What Y N NG Really Tests
- Yes: The writer’s view matches the statement in meaning.
- No: The writer’s view clearly opposes the statement.
- Not Given: The writer’s view on the key part is missing or incomplete.
Tip: Y N NG is about the author’s opinion or claim. Facts from others do not count unless the author clearly supports them.
Fast Contrast with T F NG
| Feature | T F NG | Y N NG |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Factual content | Author stance |
| Proof clue | Data, events, definitions | Attitude verbs, modals, hedges |
| Common trap | Keyword echo | Quoted view vs author view |
The Three Tests Before You Decide
- Voice test
Is this the author’s stance or someone else’s? Look for signals: argue, claim, maintain, contend, suggest, according to, researchers report. - Polarity test
Do the statement and the author push the same way? Track not, lack, hardly, doubt, unlikely, fail to. - Scope test
Do the strength and limits match? Check all, most, many, some, only, exactly, at least, more than, often, rarely.
Decision rule
- Pass all three with matching meaning → Yes
- Same voice but opposite polarity or scope → No
- Missing author voice or missing key scope detail → Not Given
Anchor and Prove Workflow
- Mark anchors: names, dates, rare nouns.
- Land in the zone within 15 to 25 seconds.
- Read context two lines up and down.
- Underline the stance word or phrase.
- Write a 6 to 10 word paraphrase of the author’s view.
- Apply the three tests and decide.
Stance Signal Bank
- Attitude verbs: argue, insist, reject, support, prefer, recommend.
- Hedges and boosters: may, might, likely, tends to, generally, could, clearly, strongly.
- Contrast cues: however, although, yet, in spite of.
- Attribution: according to X, a survey found, researchers state.
- If the author does not endorse it, the stance may be Not Given.
Decision Grid You Can Copy
| Statement says | Text says | Voice | Polarity or scope | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Many teachers oppose phones in class | The author argues phones improve focus with rules | Author | Opposite | No |
| The writer supports a tax on sugar | The writer recommends a tax trial | Author | Same stance, softer scope | Yes if statement is general support |
| Most cities have adopted the plan | The passage reports some cities did, author silent | Unknown | Scope unclear | Not Given |
Mini Labs with Keys
- Claim: The writer believes museum entry should be free.
Text: The author argues free days widen access and should be expanded.
Decision: Yes. Support aligns with the claim. - Claim: The author rejects online learning for young children.
Text: Experts warn about screen time. The author says policies must be flexible.
Decision: Not Given for rejection. No clear author stance against it. - Claim: The writer says subsidies rarely help small firms.
Text: The writer states subsidies often trap firms in low growth.
Decision: Yes. Rarely help equals often harmful in meaning. - Claim: The author thinks the trial failed.
Text: According to a company report, the trial failed. The author later calls the results contested.
Decision: Not Given for author stance.
Timing Targets
- Locate zone: 15 to 25 seconds
- Context read and paraphrase: 20 to 30 seconds
- If voice is unclear after 45 seconds, mark NG candidate and move on.
Error Pattern Fixes
- Quoted view trap: Highlight attribution phrases. Decide only after you find the author’s own words.
- Hedge blindness: Circle modals and adverbs. Hedges can turn No into NG or Yes into NG.
- Scope creep: Draw a box around quantifiers. If scope does not match and the author is clear, it is No.
10 Minute Trainer Circuit
- Minute 1: Build a mini paraphrase bank for stance words.
- Minutes 2 to 4: Do four Y N NG items only to identify voice. No answers yet.
- Minutes 5 to 7: Add polarity and scope, then decide.
- Minutes 8 to 10: Review two wrong items, rewrite the author stance in your words.
Self Check Card
- I marked whose view it is.
- I tested polarity words.
- I matched scope and time.
- I can quote or point to a proof phrase.
- I avoided outside knowledge.
Answer Log Template
- Q no | Statement summary | Proof phrase | Decision | Reason tag
- Reason tags: voice missing, polarity flip, scope mismatch, hedge misread, time shift.
Use this trainer daily. When the author’s voice is clear and your paraphrase matches in meaning, mark Yes. When it pushes the other way, mark No. When the voice or key detail is absent, mark Not Given.