IELTS Reading True False Not Given: Complete Guide with Examples

Quick Answer: True False Not Given questions ask you to decide if a statement matches the text (True), contradicts it (False), or if there's no information (Not Given). The key difference: False means the text explicitly says the opposite, while Not Given means the text doesn't confirm or deny the statement. Avoid "tricking" yourself by guessing—always check for direct evidence.

Table of Contents

What Are True False Not Given Questions?

Step-by-Step Strategy for Tackling TFNG

Common Traps and How to Avoid Them

Band Score Comparison Table

What Are True False Not Given Questions?

True False Not Given (TFNG) is a question type in the IELTS Reading test where you’re given a set of statements based on a reading passage. You must decide:

True (T): The statement agrees with the information in the text.

False (F): The statement contradicts the information in the text.

Not Given (NG): There is no information in the text about the statement.

Why do students find this hard? Because TFNG tests your ability to distinguish between "contradiction" and "absence of information." Many students mistake "Not Given" for "False" when the text doesn’t mention something.

Step-by-Step Strategy for Tackling TFNG

Step 1: Read the Instructions Carefully

Always check if the question uses "True/False/Not Given" or "Yes/No/Not Given" (for opinion-based passages). The marking is the same, but the nuance matters.

Step 2: Skim the Passage First

Don’t read every word. Instead, skim the passage to get a general idea of content and paragraph topics. This saves time.

Step 3: Identify Keywords in the Statement

Underline key words in each statement (names, numbers, dates, unique nouns, verbs). For example: Statement: "The first electric car was invented in 1890." Keywords: "first," "electric car," "invented," "1890."

Step 4: Locate Keywords in the Text

Scan the passage for those keywords or synonyms. Remember: the text might use different words (e.g., "automobile" instead of "car").

Step 5: Compare and Decide

If you find direct, identical information → True.

If you find exact opposite information → False.

If you find no information or partial information that doesn’t confirm/deny → Not Given.

Example from real IELTS text: Text: "The first battery-powered vehicle was built in 1837 by a Scottish inventor." Statement: "The first electric car was invented in 1890." Decision: False – the text says 1837, so 1890 is wrong. Statement: "The electric car was invented by Thomas Edison." Decision: Not Given – the text doesn’t mention who invented it.

Common Traps and How to Avoid Them

Synonym Trap: The text might use synonyms that sound different from the statement but mean the same.

Example: Statement says "expensive" → text says "costly." This could be True, not False.

The "Too Specific" Trap: If the statement is more specific than the text, it’s likely Not Given.

Example: Text says "many species migrate" → Statement says "all birds migrate south." → Not Given (no info about "all").

Changing the Scope: Watch for words like "all," "never," "always," "only." These often indicate False if the text doesn’t use them.

Example: Text says "some students" → Statement says "all students" → False.

Numbers and Dates: Pay close attention to exact numbers. A small difference = False.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Can identify obvious True/False but struggles with Not Given. Often confuses False with Not Given. Answers are inconsistent.
7	Understands the distinction clearly. Can locate evidence most of the time. Makes occasional errors with synonyms or scope.
8	Consistently accurate. Handles complex wording and synonyms. Rarely mistakes Not Given for False.
9	Flawless. Can handle tricky language and subtle differences. Time management is excellent.

Sample Answers

Passage excerpt: "Many people believe that the Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world. In fact, the Congo Basin is larger, but receives less attention due to political instability. The Amazon produces about 20% of the world’s oxygen." Band 7 Answer: Statement: "The Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world." Decision: False – The text says "the Congo Basin is larger." So the statement is false. Reasoning: The student correctly identifies contradiction. Band 8 Answer: Statement: "The Amazon produces more than 20% of the world’s oxygen." Decision: False – The text says "about 20%," so "more than 20%" is wrong. Reasoning: The student catches the precise wording "about" vs "more than." Band 9 Answer: Statement: "Political instability in the Congo Basin has limited oxygen production." Decision: Not Given – The text says "receives less attention due to political instability," but doesn’t link this to oxygen production. No evidence of impact. Reasoning: The student avoids assuming cause-and-effect. They stay strictly within the text.

Common Mistakes

❌Confusing False with Not Given – The most common error. Remember: False = text says the opposite. Not Given = text doesn’t say anything.

❌Relying on memory – Don’t answer based on what you know. Only use the text in front of you.

❌Overthinking – If you can’t find evidence quickly, it’s Not Given. Don’t spend too long on one question.

❌Changing answers – Your first instinct is often correct. Only change if you find clear evidence.

Top Tips

Tip 1: Always read the statement before scanning the passage. This focuses your search.

Tip 2: If a statement includes absolute words (all, never, every), it’s more likely to be False because the text rarely makes absolute claims.

Tip 3: Practice with a timer. Spend no more than 2 minutes per question set. If you’re stuck, mark NG and move on.

Tip 4: Use the process of elimination: If it’s not True or False, it’s NG. Trust your logic.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. They have a dedicated TFNG section with real past papers.

FAQ

Q: How can I tell the difference between False and Not Given? A: If the text says the exact opposite or contradicts the statement, it’s False. If the text says nothing that confirms or denies it, it’s Not Given. Q: Do I need to write "True" or "T"? A: Write exactly what the instructions say. Usually it’s "True," "False," "Not Given" in full words. Check your test paper. Q: What if the statement is partially true? A: If part of the statement is true but another part is false (e.g., correct number but wrong date), it’s False. If you can’t verify one part, it’s Not Given. Q: Can I use my own knowledge? A: No. Base your answer only on the reading passage. Q: How many TFNG questions are in the test? A: Typically 5–8 questions per passage, but it varies. Expect at least one passage with TFNG.

Key Takeaways

✅True = text says the same. False = text says the opposite. Not Given = text doesn’t say.

✅Scan for keywords and synonyms – don’t rely on exact matches.

✅Watch for absolute words (all, never) – they often make statements False.

✅Time management is critical – if unsure, mark NG and move on.

✅Practice with official Cambridge IELTS books to build confidence.

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