IELTS Yes No Not Given questions are a common question type in the IELTS Reading test. Many students find them confusing because “No” and “Not Given” can seem very similar.
The key is to understand what the statement says and then determine whether the writer:
- agrees with it — YES
- disagrees with it — NO
- does not express an opinion about it — NOT GIVEN
This guide explains the IELTS Yes No Not Given question type, the rules you need to follow, common mistakes, examples, and practical strategies for improving your score.
What Are IELTS Yes No Not Given Questions?
In this type of IELTS Reading question, you are given several statements based on information or opinions expressed by the writer of the passage.
You must decide whether each statement is:
| Answer | Meaning |
|---|---|
| YES | The statement agrees with the writer’s views or claims. |
| NO | The statement contradicts the writer’s views or claims. |
| NOT GIVEN | The writer does not give enough information to determine whether the statement is true or false. |
Simple way to remember
YES = The writer agrees.
NO = The writer disagrees.
NOT GIVEN = The writer does not say.
This is different from questions that ask whether information is True, False or Not Given.
IELTS Yes No Not Given vs True False Not Given
This distinction is extremely important.
Yes / No / Not Given
These questions focus on the writer’s opinion, views, or claims.
For example:
Passage:
The writer believes that online learning has made education more accessible.
Statement:
The writer thinks online learning has improved access to education.
Answer: YES
The statement agrees with the writer’s opinion.
True / False / Not Given
These questions usually focus on factual information in the passage.
For example:
Passage:
Online learning became increasingly popular during the early 2020s.
Statement:
Online learning became increasingly popular during the early 2020s.
Answer: TRUE
So, as a general rule:
Yes/No/Not Given → writer’s views or opinions
True/False/Not Given → factual information
How to Identify YES, NO and NOT GIVEN
Let’s look at the three answers more carefully.
1. YES
Choose YES when the writer expresses the same idea as the statement.
The wording does not need to be exactly the same.
Example
Passage:
The author argues that students should be given more opportunities to learn independently.
Statement:
The writer believes students need more opportunities for independent learning.
Answer: YES
The vocabulary is different, but the meaning is the same.
2. NO
Choose NO when the writer expresses an opinion that contradicts the statement.
Example
Passage:
The writer believes that traditional classroom teaching remains more effective than online instruction for younger learners.
Statement:
The writer believes online teaching is more effective for young students.
Answer: NO
The writer expresses the opposite opinion.
3. NOT GIVEN
Choose NOT GIVEN when the passage does not tell you whether the writer agrees or disagrees with the statement.
Example
Passage:
The writer believes online education has expanded rapidly in recent years.
Statement:
The writer believes online education is more effective than classroom education.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The passage talks about the growth of online education, but it does not say whether online education is more effective.
Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
The Most Important IELTS Rule
One of the biggest mistakes students make is using their own knowledge to answer the question.
Don’t do this.
Your answer must be based only on the information and opinions presented in the passage.
For example:
Statement:
The writer believes that learning English is essential for everyone.
You may personally believe that English is essential.
But if the passage does not express this opinion, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
Remember:
IELTS tests your ability to find information in the passage, not your ability to guess what is true in the real world.
A Simple Three-Step Method
Use this method for every Yes No Not Given question.
Step 1: Find the relevant part of the passage
Identify keywords in the statement and locate the corresponding idea in the text.
Step 2: Compare the meanings
Ask yourself:
Does the writer agree?
If yes → YES
Does the writer disagree?
If yes → NO
Does the writer not express an opinion?
→ NOT GIVEN
Step 3: Ignore outside knowledge
Don’t use your personal experience or general knowledge.
Only use the passage.
IELTS Yes No Not Given Examples
Let’s practice with a short passage.
Passage
Some educators believe that technology has transformed the modern classroom. Digital resources can give students access to a much wider range of learning materials. However, the writer argues that technology should not completely replace traditional classroom interaction. In the writer’s view, students benefit from communicating directly with teachers and classmates.
Question 1
Technology has changed the modern classroom.
Answer: YES
The passage says that some educators believe technology has transformed the modern classroom.
Question 2
The writer believes technology should replace traditional teaching completely.
Answer: NO
The writer says technology should not completely replace traditional classroom interaction.
This directly contradicts the statement.
Question 3
The writer believes students spend too much time using computers.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The passage does not say that students spend too much time using computers.
Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
How to Distinguish NO from NOT GIVEN
This is probably the most important skill for this question type.
Ask yourself:
Is the opposite idea actually present?
If yes, choose NO.
If no, and the passage simply doesn’t tell you, choose NOT GIVEN.
Example
Passage:
The writer believes that university students should have more opportunities to study abroad.
Statement A:
The writer believes university students should have fewer opportunities to study abroad.
Answer: NO
The statement directly contradicts the writer’s position.
Statement B:
The writer believes studying abroad is cheaper than studying at home.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The writer says nothing about cost.
Watch Out for Extreme Words
IELTS often uses words that make a statement stronger than the information in the passage.
Pay particular attention to words such as:
- all
- always
- never
- only
- every
- completely
- entirely
- must
- impossible
- exclusively
Example
Passage:
Many students use online resources to support their studies.
Statement:
All students use online resources.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The passage says many, not all.
However, be careful: an exaggerated statement isn’t automatically NOT GIVEN. You still need to determine whether the passage explicitly contradicts it.
Don’t Look for Exact Words
IELTS Reading frequently uses paraphrasing.
The statement and passage may use completely different vocabulary.
For example:
Passage:
The number of people working remotely has increased significantly.
Statement:
More people now work from home than in the past.
These sentences express essentially the same idea.
Therefore, if the writer is expressing that view, the answer is YES.
Common IELTS paraphrases
| Passage | Question |
|---|---|
| increased | grew / rose |
| decreased | declined / fell |
| important | significant / essential |
| difficult | challenging |
| children | young people |
| approximately | about / roughly |
| purchase | buy |
| advantage | benefit |
| problem | issue |
| demonstrate | show |
| sufficient | enough |
Learning to recognize paraphrases is essential for a high IELTS Reading score.
Don’t Assume Missing Information
Another common mistake is assuming something must be true because it seems logical.
Passage:
The university introduced a new online English course in 2025.
Statement:
The university’s new English course is available to students from other countries.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
It may be logical to think an online course is available internationally, but the passage doesn’t tell us this.
IELTS requires evidence.
IELTS Yes No Not Given Strategy
Here is a practical strategy you can use during the exam.
1. Read the instructions carefully
Make sure the question is asking for:
YES / NO / NOT GIVEN
rather than:
TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN
This distinction matters.
2. Read the statements
Underline or mentally identify the important words.
For example:
The writer believes online learning is more effective than traditional education.
Important concepts:
- writer believes
- online learning
- more effective
- traditional education
3. Search for the idea, not just the words
Look for synonyms and paraphrases.
Don’t waste time searching for exactly the same sentence.
4. Read around the relevant sentence
Don’t make a decision from one isolated sentence.
Read the surrounding sentences to understand the writer’s position.
5. Decide between YES, NO and NOT GIVEN
Ask:
Same opinion? → YES
Opposite opinion? → NO
No opinion/information? → NOT GIVEN
Common IELTS Yes No Not Given Mistakes
Mistake 1: Choosing NO when the information is missing
Students often think:
“The passage doesn’t say this, so it must be NO.”
That’s incorrect.
NO means the writer disagrees.
If the writer doesn’t express an opinion, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
Mistake 2: Using your own knowledge
Don’t think:
“This statement is obviously true.”
It doesn’t matter.
The question is whether the passage supports it.
Mistake 3: Looking for identical words
IELTS uses paraphrasing extensively.
Focus on meaning rather than individual words.
Mistake 4: Ignoring negative words
Pay close attention to words such as:
- not
- never
- rarely
- hardly
- few
- little
- unlikely
A small word can completely change the meaning.
Mistake 5: Confusing the writer’s opinion with someone else’s opinion
This is particularly important.
Consider:
Professor Ahmed argues that online education is ineffective. However, the writer believes that online learning can be highly successful when properly designed.
If the question asks about the writer’s opinion, don’t use Professor Ahmed’s opinion.
You need to identify who is expressing the view.
IELTS Yes No Not Given Practice
Try these questions before looking at the answers.
Passage
In recent years, many schools have introduced digital textbooks. Supporters argue that electronic books are cheaper to update and easier for students to carry. The writer agrees that digital textbooks offer several practical advantages. However, the writer does not believe schools should abandon printed books completely. Some students, particularly younger learners, may still benefit from reading physical books.
Questions
1. The writer believes digital textbooks have some practical benefits.
2. The writer believes printed books should no longer be used in schools.
3. Digital textbooks are cheaper than printed textbooks.
4. Younger students may benefit from physical books.
5. Most students prefer digital textbooks.
Answers
1. YES
The writer agrees that digital textbooks offer practical advantages.
2. NO
The writer does not believe schools should completely abandon printed books.
3. NOT GIVEN
The passage says digital textbooks are cheaper to update, not necessarily cheaper to purchase than printed books.
4. YES
The passage specifically says some younger learners may benefit from physical books.
5. NOT GIVEN
The passage does not discuss students’ preferences.
A Useful Memory Trick
Remember this:
YES = SAME
The statement has the same meaning as the writer’s opinion.
NO = OPPOSITE
The statement expresses the opposite meaning.
NOT GIVEN = SILENCE
The writer doesn’t tell you.
You can remember it as:
Same = Yes | Opposite = No | Silence = Not Given
How to Improve Your IELTS Yes No Not Given Score
The best way to improve is not simply to complete hundreds of questions. You should analyze why you made each mistake.
After every practice test, classify your mistakes:
- Did I miss a paraphrase?
- Did I confuse NO with NOT GIVEN?
- Did I use outside knowledge?
- Did I misunderstand the writer’s opinion?
- Did I overlook a negative word?
- Did I confuse another person’s opinion with the writer’s?
- Did I read too little of the surrounding text?
This will help you identify your personal weakness.
IELTS Yes No Not Given: Quick Cheat Sheet
| If the passage… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Supports the statement | YES |
| Agrees with the statement | YES |
| Contradicts the statement | NO |
| Expresses the opposite opinion | NO |
| Does not mention the idea | NOT GIVEN |
| Mentions the topic but gives no relevant opinion | NOT GIVEN |
| Gives insufficient information to decide | NOT GIVEN |
Final Tips for IELTS Yes No Not Given
Before choosing your answer, ask yourself three questions:
1. What exactly does the statement claim?
2. What exactly does the writer say about this idea?
3. Is the writer’s position the same, opposite, or absent?
Then choose:
YES → same
NO → opposite
NOT GIVEN → no clear information
The most important thing to remember is that Not Given does not mean the statement is false. It means that the passage does not provide enough information to say whether the statement is true or false.
With regular practice in identifying writer opinion, contradiction, paraphrasing, and missing information, IELTS Yes No Not Given questions become much easier and faster to answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Yes mean in IELTS Reading?
Yes means the statement agrees with the writer’s opinion or claim in the passage.
What does No mean in IELTS Reading?
No means the statement contradicts or disagrees with the writer’s opinion or claim.
What does Not Given mean in IELTS?
Not Given means the passage does not provide enough information to determine whether the statement agrees or disagrees with the writer.
Is Yes No Not Given difficult?
It can be challenging at first because students often confuse No with Not Given. The key is to remember that No requires a contradiction, whereas Not Given means the writer has not provided the necessary information.
What is the difference between Yes No Not Given and True False Not Given?
Yes/No/Not Given generally tests the writer’s opinions or views, while True/False/Not Given generally tests factual information in the passage.
Can I use my own knowledge to answer IELTS Reading questions?
No. Your answers should be based on the information provided in the IELTS passage, not your personal knowledge or beliefs.
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