IELTS Reading Yes/No/Not Given: Opinion vs Fact

Quick Answer: Yes/No/Not Given questions test your ability to identify whether the writer states a fact (Yes), states the opposite (No), or doesn’t mention it (Not Given). The key is to distinguish objective facts from subjective opinions. If the passage expresses a belief or value judgment, treat it as a stated opinion (Yes/No) – but if the statement is a pure fact that the writer simply hasn’t mentioned, it’s Not Given.

Table of Contents

Understanding Yes/No/Not Given Questions

The Opinion vs Fact Trap

How to Spot Opinions in the Passage

Band Score Comparison Table

Understanding Yes/No/Not Given Questions

Yes/No/Not Given questions appear in the IELTS Academic Reading test (and occasionally in General Training). They present a list of statements based on the passage. You must decide:

YES – the statement agrees with the information or opinion given by the writer.

NO – the statement contradicts the writer.

NOT GIVEN – the writer does not mention the statement, or it is impossible to know from the passage.

Many students confuse these with True/False/Not Given. The difference is subtle but important. True/False/Not Given is used for factual information (e.g., scientific data, historical events). Yes/No/Not Given is used when the passage contains opinions, beliefs, claims, or perceptions – often in social science, arts, or opinion-based articles.

For example, a passage might say: “The author argues that climate change is the greatest threat of our time.” This is an opinion. If a question asks: “Climate change is the greatest threat of our time,” the answer is YES (the writer says so). If the passage says “Many scientists disagree with this view,” then a question saying “All scientists agree with the author” would be NO.

The Opinion vs Fact Trap

The biggest pitfall is treating opinions as facts and vice versa. Here’s the trap:

Fact: A statement that can be verified objectively. Example: “London is the capital of the UK.”

Opinion: A statement of belief, judgment, or feeling. Example: “London is the most beautiful city in the world.”

In a Yes/No/Not Given question, the passage may contain a mixture of both. Your job is not to decide if the statement is true in real life, but only if it reflects what the writer says – even if it’s just an opinion.

Example passage extract:

Dr. Smith argued that online learning is inferior to classroom teaching. He pointed to lower student engagement as evidence.

Question: Online learning is inferior to classroom teaching.

Is this a fact? No, it’s an opinion expressed by Dr. Smith.

Does the writer present this opinion? Yes, the passage says “Dr. Smith argued…”

Therefore, answer = YES (the writer reports this opinion).

But if the question were: Online learning has lower student engagement than classroom teaching. That might be presented as a factual claim supported by evidence. If the passage only says “Dr. Smith pointed to lower student engagement,” it’s still presented as his opinion, not an objective fact. However, the writer hasn’t contradicted it – so it’s YES if the question matches what the writer says.

Key distinction: For Yes/No/Not Given, the writer can state an opinion – and that opinion becomes the “truth” of the passage for your answer.

How to Spot Opinions in the Passage

Look for these language markers that signal an opinion:

Reporting verbs: argue, claim, believe, suggest, think, propose, recommend, consider

Value judgments: best, worst, beautiful, important, essential, unnecessary, desirable

Modal verbs of possibility: may, might, could, would, should (often indicate opinion, not fact)

Conditional statements: If…then…, provided that… (speculative)

Attitude words: unfortunately, surprisingly, regrettably, hopefully

Practice passage:

Many experts consider the Great Barrier Reef to be a unique natural wonder. However, some scientists believe that climate change will eventually destroy it. This view is not universally accepted.

Question 1: The Great Barrier Reef is a unique natural wonder.

Passage: “Many experts consider…unique…” – that’s an opinion held by many experts. Writer presents it as a stated opinion. Answer = YES.

Question 2: Climate change will destroy the Great Barrier Reef.

Passage: “some scientists believe that climate change will eventually destroy it” – again an opinion. The writer reports it. Answer = YES (the writer says that some scientists believe this; the statement matches that opinion).

Question 3: All scientists agree that climate change will destroy the reef.

Passage: “This view is not universally accepted” – contradicts the statement. Answer = NO.

Question 4: The Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Australia.

Passage does NOT mention its location. Answer = NOT GIVEN (even if you know it’s a fact, the writer hasn’t said it).

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Can identify if the passage directly matches or contradicts a simple statement, but often misreads opinions as facts or misses implicit contradictions. May overuse Not Given.
7	Understands that opinions are stated content; distinguishes between factual claims and value judgments. Handles parallel expressions and synonyms well. Rarely confuses Yes/No with True/False.
8	Quickly identifies reporting verbs and modal cues. Can handle nuanced statements where the writer reports an opinion without endorsing it. Very few errors, even with complex academic passages.
9	Demonstrates precise understanding of whether a statement is an opinion, a fact, or absent. No confusion between agreement and inference. Can detect subtle contradictions like “some argue X” vs “the evidence shows Y”.

Sample Answers

Here’s a sample task based on a short passage.

Passage:

Tourism in the Amazon has been promoted as a way to fund conservation. Many environmentalists, however, claim that it damages fragile ecosystems. They recommend limiting visitor numbers to fifty per day. The government has not yet adopted this suggestion.

Question 1: Tourism in the Amazon funds conservation. Band 7 answer: YES. The passage states “Tourism…has been promoted as a way to fund conservation.” This is a reported claim, not a proven fact, but the writer says it. Therefore it’s YES. Question 2: Limiting visitors to fifty per day would protect ecosystems. Band 8 answer: NOT GIVEN. The passage says “environmentalists…recommend limiting…” but it does not say whether this would indeed protect ecosystems. The writer only presents the recommendation. We don’t know the outcome. Question 3: The government has limited visitors to fifty per day. Band 9 answer: NO. The passage explicitly says: “The government has not yet adopted this suggestion.” This directly contradicts the statement.

Common Mistakes

❌Treating an opinion as Not Given: If the writer says “Dr. Lee claims that X is true,” then the statement “X is true” is YES (the writer attributes that opinion), not Not Given. Many students think “it’s just an opinion, so not given” – this is wrong.

❌Confusing Yes/No with True/False: In True/False, a fact must be objectively true or false. In Yes/No, the writer’s stated belief (even if false in reality) is the reference. If the passage says “The author believes the earth is flat,” then “The earth is flat” = YES.

❌Using outside knowledge: Never answer based on what you know. If the passage doesn’t mention it, it’s Not Given – even if you’re certain of the real-world fact.

Top Tips

💡 Look for reporting verbs. When you see “argues, claims, suggests, believes,” the statement after it is the writer’s reported opinion – treat it as stated content.

💡 Paraphrase the statement first. Before scanning the passage, rewrite the question statement in your own words. This helps you match synonyms and not get fooled by similar wording.

💡 Distinguish between “some scientists believe” and “scientists have proven.” The former is opinion; the latter is fact. In Yes/No questions, both can be YES if the writer says them, but the type (opinion vs fact) affects how you evaluate contradictions.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Their Yes/No/Not Given exercises include opinion-based passages from psychology, art, and sociology – perfect for mastering this skill.

FAQ

Q: Can a Yes/No/Not Given question be about a pure fact in the passage? A: Yes, if the passage presents a fact (e.g., “Water boils at 100°C”), then that fact is the basis. The question still uses Yes/No/Not Given format, but the answer depends on whether the writer states, contradicts, or omits that fact. Q: How do I know if a statement is an opinion or a fact in the passage? A: Look for subjective language (best, worst, important, should) or reporting verbs. If the writer refers to a belief or recommendation, it’s an opinion. If they use definitive language without attribution (e.g., “The experiment showed…”) it’s likely a fact. Q: What if the passage quotes an expert saying something I know is incorrect? A: Still answer YES if the writer reports that quote. You are not judging truth – you’re judging whether the writer says that. Q: Is “Not Given” used when the writer states an opinion but the question is a fact? A: Correct. Example: Passage: “Professor X believes coffee is healthy.” Question: “Coffee is healthy.” The passage only says Professor X believes it – not a fact about coffee. So answer = NOT GIVEN (the writer does not state that coffee is healthy as a fact; they only state an opinion).

Key Takeaways

✅Yes/No/Not Given is based on the writer’s claims – whether facts OR opinions – not on objective reality.

✅Spot opinion indicators: reporting verbs, value judgments, modals, conditionals.

✅Never use outside knowledge; only what the passage says.

✅Practice paraphrasing – the key to matching statements quickly.

Related Posts:

[IELTS Reading True/False/Not Given: The Ultimate Guide]

[How to Spot Synonyms in IELTS Reading]

[Mastering IELTS Reading Heading Matching Questions]

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