Linux, how to read a file with execute permission disabled -

i'm working on homework linux class , we're working on permissions. 1 thing have make owner of directory allowed read , write directory, not able execute. problem i'm running when disable execute can't open of these files using cat. there other command can/have use read and/or write file? it helps i'm running older version of fedora.

update: have found can read files if disable execute files individually, not if disable execute directory. accessing directory considered executing it? might have been problem along

you simple : (the -x disable execution if file permission)

sudo chmod -x file | cat file