Hello, I’m Chen Wei. Many of my IELTS students find Yes / No / Not Given even trickier than True / False / Not Given. Why? Because this task doesn’t test facts — it tests the writer’s opinions or claims.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to detect the writer’s attitude, understand implied meaning, and avoid confusing “Not Given” with “No.” Once you grasp the logic, this question type becomes one of the most predictable in IELTS Reading.
You’ll see a list of statements based on the passage. For each, decide whether the writer:
Option | Meaning |
YES | The writer agrees with the statement. |
NO | The writer disagrees with the statement. |
NOT GIVEN | The passage does not show a clear opinion about it. |
This question appears mainly in Academic Reading, especially in argumentative or research-style texts where authors express viewpoints.
Task Type | Tests | Example |
True / False / Not Given | Facts and information | “The Eiffel Tower is in Rome.” |
Yes / No / Not Given | Opinions or attitudes | “The writer believes tourism harms culture.” |
Your job is to recognise what the writer believes, not just what is stated as fact.
1️⃣ Read the Statement Carefully
Underline emotional or judgment words — believes, claims, suggests, argues, supports. These signal attitude.
2️⃣ Identify the Subject of the Opinion
Who holds this opinion — the author, a researcher, or someone mentioned in the text? IELTS sometimes includes others’ views to confuse you.
3️⃣ Scan for the Relevant Section
Locate where that topic appears in the passage. Look for paraphrased nouns and verbs, not exact words.
4️⃣ Read Around the Keyword Sentence
The opinion is rarely in one line. Read one or two sentences before and after to understand the full context.
5️⃣ Decide Based on the Writer’s View
| If the author agrees → | ✅ YES |
| If the author disagrees → | ❌ NO |
| If the author doesn’t express any opinion → | ⚪ NOT GIVEN |
Never guess based on your own knowledge — always follow the text’s logic.
Statement: The writer believes that online learning is less effective than classroom teaching.
Text Excerpt:
“While digital courses provide convenience, their outcomes often equal those of face-to-face education when well designed.”
✅ Answer: NO — The writer disagrees. The text says online results are equal, not less effective.
Writers show opinions through:
Example:
“Some scientists claim climate change is exaggerated.”
→ Attitude: sceptical view of climate change.
Mistake | Why It Happens | Solution |
Confusing “No” and “Not Given” | Students expect every idea to appear | Check for evidence — if unclear → NOT GIVEN |
Following another person’s opinion | Paragraph may quote others | Focus on the writer’s stance |
Ignoring contrast words | “However” often changes meaning | Highlight connectors |
Using real-world knowledge | Only text evidence counts | Stay objective |
Text:
“The author doubts that technology alone can solve educational inequality.”
Statement | Answer | Reason |
The author thinks technology can close the education gap. | ❌ NO | Opposite meaning |
The author says inequality cannot be solved at all. | ⚪ NOT GIVEN | No such claim |
The author believes tech is not enough. | ✅ YES | Matches exactly |
Spend around 1 minute per statement. These questions follow passage order, so once you find one answer, continue downward rather than starting from the beginning each time.
Observation | What It Means |
High-band readers look for tone, not words. | They identify phrases like “criticises,” “supports,” or “expresses concern.” |
Mid-band readers look for facts only. | They often miss subtle attitude clues. |
Practising with academic articles builds inference skills. | Try BBC, The Economist, or National Geographic. |
Yes / No / Not Given questions challenge you to interpret opinion, not just locate data. Focus on attitude words, contrast markers, and context. When in doubt, choose Not Given — never assume.
Next, continue with Matching Information to learn how to find specific facts in multiple paragraphs.
Or return to the IELTS Reading Skills & Exam Strategy page to review core skills.
For official examples, visit the British Council IELTS Practice Reading hub.
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