Reading Comprehension is an important topic in the English Language section of the IBPS RRB PO Exam. It tests candidates’ ability to understand passages, identify key information, and answer questions based on the given content. Regular practice helps improve reading speed and accuracy.
Reading Comprehension for IBPS RRB PO, FREE Practice PDF
Prepare effectively with our FREE Reading Comprehension Practice PDF, designed according to the latest IBPS RRB PO exam pattern. The PDF includes exam-oriented passages and questions with detailed solutions to strengthen your English preparation.
Reading Comprehension for IBPS RRB PO, FREE Live Quiz
After completing the practice PDF, attempt our FREE Reading Comprehension Live Quiz to practise in an exam-like environment. The quiz helps you improve reading speed, comprehension, and accuracy.
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.
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?
Quiz Summary
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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.
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?
Quiz Summary
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