Why finding both things is not enough
A comparison statement makes a claim about a relationship: A is more, less, earlier, larger or the same as B. To answer True or False, the passage has to say something about that relationship. Finding A in one sentence and B in another only proves that both are mentioned. If nothing links them on the point the statement makes, the passage neither agrees nor disagrees.
The town's two bridges carry most of its traffic. The stone bridge, built in the 1820s, was widened in 1990.A The iron bridge downstream was closed for repairsB for most of last year. Statement: The stone bridge carries more traffic than the iron bridgeclaim.
- → Both bridges are described, and traffic is mentioned, but no sentence compares the traffic on one with the other.
- → The trap: "closed for repairs" tempts you to reason that the iron bridge must carry less. That is your inference, not the text. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
What would change the answer
| If the passage said… | Answer |
|---|---|
| …the stone bridge carries roughly twice as many vehicles as the iron bridge. | TRUE |
| …though the iron bridge carries more vehicles than the stone one. | FALSE |
| …only what it says above. | NOT GIVEN |
So the question to ask first is never "Are A and B both here?" It is "Where does the passage connect A and B on this point?" If you cannot put your finger on that connection, the answer is Not Given. The rest of this sheet turns that into a two-step check and tests it on the harder cases: numbers, dates, superlatives and comparisons with a third thing.
Premium sheet · 4 more sections
- The two-step check for comparison statements
- True false not given examples with numbers and dates
- Superlatives, "one of the" and comparisons with a third thing
- Your turn: true false not given comparison practice
Checking your access…
BandLadder questions
Practise it now
Use the method on original BandLadder questions. Attempt them free and see your score.
With a plan
Watch questions solved step by step
Solve Along walks through BandLadder questions one move at a time, with the method from this sheet applied live.
See plans →
With a plan
Read every premium sheet
A plan unlocks every premium study sheet and book, PDF downloads, unlimited AI scoring and full IELTS mock tests.
See plans →
Questions
FAQ
Is it Not Given if both things are mentioned but not compared?+
Yes. If the passage describes A and B but never relates them on the point the statement makes, it neither agrees nor disagrees with the comparison, so the answer is Not Given.
What is the difference between False and Not Given?+
False means the passage contradicts the statement. Not Given means the passage neither agrees with nor contradicts it. For a comparison, False needs a link that points the other way; no link at all means Not Given.
What if the passage gives figures for both things?+
If the figures measure the same thing in the same period, you can compare them yourself and answer True or False. If they come from different years or measure different things, the answer is Not Given.
What is the difference between True False Not Given and Yes No Not Given?+
True/False/Not Given checks statements against information in the text; Yes/No/Not Given checks them against the writer's views or claims. The comparison check works the same way in both.
How do I answer True False Not Given questions faster?+
Locate each statement first (BandLadder's own sets follow the passage order), then compare it with the sentence you found. For comparison statements, look for the link before you think about direction.
Sources
- ielts.org, IELTS Academic: Reading test format, question types 2 and 3: https://ielts.org/take-a-test/test-types/ielts-academic-test/ielts-academic-format-reading
- ielts.org, IELTS General Training: Reading test format, question type 2: https://ielts.org/take-a-test/test-types/ielts-general-training-test/ielts-general-training-format-reading
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