What type of Reading Comprehension passages are there in XAT?

In XAT, Reading Comprehension passages are usually taken from Philosophy, Psychology, History, Art, research articles. Sometime, the XAT RC section also has poems. These areas are chosen to test the candidates, who are largely Science, Commerce and Engineering graduates, on their ability to come out of their comfort zone and adapt to unfamiliar situations. Out of 26 questions, about 14-16 questions are based on RC passages or a poem. Candidates must target solving about 10 questions accurately to score well. XAT has negative marking so do not mark an option as your answer if you are not 100 percent sure of it.

How many RC questions does CAT have?

The CAT VARC section is dominated by RC questions. Out of 24 questions about 14-16 are based on Reading Comprehension passages and the rest of them are based on parajumbles, para completion, etc. CAT has about 12-16 RC question. Since, it is not mandatory to solve all the questions, candidates can maximize their scores by leaving out the questions related to the passage they find the toughest. There is negative marking in CAT so candidates must ensure that they mark only the correct options or do not mark any option at all.

What is the best preparation strategy for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension?

To prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, stick to the traditional path of concepts first and practice later. Study English grammar and Verbal Ability first to understand the concept. Then practice a number of sample questions of different kinds to gain confidence, speed and accuracy. For RC passages, develop the habit of reading from early stages. Read books from all walks of life. Practicing sample Reading Comprehension passages and questions in a crucial part of VARC preparation. This will help you understand the types of questions and RC passages asked in various entrance exams. As an aspirant, you will be appearing for more than one entrance exam, thus you need to have the practice of different types of RC passages.

How early should I start reading novels for Reading Comprehension?

To develop reading habit, one should start reading books and newspapers every day for at least one hour daily from at least six to eight months before the exam. Ideally, you should start reading books from a year before the entrance exam you are planning to appear for. We say so because, reading depends a lot on one’s interest. You need to first build interest in reading. Candidate who have to habit or interest in reading may not find it too difficult to read 100 pages every day, but those who have no interest in reading will have to develop it. So, start reading early on and read a variety of books. Start will books having easy language, once you develop interest and speed, move to books with tough English.

Is the CAT syllabus difficult?

Yes CAT syllabus is difficult to crack if you do not have enough time. There are three subjects in CAT- VARC, DILR and Quantitative Aptitude. Most of candidates find RC passages tough to crack. In Quants, Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry pose significant challenge during preparation. In DILR, Reasoning questions often turnout to be tricky and confusion.

What are the important topics of CAT syllabus from which maximum questions are asked?

CAT lays a lot of emphasis on analytical skills so the questions are asked mostly from those topics which require deep learning and practice. The three sections of CAT question paper are designed in such a way that candidates have to use their ability of minute observation and fast calculation. Shared below are the section wise main topics from which questions are asked in CAT. Verbal Ability: Parajumbles, Parasummary, Sentence Completion and Inferences Reading Comprehension: Questions based on passages, Para meaning, Order of sentences Data Interpretation: Tables, Graphs, Pie Charts, Venn Diagram, Data Sufficiency Logical Reasoning: Blood Relation, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Sets and Caselets, Family Tree, Assumptions Quantitative Aptitude: Geometry, Algebra Number System Modern Math, Arithmetic, Mensuration The difficulty level of CAT questions is usually moderate to high. Only a few questions are easy and quick to solve. To crack the CAT exam, one needs to pay attention to the abovementioned topics.

Is CMAT syllabus the same as that of CAT?

Yes, syllabus of CMAT and CAT are same and include: 1. Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation: Mensuration Number System Algebra Time-Speed-Distance, Allegation and Mixtures, Geometry, Graph, Quadratic and Linear Equations, etc. 2. Logical Reasoning: Analytical Reasoning, Linear Arrangements, Number Series, Matrix Arrangements, Blood Relationship Tests, etc. 3. Language Comprehension: Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability, Vocabulary, Grammar, English Usage Errors, Para jumbles, etc. However, CMAT has two extra sections - General Knowledge and Innovation and Entrepreneurship, topics of which are mentioned below: 4. General Awareness: Economy, Business, World, Politics, Sports, Culture, Society, Arts, Awards, Inventions 5. Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Questions related to innovation, entrepreneurship and start up business, models of entrepreneurship, Emerging Trends in Social Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Society, Rural Entrepreneurship, etc.

What is the syllabus of General English section of SNAP?

The SNAP General English syllabus is similar to that of other MBA entrance exams. It includes passages, Syllogisms, Analogies, Grammar, Antonym-Synonym, One Word Substitution, Similar Sounding Words, Parajumbles and Fill in the Blanks. This is the shortest section of SNAP having only 15 questions. Most of the questions are usually based on English grammar. For the past 2 years, no Reading Comprehension passage is seen in the exam. However, candidates still need to practice Reading Comprehension passages as it has not been completely scrapped. Preparation for the exam as per the SNAP syllabus requires not much time to prepare if your English is strong. But if it is not, then you must start studying English much earlier as developing hold on a language requires time.

In how many months can I prepare for XAT?

Ideally, XAT preparation takes six to nine months, but if candidates have prepared for CAT too, XAT preparation can be done in lesser time as one will have to only work on Decision Making and General Knowledge topics. Those who are weak in English Comprehension must start reading practice early on. The ideal time to start XAT preparation is May, so you can cover the whole syllabus by October and dedicate two months to mock test practice. If you start studying for XAT late, by July or so, make sure you complete the syllabus by October only. Remember that XAT syllabus is tough, so you’ll need to study at least 6-8 hours daily from start until the end. Give ample time to yourself to complete the XAT syllabus.

What are the important topics of MAT exam?

Questions in MAT are asked from verbal ability, reading comprehension, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, arrangement, coding decoding, graphs and tables, family tree, blood relation, clocks and calendars, time, speed and distance, statements, etc.

What is the latest CMAT exam pattern?

Latest CMAT exam pattern is given below: Question paper carries 100 MCQs Each section has 20 question Exam duration is 180 minutes Each question carries 4 marks There is no negative marking

Is the question paper of MAT IBT different from MAT CBT or PBT?

No, the question paper of MAT IBT is not different from MAT CBT or PBT. The test pattern, time duration, question type and marking scheme are the same for all three modes. Candidates can choose to appear for any exam mode with the worry of doing exam specific preparation. The only difference between MAT IBT and MAT CBT or PBT is that MAT IBT is a remote proctored exam and can be taken from any location unlike MAT CBT or PBT which are held at designated exam centres. The MAT question paper of every session however is different. All the 200 questions of each question paper is unique. The difficulty level is the same- easy to moderate but since the questions are different from each other candidates can feel slight difference in the difficulty level. The questions for every session are chosen randomly so in one session the paper can be overall easy while in another session the exam can be slightly difficult.

What are the topics on which I should read books for RC preparation?

Candidates must read books on economy, philosophy, science, astronomy, psychology, sociology, history, geography, psychoanalysis, economics, astronomy, art & culture, literature, fiction novels, auto-biographies and biographies. Most of the passages that appear in any MBA entrance exam are based on these topics. The RC passages length may vary but most of the times the language is tough with foreign words and expressions or a good amount of data. It is also recommended to candidates to read research papers, survey reports, etc. to have the practice of understanding and relating data in a quick read. Always refer to dictionary for word meanings while reading books.

Which type of questions does VARC section of an entrance exam comprise?

The VARC section of any MBA entrance exam or a competitive exam typically comprises MCQs based on Grammatical concepts like tenses, articles, noun/pronoun, conjunctions, subject-verb agreement; Verbal Ability questions on word meaning, one-word substitution, fill in the blanks, parajumbles, para completion, antonyms/synonyms, etc. Apart from these, every VARC section has reading comprehension passages of 300 to 900 words. Candidates have to answer questions based on these passages. In MBA entrances exams, you will find RC passages dominating CAT, XAT, IIFT, NMAT, GMAT, whereas there will be less of them MAT, CMAT, ATMA. In SNAP there is no RC passages anymore.

Which are the best books for VARC preparation?

Best books for VARC preparation are Word Power Made Easy by Normal Lewis and High School English Grammar by Wren & Martin. Apart from these two books, students must refer to practice books such as, How To Prepare For Verbal Ability And Reading Comprehension For CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay, The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability for the CAT and Other MBA Entrance Examinations by Sujit Kumar and The Pearson Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT by Nishit K Sinha. These books are recommended for all the MBA entrance exams as well as other competitive exams.

Why is it necessary to practice sample questions of VARC preparation?

It is necessary to practice sample questions for preparation of Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension because all the MBA entrance exams are speed based test and there is just about minute allotted to each question. By practicing sample questions, you will get the practice of reading 600 plus words passages quickly, develop speed and accuracy in solving question and learn the skill to choose which question to answer and which one to skip to avoid negative marking. Practicing sample questions will also give you prior experience of different types of Reading Comprehension questions of different exams. Remember that same preparation formula cannot be applied to all entrance exams.

Is it true that someone who is weak in English, cannot score well in Verbal Ability?

No, it is not true that someone who is weak in English can’t score well in Verbal Ability. If one works hard and prepares well for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, they can score well in the section. One only needs to have the drive and discipline. They will require to start preparation for this subject earlier than those who have a good command over the language. Start reading books and novels. Keep a dictionary and mark the difficult words. Make notes of common idioms and phrases. Revise word meaning and concepts of Grammar every alternate day. Practice questions and mock tests.

Examples of Articles: Practice Questions with Answers for MBA Preparation; Download PDF

Updated on May 22, 2026 17:25 IST

By Vipra Shrivastava, Senior Manager - Content

In English language, there are two Articles (a/an and the). They are used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. Correct usage of Articles in English is not as easy as it seems. People often confuse between the two which may change the meaning of the sentence. The most common error is choosing between a and the. As easy as it may sound, Article usage can be confusing. Let's understand Articles and its usage here.

Table of contents

What are Articles?
Definition of Articles
Types of Articles
Omission of Articles
Examples of Articles Exercises With Answers
VARC practice questions for practice with answers PDFs

What are Articles?

English Grammar is a crucial part of the syllabus of MBA entrance exams. Hence, it is a must for MBA aspirants to be thorough with the concepts of English Grammar. Articles are one such topic which is considered as one of the foundations of English Grammar. To ensure a high score in the Verbal Ability section, MBA aspirants must focus on building conceptual clarity and get enough practice. Here we will discuss the concept of Articles with examples as well as exercises for practice purpose.

Also Read: MBA Preparation 2025: Tips to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams

Definition of Articles

Articles can be defined as words which modify nouns and help them identify as a specific or non-specific word. Articles act as determiners to identify the type of noun. Articles consist of three words – The, A and An. While ‘the’ is prefixed to a specific noun or word and not a generic one.

Example: Emily lost the umbrella gifted by her mother.

On the other hand, ‘a’ and ‘an’ are used before generic words, which does not have a specific value or significance attached to it. Usage of ‘a’ or ‘an’ depends upon vowel or non-vowel words. While ‘an’ is prefixed to words starting with a vowel letter or letters sounding like vowels, ‘a’ is prefixed to words starting with consonants.

Example: Ron gifted a book of poems to Rita.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Types of Articles

There are broadly two types of Articles – Definite and Indefinite. Let us take a look at each of them.

Definite Articles

The is the only Definite Article. As the name suggests, Definite Article or ‘The’ refers to a specific noun or object. Prefixing ‘the’ to a word infers a specific value or significance. Following are some of the examples which will help students understand the concept of Definite Articles or usage of ‘The’ in a sentence in a better way.

Examples: The President of India graced the event with his August presence.

The mango tree in my garden was uprooted in last night’s storm.
The chocolate cake baked by Rose was delicious.
The apples I bought last week has rotten.
The concert I attended last evening was disappointing.

Definite Articles are also used for countries which have words like Kingdom, States or Republic in it. For example, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, The Republic of Congo, to name a few.

Indefinite Articles

Indefinite Articles refer to ‘a’ and ‘an’, which are prefixed before nouns or words, which are used in a generic sense. The usage of Indefinite Articles varies according to the words used in a sentence. Indefinite Articles are always used before singular nouns. In the case of plural nouns, either Definite Article or ‘The’ is used or no articles are used.

Examples:

Let us check the above explanations of Indefinite Articles with examples.

Article Usage with singular consonants:

Please pass me a banana from the fruit basket.
Always keep a pen and paper handy while attending a meeting.
Let’s gift the kid a ball.
I had a great time at the party last night.
My mother is a doctor.

Article Usage with singular vowels:

I will give you an ice cream if you finish your homework on time.
Eat an egg every day for good health.
Writing with an ink pen can improve your handwriting.
It is an open and shut case.
There is an oval shape table in the room.

Exceptions

There are certain exceptions while using Indefinite Articles. Even though ‘a’ precedes consonants and ‘an’ precedes vowels, there are certain consonants which sound like vowels, where ‘an’ is used instead of ‘a’. Sample these:

Examples

Rajesh is an honest man.
Pursuing an MBA from a top college can give a boost to your career.
Marriage is a union of two souls.
Sonali is a university topper.
It took me a year to recover from the disease.

Also Read: Tense in English Grammar

Omission of Articles

Although Articles are widely used across sentences, it is not mandatory to put Articles in every sentence. The instances, wherein you can omit Article usage are as follows:

Nouns referring to abstract ideas.

Examples

Let’s go out for dinner tonight.
Cricket is my favourite sport.

Notably, using ‘a’ or ‘the’ before dinner or cricket is not applicable.

Nouns referring to uncountable things.

Examples

Please give me some water.
Throw some light on the matter.

Since water or light are uncountable matters, instead of 'a', 'some' is used to quantify the noun.

Article usage is also omitted in case of mentioning language or country or nationality, but there are exceptions in this as well, which depends on the usage of the word in a sentence.

Examples:

I studied Hindi for four years in my schools.
The northern part of India is a Hindi speaking belt.

Examples of Articles Exercises With Answers

Here are some examples cum practices questions on Articles, for MBA aspirants to check their knowledge and understanding:

Q1: All I need now is _ hot cup of coffee.

Q2: Where is _ letter sent by your teacher?

Q3: This perfume has _ mild fragrance.

Q4: I admire _ photographs you clicked in Paris.

Q5: Let’s go for _ vacation in _ mountains.

Q6: Have you seen _ charger of my laptop?

Q7: The book is _ anthology of poems by Rabindranath Tagore.

Q8: Goa was _ Portuguese colony in India.

Q9: Pather Panchali is _ Oscar-winning movie directed by Satyajit Ray.

Q10: There is _ important announcement to be made today.

Q11: Where is _ book I gave you last week?

Q12: What is _ breed of your dog?

Q13: France is _ European country.

Q14: The report gives _ interesting insight into the current market situation.

Q15: I reached the venue _ hour ago.

Q16: Can you bring me _ umbrella hanging on the wall?

Q17: It was a thunderous night and __ palm tree in my backyard was swaying furiously.

Q18: Would you like to read __ book on World War II?

Q19: Where is ___ purse I gave you last week?

Q20: I reached the centre _____ hour ago.

Q21: Paris is ___ European city.

Q22: The weather is so hot outside. It is impossible to go out during _ day.

Q23: Where can I find _ good book on Industrial Revolution?

Q24: Where is _ ticket counter for the carnival?

Q25: _ tissue paper was found in the food container.

Q26: “It is important to revise the chapters,” _ teacher said.

Q27: Sharon will be leaving from office early. She has _ appointment with dentist.

Q28: We saw monkeys hiding behind _ wall of our school.

Q29: I am not sure of _ origin of this fable.

Q30: It is always recommended to consult _ specialist for medical treatment.

Q31: I was scared when I heard _ knock on my door late at night.

Q32: First born child is always _ responsible one.

Q33: I did nothing wrong by pointing out the hypocrisy. I don't own _ apology to anyone.

Q34: How to check that _ apples are raw or ripe?

Q35: Who is to be blamed for _ fire that occured yesterday at _store?

Answers:

Q1: a Q2: the Q3: a Q4: the Q5: a, the Q6: the Q7: an Q8: a Q9: an Q10: an Q11: the Q12: the Q13: a Q14: an Q15: an Q16: the Q17: the Q18: a Q19: the Q20: an Q21: a Q22. the Q23.a Q24.the Q25. a Q26. the Q27. ad Q28. the Q29. the Q30. a Q31. a Q32. the Q33. an Q34. the Q35. the

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VARC practice questions for practice with answers PDFs

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