UNAUTHORIZED COPY
READING MASTERY // YES/NO/NOT GIVEN

Yes/No/Not Given Navigator

Master IELTS Reading’s Most Challenging Question Type

The Critical Distinction

Quick Check

What is the key difference between NO and NOT GIVEN?

🔒

Complete the exercise above to continue

This content is locked until you demonstrate understanding.

The Three-Step Method

Here's why:

Step 1: Identify the Keywords Circle the subject, verb, and key details in the statement.

Step 2: Scan for Location Use those keywords to find the relevant section of the passage.

Step 3: Apply the Logic Test

  • Does the passage say the SAME thing? → YES
  • Does the passage say the OPPOSITE? → NO
  • Does the passage say NOTHING about it? → NOT GIVEN

The Modal Trap

Band 6

Text: 'The study suggests pollution might affect health.' Statement: 'Pollution affects health.' Answer: YES

Band 8

Text: 'The study suggests pollution might affect health.' Statement: 'Pollution affects health.' Answer: NOT GIVEN (might ≠ does)

Why the difference matters: Band 8 readers recognize that modal verbs (might, could, may) change the certainty level. 'Might affect' is NOT the same as 'affects'.

Watch for these modal traps:

Practice Arena

🔒

Test Your Skills

Apply the three-step method to real examples.

Common Distractor Patterns

Here's why:

Pattern 1: The Paraphrase Trap

Statement: “The experiment was successful.” Text: “The experiment achieved its objectives.” Answer: YES (achieved objectives = successful)

Pattern 2: The Partial Information Trap

Statement: “The museum opens at 9 AM on Sundays.” Text: “The museum opens at 9 AM.” Answer: NOT GIVEN (no information about Sundays specifically)

Pattern 3: The Negation Trap

Statement: “All students passed the test.” Text: “Most students passed the test.” Answer: NO (most ≠ all)

Band Progression

Band 6

60-70% accuracy. Struggles with NOT GIVEN vs NO distinction. Often uses outside knowledge instead of passage information.

Band 8

90%+ accuracy. Perfect NOT GIVEN recognition. Completes in 8 minutes. Identifies modal and qualifier traps instantly.

Why the difference matters: The jump from Band 6 to Band 8 requires disciplined evidence-based reasoning, not assumptions.

Speed Strategy

Quick Check

How much time should you spend on each Yes/No/Not Given question?

🔒

Complete the exercise above to continue

This content is locked until you demonstrate understanding.

Your Action Plan

  1. Practice Daily: Do 10 Yes/No/Not Given questions every day
  2. Track Patterns: Keep a log of which distractor types trick you
  3. Time Yourself: Set a timer for 8 minutes and complete 6 questions
  4. Review Mistakes: For every wrong answer, identify WHY you got it wrong

Keep Going, Champion!

You’ve learned the most challenging reading question type. Master this, and Band 7+ is within reach.

Remember: Evidence in the passage is your only friend. Never use outside knowledge.

Stay Connected

Copyright © 2026 Ted.Talks.DZ All rights reserved.

”من جد وجد - Whoever strives shall succeed” - Ted