IELTS READING
True, False or Not Given?
The method that works.
In short: TRUE means the text says the same thing as the statement; FALSE means the text says the opposite or something that cannot also be true; NOT GIVEN means the text gives no information to decide. Find the part of the text that matches the statement’s topic, compare every detail (who, how many, always/sometimes, cause or comparison), and only choose FALSE when the text clearly contradicts the statement.
Updated 26 October 2026 · Trestle editorial team, Qoodly
Key takeaways
- False needs a contradiction in the text. If the text simply doesn’t say, it is Not Given.
- The questions follow the order of the text.
- Words like "all", "only", "always", "first" and comparisons are where most traps hide.
- Yes / No / Not Given works the same way but for the writer’s opinions and claims.
The three answers, defined
| Answer | Means | Ask yourself |
|---|---|---|
| TRUE | The text gives the same information as the statement, usually in different words. | Can I point to a sentence that says this? |
| FALSE | The text gives information that contradicts the statement. | Can I point to a sentence that makes this impossible? |
| NOT GIVEN | The text does not give enough information to say whether it is true or false. | Is the specific detail simply missing? |
A step-by-step method
- Read the statement firstUnderline the topic words (names, numbers, places) and the claim words (only, more than, caused, first, never).
- Locate the sectionScan for the topic words or their synonyms. Questions follow the order of the text, so start after the previous answer.
- Read the sentences closelyRead the sentence that matches and the one before and after.
- Compare every detailCheck quantity, frequency, time, cause and comparison words. A single changed qualifier can turn TRUE into FALSE.
- DecideSame meaning: TRUE. Opposite or incompatible: FALSE. Topic present but this detail missing: NOT GIVEN.
Worked example
The city opened its first bicycle-sharing scheme in 2019 with 400 bikes. Usage rose sharply during the first summer, and the council has since added docking stations near three universities. A survey found that most users were commuters rather than tourists.
- "The scheme started with fewer than 500 bicycles." TRUE: 400 is fewer than 500.
- "Tourists were the main users of the scheme." FALSE: the survey found most users were commuters.
- "The scheme was more popular than the bus network." NOT GIVEN: buses are never compared.
- "Docking stations were added near every university in the city." NOT GIVEN: three universities are mentioned, but we don’t know how many the city has.
The text never says the city has more than three universities, so it cannot contradict "every university". Missing information is NOT GIVEN.
Common traps
- Using your own knowledge. Decide only from the text, even if you know the statement is true in real life.
- Matching words, not meaning. The statement may repeat words from the text but change the relationship between them.
- Qualifiers. "Some" vs "all", "may" vs "will", "one of the first" vs "the first".
- Comparisons. If the text mentions both things but never compares them, the comparison is NOT GIVEN.
Yes / No / Not Given
This version asks whether a statement matches the writer’s views or claims. YES = the writer agrees, NO = the writer disagrees, NOT GIVEN = the writer’s view on this is not stated. Look for opinion language: argues, suggests, it is clear that, surprisingly.
Questions
What is the difference between False and Not Given in IELTS?
FALSE means the text contradicts the statement. NOT GIVEN means the text does not contain the information needed to decide. If you cannot point to a sentence that makes the statement impossible, it is Not Given.
Do True / False / Not Given answers follow the order of the text?
Yes. The questions follow the order in which the information appears in the passage.
Can I write T, F and NG instead of the full words?
Follow the instructions on your test. Write the answers exactly as the instructions ask, and do not mix True/False with Yes/No.
How do I get faster at True / False / Not Given?
Practise the method on short sets every day, check every answer against the deciding sentence, and review your mistakes. Speed comes from recognising paraphrases quickly.
Sources
Formats and scores can change. Confirm the details for your test date with the test maker before you book.
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