Reading · Unit 2: Common mistakes
R12: Yes, No or Not Given: the writer's opinion
Target band 6 to 6.5
Yes/No/Not Given looks just like True/False/Not Given. But there's one big difference. True/False is about facts. Yes/No is about the writer's opinion. If you forget that, you'll answer with facts when the question wants views, and lose marks.
Why this matters
Yes/No/Not Given usually appears with argument passages, often in Passage 3. These are the passages where the writer has a point of view. If you can spot opinion language, you can answer these questions with confidence.
The three answers
| Answer | Meaning |
|---|---|
| YES | The statement agrees with the writer's view or claim. |
| NO | The statement goes against the writer's view or claim. |
| NOT GIVEN | It's impossible to say what the writer thinks about this. |
How to find the writer's opinion
Writers show opinions in many ways. Look for:
- Opinion phrases: I believe, in my view, it seems to me
- Strong adverbs: clearly, surely, unfortunately, rightly
- Judging adjectives: a mistake, a sensible approach, misguided, overrated
- Modal verbs: should, ought to, must
- Contrast after reporting others: "Many people think X. However, this ignores..." The writer's view usually comes after however.
Watch for other people's opinions
Writers often report what others think, then disagree. This is the biggest trap. "Some economists argue that..." is not the writer's view. Keep reading to see if the writer agrees.
A worked example
Many companies have embraced remote working, and some experts claim it will soon replace the office entirely. I find this unlikely. While working from home clearly saves time on commuting, it also makes it harder for young employees to learn from experienced colleagues. In my view, the sensible approach is a mix of both. Companies that force staff back into the office five days a week are, I believe, making a mistake.
| Statement | Answer | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Remote working will soon replace the office. | NO | "Some experts claim" this, but the writer says "I find this unlikely." |
| Working from home saves commuting time. | YES | "clearly saves time on commuting" |
| Young employees learn less easily when working remotely. | YES | "makes it harder for young employees to learn" |
| A combination of office and home work is best. | YES | "the sensible approach is a mix of both" |
| Remote workers are more productive. | NOT GIVEN | The writer never mentions productivity. |
| Requiring full-time office work is wise. | NO | "making a mistake" |
TRUE or YES? Read the instructions
Write exactly the words the instructions ask for. If they say YES/NO/NOT GIVEN, don't write TRUE. Some marking systems may not accept the wrong word, so don't risk it (R19).
Try it yourself
Critics often say video games make children violent. However, there is little reliable evidence for this. Parents would be better off limiting screen time for health reasons, such as sleep and eyesight, rather than worrying about violence.
- The writer agrees that video games make children violent.
- The writer believes screen time can affect children's sleep.
- The writer thinks video games improve children's maths skills.
Show the answers
1) NO. 2) YES. 3) NOT GIVEN.
Honest note
Some writers are subtle. They don't say "I think". They show their opinion through word choice. Reading opinion articles in English every week (R40) trains you to notice this.
Your task today
Read one opinion article in an English newspaper. Highlight every word or phrase that shows the writer's view.