IELTS academic reading yes/no/not given question type is quite similar to the true/false/not given question type and also tough enough. First, read the given tips and instructions carefully. Yes/no/not given question type presented with one or more passages followed by sets of statements or sentences to analyze the writer’s point of view. Your job is to read the passage and question clearly to understand the main idea. Then compare the question with the passage whether it matches the writer’s opinion or not.
Your answer for the IELTS academic reading yes/no/not given question will be based on the following conditions,
If the information matches the writer’s opinion – YES
If the information doesn’t match the writer’s opinion – NO
If the information is not found in the given passage – NOT GIVEN
Yes/no/not given question type is one of the most essential question types. Scoring high in this question type will increase your band score on the reading section. So, we have covered everything about the IELTS academic reading yes/no/not given question type on this page.
IELTS academic reading yes/no/not given – Strategies & tips to solve
Please find some proven IELTS academic reading yes/no/no given tips and strategies to solve this question type with minimal effort. Also, our tips and strategies will make you more confident in attempting the IELTS academic reading test.
- Read the given passage and try to understand the main idea of the passage. Then, read the first statement of the question set.
- Don’t read the passage quickly. Also, do not waste time by reading the whole passage.
- Identify the keywords that will help you to locate the relevant information. Also, read the statement carefully to understand its meaning.
- Go to the passage and try to find the correct location with the help of keywords.
- Remember, in most cases, you will not get the exact keyword. So, Look for different words with similar meanings.
- You should be extra careful about the writer’s opinion about the information. Also, remember that the opinions are not mentioned directly in the passage.
- Read this portion of the text carefully and get the meaning. If the text agrees with what is said in the question statement, the answer is Yes. If it contradicts, the answer is No. If the information is not sufficient to decide, the answer is Not Given.
- Remember, to increase the difficulty level, the question statements will be paraphrased, i.e. the sentences will be written differently.
- Repeat the same procedure for other statements.
- Y/ N/ NG question statements follow the order of the passage. So the answer to the second question of the set will come after the answer to the first question and so.
- Do not apply your own knowledge about the topic to decide the answers. They must be based on the information provided in the passage.
- Try to understand the writer’s opinion and point of view. This helps you to find the answers quickly.
- Remember that there will be at least one in each answer category “ YES, NO, and NOT GIVEN”. If you miss a single one of them, you’re wrong.
You can utilize the IELTS academic reading yes/no/not given tips and strategies listed above to answer this question type effectively. Take all our key ideas with you to score high on your IELTS academic reading test.
Skills required to solve yes/no/not given question
IELTS academic reading yes/no/not given questions will show your reading skill and your basic understanding about the given passage. These are some important skills that you should have in order to solve yes/no/not given questions. They are as follows,
- Paying attention to each and every instruction given
- A good vocabulary will really be useful here
- Skimming, scanning, and grasping the main idea of the passage
- Constant practicing
- Time-management
- Being focus
Common challenges faced while answering note completion question
In general, many of you will face some common difficulties during your exam times. Even silly mistakes will make a big difference in your score. So, try to avoid the following mistakes to score high on your IELTS academic reading test.
- Taking too much time in reading the passage
- Directly searching for the answers without identifying the keywords
- Not understanding the question properly
- Searching for the missed information in the passage for a long time
- Not sure about the question type
- Not aware of synonyms and paraphrasing
- Lack of focus
Yes/no/not given skill-building exercise 1
Answer questions 1-6 which are based on the reading passage below.
DEPENDENCE ON TECHNOLOGY
Reaching the moon, multiplying two 12-digit numbers instantly, and searching trillions of gigabytes of information in one go has all been made possible due to technology. It has realized possibilities that would have otherwise been considered a mammoth task to complete. Imagining a life without technological devices in the vicinity is an unpleasant thought for most people. But is the dependence desirable or does it have its downside too?
In a survey conducted in the US, people were asked if society has become dependent on technology. Out of the total responses, 77% of people believed that dependence on technology has increased at an alarming rate. According to a study, 6% of school-going teenagers in China are addicted to the Internet. In South Korea, the figures are likely to reach 10%. These results are not surprising. Today, if teenagers are asked the meaning of a particular word or to state their opinion on a given issue, they will instantly reach for their mobile and the internet instead of referring to a physical dictionary or a book for information. Turning pages of physical books are relatively time-consuming, but it does not necessarily mean that the much-trusted technology will always be able to deliver better.
We have improved with technology but have not thought of an alternative if technology does not work. The most recent examples are the outages at the New York Stock Exchange when a break-down in the system took three-and-half hours to resolve and resume trading, halting the overall pace of Wall Street. Another such example is a minor router issue at United Airlines which grounded its planes for two hours leading to 800 flight delays. These are just a couple of the many incidents of a technical outage. While the technology in use may be state-of-the-art, having a reliable backup is equally important.
Sophisticated systems in various areas such as airlines, military, or electric grids add to the convenience. However, there are inherent risks. For example, even upgraded security systems may be vulnerable to the slightest malfunction. A minor change in readings, codes, or chips with malicious intent may harm innocent people and society at large.
Online networking, a gift of advanced technology, has become a part of our daily lives and its advantages are undeniable. However, it has changed our daily interactions and can change our social structure too. Face-to-face meetings have been replaced by chats and text messages on social media. Reduced face-to-face interaction has kept smartphone users away from real-life situations. The virtual world cannot replace real-life situations that demand communication skills, problem-solving skills, tolerance, and receptivity to coexist in society. “They don’t know how to handle conflict face to face because so many things happen through some sort of technology,” said Melissa Ortega, a child psychologist at New York’s Child Mind Institute.
Technology has improved our way of life, but it should be used only as a tool. Relying on it to an extent where a technological detox becomes next to impossible is worrying. We must be technologically advanced and not technology dependent.
Questions 1-6
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
Write
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO, if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
- People do not like the idea of living without technology.
- Teenagers must prefer books over the Internet for information.
- We are not yet prepared for technology failures.
- An alternative setup is always reliable.
- Improved systems have rare security breaches.
- People are losing social skills due to virtual communication.
Answers at the end
Yes/no/not given skill-building exercise 2
Answer questions 1-7 which are based on the reading passage below.
Vancouver
Vancouver is quite different from virtually any other city in North America. Despite the fact that it is a large modern cosmopolitan city, it seems to have a relaxed small-town, close-to-nature feel about it. There is little comparison with other large Canadian cities such as Toronto or Montreal, which are more akin to the large eastern US centers like New York and Chicago. Vancouver, like all large North American cities, is a conglomerate of high-rise cubic
office towers, although urban planners have kept the heights down. There are, however some notable exceptions such as the Marine Building at the north foot of Burrard Street once the tallest structure in the British Empire, the courthouse at Howe & Robson, and the library at Georgia & Hamilton.
Vancouver offers a wide range of attractions catering to all tastes but those with only a day to spare cannot be better advised than to take one of the many organized excursions recommended by the Vancouver Tourist Office.
Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre nature preserve, is Vancouver’s best-known landmark and a muy for any visitor. It was established in 1887 and, in the opinion of many, is the most beautiful urban park in the world. Contrary to popular belief, this park was not established through the foresight of the city council of the day, but at the urging of a real estate developer called Oppenheimer. He is now considered the father of Stanley Park. All areas of the park are accessible to the public except for Dead Man’s Island, which has a small naval base.
The Eco Walk is a fun and informative way to see the park. The guide gives information on the trees, plants, birds, and animals as well as on the rich aboriginal culture and legends of the park. The walking is medium-paced, taking 3 hours to complete and covering 5 miles of relatively flat paved and graveled trails over the selected seawall and forest paths. This walk is suitable for families, including active seniors.
There is also a world-class aquarium in the park which was the first to have killer whales in captivity and probably the first one to stop making them into a side show. The aquarium feels the purpose of keeping the whales, namely re-educating the public and stopping their hunting of them, has been accomplished. In 2000, the last remaining killer whale at the aquarium was sold to Sealand in California, where it died shortly after arriving. The main threat to the park is the sheer volume of people who want to be in it. Efforts are being made to restrict the amount of automobile traffic passing through One of the ultimate goals is to eliminate the causeway leading to Lions Gate Bridge, but this will not likely occur until well into the 21st century.
Beaches are also a big attraction and temperatures are usually high enough to tempt most people to have a swim. However, one of the biggest days on these beaches is on New Year’s Day when the annual “Polar Bear Swim” attracts several hundred die-hard individuals to prove that Vancouver is a year-round swimming destination.
Chinatown is North America’s third-largest, in terms of area, after San Francisco and New York. It is steeped in history and is well worth walking around. It is most active on Sundays when people head to any of the wide selection of restaurants that offer dim sum. Chinatown also contains the world’s thinnest building only 1.8 meters wide.
Questions 1-7
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the reading passage?
Write
YES – if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO – if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN – if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about thi
NOT GIVEN
- When compared with Toronto, Vancouver has some similarities.
- If time is limited, it is inadvisable to go on any of the official day trips available.
- Oppenheimer built Stanley Park with the help of the city council.
- Fit elderly people can take the eco-walk comfortably due to the leveled paths.
- The aquarium’s decision to sell its last killer whale was wrong.
- The main problem in the park is that the people are too loud.
- The warm weather makes Vancouver beaches a popular destination for swimming.
Answers at the end
Yes/no/not given skill-building exercise 3
Answer questions 1-5 which are based on the reading passage below.
Hey Joy
If you ask 100 people what would make them happy, the majority of them will respond “winning the lotto.” Even if they received a large sum of money, they would return to their prior level of happiness within a year. Money serves various purposes, but more money does not equal more happiness. Leading psychologists and sociologists have conducted surveys in recent years that have all concluded that while people’s tangible wealth can improve with time, it has no influence on their happiness. And what is true for individuals may be extended to the global population on a greater scale.
Statistics show that affluent countries do not score higher on the happiness scale than emerging or poor countries. Increased wealth plays no significant influence after the basic needs of appropriate housing and nutrition are met. So, what’s the big deal about getting rich? According to researchers, the answer is straightforward. Whether it’s jealousy, competitiveness, or simply keeping up with the Joneses, no matter how great we’re doing, somebody else is always doing better. Just as we buy a new $25,000 car, our next-door neighbor parks his brand-new $40,000 vehicle in his driveway, causing us considerable distress but also fueling new ambitions. As a result, the cycle repeats itself. Money, or material wealth, is a powerful motivator, but it is not the source of our happiness.
What is the key to happiness if money isn’t the answer? Family life offered the highest source of satisfaction in all 44 countries surveyed by a reputable research institute. Unmarried people and, surprise, couples in a cohabitation relationship live three years longer and have better physical and psychological health than married people. Having a family improves one’s well-being, and spending more time with one’s family improves one’s well-being even further. Subjective well-being is closely correlated with the social connection among families, neighborhoods, workplaces, communities, and religious groups. In fact, the extent to which people are socially connected is the best indicator of their pleasure.
Another important component is friendship. Returning to the dollar-equals-happiness equation, having a companion was shown to be worth $50,000 in one study, confirming the well-known occurrence that loneliness can contribute to sadness. Work is another important aspect of pleasure, and certain characteristics are strongly linked to it. These include autonomy over how, where, and when work is completed, employer-employee trust, fair treatment, and active participation in decision-making. Professionals and managers, who are in charge of their work rather than obedient to their employers, are more likely to be happy at work. Inequality means that individuals in a lower position have less power, while those in a stronger position have a greater danger of losing their privileges.
Questions 1- 5
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
Write
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO, if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
- Money serves more purposes and more happiness to people
- Even rich countries can’t overtake poor countries in happiness
- Money and material wealth are powerful motivators and sources of the happiness
- If you work hard, you will not have time for your personal relationships
- Work is another element of happiness, right?
Answers at the end
Answers for skill-building exercises
- Answers for skill-building exercise 1
1. Yes
Explanation: Paragraph 1 – Imagining a life without technological devices in the vicinity is an unpleasant thought for most people.
2. Not Given
Explanation: Paragraph 2 mentions that nowadays, teenagers prefer the internet over books for any information, but the writer’s view regarding what must be the teenagers’ preference is not clear.
3. Yes
Explanation: Paragraph 3 – We have improved with technology, but we have not thought of an alternative if technology does not work.
4. Not Given
Explanation: Paragraph 3 states the importance of an alternative setup. While the technology in use may be state-of-the-art, having a reliable backup is equally important. However, it is not clear whether an alternative setup is always reliable.
5. No
Explanation: Paragraph 4 – Sophisticated systems … However, there are inherent risks. For example, even upgraded security systems may be vulnerable to the slightest malfunction. A minor change in readings, codes, or chips with malicious intent may harm innocent people and society at large.
6. Yes
Explanation: Paragraph 5 – Face-to-face meetings have been replaced by chats and text messages on social media. Reduced face-to-face interaction has kept smartphone users away from real-life situations. The virtual world cannot replace real-life situations that demand communication skills, problem-solving skills, tolerance, and receptivity to coexist in society.
- Answers for skill-building exercise 2
1. No
Explanation: Paragraph 1 – There is little comparison with other large Canadian cities such as Toronto or Montreal, which are more akin to the large eastern US centers like New York and Chicago.
Little comparison means there is hardly any comparison.
2. No
Explanation: Paragraph 2 – Vancouver offers a wide range of attractions catering to all tastes but those with only a day to spare cannot be better advised than to take one of the many organized excursions recommended by the Vancouver Tourist Office.
3. Not Given
Explanation: Paragraph 2 – states …this park was not established through the foresight of the city council of the day but at the urging of a real estate developer called Oppenheimer.
But, it does not mention any help from the city council.
4. Yes
Explanation: Paragraph 4 – The Eco Walk is a fun and informative way to see the park…relatively flat paved and graveled trails over the selected seawall and forest paths. This walk is suitable for families, including active seniors.
5. Not Given
Explanation: Paragraph 5 – mentions that, In 2000, the last remaining killer whale at the aquarium was sold to Sealand in California, where it died shortly after arriving. But, there is no mention of what the writer thinks about this decision.
6. No
Explanation: Paragraph 5 – The main threat to the park is the sheer volume of people who want to be in it.
The question statement means that visitors to the park make a lot of noise. The word ‘volume’ in the passage indicates a large number of people, not the intensity of sound.
7. Yes
Explanation: Paragraph 6 – Beaches are also a big attraction and temperatures are usually high enough to tempt most people to have a swim.
- Answers for skill-building exercise 3
1. No
Explanation: Paragraph 1 – Money serves various purposes, but more money does not equal more happiness.
Money serves more purposes but it doesn’t equate to happiness. So, money can’t bring you happiness.
2. Yes
Explanation: Paragraph 2 – Statistics show that affluent countries do not score higher on the happiness scale than emerging or poor countries.
3. No
Explanation: Paragraph 3 – As a result, the cycle repeats itself. Money, or material wealth, is a powerful motivator, but it is not the source of our happiness.
Money and material wealth can be a motivator but it is not a source of happiness.
4. Not given
Explanation: Paragraph 4 – The particular information is not found in the passage.
5. Yes
Explanation: Paragraph 5 – Work is another important aspect of pleasure, and certain characteristics are strongly linked to it.
