XAT Reading Comprehension Questions with Answers & Explanations

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. CWillpower, effort and motivation
4. DA goal, a plan and a result
5. ENone of these

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. ALess free time and more stress
2. BFewer friends
3. CHigher salaries
4. DHigher happiness and a stronger sense of purpose
5. ENone of these

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. AWriting software
2. BOrganising events
3. CRepairing cars
4. DPlaying music
5. ENone of these

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

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. Avolunteers leaving and returning repeatedly
2. Bthe yearly calendar of events
3. Cboth the giver and the receiver being better off
4. Dthe training programme for volunteers
5. ENone of these

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. AVolunteering is a waste of time
2. BOnly young people should volunteer
3. CVolunteering benefits both volunteers and communities when well organised
4. DHospitals do not need volunteers
5. ENone of these

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. BBarley
3. CMaize
4. DRagi
5. ENone of these

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 grow only in cold climates
4. DThey need heavy irrigation
5. ENone of these

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. BFibre
3. CCalcium
4. DVitamin C
5. ENone of these

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

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 were banned
2. BDiets shifted towards rice and wheat
3. CMillets lost all their nutrients
4. DMillets became very expensive to import
5. ENone of these

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. ASleep was needed only by children
2. BThe brain worked harder during sleep than during the day
3. CThe brain simply switched off during sleep
4. DSleep was harmful to memory
5. ENone of these

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 replayed and made more stable
3. CThey are permanently erased
4. DThey are moved to short-term storage
5. ENone of these

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 avoid all revision
3. CThey study for longer hours
4. DThey take more breaks during exams
5. ENone of these

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. AChanges in mood
2. BReduced attention
3. CImproved creativity
4. DPoorer decision-making
5. ENone of these

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. ASleep only on weekends
2. BAvoid studying in the evening
3. CSpread study across days and sleep seven to eight hours
4. DStudy all night before the exam
5. ENone of these

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 get free mobile phones
2. BA transaction record that can help them obtain loans
3. CThey can avoid all customers who pay cash
4. DThey no longer need to pay taxes
5. ENone of these

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. AOlder citizens and first-time smartphone users
2. BBank employees
3. CShopkeepers in large cities
4. DYoung students only
5. ENone of these

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. AOnly to send money
2. BNever
3. CBoth to send and to receive money
4. DOnly to receive money
5. ENone of these

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. AUse only cash for large purchases
2. BVerify the name before approving a payment
3. CNever share a PIN or one-time password
4. DRemember that receiving money needs no PIN
5. ENone of these