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IELTS Pathways

Reading guide

IELTS Reading: True, False, and Not Given

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For these questions, compare each statement with the information in the passage. Base your answer on the text, not on what you already know about the topic.

  • True: The passage supports the statement.
  • False: The passage gives information that contradicts the statement.
  • Not Given: The passage does not provide enough information to decide.

A statement is Not Given even if some of its words appear in the passage. The key is whether the passage confirms or contradicts the whole statement.

Common Mistakes

  • Focusing on matching words instead of comparing meaning
  • Bringing in outside knowledge or assumptions
  • Missing words such as some, all, mainly, or always, which can change a statement
  • Treating a claim or belief as a confirmed fact
  • Spending too long searching for information the passage never provides

Tips

  1. Read the whole statement carefully before deciding.
  2. Look for paraphrases and synonyms, not just exact word matches.
  3. Check qualifying words and phrases. “Some people agreed” does not mean “everyone agreed.”
  4. Read the relevant lines in context. A later clause may reverse or limit the first part of a sentence.
  5. Choose Not Given only when the passage neither supports nor contradicts the statement.
  6. Do not assume there will be a certain number of each answer type.
  7. Questions often follow the passage’s order, but use the text to confirm rather than relying on this alone.
  8. For Yes, No, Not Given questions, compare the statement with the writer’s views or claims. True, False, Not Given questions usually concern factual information.

A Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Check whether the instructions ask for True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given.
  2. Read each statement and identify exactly what it claims.
  3. Notice words that limit or strengthen the claim.
  4. Think of possible paraphrases for the key ideas.
  5. Find the relevant part of the passage.
  6. Compare the passage’s meaning with the full statement:
    • It supports the statement: True or Yes.
    • It contradicts the statement: False or No.
    • It does not settle the claim: Not Given.
  7. If the answer is not clear, move on and return to it later. Don’t choose Not Given just because the answer is difficult to find.