READING COMPREHENSION
NDA English Comprehension Guide
Build the reading skills needed to answer passage-based questions accurately and quickly. Focus on what the passage actually says, what it logically implies and how words behave in context.
Skills to master
Main Idea & PurposeIdentify the central message, author’s purpose and the best summary of a passage.
Facts & DetailsLocate explicitly stated information without adding outside assumptions.
Inference & ToneDraw conclusions supported by the passage and recognise the writer’s attitude.
Contextual MeaningWork out the meaning of words and expressions from surrounding sentences.
How to attempt a passage
- Read the passage for structure and central idea before chasing individual details.
- Underline mentally the key contrast words, causes, results and opinions.
- For factual questions, return to the exact sentence that supports the answer.
- For inference questions, choose only what is strongly supported—not what merely sounds possible.
- For vocabulary in context, substitute the option back into the sentence and check the meaning.
- Practise under time limits so reading speed improves without sacrificing accuracy.
Practice pathway
Comprehension through PYQsUse year-wise NDA English papers to identify recurring passage-question patterns.Timed Mock PracticeDevelop reading speed and decision-making under exam conditions.Vocabulary SupportStrengthen contextual vocabulary for better passage understanding.Online PracticeMove from concept revision to active question practice.