Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers for CLAT 2026

It continued.

Over the next few weeks and into summer, the midnight class began at the end of each nightmare. There were two more bed-wetting occurrences, but Hans Hubermann merely repeated his previous cleanup heroics and got down to the task of reading, sketching, and reciting. In the morning’s early hours, quiet voices were loud.

On a Thursday, just after 3 p.m., Mama told Liesel to get ready to come with her and deliver some ironing. Papa had other ideas. He walked into the kitchen and said, “Sorry, Mama, she’s not going with you today.”

Mama didn’t even bother looking up from the washing bag. “Who asked you, Arschloch? Come on, Liesel.” “She’s reading,” he said. Papa handed Liesel a steadfast smile and a wink. “With me. I’m teaching her. We’re going to the Amper— upstream, where I used to practice the accordion.”

Now he had her attention.

Mama placed the washing on the table and eagerly worked herself up to the appropriate level of cynicism. “What did you say?” “I think you heard me, Rosa.”

Mama laughed. “What the hell could you teach her?” A cardboard grin. Uppercut words. “Like you could read so much, you Saukerl.” The kitchen waited. Papa counterpunched. “We’ll take your ironing for you.”

“You filthy—” She stopped. The words propped in her mouth as she considered it. “Be back before dark.”

“We can’t read in the dark, Mama,” Liesel said.
“What was that, Saumensch?”

“Nothing, Mama.”

Papa grinned and pointed at the girl. “Book, sandpaper, pencil,” he ordered her, “and accordion!” once she was already gone. Soon, they were on Himmel Street, carrying the words, the music, the washing.

As they walked toward Frau Diller’s, they turned around a few times to see if Mama was still at the gate, checking on them. She was. At one point, she called out, “Liesel, hold that ironing straight! Don’t crease it!”

“Yes, Mama!”

A few steps later: “Liesel, are you dressed warm enough?!”

“What did you say?”
“Saumensch dreckiges, you never hear anything! Are you dressed warm enough? It might get cold later!”

Around the corner, Papa bent down to do up a shoelace. “Liesel,” he said, “could you roll me a cigarette?”

Nothing would give her greater pleasure.

Once the ironing was delivered, they made their way back to the Amper River, which flanked the town. It worked its way past, pointing in the direction of Dachau, the concentration camp.

There was a wooden-planked bridge. They sat maybe thirty meters down from it, in the grass, writing the words and reading them aloud, and when darkness was near, Hans pulled out the accordion. Liesel looked at him and listened, though she did not immediately notice the perplexed expression on her papa’s face that evening as he played.

a) Unwavering
b) Brief
c) Joyful
d) Suspicious

Correct Answer: a) Unwavering
Explanation: The context implies that Papa’s smile was firm and supportive, making “unwavering” the best fit.

a) She trusted Papa’s teaching skills.
b) She wanted Papa to deliver the ironing.
c) She was convinced by Papa’s persistence.
d) She realized it was a good opportunity for Liesel to learn.

Correct Answer: b) She wanted Papa to deliver the ironing.
Explanation: Mama’s initial resistance softened when Papa offered to deliver the ironing, which made her agree.

a) Affectionate and caring
b) Sarcastic and gruff
c) Serious and formal
d) Humorous and lighthearted

Correct Answer: b) Sarcastic and gruff
Explanation: Mama’s dialogue reflects her typical sarcasm and rough demeanor, as seen in her choice of words like “Arschloch” and “Saukerl.”

a) Simile
b) Personification
c) Metaphor
d) Hyperbole

Correct Answer: b) Personification
Explanation: The kitchen is described as if it were a person waiting, which is an example of personification.

a) The importance of family bonding and learning
b) The hardships of war-torn Germany
c) The value of independence in childhood
d) The fear of disobeying parental authority

Correct Answer: a) The importance of family bonding and learning
Explanation: The passage emphasizes the growing bond between Liesel and Papa through their shared reading and learning experience.

a) He is strict and authoritarian.
b) He is supportive and nurturing.
c) He is indifferent to rules.
d) He is manipulative and controlling.

Correct Answer: b) He is supportive and nurturing.
Explanation: Hans encourages Liesel’s learning and offers to help with ironing, showcasing his supportive nature.

a) Mama told Liesel to deliver ironing, Papa intervened, and they went to the river.
b) Papa played the accordion, Mama allowed Liesel to leave, and they delivered ironing.
c) Liesel and Papa delivered ironing, Mama argued with Papa, and they went to the river.
d) Mama forced Liesel to deliver ironing, and Papa stayed home.

Correct Answer: a) Mama told Liesel to deliver ironing, Papa intervened, and they went to the river.
Explanation: This sequence reflects the progression of events as described in the passage.

a) To distract her from Mama’s nagging
b) To give her a task she enjoys
c) To bond with her during their walk
d) To test her skills

Correct Answer: b) To give her a task she enjoys
Explanation: The passage mentions that nothing gave Liesel greater pleasure than rolling a cigarette, suggesting that Papa wanted to delight her.

a) “We’ll take your ironing for you.”
b) “What the hell could you teach her?”
c) “We can’t read in the dark, Mama.”
d) “Nothing would give her greater pleasure.”

Correct Answer: c) “We can’t read in the dark, Mama.”
Explanation: This is an example of situational irony, as Liesel humorously points out the impracticality of reading in the dark.

a) “A Lesson by the River”
b) “The Midnight Class”
c) “Mama’s Ironing Adventure”
d) “Papa’s Accordion and the Words”

Correct Answer: d) “Papa’s Accordion and the Words”
Explanation: The title highlights the central elements of the passage—Papa’s role in teaching Liesel and the importance of words and music.