How to Answer Yes / No / Not Given Questions in IELTS GT Reading

How to Attempt Yes / No / Not Given Questions Quickly in IELTS GT Reading

One of the trickiest — and most time-consuming — question types in the IELTS General Training Reading module is Yes/No/Not Given (Y/N/NG). Many test-takers lose precious minutes — sometimes even panicking — because they don’t know how to tackle it effectively.

But if you understand exactly what the examiners want, apply a disciplined strategy, and practice with the right reading materials, you can answer Y/N/NG questions quickly, confidently, and correctly — often within 30–60 seconds per statement.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

What Y/N/NG really tests (and how it differs from True/False/Not Given)
A step-by-step fast strategy to handle Y/N/NG questions under time pressure
Common traps and how to avoid them
How using high-quality GT reading books with full-length tests and vocabulary helps you improve dramatically
Recommended books to practise (with links)

Along the way, we’ll link to other helpful articles on this site to help you build a complete GT reading skill set.

What are Yes / No / Not Given questions — and why many get them wrong

In the IELTS Reading test, passages can present facts or opinions / author’s views (or a mix). The Y/N/NG questions check whether a statement matches the writer’s opinion/claim.

YES — the statement agrees with the writer’s opinion/claim.
NO — the statement contradicts or opposes the writer’s claim/opinion.
NOT GIVEN — the passage does not contain enough information to confirm or contradict the statement (i.e. the writer did not express that view).

Many candidates struggle because:

They confuse Y/N/NG with the fact-based version, True/False/Not Given.
They look for exact word-matches rather than understanding meaning, paraphrase, and synonyms.
They overthink “Not Given” — reading too much into blanks, making assumptions, or hunting for hidden info that doesn’t exist.

But with a clear strategy, you can avoid these pitfalls and move through questions quickly rather than getting stuck.

Step-by-Step Strategy to Answer Y/N/NG — Fast & Efficient

Use this streamlined method to answer Y/N/NG questions without wasting time:

1. Read the instructions carefully

Check whether the instructions ask for Yes/No/Not Given — or True/False/Not Given. It’s important because the logic changes.

2. Read all statement-sentences first

Before looking at the passage, read all the statements. Understand what each statement claims. While reading, underline keywords and controlling words: e.g. “always”, “all”, “every”, “often”, “some”, “suggests”, “claims”, “believes”. These words often determine the correct answer.

Also note proper nouns or unique facts — these make scanning easier.

3. Skim / scan the passage

Instead of reading the full passage carefully at first, scan for keywords or synonyms from the statements. Identify which paragraph(s) might contain the relevant information — based on keywords or topic.

4. Read the relevant part carefully

Once you locate the relevant paragraph, read it carefully. Understand the meaning — not just the words. Look for clues about the writer’s opinion, such as “believes”, “claims”, “suggests”, or negative qualifiers like “however”, “but”, “despite”, etc.

5. Decide: YES, NO or NOT GIVEN

If the meaning matches the statement exactly → YES.
If the passage contradicts or negates the statement → NO.
If there’s no evidence — or partial evidence only → NOT GIVEN.

Important: Don’t rely on outside knowledge or assumptions — only what’s in the passage.

6. Move on quickly — don’t waste time

If you can’t find convincing evidence or contradiction within ~20–30 seconds, mark NOT GIVEN and move to the next statement. Spending too much time on one question wastes overall time — dangerous in a 60-minute reading test.

Common Traps — And How to Avoid Them

Confusing “Not Given” with “False / No”: If the passage doesn’t mention the idea, it’s NOT GIVEN. Do not assume.
Falling for paraphrase traps: The test often uses synonyms or paraphrasing — not exact words. So don’t look for exact phrasing. Focus on meaning.
Being misled by absolute qualifiers: Words like “always”, “only”, “never”, “all” are common traps. If the passage uses weaker words (“often”, “some”, “many”…) that doesn’t fully agree with “always/only”, answer may be NO or NOT GIVEN.
Overthinking “Not Given”: If info isn’t there, don’t hunt for it. Mark NOT GIVEN and move on. Time is limited.

Why Practising with High-Quality GT Reading Books Makes a Huge Difference

Strategies and theory are essential, but real improvement comes with practice — real, exam-style practice. That’s where good GT books help.

Here are two excellent books I strongly recommend especially for Y/N/NG practice:

GT Reading Book A: This edition offers 20 latest IELTS-GT Reading practice tests, plus detailed tips, strategies for every question type (including Y/N/NG), and solved sample answers. Use it to sharpen your technique and timing. 👉 IELTS GT Reading Practice Tests – 20 Tests with Tips and Strategies (amazon link: https://a.co/d/9d76Iot)
GT Reading Book B: For extra challenge, this book has 15 advanced-level GT Reading practice tests — ideal once you’ve mastered basics and want to simulate a high-difficulty exam. 👉 IELTS GT Advanced Reading Practice – 15 Tests (amazon link: https://a.co/d/5KvHT8O)

Why these books help:

They give you lots of Y/N/NG & other question-type practice — experience with real exam formats helps you react faster and more accurately under time pressure.
They help build vocabulary and paraphrase recognition — essential for spotting synonyms/traps in statements and passages.
Regular timed practice builds stamina and time-management skills, so you don’t panic during the real test.

How to Use These Books to Improve Y/N/NG Performance

To get maximum benefit, practise with a planned approach:

Warm-up Phase (Weeks 1–2): Use Book A — focus on understanding Y/N/NG questions. Take one reading test per day. Time yourself strictly ( ~60 min for full test), but after the test, spend extra time reviewing — especially answers you got wrong. Learn why.
Skill Refinement (Weeks 3–4): Continue Book A tests, but start aiming for speed — try to answer each Y/N/NG within ~30–45 sec. Note down common synonyms/ paraphrases you struggle with.
Challenge Phase (Weeks 5–6): Move to Book B (advanced tests). Simulate real exam: silence, timing, no distractions. After each test, analyze: which statement types gave you trouble? Were traps due to qualifiers, paraphrase, lack of evidence? Focus on those weaknesses.
Mixed Practice: Don’t only do Y/N/NG — mix with other question types to build all-around reading skill. Use strategies from your previous reading tips blogs.
Vocabulary & Context Training: As you read passages, maintain a vocabulary notebook of synonyms, common collocations, opinion-phrases (“the author argues”, “it is suggested”, “many experts believe”, etc.). This helps in quickly recognizing paraphrases and writer’s views in future passages.

Don’t Forget to Check Your Foundation: Use Related Reading-Skills Guides

GT Reading for Canada: https://ieltstreasure.blogspot.com/2025/11/ielts-general-training-reading-canada.html
GT Letter Writing Format (Band 8):
https://ieltstreasure.blogspot.com/2025/10/ielts-gt-letter-writing-format-band-8.html
Master IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips:
https://ieltstreasure.blogspot.com/2025/10/master-ielts-writing-task-2-tips.html

Final Tips: Mindset, Time Management & Smart Practice

Don’t panic: If you can’t find evidence quickly — mark NOT GIVEN and move on. Wasting 2–3 minutes on a single statement can cost you several other answers.
Trust meaning, not words: Look for synonyms, paraphrases, and subtle cues indicating opinion, not exact matches.
Use a timer when practising: Real exam conditions are strict — 60 minutes for 40 questions. Time yourself during every full-length reading test.
Review thoroughly: Wrong answers teach more than correct ones. Understand why a statement was NOT GIVEN vs NO. Identify patterns of error (paraphrase trap, over-assumption, mis-matching opinions).
Gradually increase difficulty: Start with easier passages, then move to advanced ones. This builds confidence and reading speed over time.

And of course, using high-quality practise materials consistently — like the two books linked above — helps build familiarity, speed, and accuracy.

Conclusion

“Yes / No / Not Given” questions may feel intimidating and time-consuming, but with the right strategy — and consistent practice — you can tackle them quickly and accurately.

Remember: it’s not about how much you read, but how you read: identify keywords, use scanning, understand meaning over words, trust what’s in the passage — and don’t overthink.

If you practise with full-length GT reading tests regularly and simulate exam-like timing, you’ll build speed and confidence. The two excellent books I recommended above are among the best for GT reading practice — they offer real-world tests, vocabulary exposure and variety — helping you master not just Y/N/NG, but all reading question types.

Combine that with consistent writing and vocabulary practice (using your other blog posts), and you’ll be well on your way to achieving a high band in the GT Reading module.

Good luck — and happy practising! ✍️

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