🔄 IELTS Reading – Yes / No / Not Given vs. True / False / Not Given

Many IELTS test takers get confused between these two question types. They look almost the same — but the logic behind them is slightly different. Knowing how to approach them properly can save you from unnecessary mistakes and help you answer with more confidence.

📌 What’s the Core Difference?

• True / False / Not Given → Based on facts or statements from the passage
• Yes / No / Not Given → Based on the author’s opinion or view

In simple terms: if it’s about information, use True/False/Not Given. If it’s about what the writer believes, use Yes/No/Not Given.

🧠 Meaning of Each Option

• TRUE / YES: The statement agrees with the text or the writer's opinion.
• FALSE / NO: The statement directly contradicts the passage or opinion.
• NOT GIVEN: There is not enough information to decide either way.

🔍 Example: TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN

Text: “The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.”

• Statement: “The Pacific Ocean covers more area than the Atlantic.” → ✅ TRUE
• Statement: “The Atlantic Ocean is larger than the Pacific.” → ❌ FALSE
• Statement: “The Indian Ocean is the deepest.” → 🤔 NOT GIVEN

🔍 Example: YES / NO / NOT GIVEN

Text: “The author believes modern architecture often lacks character.”

• Statement: “The writer thinks modern buildings are often soulless.” → ✅ YES
• Statement: “The writer praises the creativity of modern architects.” → ❌ NO
• Statement: “Modern buildings are cheaper to construct.” → 🤔 NOT GIVEN

✅ Tips for Both Question Types

• ✔️ Read the entire sentence — don’t assume based on one keyword
• ✔️ Watch for extreme words like “always,” “only,” “never” — these often signal a trap
• ✔️ Don’t use outside knowledge — only trust what’s in the passage
• ✔️ “Not Given” means there’s simply no proof for or against — don’t overthink it

⚠️ Common Mistakes

• ❌ Thinking “Not Given” means “I don’t understand” — it doesn’t. It means there is no info.
• ❌ Mixing up fact and opinion → always check the context of the paragraph
• ❌ Assuming YES/NO and TRUE/FALSE use the same logic — they don’t

🎯 Final Advice

While the format is similar, the logic behind Yes/No/Not Given and True/False/Not Given is different. One checks factual accuracy; the other checks belief or opinion. Understand the test logic and apply a sentence-by-sentence approach — and you’ll reduce confusion and increase accuracy across both types.