The writer's views: Yes, No or Not Given
Reading for opinion, not just facts.
12 minutes · A free lesson from Reading: more question types
Yes / No / Not Given questions ask whether a statement agrees with the writer's opinion. Look for the language of opinion: I would urge caution, deserves to be taken less seriously, my own view is, the worst outcome would be.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: What do Yes / No / Not Given questions ask about?
- The writer's opinion
- Facts in the passage
- Your own opinion
Show the answer
A: The writer's opinion — True / False / Not Given is about facts. Yes / No / Not Given is about views.
Quick check: The writer mentions nurses but never says what nurses want. Statement: “Nurses want a four-day week.”
- YES
- NO
- NOT GIVEN
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C: NOT GIVEN — The topic is mentioned, but the writer gives no view on it.
Quick check: Which phrase shows the writer's opinion?
- “The study began in 2019”
- “I would urge caution”
- “There are four stages”
Show the answer
B: “I would urge caution” — Look for the language of opinion: my own view is, deserves to be taken less seriously, the worst outcome would be.
Quick check: What does NO mean?
- The writer says the opposite
- The writer says nothing about it
- The writer agrees
Show the answer
A: The writer says the opposite — NO is the opposite of the writer's view. NOT GIVEN is no view at all.
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