Reading Test: TFNG & YNNG Questions (IELTS Academic: Reading): Study Material
Identifying information & opinion questions
In the IELTS Reading test, some questions ask you to decide whether the meaning of a statement matches the meaning expressed in the reading passage
These question types test your ability to understand information, ideas and meaning accurately
There are two main question types in this group:
True / False / Not Given
Yes / No / Not Given
Similarities between True / False / Not Given and Yes / No / Not Given questions
Both types use a list of statements
The statements usually follow the order of information in the passage
The wording in the statements is usually different from the wording in the text
Some words or names may be included in the statement to help you find the relevant section of the passage
You need to compare and understand the exact meaning of both the statement and the passage
Yes / No / Not Given questions and True / False / Not Given questions are very similar in terms of method and strategy
The strategies to answer both types of questions are essentially the same
Differences between True / False / Not Given and Yes / No / Not Given questions
The main difference is the type of reading passage
If the passage focuses on facts and information, the question type is usually True / False / Not Given
If the passage focuses on the writer’s opinions, ideas or claims, the question type is usually Yes / No / Not Given
True, False, Not Given: applying strategies & skills
When answering these questions, you read statements related to the passage and decide whether they are True, False or Not Given
If the statement matches the information you find in the passage, the answer is True
If it clearly contradicts the information in the passage, the answer is False
If in the passage there is not enough information about what is expressed in the statement, the answer is Not Given
How to answer True / False / Not Given questions
Read the statements before you read the passage
Highlight the key words and main ideas in the statement
Remember that the statements usually follow the same order as the information in the passage
Read the passage and look for words and ideas from the statements. This can help you find the section where the answer is located
You can highlight sections in the passage that relate to each question
Work through the questions one at a time
When you find a section in the passage that you think contains the answer, read it carefully to check if it matches the statement or not
To answer the question, use only the information in the passage; do not use your own knowledge of the topic
How to compare the meaning of the passage and the statement
In True / False / Not Given questions, the statements often use different words from the passage
This means you need to compare and check similar meaning, not only the same words
A statement may repeat a few words from the text, but the key information is often paraphrased
To answer correctly, compare the meaning of the whole statement with the meaning of the relevant part of the passage
If you think the answer is True, look for the word or idea that makes the meaning of the statement the same as the one in the passage
If you think the answer is False, look for the word or idea that makes the statement different from the information in the passage
Example
Text from the passage
Researchers have found that bees are essential for crop production because they carry pollen between flowers
Statement from the question
Scientists have discovered that bees are very important for farming because they move pollen from one flower to another
Paraphrased terms
Statement | Passage |
Researchers have found | Scientists have discovered |
very important | essential |
farming | crop production |
move | carry |
from one flower to another | between flowers |
As you can see, the statement and the passage use different words, but the core meaning is the same
In this particular case, the answer is True because the two sentences express the same idea
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Be especially careful with False and Not Given:
False = the passage says the opposite
Not Given = the passage does not say enough
A Not Given answer does not mean the statement is wrong; it means the writer does not tell you whether it is true or false. The topic may be mentioned, but the passage does not confirm or contradict the statement. This is one of the most common mistakes in IELTS Reading
Worked Example
Note: The following is a worked example, written to demonstrate the style and approach expected in the exam. A full exam question would typically be longer in scope.
Urban Beekeeping: Benefits and Limitations
The role of urban beekeeping has received growing attention in recent years. Urban beekeeping refers to the practice of keeping bee colonies in towns and cities rather than in rural farming areas. Supporters argue that bees can survive well in urban environments because cities often contain a wide variety of flowering plants in gardens, balconies, and public parks. In some cases, this range of plants may provide bees with a more continuous food supply than land used for large-scale agriculture.
Researchers have also suggested that urban beekeeping can help increase public awareness of pollinators and their importance. When people see beehives on rooftops or in community gardens, they may become more interested in biodiversity and food production. Some schools and local organisations have introduced small beekeeping projects to teach children and adults about ecological systems.
However, not all experts are equally positive about the growth of beekeeping in cities. Some argue that the increasing number of managed honeybee colonies may create competition for food. Cities also support wild pollinators, such as bumblebees and solitary bees, and these species depend on the same nectar and pollen sources. If too many honeybees are kept in one area, wild species may have less access to these resources.
Another concern is that the popularity of urban beekeeping can sometimes lead people to believe that helping honeybees is the same as protecting all pollinators. In fact, environmental scientists point out that many wild pollinator species are also under pressure from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. For this reason, some researchers believe that creating more green spaces and planting a wider range of native flowers may be more beneficial than simply increasing the number of hives.
Overall, urban beekeeping has both advantages and limitations. While it can support education and connect people with nature, experts continue to debate the extent to which it provides environmental benefits in comparison with other conservation measures.
Questions 1–6
Do the following statements agree with the information in Reading Passage 1?
Write:
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
Urban beekeeping is carried out in cities rather than in the countryside
Some people believe that cities can offer bees a wider range of food sources than agricultural land
Urban beekeeping has been shown to increase the production of honey in all cities
The passage suggests that wild pollinators may be affected by the presence of too many managed honeybee colonies
Most urban beekeeping projects are run by universities
Urban beekeeping is presented as more effective than other conservation measures
Answers
1. Urban beekeeping is carried out in cities rather than in the countryside
Answer: TRUE
The passage defines urban beekeeping as “the practice of keeping bee colonies in towns and cities rather than in rural farming areas”
This matches the statement directly in meaning
2. Some people believe that cities can offer bees a wider range of food sources than agricultural land
Answer: TRUE
The passage says that cities often contain “a wide variety of flowering plants”
It also says this range of plants “may provide bees with a more continuous food supply than land used for large-scale agriculture”
This supports the idea that cities may offer a wider or better range of food sources
3. Urban beekeeping has been shown to increase the production of honey in all cities
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The passage discusses food supply, education, biodiversity, and competition for resources
It does not say that urban beekeeping increases honey production
It also does not mention this happening in all cities
So, there is not enough information to confirm this statement
4. The passage suggests that wild pollinators may be affected by the presence of too many managed honeybee colonies
Answer: TRUE
The passage says that “the increasing number of managed honeybee colonies may create competition for food”
It also says that if too many honeybees are kept in one area, wild species may have “less access to these resources”This clearly supports the statement
5. Most urban beekeeping projects are run by universities
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The passage says that “some schools and local organisations have introduced small beekeeping projects”
It does not mention universities
It also does not say who runs most projects
So, the statement is Not Given
6. Urban beekeeping is presented as more effective than other conservation measures
Answer: FALSE
The passage says experts continue to debate its benefits “in comparison with other conservation measures”
It also says that “creating more green spaces and planting a wider range of native flowers may be more beneficial than simply increasing the number of hives”
Yes / No / Not Given: applying strategies & skills
When answering these questions, you read statements related to the passage and decide whether they are Yes, No or Not Given
If the statement matches the writer’s views or claims in the passage, the answer is Yes
If it clearly contradicts the writer’s views or claims in the passage, the answer is No
If the passage does not give enough information about the writer’s opinion on the statement, the answer is Not Given
How to answer Yes / No / Not Given questions
The strategies for answering Yes / No / Not Given questions are the same strategies used for True / False / Not Given questions
The main difference is that, in Yes / No / Not Given questions, you must focus on the writer’s views, claims or opinions rather than on factual information in the passage
To identify the writer’s viewpoint, you can look for evaluative words that show positive or negative attitudes
Remember: Not Given does not mean the statement is wrong; it means the writer does not express a clear view on the idea in the statement
Example
Text from the passage
The idea that printed books will become completely obsolete is unconvincing
Statement from the question
The writer thinks printed books will disappear completely in the future
Here, "disappear completely" has the same meaning as become "completely obsolete"
However, the writer says this idea is "unconvincing", which means they do not agree with it
The statement contradicts the writer’s view, so the correct answer is No
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Check whether the opinion belongs to the writer or another person mentioned in the text.
A passage may include the opinions of other people, such as researchers or critics. These are not always the same as the writer’s own view. Make sure you identify whose opinion the statement refers to
Worked Example
Note: The following is a worked example, written to demonstrate the style and approach expected in the exam. A full exam question would typically be longer in scope.
The future of printed books
Some commentators have predicted that printed books will eventually disappear because of the growth of digital media. They argue that e-books are more convenient, easier to store, and often cheaper to produce. It is true that digital reading has transformed the publishing industry and changed the way many people access information.
However, the idea that printed books will become completely obsolete is unconvincing. Physical books continue to offer advantages that digital formats cannot fully replace. Many readers value the tactile experience of holding a book, turning pages, and reading without screen distraction. In educational settings, printed materials may also support deeper concentration, especially when students need to read for long periods.
This does not mean that digital reading should be seen as a threat. On the contrary, digital and printed formats can exist side by side, serving different purposes for different readers. E-books are particularly useful for quick access, portability, and search functions, while printed books may be preferred for extended reading and study.
Publishers, therefore, should not focus on replacing one format with another. A more sensible approach is to recognise that both formats have strengths. The future of reading is likely to include a mixture of digital and print, rather than a simple victory for one over the other.
Questions 1–6
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in the 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
The writer thinks printed books will disappear completely in the future
Physical books still have some advantages over digital formats
Digital reading has had no effect on the publishing industry
Printed and digital formats can both be useful
Schools should stop using e-books
The writer believes publishers should support only one reading format
Answers
1. The writer thinks printed books will disappear completely in the future
Answer: NO
The passage says the idea that printed books will become “completely obsolete is unconvincing”
This clearly contradicts the statement
2. Physical books still have some advantages over digital formats
Answer: YES
The passage says “Physical books continue to offer advantages that digital formats cannot fully replace”
This directly supports the statement
3. Digital reading has had no effect on the publishing industry
Answer: NO
The passage says “digital reading has transformed the publishing industry”
This is the opposite of “has had no effect”
4. Printed and digital formats can both be useful
Answer: YES
The passage says “digital and printed formats can exist side by side”
It also says both formats have “strengths”
This matches the statement
5. Schools should stop using e-books
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The passage mentions educational settings and says printed materials may support deeper concentration
However, it does not say schools should stop using e-books
The writer’s opinion on this exact point is not stated
6. The writer believes publishers should support only one reading format
Answer: NO
The passage says publishers should not focus on replacing one format with another
It also says the future is likely to include “a mixture of digital and print”
This contradicts the statement
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