Reading Comprehension Questions for IBPS PO, Live PDF & Quiz

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Published on 7 July 2026 by
Reading Comprehension Questions for IBPS PO

Practicing reading comprehension questions is a key part of preparing for the English language section of the IBPS PO exam. As one of the most frequently tested topics in both the Preliminary and Main examinations, it assesses a candidate’s ability to grasp ideas, interpret information, draw logical conclusions, and understand the tone and purpose of a passage. Since passages are often based on banking, economy, business, social issues, or current affairs, regular practice also helps candidates become comfortable with exam-relevant content.

Reading Comprehension Questions for IBPS PO, FREE PDF

To make your preparation more effective, we have created a free IBPS PO Reading Comprehension Questions PDF containing a wide range of practice passages with detailed explanations. The questions are designed according to the latest banking exam pattern and cover different difficulty levels to strengthen your comprehension and analytical skills. With this PDF, you can:

  • Practice exam-oriented Reading Comprehension passages
  • Improve your ability to identify the main idea and supporting details
  • Develop better accuracy in inference and vocabulary-based questions
  • Enhance time management while solving lengthy passages
  • Prepare confidently for both IBPS PO Prelims and Mains
Download IBPS PO Reading Comprehension Questions FREE PDF

Reading Comprehension Questions for IBPS PO, FREE Quiz

Attempting regular quizzes helps improve reading speed, strengthens analytical thinking, and familiarizes candidates with the latest question patterns asked in banking exams.

Practice Set 1: Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth, often called the “rainforests of the sea.” They cover less than one percent of the ocean floor yet support more than twenty-five percent of all marine species. Reefs are built by tiny animals called coral polyps, which secrete calcium carbonate to form hard skeletons. Over thousands of years, these skeletons accumulate to create the enormous reef structures we see today.

Despite their extraordinary richness, coral reefs are in serious danger. Rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change trigger a process known as coral bleaching, in which corals expel the colourful algae living in their tissues. Without these algae, the coral turns white and, if the stress persists, dies. Scientists estimate that nearly half of the world’s coral reefs have already been lost in the last few decades.

Human activities compound the problem. Overfishing removes species that keep algae in check, allowing it to smother corals. Agricultural runoff carries fertilizers that further fuel algal growth. Coastal construction destroys reef habitats directly. Yet there is cautious hope: marine protected areas, where fishing and development are restricted, have shown that reefs can recover when given the chance. Scientists are also experimenting with coral gardening—growing heat-resistant coral fragments in nurseries and transplanting them onto damaged reefs.

Reading Comprehension for IBPS PO Practice Set 1 Score: 0.00

Passage 1: Coral Reefs

Q1. What could be the reasons behind the rapid decline of coral reefs worldwide?

I. Rising ocean temperatures cause coral bleaching.
II. Overfishing and agricultural runoff disturb the reef ecosystem.
III. Coral polyps have stopped producing calcium carbonate due to pollution.

Q2. Which of the following is the actual reason corals turn white during bleaching?

Q3. Why does the author describe coral reefs as the ‘rainforests of the sea’?

Q4. Which of the following best describes the overall tone of the author in the passage?

Q5. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for the passage?

Q6. Which of the following could be the antonym of ‘compound’ as used in the passage?

Q7. Which of the following could be the synonym of ‘expel’ as used in the passage?

Q8. What does the term ‘coral gardening’ refer to in the passage?

Q9. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the passage?

I. Marine protected areas are a proven strategy that can aid reef recovery.
II. Coral reefs will completely disappear within the next decade.
III. Agricultural practices far from the coast can still affect coral reefs.

Q10. According to the passage, what role do algae play in the survival of corals?

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Practice Set 2: The Science of Sleep

For centuries, sleep was thought to be a passive state—a time when the body and brain simply switched off. Modern science has overturned this view entirely. We now know that during sleep, the brain is extraordinarily active, performing functions that are impossible to carry out while we are awake. One of the most critical of these functions is memory consolidation. While we sleep, the brain replays the experiences of the day, transferring information from short-term storage in the hippocampus to long-term storage in the cortex. Students who sleep after learning new material consistently outperform those who stay awake, even if the sleepless group spends that time reviewing the material further.

Sleep also plays a vital role in physical health. During deep sleep, the body releases growth hormone, repairs tissues, and strengthens the immune system. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and a significantly shortened lifespan. Alarmingly, people who sleep fewer than six hours a night are four times more likely to catch a cold when exposed to a cold virus than those who sleep eight hours or more.

Despite this evidence, modern lifestyles push sleep to the margins. Artificial light, digital screens, and the glorification of busyness have created what scientists call a global sleep-deprivation epidemic. The solution, experts argue, is not simply sleeping longer but sleeping better—maintaining consistent sleep schedules, limiting screen exposure before bed, and creating a cool, dark environment for rest.

Reading Comprehension for IBPS PO Practice Set 2 Score: 0.00

Passage 2: The Science of Sleep

Q11. What could be the consequences of chronic sleep deprivation as mentioned in the passage?

I. Increased risk of obesity and diabetes.
II. Weakening of the immune system.
III. Permanent damage to the hippocampus.

Q12. What is the primary purpose of the brain’s activity during sleep according to the passage?

Q13. Why do students who sleep after learning outperform those who stay awake reviewing material?

Q14. Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward modern lifestyles and sleep?

Q15. What does the passage suggest as a solution to the sleep-deprivation epidemic?

Q16. Which of the following could be the antonym of ‘consolidation’ as used in the passage?

Q17. Which of the following could be the synonym of ‘glorification’ as used in the passage?

Q18. The statistic about people sleeping fewer than six hours being more likely to catch a cold is used to:

Q19. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the passage?

I. Sufficient sleep is as important as diet and exercise for good health.
II. Memory formation is entirely dependent on sleep and cannot occur while awake.
III. Environmental factors such as light and temperature affect the quality of sleep.

Q20. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for the passage?

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