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Module 10 · Unit 10 — Society, Globalisation & You
Government & Public Services
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Lesson 2 of 5

Government & Public Services

Core 60 min
Pathway

Lesson 10.2 practises Yes / No / Not Given questions on government and public services, and separating writer's opinion from stated fact.

What you'll be able to do
  • Distinguish Yes / No / Not Given from True / False / Not Given
  • Identify writer's opinion in a passage
  • Use writer's-view language in your own writing
Reading Skills

Reading · Y/N/NG vs T/F/NG

Key distinction
01
T/F/NG
You're matching CLAIMS against FACTS in the passage.
02
Y/N/NG
You're matching CLAIMS against the WRITER'S OPINION in the passage.

In Y/N/NG, if the claim isn't the writer's view, it's NO — even if it's true in real life.

Reading Skills

Reading practice · Public services (extract)

Extract

'Governments have long argued that healthcare should be free at the point of use. The truth, however, is that the costs are simply moved into taxation, and often the people who use these services least end up subsidising the heaviest users. This is neither efficient nor, in the writer's view, particularly fair.'

  1. Governments believe free healthcare is important. (Y / N / NG)
  2. The writer thinks the current tax-funded model is unfair. (Y / N / NG)
  3. Most heavy users of healthcare are wealthy. (Y / N / NG)

Words like 'in the writer's view', 'the truth is', 'unfortunately' are signposts to the writer's opinion.

Reading Skills

Pathway focus · Reading dense opinion writing

Academic Reading Passage 3 often revolves around a writer's argument. Y/N/NG questions cluster there.

Listening Skills

Listening Skills — A Public Administration Lecture

Before you listen

You will hear part of a lecture on how public services are funded and delivered. Read the statements and the list of systems/entities first — there are more options than statements.

  • Read all six options before listening; one will not be used.
  • Listen for facts and figures linked to each system or funding source.
  • Note comparative language such as 'more efficient than' or 'unlike'.
  • Expect a shift of focus signalled by 'moving on' or 'however'.
Example · Irish English · A public policy lecturer

Listen first — the transcript stays hidden so this works like the real exam.

Listening audio

Tap play to generate and listen.

0:00--:--
Instruction

Match each statement (1–5) with the correct system or funding source, A–F, below. Each letter may be used once, more than once, or not at all.

  1. Responded faster to local outbreaks, according to Dr Byrne's study.
  2. Works better for large projects such as national rail networks, since it avoids duplicating resources.
  3. Covers roughly sixty per cent of public spending in most European countries.
  4. Covers approximately twenty-five per cent of public spending.
  5. Was associated with rising costs for consumers in the water sector case study.
  • A Centralised systems
  • B Decentralised systems
  • C General taxation
  • D National insurance contributions
  • E User charges and local levies
  • F Privatisation
Check

Answer key

Writing Task

Writing · Signalling YOUR opinion

In my view,
phrase
your opinion — Task 2
I would argue that
phrase
stronger opinion signal
It seems to me that
phrase
softer opinion signal
personally,
adv
clear personal viewpoint
Exam Strategy

Exam Strategy

  • Exam Tip

    Underline 'the writer / the author / in his/her view' — those are the only claims that count as YES.

Independent Practice

Independent Practice

Opinion column

Read a 400-word opinion column and note every phrase the writer uses to signal their view.

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Remember
  • Y/N/NG = writer's opinion, not real-world truth.
  • Signalling YOUR view clearly is worth marks in Task Response.
Need more practice?
Extra Practice — practise this exam skill
All Extra Practice

Optional — this doesn't affect your lesson or course progress.

When you're done, mark this lesson complete.
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