IELTS True/False/Not Given: How to Stop Losing Easy Marks

By Band9Academy TeamArticles
In short:

  • TRUE means the text agrees; FALSE means the text says the opposite.
  • NOT GIVEN means the text simply does not tell you.
  • Never use your own knowledge: judge only what the passage says.

True/False/Not Given questions appear in both the Academic and General Training Reading tests, and they cost many candidates easy marks. The questions are not hard because the English is difficult. They are hard because FALSE and NOT GIVEN look so similar. Here is a clear way to tell them apart.

What each answer really means

  • TRUE: the statement matches information in the passage, often using different words.
  • FALSE: the passage gives information that contradicts the statement.
  • NOT GIVEN: the passage has no information to confirm or contradict it.

A simple test: ask yourself, “Can I point to a sentence that proves the opposite?” If yes, it is FALSE. If you are searching and there is nothing to point to, it is NOT GIVEN.

A General Training example

Imagine a workplace notice says: “Staff may park in Lot B on weekdays. A permit is required.”

  • “Employees need a permit to use Lot B.” → TRUE (same idea, new words).
  • “Lot B is free for everyone on weekdays.” → FALSE (a permit is required, and it is for staff only).
  • “Parking permits cost $20 a month.” → NOT GIVEN (the price is never mentioned).

Watch the small words

One word can change the answer. Pay close attention to:

  • Quantity words: all, some, most, only, never, always.
  • Comparisons: more, less, the first, the largest.
  • Certainty: may, might, usually, definitely.

If the passage says staff usually finish at 5 p.m. and the statement says they always do, the answer is FALSE.

A step-by-step method

  • Underline the key words in the statement, especially names, numbers and qualifiers.
  • Scan the passage for those words or their synonyms. The answers usually follow the order of the text.
  • Read the matching sentence carefully, plus the sentence before and after.
  • Decide: matches, contradicts, or missing. Then move on. Do not spend more than about a minute on one question.
Quick tip: Write exactly the words used in the instructions. If the question asks for TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN, do not write YES/NO, and do not write only T or F unless the instructions allow it.

Practise with real-style questions

You will improve fastest by checking every wrong answer and finding the exact sentence that proves the right one. Over time you will start to spot the traps before you fall into them.

Practise True/False/Not Given with model answers

Try our free sample, then build speed with full General Training Reading practice and clear explanations.

Get the free sampleGT Reading eBook ($29)