IELTS Reading: Yes/No/Not Given Explained

When preparing for the IELTS Reading test, one of the question types that confuses test-takers the most is Yes/No/Not Given. At first glance, it may look similar to True/False/Not Given, but there are subtle yet important differences. Many candidates lose points here because they do not fully understand what the question is asking or because they read too quickly and jump to conclusions.

In this guide, we will explain in detail what Yes/No/Not Given questions are, how they differ from other question types, common mistakes to avoid, and strategies to answer them correctly. By the end, you will feel much more confident when you see these questions on test day.

What Are Yes/No/Not Given Questions?

In the IELTS Reading test, you will sometimes be asked to answer whether a statement agrees with the writer’s opinion or the claim of the writer. This is where Yes/No/Not Given questions come in.

• YES – The statement agrees with the views, opinions, or claims made by the writer.

• NO – The statement contradicts or is opposite to the views, opinions, or claims made by the writer.

• NOT GIVEN – There is no information in the text that confirms or denies the statement.

The key difference between Yes/No/Not Given and True/False/Not Given is that:

• True/False/Not Given is based on facts in the passage.

• Yes/No/Not Given is based on the writer’s opinions, beliefs, or claims.

Example

Let’s say you have a passage about climate change written by a scientist.

Passage excerpt:
The scientist believes that government policies are not strong enough to reduce carbon emissions, and more aggressive action is required.

Question:
The scientist supports current government measures on carbon emissions.

• Answer: NO (because the passage clearly states the opposite).

Another Question:
The scientist thinks renewable energy will solve all climate problems.

• Answer: NOT GIVEN (because the passage does not mention renewable energy).

Another Question:
The scientist argues that stricter laws are necessary to reduce emissions.

• Answer: YES (because this matches the opinion in the passage).

Why Are They Tricky?

Many IELTS candidates confuse NO and NOT GIVEN. The difference is subtle:

• NO means the passage expresses the opposite view.

• NOT GIVEN means the passage says nothing about that point.

Another source of confusion is when candidates do not distinguish between facts and opinions. For example, if the passage states “Many scientists believe…”, this is an opinion, not a factual statement.

Step-by-Step Strategy for Answering

1. Identify the Nature of the Question

Check if the instruction says Yes/No/Not Given or True/False/Not Given. Many students misread the instructions and lose marks.

2. Focus on the Writer’s Opinion

Remember that Yes/No/Not Given asks about what the author thinks or claims, not what is objectively true.

3. Scan for Keywords

Pick out keywords in the question (names, dates, verbs, adjectives) and scan the passage to find the relevant section.

4. Compare Meaning, Not Just Words

Do not rely only on “word matching.” The IELTS exam uses synonyms and paraphrases. Focus on whether the meaning agrees, disagrees, or is absent.

5. Decide Carefully Between NO and NOT GIVEN

• If the author’s view is the opposite → NO

• If there is no mention at all → NOT GIVEN

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Assuming Knowledge

Many candidates bring outside knowledge into the test. Remember: your answers must be based only on the passage, not on what you know from real life.

Mistake 2: Misreading Qualifiers

Words like “always, never, only, all, some, most, many” change the meaning. A small detail can make an answer NO instead of YES.

Mistake 3: Rushing

Yes/No/Not Given requires careful reading. If you read too quickly, you may miss the subtle difference between agreement and absence of information.

Mistake 4: Confusing YES/NO with True/False

Remember: this type deals with opinions, not factual statements.

Practice Example

Passage excerpt:
According to Dr. Lee, while exercise is important for health, it cannot replace a balanced diet. She argues that both are essential for long-term well-being.

Questions:

1. Dr. Lee believes exercise alone is enough for long-term health.

   • NO (the opposite is stated).

2. Dr. Lee suggests combining diet and exercise for health.

   • YES (this matches her opinion).

3. Dr. Lee recommends daily meditation for health.

   • NOT GIVEN (not mentioned).

Tips to Master Yes/No/Not Given

1. Underline opinion words – like believes, suggests, argues, claims, recommends.

2. Be cautious with extreme statements – “always” and “never” often indicate NO if the passage allows exceptions.

3. Use elimination – if it’s not YES and not NO, then it must be NOT GIVEN.

4. Remember the test makers’ tricks – they often test your ability to see what is missing.

5. Practice regularly – doing many samples will train your eye to spot opinions quickly.

How to Improve Your Score

• Read opinion-based texts – Editorials, opinion columns, and essays are good practice.

• Summarize views – After reading a passage, try to state the author’s opinion in one sentence.

• Time yourself – Practice under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy.

• Review mistakes – After each practice, check not just the correct answer but also why the others were wrong.

Difference Between NO and NOT GIVEN in Detail

• NO: There is a clear statement in the text that directly contradicts the question statement.

• NOT GIVEN: The text does not mention the issue at all, or does not provide enough information to decide.

Example:
The author insists that space exploration is a waste of money.

• Question: The author supports funding space programs.

  • Answer: NO.

• Question: The author thinks space exploration will improve education.

  • Answer: NOT GIVEN.

Final Advice

The IELTS examiners design Yes/No/Not Given questions to check if you can carefully distinguish between agreement, contradiction, and missing information. Many candidates fail here because they assume too much, misinterpret, or confuse the question type.

The best approach is:

• Read carefully.

• Look for the writer’s opinion.

• Don’t bring outside knowledge.

• Decide between YES, NO, or NOT GIVEN strictly from the passage.

If you practice with these strategies, you will find these questions much less intimidating, and you’ll be able to pick up points more confidently.

FAQ:IELTS Reading: Yes/No/Not Given Explained

What does “Yes/No/Not Given” test in IELTS Reading?

“Yes/No/Not Given” (Y/ N/ NG) questions assess whether a statement agrees with, contradicts, or is not addressed by the author’s opinions or claims in the passage. Choose Yes if the statement aligns with the writer’s view, No if it conflicts with the writer’s view, and Not Given if the passage does not provide enough information to confirm or deny the statement. Unlike factual verification, this task is about interpreting stance, attitude, and argument.

How is it different from “True/False/Not Given”?

Both tasks look similar but target different evidence types. True/False/Not Given asks about facts in the text, while Yes/No/Not Given asks about the writer’s opinions. If the question stem mentions phrases like “the writer believes/claims/suggests,” expect Y/N/NG. A factual mismatch (dates, numbers) is more relevant to T/F/NG, whereas attitude markers (supports, opposes, doubts) signal Y/N/NG.

How do I quickly locate the relevant part of the passage?

Underline high-information keywords in the statement: names, technical terms, and strong verbs or adjectives. Then skim the passage to find the segment with the same topic focus. Because IELTS typically orders questions in sequence, start from where you answered the previous item. Once you find the likely paragraph, read from one sentence before to one after the candidate line to capture the full idea and avoid quote-mining out of context.

What is the most reliable way to distinguish “No” from “Not Given”?

Ask yourself: “Does the author explicitly express the opposite view?” If yes, choose No. If the author is silent, vague, or discusses a related but different point, choose Not Given. Remember: “No” requires a clear contradiction, not merely a lack of support. If you cannot find a direct counter-claim or opposing stance, resist the urge to infer and select “Not Given.”

What words signal the writer’s opinion or attitude?

Look for verbs that frame stance: argues, claims, believes, suggests, recommends, criticizes, questions, supports, opposes. Also note hedges and boosters that color certainty: likely, unlikely, may, might, must, certainly, clearly, undoubtedly. Modality (e.g., should, must) often reveals policy preferences. Adverbs and adjectives like essential, inadequate, promising, misguided also mark opinion.

Why do extreme qualifiers matter so much?

Absolute terms such as always, never, all, none, only raise the bar for a match. If the author’s view allows exceptions (e.g., “in most cases,” “generally”), a statement that says “always” will likely be No. Conversely, if the statement is cautious but the text is absolute, it may also misalign. Pay close attention to quantifiers (few, some, many, most) and temporal scope (now, historically, in the long term).

Should I use background knowledge or logic to fill gaps?

No. Y/N/NG strictly rewards textual evidence. Even if a statement seems “obviously true in real life,” choose Not Given when the passage does not address it. Similarly, if your general knowledge clashes with the passage, follow the passage. The test measures reading precision, not subject-matter expertise.

What step-by-step process works under time pressure?

1. Read the instruction to confirm it’s Y/N/NG (not T/F/NG).
2. Extract keywords from the statement (topic, agent, stance verb, qualifier).
3. Locate the paragraph using scanning; read around the likely sentence for context.
4. Match meaning, not words; beware synonyms and paraphrases.
5. Decide:
   • If the author explicitly supports the statement → Yes.
   • If the author explicitly opposes it → No.
   • If the point is absent or insufficiently addressed → Not Given.
6. Move on decisively to maintain pacing.

What are common traps and how do I avoid them?

• Near-miss paraphrases: One subtle word shifts meaning. Re-check modal verbs and qualifiers.
• Topic vs. claim: The text may discuss the same topic but not the specific claim—this is often Not Given.
• Scope creep: The statement may broaden/narrow the author’s claim (e.g., from “urban schools” to “all schools”). Watch scope.
• Temporal mismatch: Past vs. present viewpoints can flip the answer.
• Assumption leaps: Correlation is not endorsement; a description of an idea is not support for it.

Can you provide quick practice examples with reasoning?

Text: “The researcher argues that voluntary guidelines are insufficient and that binding regulation is needed to reduce industry emissions.”

• Statement: The researcher supports voluntary guidelines. — No (explicit contradiction).
• Statement: The researcher favors legal requirements. — Yes (direct alignment).
• Statement: The researcher thinks tax incentives will solve the problem. — Not Given (not discussed).

Text: “Most participants appeared satisfied; however, the author cautions that the sample was small.”

• Statement: The author is fully confident in the findings. — No (author expresses caution).
• Statement: The author notes limitations to the study. — Yes (explicitly stated).
• Statement: The author recommends repeating the study in another country. — Not Given (no such recommendation).

How can I manage time for a passage heavy with Y/N/NG items?

Set a micro-budget (e.g., ~60–75 seconds per item). If an item becomes sticky, mark your best choice and continue—later items often clarify earlier context. Use the natural sequence order to reduce rescanning. Keep notes of paragraph anchors (e.g., “Para 3 = policy stance”) so you can return instantly.

What if two answers seem plausible?

Treat this as a signal to re-check the exact wording. Ask: “Do I have a clear sentence proving support or contradiction?” If yes, pick Yes or No. If support is partial, conditional, or merely implied without explicit stance, the safest and often correct choice is Not Given. IELTS rarely rewards inference beyond what is textually evident.

How do hedging and modality influence the answer?

Hedges (may, might, could, tends to) soften claims, while boosters (clearly, certainly, must) strengthen them. A statement claiming certainty can clash with a hedged text, turning a potential Yes into a No. Match the degree of certainty, not just the topic. If the passage is cautious and the statement is absolute, they likely disagree.

What strategies reduce careless errors?

• Finger-trace alignment: Point from statement to the exact sentence supporting your choice.
• Qualifier checklist: Verify quantities, frequency, time, and scope words.
• One-sentence proof: You should be able to cite one line that justifies Yes/No. If you can’t, it’s probably Not Given.
• Instruction audit: Confirm it’s Y/N/NG before you start answering.

How should I review my answers effectively?

On review, re-validate the logic chain: statement → relevant sentence → stance match. Specifically re-check items you marked quickly or those involving absolutes. Replace any answer that lacks a clear textual anchor with Not Given. This single habit corrects many last-minute errors.

What practice sources and drills help most?

Use editorials, opinion essays, and policy commentary to train stance detection. Create a 3-column table (claim | evidence line | stance) while reading. Drill micro-skills: (1) underline stance verbs, (2) circle quantifiers, (3) label hedges/boosters. Short daily drills (10 minutes) reinforce automaticity, freeing time on test day for tougher inference questions.

What’s a concise checklist I can carry into the test?

• Instruction says Y/N/NG? ✅
• Statement keywords identified? ✅
• Paragraph located and read in context? ✅
• Stance verb and qualifiers matched? ✅
• Explicit support = Yes; explicit contradiction = No; otherwise = Not Given ✅
• Time managed (no item > ~75s on first pass)? ✅

Final takeaway for boosting accuracy

Y/N/NG rewards disciplined reading. Anchor every Yes or No to a precise sentence, and default to Not Given when evidence is missing or incomplete. Monitor qualifiers, match certainty levels, and avoid background-knowledge leaps. With systematic scanning, stance-focused reading, and a strict proof standard, your accuracy and speed will climb together.

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