How to Solve IELTS Reading True/False/Not Given Questions?

IELTS Reading True/False/Not Given Questions: If you’re preparing for the IELTS Reading test, you might have come across True/False/Not Given questions. These can be a little tricky, but don’t worry—once you understand how to approach them, they’re easy to handle. In this guide, we’ll explain everything in simple words, so even if you’re new to IELTS, you’ll know exactly how to answer these questions.

Table of Contents

1. What Are True/False/Not Given Questions?
2. How to Answer True/False/Not Given Questions
   • Step 1: Read the Statement Carefully
   • Step 2: Find the Key Words in the Passage
   • Step 3: Understand Paraphrasing
   • Step 4: Check the Statement Against the Passage
   • Step 5: Don’t Make Assumptions
   • Step 6: Watch for Extreme Words
   • Step 7: Practice, Practice, Practice
3. Common Mistakes to Avoid
4. Tips to Improve Your TFNG Skills
5. Summary

What Are True/False/Not Given Questions?

In the IELTS Reading test, you will often have to decide whether a statement is:

• True: The statement is exactly the same as what’s said in the passage.
• False: The statement is wrong or goes against what the passage says.
• Not Given: The passage doesn’t give any information about the statement, either to confirm or deny it.

The tricky part is deciding between False and Not Given. But don’t worry! With practice, you’ll get it right every time. Let’s break it down.

How to Answer True/False/Not Given Questions

Step 1: Read the Statement Carefully

Before you look at the passage, read the statement in the question. Pay attention to the important details like names, numbers, dates, or places. Make sure you understand what the question is asking.

Step 2: Find the Key Words in the Passage

Now, look for the important words or details from the statement in the passage. These could be the same words or similar ones (called paraphrasing). For example, if the statement says, “The company’s profits grew by 10%,” look for words like “profits,” “grew,” or “10%” in the passage.

Tip: Sometimes, the passage won’t use the exact same words as in the statement. They might say the same thing, but with different words.

Step 3: Understand Paraphrasing

In IELTS, the same information might be said in different ways. For example, if the statement says, “Profits increased by 10%,” the passage might say, “The company saw a 10% rise in earnings.” These mean the same thing, but with different words.

So, don’t worry if you don’t see the exact words from the statement. Just look for the meaning.

Step 4: Check the Statement Against the Passage

Now it’s time to compare the statement with the passage:

• True: If the information in the statement matches exactly with what the passage says, then it’s True.
• False: If the statement is wrong or goes against what the passage says, then it’s False.
• Not Given: If the passage doesn’t say anything about the statement (either to agree or disagree), then it’s Not Given.

Step 5: Don’t Make Assumptions

Sometimes, you might think you know something based on your own knowledge. But in the IELTS Reading test, only the information in the passage matters. If the passage doesn’t say something directly, don’t assume it. If you do, you might get it wrong.

For example, if the passage doesn’t mention the percentage of profit, don’t assume it was 10%. It’s Not Given.

Step 6: Watch for Extreme Words

Be careful with words like “always,” “never,” “everyone,” and “no one.” These are extreme words, and they can make a statement False. If the passage doesn’t use such strong words, the statement might be wrong.

For example:

• Statement: “Everyone loves chocolate.”
• Passage: “Many people enjoy chocolate.”

Since the passage says “many” and not “everyone,” the statement is False.

Step 7: Practice, Practice, Practice

The more you practice these kinds of questions, the easier they become. With time, you’ll get better at finding the right answers quickly and accurately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming Information: Only use the information from the passage, not from what you know.
2. Confusing “False” and “Not Given”: If the statement is clearly wrong, mark it as False. If the passage doesn’t mention it at all, mark it as Not Given.
3. Misunderstanding Paraphrasing: If the passage says the same thing but uses different words, it’s still the same idea. Don’t get confused.
4. Overlooking Extreme Words: Words like “always” and “never” are red flags. If the passage doesn’t agree with such strong words, the statement is likely False.

Tips to Improve Your TFNG Skills

1. Use Practice Tests: Do as many practice tests as possible. This will help you get used to the way questions are asked and how to find the right answers in the passage.
2. Skim and Scan the Passage: Skimming means reading the passage quickly to get the main idea. Scanning means looking for specific details. Both will help you find the information faster.
3. Improve Your Vocabulary: The more words you know, the better you’ll understand paraphrasing and be able to spot important details in the passage.
4. Work on Time Management: You don’t have a lot of time for each question, so practice solving these questions quickly.
5. Review Your Mistakes: After doing practice questions, go back and see why you made a mistake. This will help you avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

Summary

True/False/Not Given questions might seem tricky, but once you get the hang of it, they’re not that hard. Here’s a quick summary:

1. Understand the Statement: Focus on the important details.
2. Find the Information in the Passage: Look for the meaning, not just the exact words.
3. Check the Statement Against the Passage:
   • True: It matches exactly.
   • False: It’s wrong or contradicts the passage.
   • Not Given: The passage doesn’t mention it.
4. Don’t Assume: Only use what’s in the passage.
5. Watch for Extreme Words: These could make the statement False.
6. Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the better you’ll get!

With these simple tips and a little practice, you’ll be ready to answer True/False/Not Given questions in no time. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!

If you need more help, you can also check out packages for our IELTS Coaching for expert tips and advice.

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