CTET Reading Comprehension Questions with Answers & Explanations

Read the passage and answer the question. Millets are a group of small-grained cereals such as jowar, bajra and ragi that have been grown in India for thousands of years. They are hardy crops that can grow in poor soil with little water, which makes them well suited to dry regions. Nutritionally, millets are rich in fibre and minerals like iron and calcium, and many of them release sugar into the blood more slowly than polished rice or refined wheat. Despite these advantages, millet consumption declined over several decades as diets shifted towards rice and wheat. In recent years, however, there has been renewed interest in millets, both for their health benefits and because they need less water than many other crops. The United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets, an idea proposed by India. Encouraging farmers to grow millets and consumers to eat them could improve nutrition and help agriculture adapt to a changing climate. Which of the following is mentioned as a millet in the passage?

1. AMaize
2. BBarley
3. CBasmati
4. DRagi

Read the passage and answer the question. Millets are a group of small-grained cereals such as jowar, bajra and ragi that have been grown in India for thousands of years. They are hardy crops that can grow in poor soil with little water, which makes them well suited to dry regions. Nutritionally, millets are rich in fibre and minerals like iron and calcium, and many of them release sugar into the blood more slowly than polished rice or refined wheat. Despite these advantages, millet consumption declined over several decades as diets shifted towards rice and wheat. In recent years, however, there has been renewed interest in millets, both for their health benefits and because they need less water than many other crops. The United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets, an idea proposed by India. Encouraging farmers to grow millets and consumers to eat them could improve nutrition and help agriculture adapt to a changing climate. Why are millets well suited to dry regions?

1. AThey need heavy irrigation
2. BThey must be grown under shade
3. CThey can grow in poor soil with little water
4. DThey grow only in cold climates

Read the passage and answer the question. Millets are a group of small-grained cereals such as jowar, bajra and ragi that have been grown in India for thousands of years. They are hardy crops that can grow in poor soil with little water, which makes them well suited to dry regions. Nutritionally, millets are rich in fibre and minerals like iron and calcium, and many of them release sugar into the blood more slowly than polished rice or refined wheat. Despite these advantages, millet consumption declined over several decades as diets shifted towards rice and wheat. In recent years, however, there has been renewed interest in millets, both for their health benefits and because they need less water than many other crops. The United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets, an idea proposed by India. Encouraging farmers to grow millets and consumers to eat them could improve nutrition and help agriculture adapt to a changing climate. Which nutrient is NOT mentioned as being found in millets?

1. AIron
2. BCalcium
3. CFibre
4. DVitamin C

Read the passage and answer the question. Millets are a group of small-grained cereals such as jowar, bajra and ragi that have been grown in India for thousands of years. They are hardy crops that can grow in poor soil with little water, which makes them well suited to dry regions. Nutritionally, millets are rich in fibre and minerals like iron and calcium, and many of them release sugar into the blood more slowly than polished rice or refined wheat. Despite these advantages, millet consumption declined over several decades as diets shifted towards rice and wheat. In recent years, however, there has been renewed interest in millets, both for their health benefits and because they need less water than many other crops. The United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets, an idea proposed by India. Encouraging farmers to grow millets and consumers to eat them could improve nutrition and help agriculture adapt to a changing climate. Which year was declared the International Year of Millets?

1. A2018
2. B2025
3. C2020
4. D2023

Read the passage and answer the question. Millets are a group of small-grained cereals such as jowar, bajra and ragi that have been grown in India for thousands of years. They are hardy crops that can grow in poor soil with little water, which makes them well suited to dry regions. Nutritionally, millets are rich in fibre and minerals like iron and calcium, and many of them release sugar into the blood more slowly than polished rice or refined wheat. Despite these advantages, millet consumption declined over several decades as diets shifted towards rice and wheat. In recent years, however, there has been renewed interest in millets, both for their health benefits and because they need less water than many other crops. The United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets, an idea proposed by India. Encouraging farmers to grow millets and consumers to eat them could improve nutrition and help agriculture adapt to a changing climate. According to the passage, why did millet consumption decline?

1. ADiets shifted towards rice and wheat
2. BMillets were banned
3. CMillets became very expensive to import
4. DMillets lost all their nutrients

Read the passage and answer the question. Volunteering is often seen as something people do only to help others, but research suggests that volunteers benefit too. People who regularly give their time to a cause report higher levels of happiness and a stronger sense of purpose. Volunteering also helps people build new skills, from organising events to communicating with strangers, which can be useful in their careers. For young people in particular, it offers a chance to explore interests and meet people from different backgrounds. Communities gain as well: schools, hospitals and disaster-relief efforts often depend on volunteers to function. However, volunteering works best when it is well organised. Volunteers need clear roles, basic training and appreciation for their efforts; otherwise they may lose interest. When these conditions are met, volunteering creates a cycle in which both the giver and the receiver are better off. According to the passage, what do regular volunteers report?

1. AHigher salaries
2. BHigher happiness and a stronger sense of purpose
3. CLess free time and more stress
4. DFewer friends

Read the passage and answer the question. Volunteering is often seen as something people do only to help others, but research suggests that volunteers benefit too. People who regularly give their time to a cause report higher levels of happiness and a stronger sense of purpose. Volunteering also helps people build new skills, from organising events to communicating with strangers, which can be useful in their careers. For young people in particular, it offers a chance to explore interests and meet people from different backgrounds. Communities gain as well: schools, hospitals and disaster-relief efforts often depend on volunteers to function. However, volunteering works best when it is well organised. Volunteers need clear roles, basic training and appreciation for their efforts; otherwise they may lose interest. When these conditions are met, volunteering creates a cycle in which both the giver and the receiver are better off. Which skill is given as an example of what volunteers can learn?

1. APlaying music
2. BRepairing cars
3. CWriting software
4. DOrganising events

Read the passage and answer the question. Volunteering is often seen as something people do only to help others, but research suggests that volunteers benefit too. People who regularly give their time to a cause report higher levels of happiness and a stronger sense of purpose. Volunteering also helps people build new skills, from organising events to communicating with strangers, which can be useful in their careers. For young people in particular, it offers a chance to explore interests and meet people from different backgrounds. Communities gain as well: schools, hospitals and disaster-relief efforts often depend on volunteers to function. However, volunteering works best when it is well organised. Volunteers need clear roles, basic training and appreciation for their efforts; otherwise they may lose interest. When these conditions are met, volunteering creates a cycle in which both the giver and the receiver are better off. Why might volunteers lose interest?

1. AIf they meet new people
2. BIf they lack clear roles, training and appreciation
3. CIf they are paid too much
4. DIf the cause is too popular

Read the passage and answer the question. Volunteering is often seen as something people do only to help others, but research suggests that volunteers benefit too. People who regularly give their time to a cause report higher levels of happiness and a stronger sense of purpose. Volunteering also helps people build new skills, from organising events to communicating with strangers, which can be useful in their careers. For young people in particular, it offers a chance to explore interests and meet people from different backgrounds. Communities gain as well: schools, hospitals and disaster-relief efforts often depend on volunteers to function. However, volunteering works best when it is well organised. Volunteers need clear roles, basic training and appreciation for their efforts; otherwise they may lose interest. When these conditions are met, volunteering creates a cycle in which both the giver and the receiver are better off. The "cycle" mentioned at the end refers to

1. Aboth the giver and the receiver being better off
2. Bvolunteers leaving and returning repeatedly
3. Cthe yearly calendar of events
4. Dthe training programme for volunteers

Read the passage and answer the question. Volunteering is often seen as something people do only to help others, but research suggests that volunteers benefit too. People who regularly give their time to a cause report higher levels of happiness and a stronger sense of purpose. Volunteering also helps people build new skills, from organising events to communicating with strangers, which can be useful in their careers. For young people in particular, it offers a chance to explore interests and meet people from different backgrounds. Communities gain as well: schools, hospitals and disaster-relief efforts often depend on volunteers to function. However, volunteering works best when it is well organised. Volunteers need clear roles, basic training and appreciation for their efforts; otherwise they may lose interest. When these conditions are met, volunteering creates a cycle in which both the giver and the receiver are better off. What is the main idea of the passage?

1. AOnly young people should volunteer
2. BVolunteering is a waste of time
3. CVolunteering benefits both volunteers and communities when well organised
4. DHospitals do not need volunteers

Read the passage and answer the question. Over the past decade, digital payments have transformed how people in India buy and sell. A shopkeeper who once accepted only cash can now receive money instantly through a mobile phone by displaying a simple QR code. For customers, this means not having to carry exact change; for small businesses, it creates a record of transactions that can help them obtain loans. However, the shift has also brought new challenges. Fraudsters use fake calls and messages to trick people into sharing their PINs or approving payment requests. Older citizens and first-time smartphone users are especially vulnerable. Experts advise a few simple rules: never share a PIN or one-time password, remember that a PIN is needed only to send money and never to receive it, and verify the name of the person before approving any payment. With awareness, the convenience of digital payments can be enjoyed safely. What benefit of digital payments for small businesses is mentioned?

1. AA transaction record that can help them obtain loans
2. BThey get free mobile phones
3. CThey no longer need to pay taxes
4. DThey can avoid all customers who pay cash

Read the passage and answer the question. For a long time, sleep was thought of as a period when the brain simply switched off. Modern research shows the opposite: during sleep, the brain is busy organising what we learned during the day. In deep sleep, memories are replayed and moved from short-term storage to longer-term networks, making them more stable. This is why students who sleep well after studying tend to remember more than those who stay awake all night. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, affects attention, mood and decision-making. Even one night of poor sleep can make it harder to concentrate the next day, and repeated loss of sleep has been linked to health problems. For learners, the lesson is clear. Instead of sacrificing sleep to study a few more hours, spreading study across days and sleeping seven to eight hours a night is likely to produce better results. What was the older belief about sleep mentioned in the passage?

1. AThe brain worked harder during sleep than during the day
2. BSleep was harmful to memory
3. CThe brain simply switched off during sleep
4. DSleep was needed only by children

Read the passage and answer the question. Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow along tropical and subtropical coastlines, where land meets the sea. They have adapted to survive in salty water and in soil that is low in oxygen. Many mangroves have special roots that rise above the mud to take in air, while others filter salt out of the water they absorb. These forests play an important role for both nature and people. Their dense roots slow down waves and reduce the damage caused by storms and tidal surges, protecting coastal villages. They also act as nurseries for fish, crabs and shrimp, which supports local fishing communities. In addition, mangroves store large amounts of carbon in their soil, helping to slow climate change. Despite these benefits, mangrove forests have been cleared in many places for farms, ports and housing. Protecting and replanting them is now seen as one of the most cost-effective ways to defend coasts. Where do mangroves usually grow?

1. AAlong tropical and subtropical coastlines
2. BIn the middle of oceans
3. COn high mountains
4. DIn cold deserts

Read the passage and answer the question. Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow along tropical and subtropical coastlines, where land meets the sea. They have adapted to survive in salty water and in soil that is low in oxygen. Many mangroves have special roots that rise above the mud to take in air, while others filter salt out of the water they absorb. These forests play an important role for both nature and people. Their dense roots slow down waves and reduce the damage caused by storms and tidal surges, protecting coastal villages. They also act as nurseries for fish, crabs and shrimp, which supports local fishing communities. In addition, mangroves store large amounts of carbon in their soil, helping to slow climate change. Despite these benefits, mangrove forests have been cleared in many places for farms, ports and housing. Protecting and replanting them is now seen as one of the most cost-effective ways to defend coasts. How do mangroves protect coastal villages?

1. AThey keep fishermen away from the sea
2. BThey produce fresh drinking water
3. CThey block all sunlight from the coast
4. DTheir dense roots slow down waves and reduce storm damage

Read the passage and answer the question. Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow along tropical and subtropical coastlines, where land meets the sea. They have adapted to survive in salty water and in soil that is low in oxygen. Many mangroves have special roots that rise above the mud to take in air, while others filter salt out of the water they absorb. These forests play an important role for both nature and people. Their dense roots slow down waves and reduce the damage caused by storms and tidal surges, protecting coastal villages. They also act as nurseries for fish, crabs and shrimp, which supports local fishing communities. In addition, mangroves store large amounts of carbon in their soil, helping to slow climate change. Despite these benefits, mangrove forests have been cleared in many places for farms, ports and housing. Protecting and replanting them is now seen as one of the most cost-effective ways to defend coasts. Why are mangroves called "nurseries"?

1. AThey are grown in plant nurseries
2. BThey provide timber for schools
3. CChildren play in them
4. DYoung fish, crabs and shrimp grow among them

Read the passage and answer the question. Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow along tropical and subtropical coastlines, where land meets the sea. They have adapted to survive in salty water and in soil that is low in oxygen. Many mangroves have special roots that rise above the mud to take in air, while others filter salt out of the water they absorb. These forests play an important role for both nature and people. Their dense roots slow down waves and reduce the damage caused by storms and tidal surges, protecting coastal villages. They also act as nurseries for fish, crabs and shrimp, which supports local fishing communities. In addition, mangroves store large amounts of carbon in their soil, helping to slow climate change. Despite these benefits, mangrove forests have been cleared in many places for farms, ports and housing. Protecting and replanting them is now seen as one of the most cost-effective ways to defend coasts. According to the passage, how do mangroves help with climate change?

1. AThey store large amounts of carbon in their soil
2. BThey absorb salt from the air
3. CThey stop rainfall
4. DThey cool the sea water

Read the passage and answer the question. Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow along tropical and subtropical coastlines, where land meets the sea. They have adapted to survive in salty water and in soil that is low in oxygen. Many mangroves have special roots that rise above the mud to take in air, while others filter salt out of the water they absorb. These forests play an important role for both nature and people. Their dense roots slow down waves and reduce the damage caused by storms and tidal surges, protecting coastal villages. They also act as nurseries for fish, crabs and shrimp, which supports local fishing communities. In addition, mangroves store large amounts of carbon in their soil, helping to slow climate change. Despite these benefits, mangrove forests have been cleared in many places for farms, ports and housing. Protecting and replanting them is now seen as one of the most cost-effective ways to defend coasts. What is the main idea of the passage?

1. AMangroves are harmful to fishing
2. BMangroves grow only in India
3. CMangroves should be replaced by ports
4. DMangroves are valuable ecosystems that need protection

Read the passage and answer the question. Habits are the small decisions we make so often that they become automatic. Researchers estimate that a large share of what we do each day is driven by habit rather than conscious choice. A habit has three parts: a cue that triggers it, a routine that follows, and a reward that makes the brain want to repeat it. Because of this loop, trying to break a bad habit through willpower alone often fails. A more effective approach is to keep the same cue and reward but replace the routine. Someone who snacks when bored, for example, might take a short walk when boredom strikes, which still offers a break and a small sense of pleasure. Good habits are also easier to build when they are small. Reading two pages a day feels effortless, yet over a year it adds up to several books. The key insight is that lasting change rarely comes from dramatic resolutions; it comes from small actions repeated consistently until they no longer require effort. According to the passage, what are the three parts of a habit?

1. AA cue, a routine and a reward
2. BA decision, an action and a regret
3. CA goal, a plan and a result
4. DWillpower, effort and motivation

Read the passage and answer the question. Habits are the small decisions we make so often that they become automatic. Researchers estimate that a large share of what we do each day is driven by habit rather than conscious choice. A habit has three parts: a cue that triggers it, a routine that follows, and a reward that makes the brain want to repeat it. Because of this loop, trying to break a bad habit through willpower alone often fails. A more effective approach is to keep the same cue and reward but replace the routine. Someone who snacks when bored, for example, might take a short walk when boredom strikes, which still offers a break and a small sense of pleasure. Good habits are also easier to build when they are small. Reading two pages a day feels effortless, yet over a year it adds up to several books. The key insight is that lasting change rarely comes from dramatic resolutions; it comes from small actions repeated consistently until they no longer require effort. Why does breaking a bad habit through willpower alone often fail?

1. ABecause people do not want to change
2. BBecause habits cannot be changed at all
3. CBecause willpower is only useful for good habits
4. DBecause the habit loop of cue and reward remains active

Read the passage and answer the question. Habits are the small decisions we make so often that they become automatic. Researchers estimate that a large share of what we do each day is driven by habit rather than conscious choice. A habit has three parts: a cue that triggers it, a routine that follows, and a reward that makes the brain want to repeat it. Because of this loop, trying to break a bad habit through willpower alone often fails. A more effective approach is to keep the same cue and reward but replace the routine. Someone who snacks when bored, for example, might take a short walk when boredom strikes, which still offers a break and a small sense of pleasure. Good habits are also easier to build when they are small. Reading two pages a day feels effortless, yet over a year it adds up to several books. The key insight is that lasting change rarely comes from dramatic resolutions; it comes from small actions repeated consistently until they no longer require effort. What does the passage suggest as a better way to change a bad habit?

1. AMake a dramatic new year resolution
2. BAvoid every situation that causes boredom
3. CRemove all rewards from one's life
4. DKeep the cue and reward but replace the routine