We will cross a line to seperate the figure into 2 rectangles (i cant draw it but you can base on the solution to find out the line if you dont know)
Area of rectangle 1 : (4+2) x 2 = 12 yd2
Area of rectangle 2 : (12+2) x 2 = 28 yd2
Area of figure = 12 + 28 = 40 yd2.