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CAT Reading Comprehension: Best Reading Sources from 2017-2023

Jul 15, 2024 | 5 minutes |

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While everyone focuses on AEON Essays, an excellent resource to build your reading habit and train your mind, these resources often get overlooked for a comprehensive VARC preparation. Here is a list of resources that have been the source of CAT VARC section Reading Comprehension questions in past years. We have compiled RC topics and their sources from 2017-2023 below. (scroll down to see year-wise data tables) These are renowned sources for high-quality journalism and in-depth articles. The complexity and variety of topics make them an excellent resource for enhancing reading skills. They cover a broad spectrum of reading material from politics and international affairs to science and culture. Reading these will be easier due to the shorter and more engaging content. 

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Smithsonian Magazine is a captivating publication that features a wide array of articles that integrate the realms of history, science, and, artistic creativity Most science-based articles and content on Animals are excerpts from the Smithsonian magazine.   The Economist covers global economics, politics, and current affairs. The content is more on the analytical side. It is also a beneficial resource to improve your G.K. for other exams and interviews. Other highly recommended blog posts to follow: JSTOR Magazine, Prospect Magazine, OReilley, and TIME. Crash Course is a YouTube channel that explains Philosophy, Sociology, Political science, and more.

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CAT 2023 Reading Comprehension Passages & Source Slot 1 
Title Source Genre
Wolf The Economist Environment
Geographic Determinism Journal Sociology
Indian Ocean Writing Ocean Worlds
(Book)
Literature
Sahlins- Society Public books.org Literature
Slot 2
Title Source Genre
Second Hand September Prospect Magazine Environment
Netflix The Economist Culture
Historians Richmond History
Liberalism The Economist Political Science
Slot 3
Title Source Genre
Romantic Aesthetics Stanford- Encyclopaedia of Philosophy Philosophy
Archaeology- Patrimony LA Times Archaeology
Nutmeg The Third Pole History
Rational Thinking Washington Literature
CAT 2022 Reading Comprehension Passages & Source
No. Slot 1 Slot 2 Slot 3
1 The Chinese Copy AEON Octopuses Superpowers on the shore- Sejal Mehta Automation Wall Street Journal
2 Stoicism Encyclopedia of Emotion (1) Philosophy of Social Sciences The Sage- Ian C. Jarvie Biology & Technology Design Indaba Magazine
3 Critical Theory of Technology OReilly Tech-Social Dualism Scientific American Website Orientalism JSTOR Website
4 Stories of Undead Atmostfear Entertainment Humans Make Music JSTOR Website The Great Migration i Research Net
CAT 2021 Reading Comprehension Passages & Source
No. Slot 1 Slot 2 Slot 3
1 Travelling of Utopians Marxist Internet Archive Why Fiction Trumps Truth NY times Ultra tiny nano-
machines
New Scientist
2 Cuttlefish Smithsonian Magazine Ways to keep languages alive Press
Reader
Measuring time accurately New Scientist
3 A rock, human & tree Aeon The women’s question in tradition American Ethnologist The hidden soul American Imago
4 The Thirst of Empire Book- Erika Rappaport Scandals of Knowledge Cambridge Core The language within us NY Times

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CAT 2020 Reading Comprehension Passages & Source
No. Slot 1 Slot 2 Slot 3
1 Elephant Seal The Atlantic Visual Culture Journey of Visual Culture Screen Exposure NY Times
2 Vocabulary Excerpt from Stephen King’s Book Piracy The Spectator Economic Crisis Denver Post
3 China Tang Dynasty Britannica Aggression Multiple Sources Travel Book- Encyclopedia of Human Geography
4 Greek Anarchia Britannica Renewable Energy MIT Press Direct Political Philosophy The Guardian

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CAT 2019 Reading Comprehension Passages & Source
No. Slot 1 Slot 2
1 Topophilia Encyclopedia of Human Geography How slums can save the planet Prospect Magazine
2 Music of the People The Guardian British Colonialism The Atlantic
3 Internet Shopping The Atlantic Why do governments move civil servants The Economist
4 Alladin TIME Newsletter Embracing Linguistic Diversities TIME
5 Emperor Penguins Smithsonian Magazine 3D Scans help preserve history NPR Newsletter
CAT 2018 Reading Comprehension Passages & Source
No. Slot 1 Slot 2
1 Elephant NY Times Magazine Hiring Best People Big Think
2 Recycling won't solve pollution Scientific American Snails to trace stone age Smithsonian Magazine
3 Utilitarian Goal NY Times Against Metrics Aeon
4 Evolution Aeon Saturn Rings The Economist
5 Historians have scant interest in war Hindustan Times - -
CAT 2017 Reading Comprehension Passages & Source
No. Slot 1 Slot 2
1 Modern Maps BBC Cities are at the forefront of creativity NY Times
2 Phone is Smart NY Times Ecosystem -
3 Death of Malls TIME Car Drivers Dream The Guardian
4 London Olympics Infrastructure NY Times Bring Back Typewriters The Guardian
5 - - Vikings Smithsonian Magazine