Passage Reference: Last week America's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) joined forces with the Centres for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health to sponsor an international conference in Baltimore on latex sensitivity. Almost 400 scientists, nurses, doctors and dentists, along with representatives of the rubber industry, turned up.

Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN - Not Given trap. Students think cooperation is only implied, but it is clearly stated.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'representatives of the rubber industry' = Statement: 'workers in industry'

Tips: When the writer describes groups acting together, that usually signals agreement with the idea.

Key Vocabulary:

• representatives = people speaking for a group
• tackling = dealing with

Question Focus: Writer disagreement - the passage says the opposite

Correct Answer: NO

Passage Reference: These days, staff caring for children with spina bifida are aware of the potential for trouble; so precautions are taken to prevent their becoming sensitive to latex and to protect them if sensitized already. Most of the children are operated on in theatres that have been made as latex-free as possible, and none has been lost to shock.

Why this is correct: The writer directly says that none of the children died from shock. This clearly contradicts the statement.

Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN - Contradiction trap. The passage actually gives clear opposite information.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'none has been lost to shock' = Statement: 'died of anaphylactic shock'

Tips: If the passage clearly says the opposite, the answer must be NO, not NOT GIVEN.

Key Vocabulary:

• lost to shock = died from shock
• precautions = safety steps

Question Focus: Missing opinion - cause mentioned but not heredity

Correct Answer: NOT GIVEN

Passage Reference: Nobody knows which or how many of the hundreds of proteins in latex provoke the allergic reactions that natural rubber causes in 1 % of people. But whatever its cause, latex sensitivity is beginning to attract attention.

Why this is correct: The writer says the cause is unknown and does not mention genetics or heredity at all. There is no opinion about hereditary factors.

Common Mistake: YES - Not Given trap. Students assume a cause that is never stated.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'whatever its cause' = Statement: 'usually caused by hereditary factors'

Tips: If a cause is not mentioned clearly, do not guess. Choose NOT GIVEN.

Key Vocabulary:

• hereditary = passed from parents
• provoke = cause

Question Focus: Writer disagreement - latex is not being replaced

Correct Answer: NO

Passage Reference: Despite the worries, latex is such an exceptional material - nothing else so cheap is such a good, long-lasting barrier, while at the same time allowing tactile sensitivity - that there is no talk of getting rid of it.

Why this is correct: The writer clearly states that latex will not be replaced. This directly disagrees with the idea of replacing it with new materials.

Common Mistake: YES - Partial truth trap. Students notice alternatives mentioned but miss that latex is not being replaced.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'no talk of getting rid of it' = Statement: 'replace latex'

Tips: Always check if the writer supports or rejects the idea, not just mentions related information.

Key Vocabulary:

• exceptional = very special
• replace = take the place of

Question Focus: Writer opinion - AIDS epidemic increased glove use

Correct Answer: YES

Passage Reference: People who need to wear rubber gloves at work are the largest single group at risk, and the AIDS epidemic has greatly increased their number. Doctors, nurses, dental hygienists and laboratory technicians who used to wear gloves only occasionally now find themselves changing them as often as 30 times a day.

Why this is correct: The writer links the AIDS epidemic to increased glove use among health workers. This supports the statement clearly.

Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN - Context shift trap. The reason for glove use is clearly explained.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'AIDS epidemic has greatly increased their number' = Statement: 'fearful of catching AIDS'

Tips: Look for cause-and-effect language that shows the writer's view.

Key Vocabulary:

• epidemic = widespread disease
• occasionally = sometimes

Question Focus: Writer disagreement - cure is mentioned

Correct Answer: NO

Passage Reference: No deaths have been reported in these groups, though, and levels of reaction are quite low. It is worth noting that the remedy for anaphylactic shock is adrenalin.

Why this is correct: The writer explicitly states that there is a remedy. This contradicts the statement that there is no cure.

Common Mistake: NOT GIVEN - Contradiction trap. The passage clearly gives the opposite information.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'the remedy ... is adrenalin' = Statement: 'has no cure'

Tips: When a treatment or solution is stated, claims of no cure are usually wrong.

Key Vocabulary:

• remedy = treatment
• anaphylactic shock = severe allergic reaction

Question Focus: Writer disagreement - risk is higher for health workers

Correct Answer: NO

Passage Reference: The danger affects health workers as well as patients. People who need to wear rubber gloves at work are the largest single group at risk.

Why this is correct: The writer clearly identifies health workers, not children, as the group most at risk. This disagrees with the statement.

Common Mistake: YES - Context shift trap. Children are discussed, but not as the most affected group.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'largest single group at risk' = Statement: 'more likely to suffer'

Tips: Do not confuse examples with comparisons. Look for words like 'most' or 'largest'.

Key Vocabulary:

• at risk = likely to be harmed
• affects = has an impact on

General Tips:

• YNNG tests the WRITER'S VIEW, not passage facts. A fact without opinion is NOT GIVEN.
• YES and NO require clear support or disagreement from the writer.
• Statements usually follow passage order. Use the previous answer to know where to read next.
• Watch for contradiction words like 'none', 'no talk of', or 'largest group'.
• Do not assume causes or comparisons that the writer does not clearly state.