How to Master True/False/Not Given Question Type in the Reading Module

[IELTS-Community]

Mastering True/False/Not Given (TFNG) questions in the IELTS Reading module is essential for achieving a high score, yet many candidates find this question type challenging and even confusing. These questions test your ability to identify factual information, understand paraphrased content, and distinguish between information that is clearly stated, directly contradicted, or simply absent from the passage. This tutorial will guide you through the core techniques for tackling TFNG questions, highlight common traps, and offer practical examples to clarify the process.

Understanding True/False/Not Given​

First, it is crucial to recognise what each answer means:

• TRUE: The statement exactly matches information in the passage.
• FALSE: The statement contradicts the information in the passage.
• NOT GIVEN: The passage neither confirms nor contradicts the statement; there is no relevant information.

For example, if a passage says, “All elephants are herbivorous,” and you see the statement, “Elephants only eat plants,” the answer is TRUE. If the statement says, “Some elephants eat meat,” that would be FALSE. If the statement is, “Elephants are the largest mammals in Africa,” but the passage provides no information about their size or comparison with other mammals, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Step-by-Step Approach​

1. Read Instructions Carefully
   Always begin by reading the question’s instructions. IELTS sometimes uses Yes/No/Not Given for opinions and True/False/Not Given for factual information. Ensuring you know which is being asked is critical before starting.
2. Read the Statement Closely
   Take time to analyse the question statement line by line. Look for strong words such as “always,” “never,” “the most,” or “none.” These modifiers can change the meaning of the statement and indicate if the answer will be TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN.
3. Locate Key Information in the Passage
   Use scanning techniques to find the relevant part of the passage about the statement. Look for synonyms and paraphrases rather than relying on a word-for-word match, as IELTS often rephrases information to test your ability to understand meaning, not just vocabulary.
4. Analyse with Precision
   Once you identify the relevant section, read it in detail. Confirm that the statement matches exactly (TRUE), is opposite or directly contradicted (FALSE), or is not addressed (NOT GIVEN).

Example 1:
Passage: “The Great Wall of China was constructed in several phases over centuries.”
Statement: “The Great Wall of China was built in just a few years.”
Answer: FALSE (The passage contradicts the statement, mentioning centuries rather than a few years.)

Example 2:
Passage: “Many experts believe that language learning benefits cognitive development.”
Statement: “Language learning has been proven to enhance cognitive development in all cases.”
Answer: NOT GIVEN (The passage mentions belief but not proof or universality.)

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them​

• Distinguishing FALSE and NOT GIVEN
  One of the greatest challenges is differentiating between FALSE and NOT GIVEN. Remember:
  
  • FALSE means there is a direct contradiction.
  • NOT GIVEN means the information simply does not appear—there is not enough data to say TRUE or FALSE.

Example:
Passage: “No studies have been conducted on the diets of wild pandas.”
Statement: “Wild pandas are known to eat only bamboo.”
Answer: NOT GIVEN (There are no studies; nothing in the passage confirms or denies the claim.)

• The Trap of Inference
  Do not use your background knowledge. The answer must be based solely on the information in the passage, not on what you already know or think might be true. If the passage is silent, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
• Over-relying on Identical Words
  IELTS frequently uses synonyms or paraphrased sentences instead of repeating exact words from the question. Training yourself to spot meaning, not just identical words, is a powerful strategy.

Tips for Efficient Practice​

• Tackle Questions in Order
  TFNG questions usually follow the order of the text, so once you answer one, the next question’s location will be further in the passage.
• Be Systematic and Consistent
  Work through the passage and questions methodically. Don’t waste time jumping between the passage and questions haphazardly.
• Check for the Presence of All Three Types
  A typical IELTS TFNG section will always include at least one TRUE, one FALSE, and one NOT GIVEN. If you find you have missed one, revisit your answers.

Advanced Strategies​

• Watch Out for Qualifiers
  Modifiers like “some,” “all,” “never,” “often,” and “always” significantly alter statements. For example:
  
  • Passage: “A few birds migrate in autumn.”
  • Statement: “All birds migrate in autumn.”
  • The correct answer is FALSE1.
• Practice Paraphrasing
  Practice changing key ideas in statements into other words. For example, “Children who exercise have better concentration” could be paraphrased as “Physical activity improves focus in young people.”

Final Example Walk-through

Let’s look at a mock set of questions and answers14:

Passage excerpt: “Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain. It attracts climbers from all over the globe. The first successful ascent was by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.”

Statements:

1. Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth.
   Answer: TRUE (Matches the passage directly.)
2. The first people to reach the summit were British explorers.
   Answer: FALSE (Passage names Hillary, from New Zealand, and Norgay, from Nepal.)
3. Every year, thousands of climbers reach the summit.
   Answer: NOT GIVEN (No mention of number or frequency of successful climbers.)

Conclusion​

Mastering True/False/Not Given questions in IELTS Reading demands a clear understanding of instructions, careful reading, and the ability to distinguish details, contradictions, and missing information. Focus on matching meaning, not just words; rely only on what is written; and resist making assumptions. With consistent practice and by applying these strategies—with attention to examples and typical traps—you will develop the confidence and accuracy needed for high scores on this common IELTS question type.