IELTS lesson · Reading

IELTS Reading True / False / Not Given notesTrue, False or Not Given?

One decision path for every statement, so you can tell FALSE from NOT GIVEN. This IELTS lesson is a deck of 10 visual cards from BandLadder's own study library, written and fact-checked by our team.
  • 10 cards
  • 3 cards free
  • PDF with any plan
  • Updated 30 September 2026
Read the first 3 cards free: create a free account →Download the PDF with any plan

Original BandLadder material

What's inside

It teaches a 4-step method: anchor, scan, read around and decide. Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.

With a free BandLadder account you can read the first three cards online in our study reader, on the web and in the app. The other 7 cards and the PDF download come with any plan.

The first 2 of 10 cards

Preview

  1. IELTSReading · True / False / Not Given

    Forget what you know

    the trap that costs easy marks

    You judge each statement against the passage, not the real world. It can sound wrong, or obviously true, and still be NOT GIVEN.

    Statement: "Bees can recognise human faces." It sounds unlikely, so you write FALSE.gut feeling But the passage never mentions faces.

    Not in the passage? NOT GIVEN.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 10
  2. IELTSReading · True / False / Not Given

    Two questions, one answer

    walk this path for every statement

    1. 1Does the passage deal with this exact claim?
      • no, not this claimNOT GIVEN
      ↓ yes, it does
    2. 2Then what does it say?
      • the same, in other wordsTRUE
      • it contradicts itFALSE

    Yes / No / Not Given works the same way, but checks the writer's views or claims.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 10

  3. Card 3 of 10 onwards

    Card 3 is free too

    Create a free account for card 3; the other 7 come with any plan.

    Create a free account →

10 cards

Contents

  1. 1Forget what you knowthe trap that costs easy marksIn the preview
  2. 2Two questions, one answerwalk this path for every statementIn the preview
  3. 3Locate, then comparefour moves for every statementFree account
  4. 4Meet the passageevery question comes from hereWith a plan
  5. 5Q1: a TRUE in disguisesame meaning, different wordsWith a plan
  6. 6Q2: a clear contradictionthe passage says the oppositeWith a plan
  7. 7Q3: the tricky onethe topic is there, the claim is notWith a plan
  8. 8Two classic mix-upsfix these before test dayWith a plan
  9. 9Your turna line from the passage, then a statementWith a plan
  10. 10Save thisthe True / False / Not Given checklistWith a plan

Start True, False or Not Given? free

Create a free account to read the first 3 cards. The full lesson and its PDF come with any plan.

Create a free account →

Free practice

Practise it

Keep reading

More free IELTS study material

All free IELTS study material

Questions

FAQ

Is the True, False or Not Given? lesson free?+

The first three cards are free to read online with a free BandLadder account. The full lesson opens with any plan.

Can I download the True, False or Not Given? PDF?+

The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.

Who wrote this lesson?+

The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.

Is it for IELTS Academic or General Training?+

Both versions of the test: it covers what they share and says where they differ.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Read the first 3 cards free: create a free account