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CAT Verbal Ability Questions with Solutions PDF Download Here Section Wise

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

November 27, 2025

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Overview: Prepare to efficiently answer CAT verbal ability questions for 2026 with solutions PDF. Understand the complicated structure of this CAT exam and practise with free CAT VARC questions to achieve a remarkable CAT score and admission to your preferred management programme. 

  • Many prospective management professionals in India wish to pass the CAT (Common Admission Test) and one of the important components that can make or break your CAT score is Verbal Ability (VA).
  • The Verbal Ability section is a subset of the CAT's Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) exam.

The number of questions on verbal reasoning in the CAT typically fluctuates between 8 and 10, including CAT verbal ability questions and answers PDF. These CAT VARC questions are available in both Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) and Type in the Answer (TITA) formats. Reviewing the CAT exam analysis 2025 can help candidates understand the trends, difficulty level, and commonly tested concepts in the VARC section.

Read more: Logical Reasoning Questions for CAT

What are CAT Verbal Ability Questions?

CAT VA questions are part of the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) section of the CAT exam.
They test how well you can understand, analyse, and work with written English, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, and logical flow.

Key Features of CAT VARC Questions 2026

  • Total Number of CAT VA Questions: 24
  • Appear alongside Reading Comprehension questions in the VARC section.
  • Usually non-MCQ (TITA – Type in the Answer), meaning no options are given and you have to type the answer.
  • Focus on logic and understanding, rather than heavy grammar rules.
  • Total CAT VA questions are usually around 8–10 out of 24 VARC CAT questions

Types of CAT Verbal Ability Questions 2026: An Overview

Type of CAT VARC Questions

Description

Para Jumbles (Sentence Rearrangement) Involves rearranging a set of sentences to form a coherent paragraph, testing logical flow and coherence.
Sentence Correction Focuses on identifying and correcting errors in grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Vocabulary-based Questions Tests knowledge of word meanings, including finding synonyms, antonyms, or selecting the correct word for a sentence.
Odd One Out Presents a set of sentences, where one does not fit logically or grammatically with the others.
Reading Comprehension (RC) Assesses the ability to understand, interpret, and analyze a passage, followed by CAT VARC questions based on the text.

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CAT Verbal Ability Questions and Answers PDF 2026

Here are the most important CAT VARC questions with solutions PDF:

Question 1. The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4) below, when properly sequenced, would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequencing of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer:  

  1. The restitution of artifacts to their original cultures could face legal obstacles, as many Western museums are legally prohibited from disposing of their collections.  
  2. This is in response to countries like Nigeria, which are pressurizing European museums to return their precious artifacts looted by colonizers in the past.  
  3. Museums in Europe today are struggling to come to terms with their colonial legacy, some taking steps to return artifacts but not wanting to lose their prized collections.  
  4. Legal hurdles notwithstanding, politicians and institutions in France and Germany would now like to defuse the colonial time bombs and are backing the return of part of their holdings. 

Answer: The correct sequence is 3214 

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Question 2. Five jumbled-up sentences related to a topic are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:  

  1. They often include a foundation course on navigating capitalism with Chinese characteristics and have replaced typical cases from US corporates with a focus on how Western theories apply to China’s buzzing local firms.  
  2. The best Chinese business schools look like their Western rivals but are now growing distinct in what they teach and the career boosts they offer.  
  3. Western schools have enhanced their offerings with double degrees, which are popular with domestic and overseas students alike and boost the prestige of their Chinese partners.  
  4. For students, a big draw is the chance to meet the captains of China’s private sector.  
  5. Their business courses now largely cater to the growing demand from China Inc, which has become more global, richer and ready to recruit from this sinocentric student body. 

Answer: Option 3 

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CAT Verbal Ability Questions and Answers PDF 2026

Question 3. Five jumbled-up sentences related to a topic are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:  

  1. A typical example is Wikipedia, where the overwhelming majority of contributors are male, and so the available content is skewed to reflect their interests.  
  2. Without diversity of thought and representation, society is left with a distorted picture of future options, which are likely to result in augmenting existing inequalities.  
  3. Gross gender inequality in the technology sector is problematic, not only for the industry-wide marginalisation of women, but because technology designs embody the values of their makers.  
  4. While redressing unequal representation in the workplace is a step in the right direction, broader social change is needed to address the structural inequalities embedded within the current organisation of work and employment.  
  5. If technology merely reflects the perspectives of the male stereotype, then new technologies are unlikely to accommodate the diverse social contexts within which they operate.  

Answer: Option 4 

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Question 4. The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4) below, when properly sequenced, would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequencing of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer:  

  1. The US has long maintained that the Northwest Passage is an international strait through which its commercial and military vessels have the right to pass without seeking Canada’s permission.  
  2. Canada officially acquired the group of islands forming the Northwest Passage in 1880, claiming sovereignty over all the shipping routes through the Passage.  
  3. However, the dispute could be transitory, as scientists speculate that the Arctic Ocean will soon be ice-free in summer, so ship owners will not have to ask for permission to sail through any of the Northwest Passage routes.  
  4. The US and Canada have never legally settled the question of access through the Passage, but they have an agreement under which the US must seek Canada’s consent for any transit. 

Answer: The correct sequence is 2143 

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Question 5. Which sentence is in the passive voice? 

  1. The cat chased the mouse. 
  2. The mouse was chased by the cat. 
  3. The sun shines brightly. 
  4. She will sing a song. 

Answer: Option 2

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CAT Verbal Ability Questions with Solutions PDF 2026

Question 6. What is the plural form of "Cactus"? 

  1. Cacti 
  2. Cactuses 
  3. Cactus 
  4. Cactusses 

Answer: Option 1

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Question 7. Choose the correct homophone: 

  1. Flower 
  2. Flour 
  3. Floor 
  4. Floar 

Answer: Option B

Question 8. Which figure of speech is used in the phrase "The world is your oyster"? 

  1. Alliteration 
  2. Simile 
  3. Metaphor 
  4. Personification 

Answer: Option 3

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CAT Verbal Ability Questions for Advanced Learners

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Question 9. Four alternate summaries follow the passage given below. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage. The human mind is wired to see patterns. Not only does the brain process information as it comes in, it also stores insights from all our past experiences. Every interaction, happy or sad, is catalogued in our memory. Intuition draws from that deep memory well to inform our decisions going forward. In other words, intuitive decisions are based on data, and not contrary to data as many would like to assume. When we subconsciously spot patterns, the body starts firing neurochemicals in both the brain and gut. These “somatic markers” are what give us that instant sense that something is right … or that it’s off. Not only are these automatic processes faster than rational thought, but our intuition draws from decades of diverse qualitative experience (sights, sounds, interactions, etc.) - a wholly human feature that big data alone could never accomplish.  

  1. Intuition is infinitely richer than big data, which is based on rational thought and accomplishes more than big data can.  
  2. Intuitions are automatic processes and are therefore faster than rational thought, and so decisions based on them are better.  
  3. Intuition draws from deep memory and may not be related to data but to decades of diverse qualitative experience.  
  4. Intuitions are neuro-chemical firings based on pattern recognition and draw upon a rich and vast database of experiences.  

Answer: Option 4 

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Question 10. The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage. Creativity is now viewed as the engine of economic progress. Various organizations are devoted to its study and promotion; there are encyclopedias and handbooks surveying creativity research. But this proliferating success has tended to erode creativity’s stable identity: it has become so invested with value that it has become impossible to police its meaning and the practices that supposedly identify and encourage it. Many people and organizations committed to producing original thoughts now feel that undue obsession with the idea of creativity gets in the way of real creativity. 

  1. The obsession with original thought, how it can be promoted and researched, has made it impossible for people and organisations to define the concept anymore.  
  2. The industry that has built up around researching what comprises and encourages creativity has destroyed the creative process itself.  
  3. Creativity has proliferated to the extent that it is no longer a stable process, and its mutating identity has stifled the creative process.  
  4. The value assigned to creativity today has assumed such proportions that the concept itself has lost its real meaning, and this is hampering the engendering of real creativity. 

Answer: Option 4 

Question 11: Arrange the following sentences in the correct order to form a coherent paragraph.

  1. The project aims to develop sustainable energy solutions for urban areas.
  2. A team of engineers and scientists is working on various aspects of the initiative.
  3. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are key components of the project.
  4. Governments and private organisations are investing heavily in green energy projects.

Answer: 4 - 1 - 3 - 2

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CAT Verbal Ability Questions 2026 for Beginners

Question 12: Identify the grammatically incorrect part of the sentence.

"Each of the students in the classroom were given a chance to present their ideas."

Answer: "were" should be replaced with "was" because "Each" is singular.

Question: Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:

"The scientist’s new theory was initially met with ______ but later gained acceptance in the academic community."

A) skepticism
B) admiration
C) indifference
D) enthusiasm

Answer: A) skepticism

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Question 13: Which of the following statements weakens the argument below?

Argument: "Online education is less effective than classroom education because students do not have face-to-face interaction with teachers."

A) Studies show that students who take online courses score as well as those in traditional classrooms.
B) Many students prefer online education due to its flexibility and accessibility.
C) Teachers can conduct live interactive sessions in online education.
D) Online courses offer study materials that are equally comprehensive.

Answer: A) Studies show that students who take online courses score as well as those in traditional classrooms.

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Question 14: What is the primary concern highlighted in the passage?

A) The benefits of the industrial revolution
B) The economic growth of the 19th century
C) The negative environmental impact of industrialization
D) The expansion of urban areas

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Answer: C) The negative environmental impact of industrialization

Question 15: Choose the correct sentence:

A) The principle of the school is very strict.
B) The principal of the school is very strict.

Answer: B) The principal of the school is very strict. (Principal = head of an institution, Principle = a fundamental truth)

Question 16: What is the meaning of the phrase "A blessing in disguise"?

A) A situation that appears bad but turns out to be good
B) A gift given by a religious leader
C) A fortunate event that is easy to recognize
D) A well-hidden treasure

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Answer: A) A situation that appears bad but turns out to be good

Question 17: Fill in the blank:

"The manager was known for his ______ attitude, always taking decisions after careful analysis."

A) impulsive
B) reckless
C) prudent
D) indifferent

Answer: C) prudent

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CAT Verbal Ability Questions 2026 vs. Reading Comprehension

Feature

Reading Comprehension (RC)

Verbal Ability (VA)

Primary Goal

To test a candidate's ability to understand, analyse, and interpret written passages.

To test a candidate's command of the English language, grammar, and reasoning skills in a non-passage-based format.

Question Types

Main Idea, Author's Tone/Attitude, Inference, Specific Detail, Vocabulary in Context, and questions about the passage's structure.

Para Jumbles (rearranging sentences), Para Summary (condensing a paragraph), Odd Sentence Out (identifying the outlier sentence), and occasionally Para Completion.

Typical Format

A passage of text (usually 400-600 words) is provided, followed by 3-4 questions based on its content.

A set of jumbled sentences or a short paragraph is given, and the candidate must logically order, summarise, or identify an irrelevant sentence.

Preparation Focus

Extensive reading from diverse sources like newspapers, journals, and essays to improve reading speed and comprehension. Practising identifying the central theme, author's perspective, and the underlying inferences.

Focusing on logical reasoning, grammar rules, and vocabulary. Practising a variety of question types to master the different patterns and strategies for solving them.

Number of Questions

In recent years, RC has accounted for about 16 questions (out of 24 total in the VARC section).

VA typically includes about 8 questions (out of 24 total).

Key Skill Assessed

Comprehension and the ability to extract meaning from a larger body of text.

Analytical and structural skills with language, focusing on sentence and paragraph coherence

CAT Verbal Ability Questions Weightage Over Past 5 Years

Year

No. of VARC CAT Questions

2024

8

2023

8

2022

8

2021

8

2020

8

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Tips to Solve CAT Verbal Ability Questions Effectively

To effectively solve CAT Verbal Ability questions, focus on comprehension, critical thinking, and a systematic approach. A solid foundation in grammar and vocabulary is also essential.

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension (RC) is a significant part of the Verbal Ability section. To excel, read widely and regularly. This improves your reading speed, comprehension, and ability to grasp complex arguments. 

1. Skim First

Begin by quickly reading the passage to get the main idea and the author's tone. This helps in understanding the overall context.

2. Identify the Main Idea

As you read, actively look for the central theme or argument the author is making. Often, the main idea is stated in the first or last paragraph.

3. Analyze the Questions

Before re-reading the passage, carefully read the questions. This helps you know what information to look for. Questions often target specific details, the author's attitude, or inferences.

4. Locate Evidence

For most questions, the answer can be found in the text. Underline or make a mental note of sentences that support your answer choice.

For tricky questions, use the process of elimination. Discard options that are irrelevant, factually incorrect according to the passage, or outside the scope of the text.

Verbal Ability (Non-RC)

This section includes questions on grammar, vocabulary, sentence completion, and Para jumbles.

1. Para Jumbles

For para jumbles, look for connecting words like "therefore," "however," "in addition," or pronouns like "he," "it," and "they." These words act as clues to link sentences together. Identify the opening and closing sentences to create a logical sequence.

2. Grammar

Review the fundamental rules of grammar, including subject-verb agreement, tenses, and correct usage of parts of speech. Pay close attention to sentence structure and punctuation.

3. Vocabulary

While you can't learn every word, a strong vocabulary helps. Practice by solving sentence completion questions and understanding root words.

4. Sentence Completion

Read the sentence carefully and try to predict the missing word based on the context and tone. Then, check the options to see which word fits best both semantically and grammatically.

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CAT Verbal Ability Questions: Year-Wise Trend (2020–2024)

  • Year-wise trend question analysis of the CAT exam.
  • Insights from CAT 2025 Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3 analysis.
  • Highlights difficulty level, question patterns, and topic-wise distribution across all slots.

CAT Exam Analysis 2024

Sections

Total VARC CAT Questions

Difficulty Level

No of MCQ Questions

No of TITA Questions

Slot 1

68

Easy-Moderate

48

20

Slot 2

68

Moderate

50-52

16-18

Slot 3

68

Easy-Moderate

50-52

16-18

CAT 2023 Paper Analysis Slot 1

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of VARC CAT Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate

24

16-18

DILR

Moderate to difficult

20

10-12

Quants

Difficult

22

12-13

CAT 2023 Paper Analysis Slot 2

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of VARC CAT Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate

24

17-19

DILR

Difficult

20

10-12

Quants

Difficult

22

10-12

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CAT 2023 Paper Analysis Slot 3

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Easy-Moderate

24

16-18

DILR

Moderate

20

10-11

Quants

Difficult

22

12-14

CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 1

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate

24

16-18

DILR

Difficult

20

10-12

Quants

Moderate

22

14-16

CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 2

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate to difficult

24

15-17

DILR

Moderate

20

12-14

Quants

Difficult

22

10-12

CAT 2022 Paper Analysis Slot 3

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate to difficult

24

15-17

DILR

Moderate

20

10-11

Quants

Difficult

22

12-14

CAT 2021 Paper Analysis Slot 1

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate to difficult

24

15-16

DILR

Difficult

20

10-12

Quants

Difficult

22

12-14

CAT 2021 Paper Analysis Slot 2

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate

24

16-18

DILR

Moderate to difficult

20

10-12

Quants

Difficult

22

10-12

CAT 2021 Paper Analysis Slot 3

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate

24

15-17

DILR

Difficult

20

10-11

Quants

Moderate

22

13-15

CAT 2020 Paper Analysis Slot 1

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate

26

17-19

DILR

Difficult

24

10-12

Quants

Moderate to Difficult

26

12-14

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CAT 2020 Paper Analysis Slot 2

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate to Difficult

26

15-17

DILR

Moderate

24

11-13

Quants

Difficult

26

10-12

CAT 2020 Paper Analysis Slot 3

Sections

Difficulty Level

No of Questions

Good Attempt

VARC

Moderate

26

16-18

DILR

Difficult

24

12-14

Quants

Moderate

26

13-15

Best Books for CAT Verbal Ability Questions 2026

Here are some of the best books for CAT VARC Questions, ideal for building vocabulary, comprehension, and logical reasoning skills:

  1. How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT – Arun Sharma & Meenakshi Upadhyay
    Widely regarded as the go-to book for mastering CAT VARC, covering Para Jumbles, Summaries, and RC with strategies and practice sets.
     
  2. Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
    Excellent for vocabulary building, root words, and language usage – useful for better comprehension and sentence logic.
     
  3. High School English Grammar & Composition – Wren & Martin
    A classic for strengthening grammar rules, sentence structure, and verbal accuracy required in CAT Verbal Ability Questions

Preparation Strategies for CAT Verbal Ability Questions 2026

Improve Your Vocabulary:
Building a strong vocabulary helps in understanding word meanings and choosing the right words in sentence correction questions. Regular reading and using vocabulary apps can expand your word knowledge effectively.

2. Understand Grammar Rules:
Mastering grammar rules is key for tackling sentence correction and para jumble questions. Focus on areas like punctuation, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure to improve accuracy.

3. Practice Para Jumbles and Odd One Out Questions:
The Para Jumbles test tests your ability to sequence sentences logically, so regular practice helps you recognize patterns. Odd one out questions sharpen your skills in spotting inconsistencies in sentence structure.

4. Read Regularly:
Reading a variety of materials, from books to newspapers, enhances your comprehension and analytical abilities. The more you read, the more you improve your understanding of context and sentence formation.

5. Take Mock Tests:
CAT Mock tests familiarize you with the exam format and help you manage time during the actual test. Regular practice with these tests boosts confidence and helps identify areas for improvement.

6. Review Mistakes:
Analyzing your mistakes helps you understand where you went wrong and prevents future errors. It provides valuable insights into areas that need more focus during preparation.

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Conclusion 

CAT verbal ability questions and answers PDF is a significant component of the CAT exam, requiring critical thinking as well as a great command of language.

You can boost your CAT VARC questions' probability of achieving a good CAT score and gaining admission to the management programme of your choice by dedicating time to practise and developing your skills in CAT 2026 verbal ability questions in this section of the exam.

So, accept the challenge, practice consistently, and approach CAT Verbal Ability problems with confidence as you embark on your path to success. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

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About the Author

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Lalita Vishwakarma

Content Writer

Lalita Vishwakarma is a professional content writer with 3 years of experience, distinguished by her ability to transform raw ideas into polished, high-impact content. She masterfully combines creative storytelling with strategic execution, ensuring that her work not only captures attention but also drives desired outcomes.... more