True/False/Not Given (and Yes/No/Not Given) questions are consistently the most confusing question type in the IELTS Reading test. Even advanced English speakers struggle with them — not because they cannot read the passage, but because the distinction between False and Not Given is genuinely subtle. This guide will give you a clear, reliable strategy to handle these questions confidently.
#The Core Definitions
Before we look at strategy, let us be absolutely precise about what each answer means:
- TRUE: The statement agrees with the information in the passage. The passage says the same thing, possibly in different words.
- FALSE: The statement contradicts the information in the passage. The passage says the opposite or something directly incompatible.
- NOT GIVEN: The passage does not provide enough information to say whether the statement is true or false. The topic might be mentioned, but the specific claim in the statement is not addressed.
#The Critical Distinction: False vs Not Given
This is where most test-takers go wrong. Here is the simplest way to think about it:
- FALSE = the passage says something that DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS the statement
- NOT GIVEN = you cannot find information in the passage that either confirms OR contradicts the statement
If you cannot point to a specific sentence or phrase in the passage that contradicts the statement, the answer is Not Given, even if you personally believe the statement is probably false.
#Worked Examples
#Example 1
Passage: "The study was conducted in 2019 with 500 participants from three major cities in Australia."
Statement A: "The study involved 500 participants."
Answer: TRUE — The passage confirms this directly.
Statement B: "The study was conducted in 2020."
Answer: FALSE — The passage says 2019, which directly contradicts 2020.
Statement C: "Most participants were female."
Answer: NOT GIVEN — The passage mentions participants but says nothing about their gender. You might assume something, but the information is simply not there.
#Example 2
Passage: "Professor Williams argued that early childhood education significantly improves academic performance in later years."
Statement A: "Professor Williams believes early education has long-term academic benefits."
Answer: TRUE — This paraphrases the passage accurately.
Statement B: "Professor Williams believes early education has no impact on later academic performance."
Answer: FALSE — This is the direct opposite of what the passage states.
Statement C: "Professor Williams has published over 20 papers on education."
Answer: NOT GIVEN — We know Professor Williams has views on education, but the passage says nothing about how many papers they have published.
#Example 3 (The Tricky One)
Passage: "The company's revenue increased by 15% last year."
Statement: "The company was profitable last year."
Answer: NOT GIVEN — This is a classic trap. Revenue increasing does not necessarily mean the company was profitable (expenses could have been higher). The passage does not mention profit at all. Many test-takers choose True because increased revenue suggests profitability, but the passage does not actually state it.
#The 4-Step TFNG Strategy
#Step 1: Read the Statement Carefully
Before looking at the passage, underline the key claim in the statement. What specific fact or opinion is being asserted? Pay close attention to:
- Qualifiers: all, some, most, always, never, often, sometimes
- Comparisons: more than, less than, as much as
- Time references: before, after, during, in 2019
- Cause and effect: because, as a result, led to
#Step 2: Locate the Relevant Section
Find the part of the passage that discusses the same topic as the statement. TFNG questions follow the order of the passage, so if statement 3 was found in paragraph 2, statement 4 will be found in paragraph 2 or later — never earlier.
#Step 3: Compare Precisely
Compare the statement to what the passage actually says, word by word. Ask yourself:
- Does the passage confirm this exact claim? → TRUE
- Does the passage say the opposite of this claim? → FALSE
- Does the passage simply not address this specific claim? → NOT GIVEN
#Step 4: Beware of These Traps
- Using your own knowledge: Answer based ONLY on the passage, never on what you know about the topic
- Making inferences: If the passage does not state it explicitly, do not assume it is true
- Confusing similar information: The passage might discuss the same topic but not the same specific point
- Absolute language: If the statement says "all" but the passage says "most," the answer is FALSE
#Common Patterns to Watch For
#Pattern 1: Degree/Quantity Changes
Passage: "Most students preferred online learning."
Statement: "All students preferred online learning."
Answer: FALSE — "Most" and "all" are directly incompatible.
#Pattern 2: Paraphrased True Statements
Passage: "The decline in bee populations has been linked to pesticide use."
Statement: "Pesticides have been associated with falling bee numbers."
Answer: TRUE — Same information, different words.
#Pattern 3: Related but Unaddressed Claims
Passage: "The new policy was implemented in March 2024."
Statement: "The new policy has been successful."
Answer: NOT GIVEN — The passage tells us when it was implemented but says nothing about its success.
#Pattern 4: Reversed Cause and Effect
Passage: "Higher temperatures caused the ice to melt faster."
Statement: "Faster ice melting led to higher temperatures."
Answer: FALSE — The cause and effect relationship is reversed.
#Quick Decision Framework
When you are stuck between False and Not Given, ask yourself this question:
"Can I point to a specific sentence in the passage that says the OPPOSITE of the statement?"
- Yes → FALSE
- No → NOT GIVEN
This single question resolves the majority of False/Not Given dilemmas.
#Practice Makes Permanent
TFNG questions become much easier with practice, because you learn to recognise the patterns examiners use. The key is to practise with explained answers — not just checking right or wrong, but understanding why each answer is what it is.
On BandNine.ai, every reading practice question includes detailed explanations showing exactly which part of the passage confirms, contradicts, or fails to address each statement — helping you build the precise analytical thinking these questions demand.