What is Identifying Information (Yes/No/Not Given)?
Identifying information, often called Yes/No/Not Given format, is an IELTS Reading question type where you assess whether statements are explicitly supported by the text. It emphasizes direct evidence and avoiding inferences.
Identifying information requires answering Yes (text states it), No (text contradicts), or Not Given (text omits it). Unlike matching headings, this focuses on specific claims, not main ideas.
- •Text directly states: 'The city is 2 million people.'
- •Text contradicts: 'Paris is in Spain' (False/No)
- •Text is silent: 'Paris has 50 beaches' (Not Given)
- •'2 million people' implies it's large
- •Silent on climate, but 'polar' ≠ 'temperate'
- •Your general knowledge, not the text
Step-by-step worked examples
Statement: 'The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded annually.' Text: 'The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded every year since 1901.' Yes/No/Not Given?
Search for 'awarded' and 'annually'/'every year' Text explicitly states it's awarded annually since 1901 Answer: YES
Statement: 'Electric vehicles are more expensive than gasoline cars.' Text: 'The price of electric vehicles has fallen significantly. Early EV models cost $80,000. Today's basic models start at $25,000.' Yes/No/Not Given?
Search for price comparison Text shows EV prices falling but doesn't claim they're cheaper than gas cars Answer: NOT GIVEN
Statement: 'The study found that coffee reduces sleep.' Text: 'Caffeine consumption increases alertness and can delay sleep onset.' Yes/No/Not Given?
Check if 'coffee reduces sleep' is explicitly stated Text says caffeine delays sleep, supporting the claim about coffee Answer: YES
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Statement: 'The author believes climate change is urgent.' Text: 'Climate change poses serious risks. Action is needed soon.' Yes/No/Not Given?
Q2.What is the key difference between identifying information and inference?
Q3.Statement: 'The company has over 1,000 employees.' Text: 'Our team spans 5 continents with hundreds of staff.' Yes/No/Not Given?
Q4.When should you answer Yes?
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What is Identifying Information (Yes/No/Not Given)?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Inferring from the text (e.g., 'text mentions heat' → 'weather is hot'). — Correct: Stick to explicit statements. If the text doesn't say it directly, answer Not Given.
Answering Yes when keywords match, even if meaning differs. — Correct: Check the full context, not just keywords. '1,000 employees' ≠ 'hundreds of staff.'
Assuming a No answer when the statement contradicts general knowledge. — Correct: Answer based on the text, not external knowledge. Text first.
Guessing when uncertain instead of carefully re-reading. — Correct: Take time to verify. Not Given is valid if the text simply doesn't address it.
FAQ
What is identifying information in IELTS?
It is a task where you assess statements as Yes (explicit), No (contradicts), or Not Given (omitted) based on the text.
Is identifying information the same as True/False/Not Given?
Essentially yes. Both require assessing statements against the text with no inference. Yes/No emphasizes 'explicit' support.
How can I avoid inferring when answering?
Ask: 'Does the text explicitly say this?' If yes, answer Yes. If no, either No (contradicts) or Not Given (absent).
Can partial matches be answered as Yes?
No. The statement must be fully supported by explicit text to answer Yes.