ReadingIELTSNew task type

IELTS True, False, Not Given: how to decide every time

Each statement is True if the passage says the same thing, False if the passage says the opposite, and Not Given if the passage does not deal with it. Most lost marks come from treating "the passage doesn't say this exact sentence" as Not Given when the passage actually contradicts it, or from using your own knowledge.

Module
Academic & General
Typical count
4–7 statements
Order
Follows the passage
Variant
Yes / No / Not Given for opinions

How it's scored

One mark per statement. Answers must be written exactly as True, False or Not Given (or T, F, NG); a Yes/No/Not Given set marked with True/False is wrong.

Strategy & template

  1. 1Locate the statement in the passage first; the questions follow passage order, so use the previous answer's position as the starting point.
  2. 2Compare the statement to the passage sentence word by word, paying attention to qualifiers: all, some, only, always, the first, more than.
  3. 3Ask two questions in order. Does the passage contradict this? Then False. Does it confirm this? Then True. Neither? Not Given.
  4. 4For Yes/No/Not Given, compare the statement to the writer's opinion, not to facts in the passage.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Answering from general knowledge instead of the passage.
  • Marking False when the passage simply does not mention the point.
  • Spending three minutes on one statement; if you cannot find it after the next question's location, it is probably Not Given.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between False and Not Given?

False means the passage states the opposite of the statement. Not Given means the passage gives no information that confirms or denies it. If you cannot point to a sentence that contradicts the statement, it is not False.

Are the answers in order in true/false/not given?

Yes. The statements follow the order of the passage, which is the fastest way to locate each one.

Practise Reading: True / False / Not Given

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Practice IELTS Reading