IELTS Reading
IELTS Reading: True, False, Not Given — The Complete Strategy
The most misunderstood question type in IELTS Reading. Learn the exact difference between False and Not Given, and the strategy that works every time.
What is it?
True/False/Not Given questions ask you to decide whether statements match the information in the passage. TRUE means the statement agrees with the passage. FALSE means the statement contradicts the passage. NOT GIVEN means the passage does not contain enough information to confirm or deny the statement.
How to approach it
- 1Underline key words in the statement before searching the passage.
- 2Find the relevant section of the passage — use scanning for key nouns or names.
- 3Read that section carefully. Ask: does the passage say this? (TRUE), does it say the opposite? (FALSE), or does it not say anything about this? (NOT GIVEN)
- 4The critical rule: NOT GIVEN does not mean "this is false in real life". It means the TEXT does not address it.
- 5Trust the text, not your general knowledge. If you can confirm or contradict using only the passage, choose TRUE or FALSE. If not, choose NOT GIVEN.
Common errors
- ✗Confusing NOT GIVEN with FALSE: a statement is FALSE only if the passage explicitly contradicts it.
- ✗Using outside knowledge: "Everyone knows that X is true" — if the passage doesn't say it, it's NOT GIVEN.
- ✗Rushing: T/F/NG questions require careful reading of the specific sentence, not just skimming.
- ✗Changing your answer: your first instinct based on the text is usually correct. Only change if you find specific contradicting evidence.
Time allocation
Approximately 90 seconds per question. If you cannot find the relevant section after 60 seconds, move on and return later.
FAQs
What is the difference between False and Not Given?▼
FALSE means the passage explicitly says the opposite of the statement. NOT GIVEN means the passage is silent on the issue — it neither confirms nor contradicts. If you cannot find specific evidence either way, choose NOT GIVEN.
Are T/F/NG answers always in order in the passage?▼
Yes — in IELTS Reading, the answers to T/F/NG questions follow the order of the passage. If question 1 refers to paragraph 2 and question 2 refers to paragraph 4, question 3 will refer to paragraph 4 or later.
What if I am unsure between False and Not Given?▼
Look for an explicit statement of the opposite in the passage. If you cannot find one, choose NOT GIVEN. The passage must say the opposite for it to be FALSE — absence of information is always NOT GIVEN.
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