CSS Reading Comprehension – 20 MarksIntroduction
Reading Comprehension in the CSS exam tests a candidate’s ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written material. This section evaluates how well one can extract relevant information, draw inferences, and respond to questions accurately using comprehension skills rather than memorized knowledge.
Format and Structure
Passage Type: A non-technical, general-interest text.
Length: Approximately 250–350 words.
Questions: 5 questions, each carrying 4 marks (Total: 20 marks).
Nature of Questions: These may include:
Direct factual queries
Inference-based reasoning
Vocabulary in context
Author’s tone or purpose
Summarizing or paraphrasing ideas
Purpose of the Section
To assess the candidate's comprehension skills
To test the ability to identify main ideas, supporting details, and logical inferences
To judge the clarity of expression and accuracy of interpretation
Skills Required
1. Active Reading
Understand the structure of the passage.
Identify the main idea and theme.
Grasp the tone and intent of the author.
2. Critical Thinking
Make logical deductions.
Distinguish between opinion and fact.
Evaluate cause and effect.
3. Vocabulary Contextualization
Understand the meaning of words/phrases from the context.
Avoid dictionary definitions; prefer contextual ones.
4. Answer Precision
Avoid irrelevant or overly lengthy answers.
Do not copy entire lines from the passage.
Tips for Attempting
Read the passage twice: First for general understanding, second for detail.
Underline key ideas or note them briefly in the margin.
Answer in your own words unless specifically asked to quote.
Stay within word limits and answer to the point.
Avoid adding external knowledge not in the passage.
Be mindful of grammatical accuracy and spelling.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Quoting the passage without interpretation
Misunderstanding the question's intent
Ignoring the context of vocabulary
Making unsupported assumptions
Practice Resources
Past CSS papers (English Precis & Composition)
GRE and GMAT comprehension sections
Editorial sections of newspapers (e.g., Dawn, The Guardian)
Books like Barron’s Reading Comprehension or Cliff’s TOEFL
Conclusion
Mastering Reading Comprehension for CSS requires regular practice and strategic reading. It is not just about understanding English but about interpreting meaning, drawing logical conclusions, and communicating understanding effectively. With only 20 marks at stake, this section can significantly improve overall performance if handled smartly.