This task assesses your ability to identify the opinions, views, or claims of the writer (or of people mentioned in the text). It is fundamentally about attitude and belief, not just factual accuracy.

The Core Definitions:

• YES: The statement agrees with the views or claims of the writer.
• NO: The statement contradicts the views or claims of the writer.
• NOT GIVEN: It is impossible to say what the writer’s view is on this point. The view is not stated or implied.

Crucial Distinction:

• True/False/Not Given deals with FACTS stated in the text.
• Yes/No/Not Given deals with OPINIONS, BELIEFS, or CLAIMS made by the author or people in the text.

7-Step Strategy for Yes, No, Not Given

The strategy is almost identical to TFNG, but your mental focus shifts from “Is this a fact in the text?” to “Is this what the writer believes or claims?”

Step 1: Read the Instructions Carefully
This is the most critical step. You must check whether you are answering Yes/No/NG or True/False/NG. Writing the wrong answer type will cost you all marks for that section.

Step 2: Analyze the Statement for Keywords
Identify the key words in the statement, paying close attention to words that express an opinion, a judgment, or a claim (e.g., successful, ineffective, best, should, believes, claims, argues).

Step 3: Locate the Relevant Area in the Text
Scan the passage to find the section where the writer discusses the topic of the statement. The questions are in order.

Step 4: Read the Text Intensively for Views
Read the relevant sentences carefully. Your goal is to find the writer’s explicit opinion or the opinion they are attributing to someone else. Look for language that signals a view:

• Verbs: argues, believes, claims, suggests, contends, points out.
• Adjectives: important, successful, wasteful, innovative, misguided.
• Adverbs: interestingly, surprisingly, unfortunately.

Step 5: Compare the Meaning Precisely
Decide if the writer’s view matches the statement (YES), opposes it (NO), or is not expressed (NOT GIVEN).

• YES: The writer explicitly or implicitly makes the same claim.
• NO: The writer explicitly or implicitly makes a contrary claim.
• NOT GIVEN: The writer discusses the general topic but does not express a view on the specific claim in the statement.

Step 6: Eliminate Tricky Choices
The hardest distinction is often between NO and NOT GIVEN. Use the same test:

• Ask: “Is there direct evidence in the text that shows the writer would disagree with this statement?”
• If YES → Answer is NO.
• If NO → Answer is NOT GIVEN.

Step 7: Finalize Your Answer and Move On
Mark your answer clearly and proceed. Do not overthink based on your own knowledge; base your answer solely on the text.

IELTS Reading Practice: Yes, No, Not Given

Let’s use a new passage designed to highlight opinions and claims.

Passage: The Debate over Urban Cycling

Section A
Many city planners enthusiastically promote cycling as a sustainable solution to urban traffic congestion and pollution. They contend that investing in dedicated bike lanes and public bike-sharing schemes is not just beneficial, but essential for modern cities. Proponents argue that the health benefits for the population are significant and that the reduction in car use will inevitably lead to cleaner air for all.

Section B
However, critics are skeptical of these purported benefits. Some local business owners vehemently oppose the installation of bike lanes, claiming that they reduce customer parking and harm trade. A 2022 report from the Urban Transport Group, for instance, suggested a slight dip in sales for some retailers during lane construction, though long-term data is inconclusive. It is a common misconception, however, that cyclists do not contribute to the economy; studies show they often make more frequent, if smaller, purchases.

Section C
Regarding safety, there is a strong belief among cycling advocates that “safety in numbers” will protect riders. The logic is that as more people cycle, drivers become more aware of them, leading to fewer accidents. While this theory is plausible, the evidence is not yet definitive. Some transport experts, like Dr. Anna Reid, warn that this should not be a substitute for proper, segregated infrastructure. She maintains that without physical separation from traffic, cycling in heavy congestion will always be perilous.

Section D
Ultimately, the success of urban cycling schemes depends heavily on a holistic approach. Merely painting a line on the road is widely considered inadequate. Successful cities have integrated cycling with public transport, created secure parking, and fostered a culture of respect among all road users. It is clear that without this comprehensive strategy, the potential of cycling will never be fully realized.

Questions:
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the reading passage?

Write:
YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

1. Investing in cycling infrastructure is a necessary step for modern cities.
2. The introduction of bike lanes has been proven to have a long-term negative impact on local businesses.
3. Cyclists are unlikely to spend as much money as motorists in local shops.
4. The “safety in numbers” theory has been conclusively verified by research.
5. Painted bike lanes alone are sufficient to ensure cyclist safety.

Step-by-Step Demonstration Table

Let’s demonstrate the tricky NO vs. NOT GIVEN with Question 2.

Statement 2: The introduction of bike lanes has been proven to have a long-term negative impact on local businesses.

• Step 2/3: Keywords: bike lanes, proven, long-term negative impact, local businesses. This leads us to Section B.
• Step 4: We read: “A 2022 report… suggested a slight dip in sales… during lane construction, though long-term data is inconclusive.” The writer also states it’s a “misconception” that cyclists harm the economy.
• Step 5/6 (The Crucial Part):
  • The statement says there is proof of a long-term negative impact.
  • The writer says long-term data is inconclusive (meaning it’s not proven) and actively calls the idea of economic harm a “misconception.”
  • Analysis: The writer directly contradicts the idea that a negative impact is “proven.” Therefore, the writer’s view is NO, this is not true.

Now, try to complete the rest. The answers are below.

Answers:

1. YES (The writer presents the view that investment is “essential,” aligning with “necessary.”)
2. NO (The writer states that long-term data is “inconclusive” and calls the belief a “misconception,” directly contradicting the claim that a negative impact is “proven.”)
3. NO (The writer states it’s a “common misconception” that cyclists don’t contribute and that they make “more frequent” purchases, which contradicts the statement that they are “unlikely to spend as much.”)
4. NO (The writer says “the evidence is not yet definitive,” which directly contradicts the statement that it has been “conclusively verified.”)
5. NO (The writer explicitly states that painted lines are “widely considered inadequate” and that proper, segregated infrastructure is needed, directly contradicting the claim that they are “sufficient.”)