MBA Preparation 2022: Practice Questions for Verbal Ability

Fill in the blanks with correct article.

1. Can you bring me _ umbrella hanging on the wall?

• • an
  • the
  • a

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

• • the
  • a
  • an

3. Would you like to read __ book on World War II?

• • the
  • a
  • an

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1. Choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.

(a) Every one of the hairbands has a pink flower.

(b) Every one of the hairbands have a pink flower.

2. Choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.

(a) Scarf and sunglasses are essential for a sunny day.

(b) Scarf and sunglasses is essential for a sunny day.

3. Choose the sentence in which the subject and verb agree.

(a) Either Jerry or Monica takes the dog for a walk every evening.

(b) Either Jerry or Monica take the dog for a walk every evening.

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1. Choose the correct sentence from the given options.

(a) While I was on my way to office today, I saw a tragic road accident.

(b) When I was on my way to office, I came to see a tragic road accident today.

(c) While going to the office, I saw this tragic road accident today.

2. Choose the correct sentence from the given options.

(a) Amanda’s medical expenses of cancer treatment was borne by the employer.

(b) Medical expenses were borne by the employer when Amanda was under treatment for cancer.

(c) The expense of Amanda’s cancer treatment was borne by her employer.

3. Choose the correct sentence from the given options.

(a) Why don’t you go out to get fresh air if you are feeling unwell.

(b) If you are feeling unwell then why don’t you go outside to feel fresh air.

(c) Why don’t you go to outside for fresh air if you are feeling unwell.

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Q 1. Identify the adverb clause in the sentence- "He lied to my face as if I knew nothing."

(a) She lied (b) I knew nothing (c) in my face (d) as if I knew nothing

Q 2. What type of clause is the following: "She went down the road."

(a) Dependent clause (b) Independent clause (c) Adverb clause (d) None of the above

Q 3. Identify the type of clause in the sentence- "I know a girl whose father is in the army."

(a) Adjective clause (b) Adverb clause (c) Independent clause (d) Noun clause

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1. Choose the odd word in the given set.

• Nephophile
• Dendrophile
• Autophile
• Pluviophile

2. Choose the odd word in the given set.

• Street
• Crossing
• Footpath
• Vehicle

3. Choose the odd word in the given set.

• Nebulizer
• Thermometer
• Oximeter
• Speedometer

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1. Select the antonym of Oscillate

• Steady
• Sturdy
• Composed
• Pitch

2. Select the antonym of Desecration

• Expectation
• Decision
• Discouragement
• Consecration

3. Select the antonym of Perilous.

• Developed
• Pristine
• Safe
• Fancy

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1. Choose the correct synonym for Subterfuge.

• Subtle
• Bluff
• Covering
• Conduct

2. Choose the correct synonym for Exasperation.

• Excitement
• Tiredness
• Annoyance
• Disappointment

3. Choose the correct synonym for Ostentatious.

• Showy
• Arrogant
• Social
• Fake

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Fill in the blanks with appropriate preposition.

1. I will meet you _ the concert.

(a) In

(b) By

(c) At

2. Rosie’s dog grabbed the toy and hid_ the table.

(a) Below

(b) Under

(c) In

3. Can you bring the box kept __ the printer.

(a) Next to

(b) By

(c) At

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1. Select the correct sentence from the options below:

(a) I kept walking with injured toe.

(b) With the injured toe I kept walking.

(c) I with injured toe kept walking.

2. Select the correct sentence from the options below:

(a) Nina sleeps with lights on in the night.

(b) Nina sleeps in the night with lights on.

(c) Nina with lights on sleeps in the night.

3. Select the correct sentence from the options below:

(a) Please lock the door after everybody has left.

(b) After everybody leaves please lock the door.

(c) Lock the door please after everybody has left.

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Q1. Choose the odd word in the given set.

a) Kanpur

b) Panji

c) Lucknow

d) Hyderabad

Q2. Choose the odd word in the given set.

a) Bake

b) Fry

c) Peel

d) Boil

Q3. Choose the odd word in the given set. 

a) Properly

b) Proudly

c) Rightly 

d) Well

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Q1. Choose the closest synonyms for Condescend.

a) Blame

b) Resist

c) Act Superior

d) Trick

Q2. Choose the closest synonym for Friable.

a) Ductile

b) Fragile

c) Rigid

d) Resilient

Q3. Choose the closest synonym for Profane.

a) Religious

b) Free

c) Moral

d) Irreligious

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Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option:

Q1. Dina ____ music class every Friday.

a) attends

b) attended

c) is attending

d) will attending

Q2. Raju is learning how ___ guitar.

a) playing

b) play

c) to play

d) to playing

Q3. Had you reached the stop on time, you _____ board the bus.

a) would

b) would have

c) will

d) will have

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Fill in the blanks:

Q1: Where is ___ notebook I gave you last week?

Q2: I reached the centre _____ hour ago.

Q3: Paris is ___ European city.

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Q1. The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

A. The eventual diagnosis was skin cancer and after the treatment, all seemed well.

B. The viola player didn't know what it was; nor did her GP.

C. Then a routine scan showed it had come back and spread to her lungs.

D. It started with a lump on Cathy Perkins' index finger. 

Q2. The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

A. Last January, I was invited to present a paper on the topic of whether the mistakes of the 20th century would be repeated in the 21st century as well. 

B. The economic crises hadn't become dire then. 

C. But today the world is in the midst of the biggest economic crisis since 1929. 

D. The key difference between then and now is that the old power structures have finally disappeared. 

E. Now even the US is pleading for financial help from China. 

Q3. The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

A. People can get infected by touching reptiles and their mouths or an open cut. 

B. At first, they look like the perfect pets: exotic, quiet and tidy. 

C. A study estimates that in 1995, there were as many as 6,700 reptile-caused salmonella infections. 

D. But lizards and other pets can harbour a salmonella bacterium that makes people sick. 

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Fill in the blanks with the correct option.

1. The political party, which is in majority in the parliament, __ support from the Opposition on important bills.

• expect
• expects

2. Sneha and Raj plan to get married in summer but Sneha's family__ it to happen in winter.

• want
• wants

3. Her spectacles___ broken.

• are
• is

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Fill in the blanks with the correct option:

Q1: In comparison ____winters, summer is better for picnics.

a) with

b) to

c) for

d) as

Q2: Denise walked _____ the street to visit the grocery store.

a) on

b) to

c) down

d) near

Q3: I haven't been to a movie theatre _____ last month.

a) for

b) ever

c) over

d) since

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Identify the type of clause in the sentences:

1. Although Raj thought that he is a good driver, he got a lot of tickets for speeding. 

a) Noun Clause

b) Adjective Clause

c) Adverb Clause

d) None of the above

2. This is the girl who talked to me yesterday.

a) Noun Clause

b) Adjective Clause

c) Adverb Clause

d) None of the above

3. He knows that his business will be successful.

a) Noun Clause

b) Adverb Clause

c) Adjective Clause

d) Independent Clause

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1. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) The Russian president was photographed hosting a meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron last week at the Kremlin, each sat at either end of the 20ft white and gold table.

(b) The Russian president hosting a meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron was photographed last week at the Kremlin, each sat at either end of the 20ft white and gold table.

(c) The Russian president was last week photographed at the Kremlin hosting a meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, each sat at either end of the 20ft white and gold table.

2. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) Manturov said Renault had decided to transfer the Avtovaz stake because it lacked the ability to keep its Russian operations going to the Moscow-based NAMI automobile and engine research institute

(b) Manturov said Renault had decided to transfer the Avtovaz stake to the Moscow-based NAMI automobile and engine research institute because it lacked the ability to keep its Russian operations going.

(c) Manturov said Renault had decided to transfer the Avtovaz stake to the Moscow-based NAMI automobile and engine research institute because it lacked the ability to keep its Russian operations going.

3. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) HDFC said while also offering a faster origination, improved operational efficiency, and reduced default rates; the proposed transaction would enable HDFC Bank to facilitate a larger quantum of credit into the priority sector including agriculture.

(b) HDFC said the proposed transaction would enable HDFC Bank to facilitate a larger quantum of credit into the priority sector including agriculture, while also offering a faster origination, improved operational efficiency, and reduced default rates.

(c) The proposed transaction HDFC said would enable HDFC Bank to facilitate a larger quantum of credit into the priority sector including agriculture, while also offering a faster origination, improved operational efficiency, and reduced default rates.

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Choose the antonym for the give word.

1. Abstemious

• • Dissipated
  • Fastidious
  • Prodigal
  • Punctilious

2. Chagrin

• • Swollen
  • Tempt
  • Ascetic
  • Pleased

3. Doleful

• • Steady
  • Happy
  • Rich
  • Happy

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Fill in the blanks with appropriate option.

1. I ___ the guitar for five years.

• Have been learning
• Learning
• am learning

2. Dina__ us next week.

• Will meet us
• Met us
• Will be meeting

3. The movie __ before we reached the cinema.

• Had started
• Will have started
• Will be starting

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1. Choose the closest synonym for Isolation

• Separation
• Amalgamation
• Mix
• Develop

2. Choose the closest synonym for Tenacious

• Smooth
• Flexible
• Brash
• Firm

3. Choose the closest synonym for Brevity

• Longevity
• Shortness
• Brave
• Intelligence

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1. Choose the odd word in the given set.

• Audience
• Spectator
• Viewer
• Crowd

2. Choose the odd word in the given set.

• Fleet of ships
• Pack of wolves
• School of fish
• Pride of lions

3. Choose the odd word in the given set.

• Dialogue
• Monologue
• Debate
• Discourse

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Select the correct sentence from the options below:

1. Rachel went out in the rain wearing a raincoat.
2. Rachel went wearing a raincoat in the rain.
3. Rachel wearing a raincoat went out in the rain.

Select the correct sentence from the options below:

1. Emma while sitting on the sofa fell asleep.
2. Emma fell asleep on the sofa.
3. Emma fell asleep while sitting on the sofa.

Select the correct sentence from the options below:

1. I before leaving for work had coffee and toast in breakfast.
2. I had coffee and toast before leaving for work in breakfast.
3. I had coffee and toast in breakfast before leaving for work.

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Fill in the blanks.

1. Let’s go for _ vacation in _ mountains. 

2. What is _ colour of your socks? 

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

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1. Spot the odd word out from the following set.

• Succinct
• Concise
• Crisp
• Discursive

2. Spot the odd word out from the following set.

• Pulchritude
• Beauty
• Unattractive
• Elegance

3. Spot the odd word out from the following set.

• Sharp
• Stinging
• Fierce
• Menacing

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Identify the type of clause in the sentences.  

1. Some people buy expensive clothes because they can.

(a) Noun Clause

(b) Independent Clause

(c) Adjective Clause

(d) Adverb Clause

2. Which is the guy who ate your sandwich?

(a)Adjective Clause

(b)Adverb Clause

(c) Noun Clause

(d) Conditional Clause

3. Rahul has lost the notebook which he bought.

(a)Noun Clause

(b)Adjective Clause

(c) Adverb Clause

(d) None of the above

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Fill in the blanks with appropriate options.

1. Rohan was standing __ the bridge to avoid getting wet in rain.

(a) Under

(b) Over

(c) At

(d) Beneath

2. There is an open air restaurant__ that building

(a) On

(b) In

(c) At

(d) Above

3. We had eerie feeling when we passed __ the tunnel.

(a) From

(b) Through

(c) By

(d) In

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Fill in the blanks with appropriate option. 

1. Choose__book you like.

(a) Which

(b) That

(c) Whichever

2. On way to office, he felt hungry and told__that he should have eaten before leaving home.

(a) Himself

(b) Themselves

(c) Him

3. The cabinet gave __ consent for revising tax rules.

(a) Its

(b) Their

(c) Theirs

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Fill in the blanks with correct option.

1. Anna and her two students __ to same city.

• Belongs
• Belong

2. Bob and I __juniors in the school music group.

• is
• are

3. The brothers and their sister__ a musical instrument each.

• Play
• Plays

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Fill in the blanks:

Q1: There is _ important announcement to be made today. 

Q2: Where is _ novel I gave you last week? 

Q3: France is _ European country. 

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Select the odd word from every set:

Set 1:

1. Weird
2. Sever
3. Rip
4. Detach

Set 2:

• Thwart
• Allay
• Instigate
• Curb

Set 3:

• Seize
• Kickstart
• Initiate
• Commence

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Q1: The four sentences (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

1. In the central nervous system of other animal species, such a comprehensive regeneration in injured neurons has not yet been proven beyond doubt.
2. Biologists from the University of Bayreuth have discovered a uniquely rapid form of regeneration in injured neurons and their function in the central nervous system of zebrafish.
3. They studied the Mauthner cells, which are solely responsible for the escape behaviour in fish, and previously regarded as incapable of regeneration.
4. However, their ability to regenerate crucially depends on the location of the injury. 

Q2: The four sentences (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

1. A popular response is the exhortation to plant more trees.
2. It seems all but certain that global warming will go well above two-degrees- quite how high no one knows yet.
3. Burning them releases it, which is why the scale of forest fires in the Amazon basin last year garnered headlines.
4. This is because trees sequester carbon by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Q3: The four sentences (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

1. The work is more than the text, for the text only takes on life, when it is realized and furthermore the realization is by no means independent of the individual disposition of the reader.
2. The convergence of text and reader brings the literary work into existence and this convergence is not identified either with the reality of the text or with the individual disposition of the reader.
3. From this polarity it follows that the literary work cannot be completely identical with the text, or with the realization of the text, but in fact must lie halfway between the two.
4. The literary work has two poles, which we might call the artistic and the aesthetic; the artistic refers to the text created by the author, and the aesthetic to the realization accomplished by the reader.

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Spot the phrase modifiers in the following sentences.

1. The train, which had blue bogeys, just left the station.
2. The man in green shirt left the theatre early.
3. Johny was injured while playing football.

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Fill in the blanks with correct option.

1. Construction __ in my building since last year.

(a) Goes on

(b) Is going on

(c) Was going on

(d) Went on

2. I __ something stale.

(a) Smell

(b) Have been smelling

(c) Smelt

(d) Was smelling

3. He __ to the market every day to buy fresh vegetables.

(a) Has been going

(b) Went

(c) Goes

(d) Will be going

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Q1: Which of the two sentences is correct?

a) I returned back from the vacation.

b) I returned from the vacation.

Q2: Which of the two sentences is correct?

a) Dina likes to sing, dance and paint.

b) Dina likes singing, dancing and painting.

Q3: Which of the two sentences is correct?

a) Sudeep is taller than all boys.

b) Sudeep is taller than all the boys in his class.

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State the noun in the following sentences:

1: The bus stopped at the terminal.

2: The cutlery is made of silver.

3: A crowd gathered at the crossroad.

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Fill in the blanks with correct option.

Q1: A school of fish __ seen in the pond.

a) Is

b) Was

c) Were

d) Will

Q2: Either she or her friend__ passing by.

a) Is

b) Might

c) Are

d) Was

Q3: All I could buy from that shop __ a pair of trousers.

a) Are

b) Will be

c) Is

d) Were

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Q1: The four sentences (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

1. The Woodland’s canopy receives most of the sunlight that falls on the trees.
2. Swifts do not confine themselves to Woodlands, but hunt whenever there are insects in the air.
3. With their streamlined bodies, swifts are agile flyers, ideally adapted to twisting and turning through the air as they chase flying insects – the creatures that form their staple diet.
4. Hundreds of thousands of insects fly in the sunshine up above the canopy, some falling prey to swifts and swallows.

Q2: The four sentences (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

1. Impartiality and objectivity are fiendishly difficult concepts that can cause all sorts of injustices even if transparently implemented.
2. It encourages us into bubbles of people who know and like, while blinding us to different perspectives, but the deeper problem of ‘transparency’ lies in the words”…and much more.”
3. Twitter’s website says that “tweets you are likely to care about most will show up first in your timeline…based on accounts you interact with most, tweets you engage with, and much more.”
4. We are only told some basic principles, and we can’t see the algorithm itself, making it hard for citizens to analyse the system sensibly or fairly or be convinced of its impartiality and objectivity.

Q3: The four sentences (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4) given in this question when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper order of the sentences.

1. The eventual diagnosis was skin cancer and after treatment all seemed well.
2. The viola player didn’t know what it was; nor did her GP.
3. Then a routine scan showed it had come back and spread to her lungs.
4. It started with a lump on Cathy Perkin’s index finger.

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Fill in the blanks with correct options.

Q1: Dina has invested a lot of money __ shares.

1. a) on
2. b) in
3. c) into
4. d) for

Q2: It is tough to go __ troubles, but has to stay strong.

1. a) in
2. b) from
3. c) through
4. d) into

Q3: I am committed __ my word.

1. a) to
2. b) for
3. c) by
4. d) with

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Fill in the blanks with the correct option.

Q1: Raju __ to school every day till 2010.

1. a) goes
2. b) went
3. c) is going
4. d) will go

Q2: Meena’s pet dog __ when she reached home.

1. a) barked
2. b) is barking
3. c) was barking
4. d) will barking

Q3: Anita always __ to help the poor.

1. a) tried
2. b) is trying
3. c) was trying
4. d) tries

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Identify phrases modifiers in the given statements:

Q 1: Mary's design studio was closed for a few days for renovation.

Q 2: David has traveled to many countries.

Q 3: Emma was relieved after knowing the truth.

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Q1: To play a personality in a drama

1) Impersonate

2) Mimic

3) Act

4) Imitate

Q2: Danny doesn’t like to socialise much. He is

1) Shy

2) Introvert

3) Recluse

4) Loner

Q3: Having designation but not power to act.

1) Figurehead

2) Frontman

3) Puppet

4) Follower

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Q1. Identify the type of clause in the sentence- “Anee helped me when I was in distress.”

A.(a) Adjective Clause (b) Adverb Clause (c) Noun Clause (d) Conditional Clause

Q2. Identify the type of clause in the sentence-  “ This is the child who went missing yesterday.”

A.(a) Adjective Clause (b) Adverb Clause (c) Noun Clause (d) Conditional Clause

Q3. Find the clause and the type of the clause in the sentence - “Dina made a vow that she would not have sugar for a week.”

A.(a) She made a vow, Adjective Clause (b) eat meat, Adverb Clause (c) that she would, Noun Clause (d)None of the above

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Q1: Sameer, together with his wife__ the guests of the party.

1) greets
2) greet
3) greeting
4) are greeting

Q2: The teacher __ not impressed. 

1) might
2) was
3) were 
4) would

Q3: The honest __ always trustworthy.
1) are
2) is
3) was 
4) were

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Q1: She is as good a footballer as:

A. (a) he (b) him (c) himself (d) herself

Q2: She is not more fun loving than:

A. (a) me (b) I (c) I am (d) myself

Q3: The girl ___ fell off the swing has broken her arm. 

A. (a) who (b) whose (c) who (d) that

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Reading Comprehension (RC) passages carry a lot of weightage in MBA entrance exams. There is special emphasis on reading comprehension to judge the communication skills of future managers. The Reading Comprehension section in MBA entrances have 4-5 passages of 300-600 words. Each passage carries 4-5 questions. The passages are from areas such as literature, fiction, science, technology, astronomy, art & culture, philosophy, sociology, psychology, economics, political science, geography, etc. XAT even has poems as Reading Comprehension passage. 

RC passages: Types of Questions

Given below are the major types of questions asked based on RC passages of MBA entrance exams: 

• Questions based on Central Theme
• Vocabulary based questions
• Inference based questions
• Facts based questions
• Questions based on tone of the passage
• Passage structure based questions
• Title based questions

Verbal Ability section of CAT or any MBA entrance exam has three elements – Vocabulary, English Grammar and Verbal Reasoning.

Vocabulary questions are usually based on Spellings, Antonyms/Synonyms, One Word Substitution, Word Meaning, Similar Sounding Words, etc.

English Grammar questions are usually based on Idioms and Phrases, Change of Voice, Change of Speech, Verbal Analogies, Articles, Prepositions, Adjectives, Types of Pronouns, Types of Clauses, Subject-Verb Agreement, Sentence Formation, etc.

Verbal Ability questions are usually based  on Spotting Errors,  Ordering of Words, Sentence Correction, Ordering of Sentences, Paragraph Formation, Closet Test, Paraumbles, etc.