| Question Type | True / False / Not Given |
| Key Challenge | Distinguishing False from Not Given |
| Critical Skill | Finding and comparing evidence |
| Target | Accurate identification of contradictions |
IELTS Reading True False Not Given Questions: How to Avoid Confusion
True, False and Not Given questions are among the most confusing IELTS Reading question types. The difficulty usually comes from the difference between information that contradicts the passage and information that is simply not mentioned.
Understanding this distinction is more important than guessing based on general knowledge.
What Does True Mean?
A statement is True when the information in the passage clearly supports it.
Statement
"The study was conducted over three years."
Passage Evidence
"Researchers collected data from 2018 to 2021."
The wording may be different, because IELTS often uses synonyms or paraphrasing. Do not look only for exactly matching words. Focus on whether the meaning is consistent.
What Does False Mean?
A statement is False when the passage provides information that directly contradicts it.
Statement
"The event occurred in 2015."
Passage Evidence
"The event was held in 2017."
There must be evidence of contradiction. If the passage doesn't mention the date at all, it's Not Given, not False.
What Does Not Given Mean?
Not Given means the passage does not provide enough information to confirm or contradict the statement.
Statement
"The study involved 500 participants."
Passage Evidence
"The study involved a large number of participants from various countries."
The passage mentions participants but does not specify the exact number. The statement cannot be confirmed or contradicted.
Candidates use their own knowledge to decide whether a statement seems true. IELTS Reading is based on the information in the passage, not what you personally believe.
Example: You know that water boils at 100°C. If the passage doesn't mention this fact, a statement about boiling point is Not Given, not True.
Look for Evidence
When you find a possible location in the passage, read the surrounding sentences carefully.
- Does the passage confirm the statement exactly?
- Does it contradict the statement?
- Is the information partially mentioned but not enough to confirm?
- Is the information completely missing?
Ask yourself whether the passage confirms the statement, contradicts it or does not provide enough information.
A Free CD IELTS Mock Test can help you practise this decision-making process across different passages.
Beware of Similar Words
The passage may use synonyms rather than repeating the wording from the question.
| Statement Word | Possible Synonym in Passage |
|---|---|
| increase | rise, grow, expand, climb |
| decrease | fall, decline, drop, reduce |
| important | significant, crucial, vital, essential |
| study | research, investigation, analysis, survey |
| many | numerous, several, various, multiple |
Statement: "The government increased spending on education."
Passage: "Education funding was raised by the authorities."
Different wording, but the meaning is the same → TRUE
Do Not Guess Too Quickly
An IELTS Practice Test Online Free session can help you build accuracy, but only if you review your reasoning after each test.
- True: Passage confirms the statement
- False: Passage directly contradicts the statement
- Not Given: Passage doesn't provide enough information
- Focus on evidence, not personal knowledge
- Look for synonyms and paraphrasing
- Review your reasoning for every mistake
Final Thoughts
The easiest way to improve True, False and Not Given performance is to focus on evidence rather than assumptions.
Remember the basic rule: True means supported, False means contradicted, and Not Given means insufficient information.
Practise identifying evidence consistently and these questions will become much more manageable.
True, False, Not Given questions test your ability to distinguish between supported, contradicted, and missing information. Never use your own knowledge. Always base your answer on evidence from the passage. Look for paraphrasing, and review your mistakes to understand your reasoning patterns.