IBPS PO Reasoning: Reading Comprehension questions with solutions

Q1. The attainment of individual and organisational goals is mutually interdependent and linked by a common denominator: employee work motivation. Organisational members are motivated to satisfy their personal goals, and they contribute their efforts to the attainment of organisational objectives as a means of achieving these personal goals. The passage best supports the statement that motivation -

1. encourages an individual to give priority to personal goals over organisational goals.
2. is crucial for the survival of an individual and organisation.
3. is the product of an individual's physical and mental energy.
4. is the external force which induces an individual to contribute his efforts.

Answer: encourages an individual to give priority to personal goals over organisational goals.

The passage states that organisational members contribute effort to organisational objectives as a means of achieving personal goals. This means motivation links organisational work to personal benefit, which best matches the first option. The other options are not directly supported by the passage.

Q2. Due to enormous profits involved in smuggling, hundreds of persons have been attracted towards this anti-national activity. Some of them became millionaires overnight. India has a vast coastline on both the eastern and western coasts. It has been a haven for smugglers who have been carrying on their activities with great impunity. There is no doubt that, from time to time, certain seizures were made by the enforcement authorities during raids and ambushes, but even allowing for these losses, the smugglers made huge profits. The passage best supports the statement that

1. smuggling hampers the economic development of a nation.
2. smuggling ought to be curbed.
3. authorities are taking strict measures to curb smuggling.
4. smuggling is fast increasing in our country owing to the quick profit it entails.

Answer: smuggling is fast increasing in our country owing to the quick profit it entails.

The passage repeatedly stresses the huge profits from smuggling and says that hundreds of people have been attracted to it. This directly supports the idea that smuggling is increasing because it offers quick profit. The other options are either not stated or are only implied indirectly.

Q3. Though the waste of time or the expenditure on fashions is very large, yet fashions have come to stay. They will not go, come what may. However, what is now required is that strong efforts should be made to displace the excessive craze for fashion from the minds of these youngsters. The passage best supports the statement that:

1. fashion is the need of the day.
2. the excessive craze for fashion is detrimental to one's personality.
3. the hoard for fashion should be done away with so as not to let down the constructive development.
4. work and other activities should be valued more than the outward appearance.

Answer: the hoard for fashion should be done away with so as not to let down the constructive development.

The passage accepts that fashions exist and will continue, but it clearly argues against the excessive craze for fashion among youngsters. The best matching option is the one that says this craze should be removed to support constructive development. The other choices either overstate the criticism or introduce ideas not mentioned.

Q4. One of the important humanitarian by-products of technology is the greater dignity and value that it imparts to human labour. In a highly industrialized society, there is no essential difference between Brahmin and Dalit, Muslim and Hindu; they are equally useful and hence equally valuable, for in the industrial society individual productivity fixes the size of the pay cheque and this fixes social status. The passage best supports the statement that:

1. technology decides individual's social status.
2. castes and religions are man-made.
3. human labour has dignity and value.
4. all individuals, irrespective of caste and creed, are born equal.

Answer: human labour has dignity and value.

The passage explicitly states that technology gives greater dignity and value to human labour. It also explains that productivity, not caste or religion, determines status in an industrial society. Hence the best-supported statement is that human labour has dignity and value.

Q5. The future of women in India is quite bright, and let us hope that they will justify their abilities by rising to the occasion. Napoleon was right when he declared that by educating women we can educate the whole nation, because a country can never rise without the contribution of 50% of its population. The passage best supports the statement that:

1. India is striving hard for the emancipation of women.
2. All women should be well educated.
3. A nation can progress only when women are given equal rights and opportunities as men.
4. Women ought to be imparted full freedom to prove their worth and contribute to the progress of the nation.

Answer: Women ought to be imparted full freedom to prove their worth and contribute to the progress of the nation.

The passage argues that a nation cannot rise without the contribution of women and that their abilities should be allowed to flourish. This is best captured by the idea of giving women full freedom to prove their worth and help national progress.