IELTS True False Not Given questions are widely considered the most confusing part of the Reading test. Many candidates struggle to distinguish between ‘False’ and ‘Not Given’, leading to unnecessary mistakes that lower their band score. If you want to achieve a Band 6.5 or higher, mastering this question type is essential.

In this guide, we will break down the logic behind these questions, provide a step-by-step strategy to answer them, and show you exactly how to avoid common traps.

Understanding True, False, and Not Given

The first step to success is clearly understanding what each option means. It sounds simple, but under exam pressure, definitions can get blurry.

What is TRUE?

The statement is TRUE if the information in the question matches the information in the text. However, don’t expect to see the exact same words. The test setters will use synonyms and paraphrasing. If the meaning is exactly the same, the answer is True.

What is FALSE?

The statement is FALSE if the information in the question contradicts the information in the text. This means the text says the opposite or something factually different. For the answer to be False, the topic must be mentioned, but the specific detail is wrong.

What is NOT GIVEN?

The statement is NOT GIVEN if the information is strictly missing. You cannot confirm if it is true or false because the text does not say. This is where most students lose marks. You might think, ‘Well, it’s probably true based on general knowledge,’ but if the text doesn’t say it, it’s Not Given.

Step-by-Step Strategy

Follow this proven strategy to approach IELTS True False Not Given questions efficiently:

1. Read the Question First: Identify the keywords in the statement. Look for names, dates, numbers, and technical terms.
2. Scan the Text: Locate the keywords in the passage. Remember, these questions usually come in order. If you found the answer to Q1 in paragraph 1, the answer to Q2 will likely be in paragraph 1 or 2.
3. Read Detailly: Once you find the location, read the sentence before and after carefully.
4. Compare Meanings: content check. Does it match (True)? Does it contradict (False)? Is the information missing (Not Given)?
5. Watch for ‘Distractors’: Be careful with qualifying words like all, some, always, often, mainly. These can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

For more general strategies on tackling different question types, check out our guide on IELTS Reading Tips.

Common Traps and Mistakes

Even advanced students fall into these traps. Being aware of them is half the battle.

• Using Outside Knowledge: Never answer based on what you know about the topic. Only use the information provided in the text.
• Matching Keywords blindly: Just because you see the same words doesn’t mean the answer is True. Read the whole sentence to understand the relationship between the words.
• Overthinking Not Given: If you have to make assumptions or multiple logical steps to find an answer, it is likely Not Given.

Practice Examples

Let’s look at some examples to clarify the differences.

Text: ‘The tour guide, who has lived in the city for 20 years, recommends visiting the museum in the morning to avoid crowds.’

Question 1: The tour guide was born in the city.
Answer: NOT GIVEN. The text says he has lived there for 20 years, but it doesn’t say he was born there.

Question 2: The museum is busiest in the morning.
Answer: FALSE. The text says visit in the morning to avoid crowds, meaning it is quieter then.

Question 3: The guide suggests an early visit to the museum.
Answer: TRUE. ‘In the morning’ matches ‘early visit’.

True/False/Not Given vs. Yes/No/Not Given

It’s important to note the difference between these two similar tasks. True/False/Not Given asks you to identify factual information. Yes/No/Not Given asks you to identify the writer’s opinions or claims. The strategy is largely the same, but the focus is different. You can read more about different types of reading questions here.

Conclusion

Mastering IELTS True False Not Given takes practice. Don’t be discouraged if you find it difficult at first. Use official materials from IELTS.org or the British Council to practice with authentic test questions.

Keep tracking your progress. If you want to know how your practice scores translate to band scores, use our IELTS Reading Score Calculator.