Factual RC questions ask 'What does the passage say?' The answer is always written clearly in the passage. You are not expected to think beyond what is written
💡Key Rules for Factual RC
The answer is ALWAYS in the passage - never outside knowledge
2. Look for exact words or synonyms of question keywords
3. Answers are usually in the same sequence as questions
4. Never assume or infer - stick to stated facts only
5.
Numbers, dates, names are high-priority factual elements
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Exam Patterns
What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
→Common question stems include
'According to the passage...', 'The author states that...', 'Which of the following is mentioned...', 'The passage says that...'.
Shortcut Formula #1 - Keyword Scanning: Identify 2-3 keywords from the question → Scan passage for these exact words → Read 2 lines before and after the keyword → Your answer lies here. This works in 80% of factual questions.
Shortcut Formula #2 - Sequential Method: Factual questions usually follow passage sequence. Question 1 answer is in paragraph 1-2, Question 2 in paragraph 2-3, and so on
✏️Worked Example 1
1
Identify keywords - 'ISRO' and 'established'
2
Scan passage for 'ISRO established'
3
Found exact match - 'ISRO was established in 1969'
4
Answer is (B) 1969
Worked Example 2:
Same passage
→Question
1
Keywords - 'ISRO', 'first satellite'
2
Scan for these terms
3
Found - 'ISRO's first satellite, Aryabhata'
4
Answer is (C) Aryabhata
Shortcut Formula #3 - Elimination Technique: If you cannot locate the exact answer, eliminate options that are clearly NOT mentioned in the passage. Usually 2-3 options can be eliminated this way
⚠️#1 Most Common Trap
Students often use outside knowledge instead of passage content. For example, if passage says 'Delhi is hot in summer' and question asks about Delhi's climate, students might add 'and cold in winter' from general knowledge. This is WRONG. Answer only what the passage states
→Time Management
Spend maximum 2 minutes per factual question. If you cannot find the answer in 2 minutes, mark your best guess and move on. Factual questions should be your scoring area - aim for 90%+ accuracy.
Another common error is misreading similar-looking options. Always double-check your selected answer against the passage text before marking.
🔑 Key Points
Factual RC answers are always directly stated in the passage - never use outside knowledge
Scan for exact keywords from questions in the passage text
Questions usually follow the same sequence as information in the passage
Sequential Method: Q1 answer in para 1-2, Q2 in para 2-3, etc.
Focus on numbers, dates, names, and specific details mentioned
Elimination shortcut: Remove options clearly not mentioned in passage
Spend maximum 2 minutes per factual question for time management
Look for synonyms if exact keywords are not found in passage
Common trap: Adding outside knowledge to passage facts - avoid this mistake
📌 Exam Facts
SSC CGL typically contains 15-20 Reading Comprehension questions per paper
8-12 out of total RC questions are factual type questions in SSC CGL
Factual questions carry same weightage as other RC types - usually 1 mark each
Question stems commonly start with 'According to the passage' or 'The author states'
80% of factual RC answers can be found using direct keyword scanning method
Sequential answering works in 70% of RC passages where questions follow paragraph order
Factual RC has highest accuracy potential - aim for 90%+ correct answers
Time allocation should be maximum 2 minutes per factual question for optimal exam performance
Questions Asked in Previous Exams
Real questions from SSC papers — 2015 to 2024
Exam Q 12019Previous Year Pattern
The Indus Valley Civilisation, one of the world's earliest urban cultures, flourished around 2500 BCE along the rivers of northwestern India and present-day Pakistan. Cities such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were remarkably well-planned, featuring grid-like streets, advanced drainage systems, and multi-storeyed brick houses. The people of this civilisation engaged in trade with Mesopotamia and grew crops such as wheat and barley. Despite its achievements, the civilisation declined around 1900 BCE, possibly due to climate change and shifting river courses. Archaeological discoveries continue to reveal new information about this sophisticated ancient culture.
Question: Which two cities are specifically mentioned as part of the Indus Valley Civilisation?
Exam Q 22019Previous Year Pattern
The Green Revolution of the 1960s transformed Indian agriculture by introducing high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, and modern irrigation techniques. Spearheaded by agronomist M.S. Swaminathan in collaboration with American scientist Norman Borlaug, the initiative primarily targeted wheat and rice cultivation in states such as Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. While food grain production surged dramatically, critics argue that the revolution created regional disparities, marginalised small farmers, and led to severe groundwater depletion. The excessive use of chemical inputs also degraded soil fertility over time, prompting later agricultural reforms to address long-term sustainability concerns.
Question: Which states were primarily targeted during the Green Revolution in India?
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