Reading Comprehension for RBI Grade B Phase 2 Exam, Master RC

Are you speeding your descritive writing preparation? Reading Comprehension (RC) is an essential part of RBI Grade B Phase 2 exam’s English Descriptive Paper, which is worth 100 mark. Keep in mind, there’s no sectional timing in this paper. You’ll get get 90 minutes for penning an Essay, a Precis, and answering Reading Comprehension. That means, you must manage your time smartly. No one will stop you after 20 minutes and say you need to move to the next section now. That’s why it’s generally seen that an aspirant considers the RC question type to be tough, while at the same time, it is also perceived as time-consuming. Though we do not refute the claim that RC question types can be time-consuming, we would contradict the notion that they are difficult. Now, let’s discuss why starting RC preparation early is important and how to tackle it effectively, reducing the time taken to answer correctly.

Practical Steps to Answer the Reading Comprehension Section

As you would already be aware, RC passages are followed by descriptive questions which are either fact-based or inference-based. That require written answers, not multiple-choice selections. Further, RC also enables the examiner to test the vocabulary and grammar skills of the candidate. 

The Reading Comprehension will test your comprehension skills with around 5 descriptive questions based on a single passage. Your answers must be drawn directly from the passage and no guesswork.

While the examiner may choose any topic, recent RBI papers often feature passages on Banking, Economy, Ethics, Technology, and Social Issues. Therefore, tackling RC can be a hard task if a proper strategy is not made. 

Hence, we would suggest that you prepare for RC by breaking it into a three-step process: 

Step 1. Speed Up Your Reading Without Missing Important Points

The first and foremost thing you should do is to read the passage to understand it. Your focus should be on deriving the message the passage is trying to communicate. You get a strategic edge by finding the the main idea early.

Hence, you need to be extra careful while reading the first paragraph. And the next paragraphs most of the time revolve around the main idea that is present in the first paragraph. Also, we would suggest you increase your reading speed once you have identified the problem/main idea. 

However, ensure that you don’t get lost in it. Remember that you are not required to master every bit of the information given.

Your descriptive answers should reflect a clear understanding. 

Step 2. Break Down Comprehension Passages

A comprehension passage mostly has three components. These components are the Problem Statement or the Main Idea, the Background Information (this may include facts, data, examples, etc.), and Results or Conclusion. The whole passage revolves around the main idea (generally, there will be only one main idea), and so you should look at cracking this. 

The best way to figure this out is by questioning yourself whether the passage is trying to explain this point. If you feel that, it will be your main idea or the problem statement. The background information will generally set a context for the main idea by citing some facts, data, or examples. 

In the third component, the author will mostly try to prove the main idea and might state some consequences. Although not every passage includes a conclusion. But if present, it may often support the main idea of the passage. And so it should be reflected in your written answer.

Step 3. Answering RC Questions Correctly

You need to answer the questions that follow after reading the passage and understanding it carefully. It would not be a tough task to answer the questions after reading the passage carefully. 

Keep in mind, every question will refer to a particular line in the passage. And so, you should smartly go back to the passage and read the 3 to 4 lines above the line referred to to get the answer.

This technique helps you frame accurate, relevant descriptive answers aligned with RBI’s emphasis on clarity and coherence.

Tips to prepare for RBI Grade B Reading Comprehension:

Now that we have discussed the strategy you may follow while tackling the RC question, we would also recommend that you go through the guidelines below that might come in handy while preparing for this section:

1. Read Every Day for The Next 40 days

Cultivate a daily reading habit of reading fast, but with understanding. This is of utmost importance as the time you spend on answering RC questions is directly proportional to how quickly you can read. To improve upon this, we would suggest that you do two things. First, start reading newspapers, magazines, journals, books, or anything you like, as it will get you into the habit of reading. Second, start practicing descriptive RC in the same exam environment as it is in the actual RBI exam, with the same format and typing conditions.

This will help you to understand the type of topics that you may encounter in the real exam. You must keep in mind that there is no shortcut to mastering the art of answering a Reading Comprehension. You cannot attain mastery in just a day or a week before the exam. 

In short, you should start focusing on improving your comprehension skills before the exam day. 

2. Start with the Passage, Then the Question

The moment you encounter the passage, you should first read it quickly, at least once, and try to find the problem statement of the main idea that the author is trying to communicate via his text. Only after grasping the passage should you read the question and start framing your written response.  

3. Pay Attention to the Specific Lines

As already mentioned, the questions will refer to a specific line. Hence, you should go to that line in the passage and start reading at least 3 to 4 lines above that. If you do this, you can answer the question correctly. 

4. Increase Your Vocabulary Arsenal

Your aim should also be to keep increasing the number of new words learnt every day. And nothing helps it better than reading more and more. The more you read, the more words you’ll get to build it. 

This will help you naturally figure out the passage fully and in a better way. Also, it will help you interpret nuanced vocabulary in passages and respond with precision.

5. Stay Away from ‘Mr. Distraction’ While Reading

Avoid diverting your mind when you’re reading the passage, as it will only lead to wasting your time. How? Because when you lose concentration, you read the passage multiple times to answer questions, and the pressure keeps building in such a situation. 

How can you then ensure you concentrate better? Practice in a silent room bereft of noises or other disturbances. Also, try to practice just as you are giving the real exam, to keep increasing your concentration levels and speed, and accuracy in the next 40 days.

6. Answer Quickly in the Exam

Practice reading comprehension questions via mock tests, and take them every alternate day. This will help you in your preparation as it will ensure that you get used to the RC questions and don’t feel the pressure while tackling this in the actual exam. 

Finally, keep in mind that in Paper 2, your English Writing Skills will be tested not just by RC but also by two other topics, Precis and Essay writing, as you’ll have to answer three long questions in 90 minutes. You aim should be to complete the RC response within 20 minutes. And then, you can invest time in Essay and Precis writing.

Bear in mind, each part has equal weightage in Paper 2.

RBI Grade B Phase 2 Paper 2 Exam Pattern
Paper	No. of Questions	Time Duration	Marks
Paper 2: English (Writing Skills)	Descriptive – 3 Questions (Precis, RCs, & Essay)	90 minutes	100

Know the the types of questions that attract questions in decriptive test.

Takeway

Remember, the objective of the RC question type is to assess your ability to understand and analyze the given information in a limited time, and you can ace this only if you have prepared and practised well. So, we suggest you start your RBI Grade B Reading Comprehension preparation today. Practice is the route to success.

Join our unique Telegram group immediately to skyrocket your preparation for Regulatory exams via expert guidance, top tips, perfect feedback, and much more!

[ Click Here to join the PracticeMock Telegram Group! ]

[ Click Here to join the PracticeMock Telegram Discussion Group Link! ]