This lesson is about how to answer questions in the reading section of the test which require you to identify the writer’s views and claims. These are also known as YES / NO / NOT GIVEN questions.
What does this type of question look like?
Questions 4-7
Do the following statements agree with the writer’s opinion in Reading Passage 1?
In boxes 4-7 on your answer sheet write:
- Yes - if the statement agrees with the writer’s opinion
- No - if the statement contradicts the writer’s opinion
- Not given - if there is no information about the writer’s opinion in the passage.
- London’s presentation turned out brilliantly. [these are called statements]
- The Olympic anthem was performed well.
- More members of the IOC should have voted for London in the final vote.
- Tony Blair over-reacted to the announcement of London’s successful bid.
Activity
Discuss with your partner how you would approach this type of question
Choose whether each statement agrees with what the writer says - there is an opinion or claim in the text that confirms it. Or choose ‘no’ if there is a claim in the text that contradicts it. Or you could choose not given if the writer doesn’t express an opinion about this in the text so it is neither confirmed nor contradicted.
What am I being tested on?
This type of question tests your ability to recognise opinions or ideas. It is often used with texts that include more discussion or argument, rather than just facts.
What do I have to write in the answer sheet?
|
‘Yes’ ‘yes’ ‘Y’ |
or |
‘Not given’ ‘not given’ ‘NG’ |
or |
‘No’ ‘no’ ‘N’ |
How should I approach this question?
- The questions are in the same order as the answers in the text, so the answer to the first question in group will appear in the text before the answer to the second question.
- Carefully read all the statements. Note the key words. Predict possible synonyms.
- For example, in question 4 ‘turned out’ is a phrasal verb that means to develop in a particular way or to have a particular result. ‘Brilliantly’ is an adverb which here means ‘very successful’. What other words might have this meaning?
- Then skim through the article to find the key words or their paraphrase.
- Once you have found the relevant part of the text, carefully read it to see if the information confirms or contradicts the statement. Don’t assume that the answer is ‘Yes’ just because the information appears in the text.
- For example, in question 4, the text says that ‘It [London’s presentation] was to prove inspired.’ ‘Inspired’ can be taken as a synonym for ‘brilliantly’ (and note that the part of speech is different) so the answer is ‘Yes’.
-
Note that this is the writer’s opinion. You might think the presentation was dreadful, even though you both watched the same presentation.
- If you can’t find any information consider whether the answer is ‘No’ or ‘Not given’.