IELTS Reading True False Not Given Strategy
True/False/Not Given (TFNG) is consistently rated the most difficult question type in IELTS Reading. Many candidates confuse "False" with "Not Given," losing valuable marks. This guide provides a proven 4-step strategy, common traps to avoid, and practice examples.
Understanding TRUE, FALSE, and NOT GIVEN
TRUE
The statement agrees with the passage. The same information is stated, possibly using different words.
FALSE
The statement contradicts the passage. The passage says the opposite or something incompatible.
NOT GIVEN
The information is not in the passage. You cannot determine whether the statement is true or false.
The 4-Step Strategy
Read the statement carefully
Identify the key words (names, dates, numbers, technical terms) and the claim being made. Underline them. Pay special attention to qualifiers like "all", "some", "always", "never", "only".
Locate the relevant section in the passage
Scan for the key words or their synonyms. Remember: questions follow the order of the passage, so if you answered Q3 from paragraph 2, look for Q4 from paragraph 2 onwards.
Compare the statement with the passage
Read the relevant sentences carefully. Does the passage confirm the statement (TRUE), contradict it (FALSE), or simply not mention this specific information (NOT GIVEN)?
Apply the decision rule
If you find confirming evidence → TRUE. If you find contradicting evidence → FALSE. If you cannot find evidence either way → NOT GIVEN. Never assume or use outside knowledge.
Common Traps and How to Avoid Them
| Trap | Example | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute qualifiers | Statement says "all students" but passage says "most students" | Watch for: all, every, always, never, only, none. These often signal FALSE. |
| Similar topic, different claim | Passage discusses tourism revenue; statement claims tourism creates jobs | The topic (tourism) is mentioned, but the specific claim (jobs) is not. This is NOT GIVEN. |
| Paraphrased information | Passage: "The study involved 500 participants." Statement: "Five hundred people took part in the research." | Same meaning, different words = TRUE. Learn to recognise synonyms and paraphrasing. |
| Partial match | Passage mentions one benefit; statement claims two benefits | If the passage only confirms part of the statement, the answer depends on whether the extra part contradicts (FALSE) or is simply absent (NOT GIVEN). |
| Using outside knowledge | You know a fact is true in real life, but it is not in the passage | Base your answer ONLY on the passage. Your general knowledge is irrelevant. |
Practice Example
"The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometres. It is home to approximately 1,500 species of fish and 400 species of coral. Since 1981, the reef has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In recent decades, rising ocean temperatures have caused significant bleaching events, with the most severe occurring in 2016 and 2017."
Statement 1: The Great Barrier Reef is located in Queensland, Australia.
Answer: TRUE — The passage states it is "located off the coast of Queensland, Australia."
Statement 2: The Great Barrier Reef contains over 2,000 species of fish.
Answer: FALSE — The passage says "approximately 1,500 species of fish," which contradicts "over 2,000."
Statement 3: The Australian government has invested billions in reef restoration.
Answer: NOT GIVEN — The passage does not mention government investment or restoration funding at all.
Statement 4: The worst bleaching events happened before 2010.
Answer: FALSE — The passage states the most severe events occurred in "2016 and 2017," which is after 2010.
Quick Decision Flowchart
- Can you find the topic of the statement in the passage? No → NOT GIVEN
- Does the passage confirm the statement? Yes → TRUE
- Does the passage contradict the statement? Yes → FALSE
- The passage mentions the topic but not the specific claim? → NOT GIVEN
Time Management Tips
- Spend no more than 90 seconds per TFNG question. If you are stuck, mark your best guess and move on.
- Read statements before reading the passage. This primes your brain to look for relevant information as you read.
- Use the order principle. If Q5 was in paragraph 3, start looking for Q6 from paragraph 3 onwards.
- Do not overthink. If you cannot find clear evidence for TRUE or FALSE within 60 seconds, the answer is likely NOT GIVEN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
Quick Decision Guide
- TRUE: Passage confirms it
- FALSE: Passage contradicts it
- NOT GIVEN: Passage does not mention it
When in doubt between FALSE and NG: can you point to a contradicting sentence? No = NOT GIVEN.