Reading Comprehension Notes for CLAT 2026 and Other Law Entrance Exams

Reading Comprehension is one of the most scoring sections in CLAT. With the right approach and consistent practice, you can make the best use of this section. Here’s a quick revision of all the important topics for English/Reading Comprehension.

• TYPES OF PASSAGES

1. Narrative
2. Descriptive/Explanatory
3. Analytical/ Exploratory
4. Argumentative

How to identify these passages?

1. Narrative- a] they are easier to understand and have a storytelling format and a chronology. b Not many arguments and counterarguments are present and leading to one central idea or narrating a chain of events.
2. Descriptive- a] provides information on a certain topic. b] often contains dense vocabulary, complex sentences and multiple details. c] information without opinion.
3. Argumentative- a] content is dense and the author provides an argument to prove their point. B] The author sounds convincing
4. Analytical passage- an author is himself trying to understand the point, unlike a descriptive passage and analyses his point. b] overall goal to reach a conclusion post-analysis of a subject from multiple perspectives.

• TYPES OF QUESTIONS

1. Main idea
2. Primary purpose
3. Title
4. Direct specific detail
5. Inference Tone

How to counter these questions?

1. Main idea question- the correct option must reflect the overall theme of the passage. Ask yourself what the passage is about. What is the author saying about the topic?
2. Primary purpose question- While the central idea reflects upon what has been written, the primary purpose answers WHY it has been written. Know the central idea and then ask yourself why it has been written.
3. Title question- FIRST, find the main idea of the passage, then you will get the title condensed. Make sure the option clearly indicates the topic.
4. Specific detail question- check back in the text of the passage, it will be given directly.
5. Inference question- you need to conclude the unstated topic, which is explicitly stated. ELIMINATE- A] Exaggerated or generalised option B] Contradicts author’s opinions C] Information not stated in passage
6. Tone question- author’s attitude towards the main idea. Look at the language and its intensity

• POSITIVE-

1. Optimistic and Sanguine means hopeful
2. Buoyant and upbeat means cheerful or happy
3. Laudatory denotes a praising tone
4. Eulogistic and panegyric mean a higher degree of praise

• Negative-

1. Apprehensive means having doubts or fears about possible negative effects.
2. Pessimistic means a negative attitude or outlook
3. Cynical means an attitude of negativity towards most things. Doubt + negativity
4. Bleak and resigned means lacking hope or positivity
5. Guarded or circumspect means approach with caution, mindful of all dangers and risks
6. Sceptical means a questioning attitude where one will not accept anything unless there is conclusive proof.
7. Sarcastic, satirical and ironic means mocking or insulting by using words that mean the opposite of what is to be conveyed
8. Sardonic means BITTERLY MOCKING
9. Disparaging and derogatory means reducing the rank or merit, or status of someone or something
10. Caustic and acerbic means cutting and aggressive verbal attacks
11. Scathing denotes strong, deep, critical attacks
12. Disdainful means regarding something or someone as unworthy

• Neutral-

1. Disinterested, unbiased and non–partisan means lack of any bias.
2. Detached, apathetic and indifferent means a lack of emotions and a neutral way
3. Objective means purely based on facts without personal opinion
4. Ambivalent means having both positive and negative attitudes towards the same things
5. Contradictory means views that directly oppose each other
6. Bipartisan means supporting either opposing parties or sides
7. Ambiguous denotes vagueness or lack of clarity
8. Equivocal means a lack of clarity
9. Wavering or vacillating means a lack of firmness and constant shifting
10. Bemused means confused
11. Didactic means intending to teach a moral lesson
12. Pedantic means concern with formalities and accuracy.

• FIGURES OF SPEECH

1. Alliteration- repetition of a consonant sound. E.g., Shelly sells seashells by the seashore.
2. Anaphora- repetition of the same word or phrase. E.g., unfortunately, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time, hence, everything went wrong.
3. Antithesis- opposite ideas. E.g., hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
4. Apostrophe- directly addressing a non-existent person or an inanimate object as though it were a living body. E.g., hello darkness.
5. Assonance- repetition of vowel sound. E.g., rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.
6. Chiasmus- a verbal pattern in which the second half of an expression is balanced against the first but with parts reversed. E.g., the sabbath was made for man, man was not made for the sabbath
7. Euphemism- a word or phrase that softens an uncomfortable topic. E.g.- she passed away [instead of died]
8. Hyperbole- exaggerated statement. E.g., I have a million things to do today.
9. Irony- conveys the opposite of the literal meaning. E.g., a police station is robbed.
10. Litotes- use a double negative to indicate a positive. E.g., that wasn’t half bad, you are not as young as you used to be.
11. Metaphor- comparing without using ‘as’ and ‘like’. E.g.- her eyes were an ocean of emotions.
12. Metonymy- referring to something indirectly by stating something associated with it. E.g., a pen is stronger than a sword.
13. Onomatopoeia- use of words that imitate sounds associated with objects or actions they refer to. E.g., buzz, bang, thud.
14. Oxymoron- opposite words appear side by side. E.g., old news, organised chaos, deafening silence.
15. Paradox- a statement that contradicts itself. E.g., this is the beginning of the end, less is more.
16. Personification- an object or animal is personified and endowed with human qualities or abilities. E.g., the food was calling me, the moon is chasing me.
17. Pun- also called PARONOMASIA, involves word play with two or more meanings. E.g., a boiled egg every morning is hard to beat.
18. Simile- comparing using words ‘like’ and ‘as’. E.g., she is like the moon, she is like the famous actress.
19. Synecdoche- part is used to represent the whole and vice versa. E.g., lend me your ears, I will buy you new wheels.
20. Tautology- use of words to say the same thing twice in the same statement. E.g., sunset, gift
21. Understatement- writer deliberately makes the situation less important or serious than it is. E.g., saying in a hurricane that it is raining a little today.
22. Palindrome- word/phrase that reads the same backwards or forward. E.g., madam, I am adam.
23. Aphorism- a proverb-type of statement giving universal truth, and is philosophical. E.g., action speaks louder than words.
24. Zeugma- using one word to modify two other words. E.g., she broke his car and his heart.

 Tips for your exam day-

1. Instead of choosing the right option, first choose the wrong options and eliminate them. This gives you more clarity.

2. Don’t spend too much time. Have a fixed time slot of 22-25 minutes for this section and first focus on solving the questions you are confident about.

3. Read from the perspective of the author. While reading, take a moment to reflect what can be the possible questions from the information author has given in the passage.

4. Don’t panic. Its okay if you don’t know all the answers. Focus on solving the ones you know and make sure to solve them rightly.

If you have any doubts, feel free to comment down and clarify your query!

Best of luck for your exam from Team LawLex! You will ace it!