we say at once that the product is a product of their nature (namely, of instinct).

The capacity that allows humans to create art is our freedom, our ‘power of choice’. This is what distinguishes human labour, which is free, from the labour of the bees, which Kant will go on to say is ‘constrained’ or ‘mechanical’. What enables humans to produce freely is that they raise their object in the ideal world first, as a concept or purpose in consciousness, before raising their object in the real world. This is what Kant means when he says that our act, our labour, is ‘base[d] … on reason’. 

Bees do not have this capacity for purposive activity, which is why we do not consider their products works of art, but merely effects of nature. For the bee, the honeycomb is a product of instinct. The bee has no choice but to produce according to the standards it has been given by nature. Since humans have the ‘power of choice’, we are ‘free’ to produce according to any concept or standard we desire. This means that, if we want, we can produce according to the bee’s standard (a point Karl Marx will go on to make in his 1844 Manuscripts).

Already then, we can see that Kant gives us a preliminary philosophy of work with his distinction between art (as skilled labour) and nature. Skilled labour is essentially purposive. The product of our labour is based on a purpose, and this purpose makes possible the product in a way that brute nature could not. To identify human labour with purposiveness is to highlight the importance of thinking in the labour process. Unlike the animal, for whom labour is a mere effect of nature, human labour is a product of thinking and acting, in coordination with each other. The more our thoughts and plans are reflected in the product of our labour, the more ‘human’ our labour is.

This insight has deep implications for the question of what makes work good, especially in light of capitalism’s division between the planning and the execution of labour. In capitalism, most workers are permitted to execute only their bosses’ purpose at work. They themselves do not determine what purpose to execute. Using Kant’s language, we might say that most workers do not have ‘the power of choice’ at work. Rather, that power resides exclusively with their bosses. This makes many workers mere animals at work, since what is produced is ‘not based on any rational deliberation on their part’.

Picked & Modified From: Freedom at work from Aeon Essays

Question 1.1

Kant’s distinction between human labour and bee labour hinges on the concept of "freedom." Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies Kant’s idea of human labour as described in the passage?

A) A painter who meticulously follows a pre-designed template to create a mural.
B) A software engineer who writes code based on a detailed project brief provided by their manager.
C) A sculptor who conceptualizes a unique design and brings it to life through their creative process.
D) A factory worker who assembles parts according to a standardized procedure.

Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:

Kant emphasizes that human labour is characterized by the "power of choice" and rational deliberation, where the labourer raises an object in the ideal world (as a concept) before realizing it in the real world. Option C which says the sculptor independently conceptualizes and creates, embodying Kant’s idea of human labour as purposive and free is the correct answer.

Option A involves following a template, which lacks the freedom to conceptualize independently. Option B involves executing someone else’s plan, which aligns more with constrained labour. Option D involves mechanical, standardized work, which is devoid of purposive activity.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Question 1.2

Kant argues that human labour is "based on reason," while bee labour is "constrained" by instinct. Which of the following statements, if true, would most weaken Kant’s distinction?

A) Bees have been observed adapting their honeycomb structures to environmental changes.

B) Humans often rely on instinctive reactions in high-pressure situations.

C) Some animals, like chimpanzees, use tools to achieve specific goals.

D) Human workers in capitalist systems often lack the freedom to make decisions.

Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation:

Kant’s distinction relies on the idea that human labour is purposive and based on reason, while bee labour is instinctive and constrained. To weaken this distinction, we need evidence that blurs the line between human and animal labour. Option A suggests that bees can adapt their behaviour, which implies a level of purposiveness, challenging Kant’s claim that their labour is purely instinctive.

Option B is irrelevant  because it discusses human behaviour in specific situations, not labour.  Option C  is about animals using tools, which doesn’t directly address the distinction between human and bee labour.  Option D highlights a limitation in human labour but  doesn’t challenge Kant’s core distinction.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Question 1.3

In the context of Kant’s philosophy, which of the following best explains why a worker in a capitalist system might be compared to a bee?

A) Both the worker and the bee produce outcomes that are valued by others.
B) Both the worker and the bee lack the ability to conceptualize their labour.
C) Both the worker and the bee operate under constraints imposed by external forces.
D) Both the worker and the bee engage in labour that is purely instinctive.

Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation:

Kant argues that workers in capitalism often lack the "power of choice" and are reduced to executing their bosses’ purposes, making their labour resemble that of bees, which operate under the constraints of instinct. Option C is correct because both the worker and the bee operate under external constraints—workers under their bosses’ directives and bees under instinct.

Option A is irrelevant because it doesn’t address the lack of freedom or purposiveness.  Option B is incorrect because workers can conceptualize, but they are often not allowed to do so in capitalism.  Option D is incorrect  because human labour is not instinctive, even if it is constrained.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Question 1.4

Kant’s philosophy of work suggests that the more human labour reflects thought and planning, the more "human" it becomes. Which of the following implications does this have for the evaluation of work in modern societies?

A) The value of work should be determined solely by its economic output, regardless of the level of thought involved.

B) Work that aligns with natural instincts should be prioritized over work that requires rational deliberation.

C) The division of labour in capitalism enhances the "human" quality of work by distributing tasks efficiently.

D) Work that involves repetitive tasks should be considered less valuable than work that involves creativity.

Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:

Kant’s philosophy emphasizes that the "human" quality of work lies in its reflection of thought and planning. This implies that work involving creativity and purposiveness is more valuable than repetitive or instinctive labour. Option D aligns with Kant’s philosophy, as it values creative, thought-driven work over repetitive tasks.

Option A contradicts Kant’s philosophy by ignoring the role of thought and planning.  Option B is incorrect because Kant values rational deliberation over natural instincts.  Option C is incorrect because the division of labour in capitalism often undermines the "human" quality of work by limiting workers’ freedom.

Hence, the correct answer is option D.

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Passage 2:

Comprehension:  The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question. 

We often worry about lying awake in the middle of the night - but it could be good for you. A growing body of evidence from both science and history suggests that the eight-hour sleep may be unnatural. In the early 1990s, psychiatrist Thomas Wehr conducted an experiment in which a group of people were plunged into darkness for 14 hours every day for a month. It took some time for their sleep to regulate, but by the fourth week, the subjects had settled into a very distinct sleeping pattern. They slept first for four hours, then woke for one or two hours before falling into a second four-hour sleep.

Though sleep scientists were impressed by the study, among the general public, the idea that we must sleep for eight consecutive hours persists. In 2001, historian Roger Ekirch of Virginia Tech published a seminal paper, drawn from 16 years of research, revealing a wealth of historical evidence that humans used to sleep in two distinct chunks. His book At Day's Close: Night in Times Past, published four years later, unearths more than 500 references to a segmented sleeping pattern - in diaries, court records, medical books, and literature, from Homer's Odyssey to an anthropological account of modern tribes in Nigeria. Much like the experience of Wehr's subjects, these references describe a first sleep which began about two hours after dusk, followed by a waking period of one or two hours and then a second sleep.

"It's not just the number of references - it is the way they refer to it, as if it was common knowledge," Ekirch says. During this waking period, people were quite active. They often got up, went to the toilet, or smoked tobacco, and some even visited neighbours. Most people stayed in bed, read, wrote, and often prayed. Countless prayer manuals from the late 15th Century offered special prayers for the hours in between sleeps.

Ekirch found that references to the first and second sleep started to disappear during the late 17th Century. This started among the urban upper classes in northern Europe and over the course of the next 200 years filtered down to the rest of Western society. By the 1920s, the idea of a first and second sleep had receded entirely from our social consciousness. He attributes the initial shift to improvements in street lighting, domestic lighting, and a surge in coffee houses - which were sometimes open all night. As the night became a place for legitimate activity and as that activity increased, the length of time people could dedicate to rest dwindled.

Today, most people seem to have adapted quite well to the eight-hour sleep, but Ekirch believes many sleeping problems may have roots in the human body's natural preference for segmented sleep as well as the ubiquity of artificial light. This could be the root of a condition called sleep maintenance insomnia, where people wake during the night and have trouble getting back to sleep.

Picked & Modified From: The myth of the eight-hour sleep from BBC

Question 2.1 (Inference Based)

The author would agree with all of the following statements EXCEPT:

A) The modern eight-hour sleep pattern may conflict with the human body’s natural preference for segmented sleep.

B) The disappearance of segmented sleep in Western society was partly due to increased nighttime social activity.

C) Sleep maintenance insomnia could be a result of societal rejection of segmented sleep.

D) Segmented sleep is a modern phenomenon discovered through 20th-century scientific experiments.

Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:

The author explicitly rejects the idea that segmented sleep is a modern discovery. The passage highlights historian Roger Ekirch’s research, which uncovered over 500 historical references to segmented sleep-in pre-17th-century sources like diaries, literature, and medical texts (e.g., Homer’s Odyssey and accounts of Nigerian tribes). These references describe a "first sleep" and "second sleep" as common knowledge, long before the 20th century. Thomas Wehr’s 1990s experiment merely recreated this natural pattern under controlled conditions, showing that humans revert to segmented sleep when removed from artificial light—it did not "discover" it. By contrast, options A, B, and C align with the author’s arguments:

Option A which says  the eight-hour sleep clashes with the body’s natural preference  (supported by Ekirch’s belief that modern insomnia stems from rejecting segmented sleep). Option B,  increased nighttime activity (e.g., coffeehouses) contributed to the decline of segmented sleep (directly stated in the passage).  Option C  which says insomnia is tied to societal rejection of natural sleep rhythms (the author directly links sleep maintenance insomnia to this conflict).

Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Question   2.2 (Strengthen/Weaken)

All of the following statements, if true, would weaken the author’s claim that artificial light caused the disappearance of segmented sleep EXCEPT:

A) Historical records show rural communities without access to artificial light also abandoned segmented sleep by the 18th century.

B) Coffee consumption in 17th-century Europe was restricted to daytime hours, with no nighttime sales.

C) Tribes in remote regions with no artificial light today follow monophasic sleep patterns similar to the modern eight-hour model.

D) Medical journals from the 1600s attribute the decline in segmented sleep to widespread anxiety about productivity, not lighting.

Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:

The question asks which statement does NOT weaken the claim that artificial light caused the disappearance of segmented sleep.

The author argues that artificial lighting, streetlamps, and nighttime coffeehouse culture reduced time for rest. Option B weakens the role of coffeehouses (if coffee was only consumed during the day, nighttime activity couldn’t be linked to coffee), but it does not address artificial light, which is the focus of the question. Thus, it is the exception.

Option A, C, and D all directly undermine artificial light’s role; Option A and C show segmented sleep vanished in areas without artificial light (rural communities, remote tribes), suggesting other causes. Option D attributes the shift to productivity anxiety, not lighting.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Question 2.3 (Detail Based)

According to the passage, what was a key factor in the disappearance of segmented sleep in late 17th-century Europe?

A) The rise of industrial factories requiring workers to adhere to strict schedules.

B) The popularity of nighttime social activities like visiting coffee houses.

C) The invention of electric lighting in urban households.

D) The spread of religious practices discouraging nighttime wakefulness.

Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:

The passage explicitly states that the decline of segmented sleep began in the late 17th century due to increased nighttime activity enabled by better lighting (oil lamps, streetlamps) and the rise of coffeehouses, which stayed open late. These changes made nighttime a time for "legitimate activity," shortening rest periods.

Option C is incorrect because it was invented in the 19th century, long after the 17th-century shift. Option A & D are not mentioned in the passage.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Question 2.4 (Analytical Application)

Which of the following hypothetical findings would most align with Ekirch’s theory about the roots of modern sleep problems?

A) A study showing that people in regions with minimal artificial light still experience sleep maintenance insomnia.

B) A survey revealing that 90% of night-shift workers prefer segmented sleep patterns.

C) Clinical trials proving that melatonin supplements eliminate nighttime awakenings in 80% of insomnia patients.

D) Data indicating that societies with mandatory 8-hour sleep schedules report higher productivity and life satisfaction.

Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation:

Ekirch’s theory posits that modern sleep issues stem from two factors:

1. Artificial light disrupting natural rhythms.
2. Societal enforcement of an 8-hour schedule conflicting with the body’s preference for segmented sleep.
   
   

Option A supports the second factor: Even without artificial light, insomnia persists because people are forced into a rigid 8-hour pattern, rejecting their biological tendency for two sleep phases. This aligns perfectly with Ekirch’s argument.

Option B; Night-shift workers preferring segmented sleep is irrelevant to societal enforcement of 8-hour sleep. Option C; Melatonin supplements address symptoms, not the root cause (societal rejection of natural sleep). Option D; Mandatory 8-hour schedules increasing productivity contradicts Ekirch’s claim that such schedules harm sleep health.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Passage 3:

Comprehension:  The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question. 

Stories concerning the Undead have always accompanied humanity. From the primal darkness of mankind’s earliest years come whispers of eerie creatures—not quite alive in any comprehensible way, yet not entirely dead either. These entities may have originated as ancient, primitive deities inhabiting deep forests and remote places, or as the deceased who refused to remain confined to their tombs, wandering the countryside to torment and frighten the living. Mostly, they were ill-defined—strange sounds in the night beyond the comforting glow of the fire, or shadowy shapes glimpsed in twilight at the edges of encampments. Vague and indistinct, they wielded a persistent power to terrify and disturb, touching the minds of our early ancestors and filling them with dread. Such fear formed the basis of the earliest tales, even as the source and nature of these terrors remained obscure.

As mankind grew more sophisticated, leaving the gloom of caves to form recognizable communities—towns, cities, whole cultures—the Undead traveled alongside them, embedding themselves in folklore as they had in ancient times. They began to assume more definite shapes: walking cadavers, physical embodiments of former deities, and entities that had existed alongside humans since creation. Some remained vague, but as humanity sought to explain the horror these beings inspired, they emerged more clearly into the light.

To emphasize their abnormal nature, many of the Undead were attributed powers that defied the natural order—the ability to transform into other shapes, sustain themselves by drinking human blood, and influence human minds from afar. These supernatural abilities only deepened the terror humans felt towards them.

Naturally, the Undead became associated with the practice of magic. From early times, shamans and witch doctors claimed some control over the spirits of departed ancestors, a tradition that persisted into more "civilized" eras. While the invisible spirits that haunted early encampments once spoke through tribal shamans, they gradually became entities in their own right, subject to magical control and capable of being physically summoned by skilled sorcerers. However, the relationship between magicians and the Undead was often tenuous and unpredictable. Some sorcerers were believed to become Undead entities after death, while others might fall prey to the powers of rival magicians.

From the Middle Ages into the Age of Enlightenment, theories about the Undead continued to evolve. Their names became familiar—werewolf, vampire, ghoul—each one capable of striking fear into the hearts of ordinary people. Though no less terrifying than the vague, shapeless entities that once circled ancient fires, they now possessed form and definition, framed within a cultural context of fear. Moreover, they reflected the cultural attributes of the societies that believed in them—whether Semitic, European, African, or later, West Indian. Golems, afreets, zombies, djinni, and draugr roamed by night (and sometimes by day), spreading fear wherever they went. As in earlier times, they might be seen as physical manifestations of old gods and powers or as the restless dead—those who lay in churchyards. They also included demons—beings that had never been born but embodied elements of both the living and the dead.

Picked & Modified From: The Concept of the Undead, and a Carnival of Terrors from Atmost Fear

Question 3.1 (Specific Detail Based)

The passage suggests that demons, as a category of Undead, differ from other entities like vampires or zombies because they:

A) Are bound strictly to religious doctrines and lack cultural flexibility.
B) Exist independently of both birth and death, blending life and decay.
C) Originate solely from ancient tribal rituals abandoned in modern times.
D) Depend entirely on human belief to maintain their supernatural powers.

Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:

The text explicitly states demons "had never been born but embodied elements of both the living and the dead."  Option B captures this unique hybrid nature.

• Why not A? Demons aren’t tied to specific doctrines; they’re culturally fluid (e.g., djinni in Semitic lore, afreets in others).
• Why not C? The passage doesn’t link demons to abandoned rituals—they persist across eras.
• Why not D? While belief matters, the passage emphasizes their inherent existence, not dependency on human faith.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Question 3.2 (Inference Based)

The passage implies that the transition from shamans to sorcerers in managing the Undead reflects a broader shift in human societies toward:

A) Centralizing spiritual authority in institutionalized religious figures.
B) Individual mastery over forces once handled through communal rituals.
C) Abandoning magical practices in favor of empirical scientific inquiry.
D) Democratizing access to supernatural powers across social classes.

Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:

Early shamans operated within tribal frameworks, while later sorcerers individually summoned entities. Option B highlights this move from collective to personal control.

• Why not A? The text doesn’t mention institutional religion; sorcerers are still independent operators.
• Why not C? Magic persists into "civilized" eras—no shift to science is noted.
• Why not D? Sorcery isn’t portrayed as democratized; it’s limited to "skilled" practitioners.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Question 3.3 (Main Idea Question)

Which statement would most directly contradict the passage’s portrayal of the Undead’s cultural significance?

A) "The Undead served as metaphors for societal hierarchies in feudal Europe."
B) "Undead narratives were tools to enforce moral codes in ancient communities."
C) "Scientific progress diluted the terror once associated with mythical entities."

D) "Globalization homogenized Undead myths, erasing regional distinctions."

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:

The passage stresses that Undead entities "reflected the cultural attributes" of specific societies (e.g., golems in Semitic cultures, draugr in Norse). Option D contradicts this by claiming myths became uniform.

• Why not A/C? These align with the text (cultural framing, persistent terror).
• Why not B? Moral enforcement isn’t discussed, but it doesn’t contradict the passage either.

Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Question 3.4   (Detail/Fact-Based )

The author would likely classify the Undead’s supernatural abilities (e.g., shape-shifting) primarily as:

A) Narrative devices to make myths more engaging for oral traditions.
B) Psychological projections of humanity’s fear of the unknown.
C) Mechanisms to amplify their defiance of natural order, heightening fear.
D) Historical exaggerations stemming from pre-literary societies.

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:

The passage states these powers "defied the natural order" and "deepened the terror." Option C directly ties supernatural traits to intensifying fear through unnatural defiance.

• Why not A? The focus is on fear, not entertainment.
• Why not B? While fear is psychological, the passage emphasizes supernatural defiance, not just mental projection.
• Why not D? The text treats these abilities as intentional attributes, not accidental exaggerations.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Passage 4:

Comprehension:  The passage below is accompanied by four questions. Based on the passage, choose the best answer for each question. 

At the end of the XIXth Century, mankind was about to fulfil an old dream. The idea of a fast and autonomous means of displacement was slowly becoming a reality for engineers all over the world. Thanks to its ideal location on the Great Lakes Basin, the city of Detroit was about to generate its own industrial revolution. Visionary engineers and entrepreneurs flocked to its borders.

In 1913, up-and-coming car manufacturer Henry Ford perfected the first large-scale assembly line. Within a few years, Detroit was about to become the world capital of automobiles and the cradle of modern mass-production. For the first time in history, affluence was within the reach of the mass of people. Monumental skyscrapers and fancy neighbourhoods put the city's wealth on display. Detroit became the dazzling beacon of the American Dream. Thousands of migrants came to find a job. By the 50's, its population rose to almost 2 million people. Detroit became the 4th largest city in the United States.

The automobile moved people faster and farther. Roads, freeways and parking lots forever reshaped the landscape. At the beginning of the 50's, plants were relocated in Detroit's periphery. The white middle-class began to leave the inner city and settled in new mass-produced suburban towns. Highways frayed the urban fabric. Deindustrialization and segregation increased. In 1967, social tensions exploded into one of the most violent urban riots in American history. The population exodus accelerated and whole neighbourhoods began to vanish. Outdated downtown buildings emptied. Within fifty years Detroit lost more than half of its population.

Detroit, industrial capital of the XXth Century, played a fundamental role shaping the modern world. The logic that created the city also destroyed it. Nowadays, unlike anywhere else, the city's ruins are not isolated details in the urban environment. They have become a natural component of the landscape. Detroit presents all archetypal buildings of an American city in a state of mummification. Its splendid decaying monuments are, no less than the Pyramids of Egypt, the Coliseum of Rome, or the Acropolis in Athens, remnants of the passing of a great Empire.

Detroit's abandoned and decaying factories, schools, houses, and skyscrapers stand as modern ruins, telling the story of the city's remarkable journey. These crumbling monuments exemplify how Detroit profoundly shaped the industrialised world yet also fell victim to the destructive forces of capitalism. More than any other place, Detroit encapsulates the thin line between prosperity and poverty, progress and decline. Today, the faded majesty of Detroit's ruins evokes the ephemerality of greatness, much like the relics of past civilizations that now lie in ruin. Detroit's architectural vestiges illustrate the creative and destructive power of modernity while recalling the passing of an empire and the fading of the American Dream.

Picked & Modified From: The Ruins  of Detroit  by  MARCHAND MEFFRE

Question 4.1 (Specific Detail Based)

The passage suggests that Detroit’s rise and fall can be attributed to a paradoxical relationship between two forces. Which of the following best captures this paradox?

Options:

A) Capitalism’s ability to uplift marginalized communities while simultaneously eroding cultural identity.
B) The same industrial logic that fueled its prosperity eventually triggering its socio-economic collapse.
C) Migration patterns that initially boosted population density but later fragmented urban cohesion.
D) Infrastructure development accelerating economic growth while displacing local ecosystems.

Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:

The passage highlights how Detroit’s identity as the “cradle of modern mass-production” (through Ford’s assembly line) led to its golden age. However, this very industrial logic—expansion, suburbanization, and deindustrialization—caused social fragmentation, segregation, and decline. Option B directly mirrors the line: “The logic that created the city also destroyed it.”

• Why not A? While capitalism is mentioned, the paradox isn’t about cultural identity but the self-destructive nature of industrialization.
  
  
• Why not C? Migration is a consequence, not the core paradox. The collapse stems from systemic industrial shifts, not population movements alone.
  
  
• Why not D? Infrastructure (highways) is a symptom, not the root cause. The paradox lies in the same system creating and dismantling prosperity.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Question 4.2 (Specific Detail Based)

The author compares Detroit’s ruins to ancient monuments like the Pyramids. What deeper implication does this analogy convey?

Options:

A) Both symbolize humanity’s futile attempts to achieve immortality through architecture.
B) Detroit’s ruins, like ancient relics, reflect the cyclical nature of empires rising and collapsing.
C) They highlight how modern cities prioritize aesthetics over functionality, leading to decay.
D) Both serve as tourist attractions, masking the suffering of marginalized communities.

Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:

The passage equates Detroit’s ruins to the Pyramids, Coliseum, and Acropolis as remnants of “the passing of a great Empire.” This underscores the transient nature of power and progress. Option B captures this cyclical rise-and-fall theme, aligning with lines like “remnants of the passing of a great Empire” and “ephemerality of greatness.”

• Why not A? The focus isn’t on “immortality” but impermanence.
• Why not C? The passage doesn’t critique aesthetics vs. functionality.
• Why not D? Tourism isn’t discussed; the analogy emphasizes historical parallels, not economic exploitation.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Question 4.3 (Theme Based)

Which of the following best encapsulates the central irony of Detroit’s story as presented in the passage?

Options:

A) A city celebrated for innovation became a museum of obsolete technology.
B) Urban planning aimed at connectivity ultimately isolated communities.
C) Industrialization’s promise of equality deepened class divides.
D) The pursuit of the American Dream created the conditions for its own unraveling.

Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation:

The passage positions Detroit as the “dazzling beacon of the American Dream” where “affluence was within reach,” yet its decline showcases the Dream’s fragility. Option D captures this irony: prosperity sowed seeds of collapse (suburbanization, segregation).

• Why not A? While true, this is a narrower observation, not the central irony.
• Why not B? Highways caused fragmentation, but this is a consequence, not the overarching irony.
• Why not C? Class divides are a symptom; the core irony is the Dream’s self-destruction.
  

Hence, the correct answer is Option D.

Question 4.4 (Inference Based)

All of the following can be inferred from the passage EXCEPT:

A) Detroit’s prosperity was deeply rooted in the automobile industry.

B) Social segregation and urban sprawl played roles in Detroit’s decline.

C) Detroit’s ruins are celebrated as timeless cultural landmarks globally.

D) The city’s industrial growth contributed to both its rise and its downfall.

Explanation:

The passage discusses Detroit's reliance on the automobile industry (A), the impact of segregation and urban sprawl (B), and how the same forces that led to growth also caused decline (D). However, it does not claim that Detroit’s ruins are "celebrated as timeless cultural landmarks globally"—instead, they’re described as reminders of decline. Hence, option C is the exception.

• Why not A? Clearly stated in the passage regarding Detroit's role in the automobile industry.
• Why not B? The effects of segregation and suburban sprawl are highlighted.
• Why not D? The passage explicitly mentions that the logic that created the city also destroyed it

Hence, the correct answer is Option C.

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Expert Tips for CAT Reading Comprehension

1. Don’t Obsess Over Difficult Passages

If a passage feels too complex, skip it and return later. Time management is key.

2. Identify the Main Idea

Before diving into the questions, summarize the passage’s main idea in your own words. This helps in answering inference and tone-based questions.

3. Use the Question First Approach

Skim through the questions before reading the passage to identify the areas you need to focus on.

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