IELTS Reading

Yes, No, Not Given questions

Yes/No/Not Given questions look like True/False/Not Given, but they test the writer's opinions and claims rather than facts. Yes means the statement agrees with the writer's view, No means it contradicts it, and Not Given means the writer doesn't express a view on it.

They usually appear with argumentative passages, often Passage 3. Look for opinion language: adjectives, adverbs like 'surprisingly' or 'wrongly', and verbs like 'argue', 'claim' and 'doubt'.

What the question looks like

Yes/No/Not Given. “Do the following statements agree with the views or claims of the writer? Choose YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer, NO if the statement contradicts them, or NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.”

Try real-format questions

This question type is in our free practice test: Passage 3 (“The Paradox of Choice”), questions 27–30. Open the practice test →

How to answer

Yes, No or Not Given

Yes means the writer’s view agrees with the claim.
No means the writer expresses a view that conflicts with the claim.
Not Given means the passage does not state the writer’s view on that claim.
Choose by comparing the claim with the writer’s stated view, not with your own opinion.

Example: Worked example: a claim about a writer’s view. Passage: The writer considers public libraries valuable because they provide quiet places to study. Claim: The writer believes public libraries are useful. Answer: Yes. The claim agrees with the writer’s view that libraries are valuable.

Finding the Writer’s View

First identify who holds each view: the writer, a researcher, a group, or another source.
Phrases such as “researchers argue” and “according to residents” attribute a view to someone else.
Look for the writer’s own judgement in evaluative words such as “clearly”, “regrettably” or “flawed”, and in responses to others, such as “however, this overlooks…”.
Do not treat a reported view as the writer’s position unless the writer clearly adopts it.

Example: A passage reports a view and then gives the writer’s response. “Some residents argue that the new park is too small” reports the residents’ view. “The writer considers it large enough for everyday use” gives the writer’s position.

Contradicting a Writer’s View

Find the writer’s stated view on the same point as the question.
Compare the writer’s view with the whole claim, not just one shared word.
Choose No when the writer clearly takes the opposite position to the claim.
A different detail is not a contradiction; the writer must express a conflicting view.

Example: Passage and statement: urban trees. Passage: The writer says trees in narrow streets have little effect on afternoon temperatures because buildings block much of their shade. Statement: The writer believes these trees greatly reduce afternoon temperatures. Answer: No. The writer’s stated view conflicts with the statement.

Avoiding Outside Knowledge

Use only details stated in the passage or conclusions they clearly support.
Do not use what you already know about a topic to fill gaps in the passage.
Check the exact scope: a result about one test does not prove a rule for every case.
Before answering, find the words that support your choice and remove any extra assumption.

Example: A passage about a seedling experiment. The passage says one tray of seedlings was kept in a dark cupboard and those seedlings were taller but pale. A safe answer is that the cupboard seedlings were taller in this experiment. Do not add a general claim about how all plants grow.

Practise

Short items from the ielts.coach lessons. Answer them, then check to see why each answer is right.

The writer considers rooftop gardens a worthwhile use of unused building space. They can absorb some rainwater and offer residents a place to grow food. However, the writer notes that they need regular maintenance.

1The writer believes rooftop gardens are worth creating.

The author argues that digital notices are unsuitable for urgent updates because many readers do not check them promptly. Printed boards, by contrast, remain visible in shared spaces. The author therefore recommends keeping printed notices for time-sensitive information.

2The writer believes digital notices are the best way to share urgent information.

Researchers have compared two methods for measuring soil moisture. One method uses sensors in the ground, while the other analyses images from above.

3Write Yes, No or Not Given: The writer believes that the image method is more accurate.

Some engineers argue that wooden buildings are less durable than concrete ones. The writer accepts that timber needs careful maintenance, but notes that modern treatments can extend its life. In the writer’s view, durability depends on design and upkeep, not simply on the material.

4Which option expresses the writer’s own position?

Some historians argue that railway stations helped smaller towns grow by attracting new businesses. A recent study also links station openings with population increases. The writer cautions that these changes may have had several causes, so the link alone does not prove that stations caused growth.

5Which view is attributed to some historians?

A group of architects argues that small courtyards improve air flow in dense housing. The writer agrees that courtyards can help, but considers their main benefit to be access to daylight.

6Whose view is that access to daylight is the main benefit?

Some researchers argue that planting trees in streets can cool nearby areas. In my view, however, trees in narrow streets have little effect on afternoon temperatures because buildings block much of their shade.

7Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer? The writer believes trees in narrow streets greatly reduce afternoon temperatures.

A digital archive can make documents easier to find, but access depends on reliable internet and basic digital skills. It cannot be assumed that moving records online will benefit every reader.

8Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer? The writer is certain that putting records online improves access for all readers.

Test hacks

False vs Not Given

False means the passage says the opposite. Not Given means the passage doesn't say either way. Don't use your own knowledge.

Why it works: Confusing False and Not Given is an easy trap: choosing False when the passage simply says nothing about the point.

Answers usually follow passage order

For most question types (True/False/Not Given, gap-fill, multiple choice) the answers appear in the same order as the passage.

Why it works: Once you find answer 3, answer 4 is almost always after it. You'll search a much smaller area.

Hunt for synonyms, not the same words

Questions paraphrase the passage. Look for words with the same meaning, not identical words.

Why it works: Matching exact words often leads to the distractor; the real answer is usually paraphrased.

Practise with feedback on every answer

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