IELTS Reading: How to Master True/False/Not Given Questions in 3 Simple Steps

If you've ever stared at a True/False/Not Given question wondering whether the answer is False or Not Given, you're not alone. Most IELTS candidates find this question type the trickiest part of the Reading test. The good news? It's actually a logic game, not a vocabulary test. Once you understand the rules, the confusion disappears.

The One Mistake That Costs You Points

Most test-takers lose marks because they treat "False" and "Not Given" as the same thing. They're not. Here's the difference:

• True (or Yes) — the passage says the same thing as the statement.
• False (or No) — the passage directly contradicts the statement.
• Not Given — the passage doesn't mention the information at all.

The trap is simple: when you can't find the exact words from the statement, you might panic and guess "Not Given." But sometimes the words are there — just paraphrased. And sometimes, the information is partially there but doesn't fully match. That's when you need a system.

Step 1: Spot the Keywords (But Don't Rely On Them)

Your first move is to identify the main keywords in the statement — usually nouns, names, dates, or numbers. Then scan the passage for those words or their synonyms.

Here's the catch. Keywords are clues, not answers. If you find "climate change" in the passage and "climate change" in the statement, don't automatically mark True. Read the surrounding sentences. Does the passage actually say the same thing?

Example statement:
The main cause of sea-level rise is the melting of polar ice caps.

Passage excerpt:
Sea levels are rising due to thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. Melting ice caps contribute, but this is not the primary factor.

You found "ice caps" and "sea-level rise." But the passage says thermal expansion is the main cause. So the answer is False — the statement directly contradicts the passage.

Step 2: Compare the Meaning, Not the Words

Many students get "Not Given" wrong because they match vocabulary instead of meaning. The passage might mention the same topic but say something completely different — or say nothing about the specific claim.

Example statement:
Dr. Patterson recommends a vegetarian diet for heart health.

Passage excerpt:
Dr. Patterson has published several studies on the Mediterranean diet. His research shows that reducing red meat consumption can lower heart disease risk.

Here's the trap: "Dr. Patterson" + "heart health" + "reducing red meat." You might think, "That's basically recommending a vegetarian diet." But it's not. The passage talks about reducing red meat, not cutting it out entirely. And it mentions the Mediterranean diet — which includes fish and poultry. The statement goes further than the passage. Since the passage doesn't confirm or deny Dr. Patterson's explicit recommendation of a vegetarian diet, the answer is Not Given.

Step 3: The 3-Second Decision Framework

When you're under time pressure, use this quick mental checklist:

Situation	Answer
The passage clearly says the same thing (paraphrased or exact)	True
The passage clearly says the opposite	False
The passage doesn't mention the specific claim / mentions something related but different	Not Given

A real example from the IELTS Cambridge series:

Statement: Only people over 65 should take Vitamin D supplements.

Passage: Vitamin D supplements are recommended for older adults and individuals with limited sun exposure.

Wait — the passage mentions older adults. Does that mean the statement is True? No. The passage also mentions "individuals with limited sun exposure." The statement says "only people over 65." That's a restriction the passage doesn't support. Since the passage doesn't say that older adults are the only group who should take supplements, the answer is False (the passage contradicts the "only" part).

Notice how we didn't guess Not Given just because "only" wasn't in the passage. We checked meaning.

Quick Decision Schema

Here's the logic flow you should follow for every question — a simple mental map to keep you on track:

Final Tips for Test Day

• Don't use outside knowledge. Even if the statement sounds obviously true or false to you, only use information from the passage.
• If you see "all," "always," "never," or "only," watch out. These absolute terms often make a statement False or Not Given.
• Mark questions you're unsure of. Circle them and come back. Sometimes a later question helps you find the right location in the passage.

The more you practice this logic, the faster you'll get. Try it on three or four passages this week. You'll start noticing the difference between "they didn't say this" and "they said the opposite."

Ready to test your skills? Take a free IELTS Reading practice test on English Measure — we cover all question types, with instant feedback and detailed explanations. Start your free test here and see where you stand.

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