IELTS Reading True/False/Not Given — tips, template & practice

• True: the statement matches information explicitly in the text.
• False: the statement DIRECTLY contradicts information in the text.
• Not Given: the information is not in the text (neither confirmed nor denied).

Key distinction: 'False' requires a direct contradiction. If the text simply doesn't say either way, it's 'Not Given'.

Decision tree for every TFNG question:

1. Find the keyword in the passage (skim first). 2. Read 2 sentences around it carefully. 3. Ask: does the passage CONFIRM the statement? → True. 4. Ask: does the passage CONTRADICT the statement? → False. 5. Neither? → Not Given.

The 'Not Given' trap test: if you're tempted to mark False but you can't point to the exact contradiction sentence, it's 'Not Given'.

• TFNG questions follow the passage order — don't skip around.
• Underline absolute words in the statement: 'always', 'never', 'only', 'most'. These are often the trick.
• If the passage mentions a similar but slightly different fact, it's 'Not Given'.
• Spend 90 seconds per question — no longer. Move on if stuck.
• Write T/F/NG — full words only ('True', 'False', 'Not Given') for paper test.
• Don't use outside knowledge — only what the passage says.

• Marking 'False' when the passage doesn't address the statement at all — should be 'Not Given'.
• Using personal/outside knowledge to decide.
• Skipping to find a keyword and missing the qualifying detail in the surrounding sentence.
• Mixing up T/F/NG with Y/N/NG (same logic but Y/N is for opinions, T/F for facts).
• Spending more than 90 seconds per question and running out of time on later sections.