IELTS True/False/Not Given: Rules, Worked Examples and Common Mistakes
What True/False/Not Given tests
True/False/Not Given is a Reading question type that asks whether a statement agrees with, contradicts or goes beyond the information in the passage. It checks careful reading, not general knowledge. You will see a list of statements in the same order as the information appears in the text, so the first statement usually relates to the early paragraphs and the last to the end. The same format with the labels Yes, No and Not Given is used for the writer's opinions in Yes/No/Not Given questions.
The three answers defined
True means the passage says the same thing as the statement, usually in different words. False means the passage says the opposite. Not Given means the passage does not provide enough information to decide. The key difference between False and Not Given is whether the text addresses the claim directly. If the text states something different, the answer is False. If the text simply does not discuss it, the answer is Not Given.
A four-step method
First, underline the keywords in the statement, such as names, numbers and unusual nouns. Second, find the part of the passage that discusses the topic by scanning for the keywords and their synonyms. Third, read the sentences around that location and compare meanings, paying attention to qualifiers such as 'some', 'may', 'all' and 'only'. Fourth, choose the answer. If you cannot find any relevant sentence after a careful search, the answer is probably Not Given, but check that you have not missed a paraphrase.
Worked example
Passage: 'Coral reefs cover less than one per cent of the ocean floor, yet they support roughly a quarter of all marine species. Their decline therefore has consequences beyond the reefs themselves.' Statement 1: 'Coral reefs support about 25 per cent of marine species.' This is True, because a quarter equals 25 per cent. Statement 2: 'Reefs cover a quarter of the ocean floor.' This is False, since the passage says less than one per cent. Statement 3: 'Reef tourism is increasing.' This is Not Given, because tourism is never mentioned.
Common traps
The most frequent trap is using background knowledge. A statement may be true in real life but still Not Given in the passage. A second trap is overlooking qualifiers. If the text says 'many scientists believe' and the statement says 'scientists have proved', the answer is False. A third trap is assuming that a statement is False simply because it sounds extreme. Always base your decision on the passage. Finally, avoid spending too long on one statement; mark it and return if time allows.
Practise with the free quiz on the IELTS Reading practice page, which includes True/False/Not Given questions with explanations.
Frequently asked questions
Is Not Given the same as False?
No. False means the passage contradicts the statement. Not Given means the passage does not mention enough to decide.
Should I guess if I am unsure?
Yes. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave an answer blank.
Do the statements follow the order of the passage?
Usually yes, which helps you locate each answer in sequence.