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RBI Grade B Reading Comprehension Questions with Answers & Explanations

20 Reading Comprehension questions from the English Language section of RBI Grade B, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. Try each question first, then tap Show answer to check. When you're ready, take the timed chapter-wise test to see your all-India rank.

Question 1

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. ABasmati
  2. BRagi
  3. CMaize
  4. DBarley
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ragi
Question 2

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 can grow in poor soil with little water
  2. BThey must be grown under shade
  3. CThey need heavy irrigation
  4. DThey grow only in cold climates
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (A) They can grow in poor soil with little water
Question 3

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. AFibre
  2. BCalcium
  3. CVitamin C
  4. DIron
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (C) Vitamin C
Question 4

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. A2020
  2. B2023
  3. C2018
  4. D2025
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2023
Question 5

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. AMillets became very expensive to import
  2. BMillets lost all their nutrients
  3. CMillets were banned
  4. DDiets shifted towards rice and wheat
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (D) Diets shifted towards rice and wheat
Question 6

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. AThey no longer need to pay taxes
  2. BA transaction record that can help them obtain loans
  3. CThey can avoid all customers who pay cash
  4. DThey get free mobile phones
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (B) A transaction record that can help them obtain loans
Question 7

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. Who are described as especially vulnerable to fraud?

  1. AYoung students only
  2. BBank employees
  3. COlder citizens and first-time smartphone users
  4. DShopkeepers in large cities
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (C) Older citizens and first-time smartphone users
Question 8

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. According to the passage, when is a PIN required?

  1. ANever
  2. BOnly to receive money
  3. COnly to send money
  4. DBoth to send and to receive money
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (C) Only to send money
Question 9

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. Which of the following is NOT one of the safety rules mentioned?

  1. ARemember that receiving money needs no PIN
  2. BVerify the name before approving a payment
  3. CNever share a PIN or one-time password
  4. DUse only cash for large purchases
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (D) Use only cash for large purchases
Question 10

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 simply switched off during sleep
  2. BSleep was needed only by children
  3. CThe brain worked harder during sleep than during the day
  4. DSleep was harmful to memory
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (A) The brain simply switched off during sleep

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Question 11

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 happens to memories during deep sleep?

  1. AThey are converted into dreams only
  2. BThey are moved to short-term storage
  3. CThey are replayed and made more stable
  4. DThey are permanently erased
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (C) They are replayed and made more stable
Question 12

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. Why do students who sleep well after studying remember more?

  1. ATheir memories are consolidated during sleep
  2. BThey study for longer hours
  3. CThey avoid all revision
  4. DThey take more breaks during exams
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (A) Their memories are consolidated during sleep
Question 13

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. Which effect of poor sleep is NOT mentioned in the passage?

  1. APoorer decision-making
  2. BChanges in mood
  3. CReduced attention
  4. DImproved creativity
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (D) Improved creativity
Question 14

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 advice does the passage give to learners?

  1. ASpread study across days and sleep seven to eight hours
  2. BSleep only on weekends
  3. CAvoid studying in the evening
  4. DStudy all night before the exam
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (A) Spread study across days and sleep seven to eight hours
Question 15

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. AWillpower, effort and motivation
  2. BA decision, an action and a regret
  3. CA cue, a routine and a reward
  4. DA goal, a plan and a result
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (C) A cue, a routine and a reward
Question 16

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 habits cannot be changed at all
  2. BBecause willpower is only useful for good habits
  3. CBecause the habit loop of cue and reward remains active
  4. DBecause people do not want to change
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (C) Because the habit loop of cue and reward remains active
Question 17

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. ARemove all rewards from one's life
  2. BAvoid every situation that causes boredom
  3. CKeep the cue and reward but replace the routine
  4. DMake a dramatic new year resolution
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (C) Keep the cue and reward but replace the routine
Question 18

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. The example of "reading two pages a day" is used to show that

  1. Areading is the best habit of all
  2. Bsmall actions repeated consistently add up
  3. Clarge goals are easy to achieve
  4. Dbooks should be read slowly
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (B) small actions repeated consistently add up
Question 19

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. Which word is closest in meaning to "effortless" as used in the passage?

  1. APointless
  2. BEasy
  3. CCareful
  4. DTiring
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (B) Easy
Question 20

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 must be grown under shade
  2. BThey can grow in poor soil with little water
  3. CThey need heavy irrigation
  4. DThey grow only in cold climates
  5. ENone of these
Show answer
Answer: (B) They can grow in poor soil with little water

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