❓ How to Master True / False / Not Given in IELTS Reading

True / False / Not Given (TFNG) questions are among the most confusing in the IELTS Reading section. Many candidates lose points by mixing up “False” and “Not Given.” In this guide, you’ll learn how to understand the difference clearly, apply a proven strategy, and avoid common traps.

🧠 Understand What Each Option Means

• TRUE: The passage clearly agrees with the statement.
• FALSE: The passage directly contradicts the statement.
• NOT GIVEN: The passage does not include enough information to decide.

Tip: “Not Given” doesn’t mean “I don’t know” — it means the text doesn’t mention or compare that detail at all.

🔍 Example Comparison

Passage: “Children under 12 are not allowed to enter the theater without an adult.”

• Statement: “Children must be with an adult to enter.” → TRUE
• Statement: “Children under 12 can enter alone.” → FALSE
• Statement: “Teenagers must be accompanied.” → NOT GIVEN

📌 Step-by-Step Strategy

✅ 1. Read the Statement Carefully

Underline keywords. Be alert for words like: only, always, never, all, none, must, can — they’re often used in tricky questions.

✅ 2. Locate the Matching Sentence in the Passage

Use scanning — look for names, dates, technical terms, or unusual vocabulary.

✅ 3. Match Meaning — Not Just Words

IELTS uses synonyms and paraphrasing. Your goal is to compare the meaning of the statement and the text, not just look for identical phrases.

✅ 4. Ask Yourself:

• Does the passage confirm this? → TRUE
• Does the passage say the opposite? → FALSE
• Is there not enough info to say either? → NOT GIVEN

⚠️ Common Mistakes

• ❌ Choosing FALSE just because the statement is surprising — even if it’s not mentioned
• ❌ Marking TRUE when the info is slightly different or incomplete
• ❌ Assuming background knowledge — only use info from the passage

🧪 Practice Tip: Make Your Own TFNG Questions

Take a short paragraph from any article and write 3 statements — one true, one false, one not given. This trains your brain to detect subtle differences.

🎯 Final Advice

TFNG questions are not about your opinion or common sense — they test your precise reading and interpretation skills. When in doubt, choose “Not Given” only if there’s no evidence for or against the statement. Stick to logic and don’t guess emotionally.

With enough practice and the right mindset, you can turn this challenging question type into one of your strengths.

See also Matching Headings to Paragraphs – IELTS Reading Strategy

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