Reading · Updated 2026-06-13

IELTS Reading: Mastering True / False / Not Given

For most candidates, True / False / Not Given is the most feared question type in IELTS Reading. The good news is that it follows strict rules, and once you understand them, it becomes one of the most predictable parts of the test.

What each answer means

• True — the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
• False — the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
• Not Given — there is not enough information in the passage to say whether the statement is true or false.

The whole question type rests on the difference between False and Not Given, and this is where most marks are lost.

False vs Not Given — the key distinction

False means the passage says the opposite.

Not Given means the passage does not say.

Consider this passage sentence:

"The museum was built in 1885 and remains the most visited gallery in the region."

• Statement: The museum opened in 1885. → True (built in 1885 agrees).
• Statement: The museum was built after 1900. → False (the passage contradicts this).
• Statement: The museum is free to enter. → Not Given (the passage says nothing about price).

Notice that for Not Given, the topic is related, but the specific claim is simply never addressed.

A reliable 5-step method

1. Read the statement first and underline the key idea, especially any words that limit it — all, only, never, more than, first.
2. Find the matching part of the passage. The questions follow the order of the text, so the answer to question 5 comes after the answer to question 4.
3. Compare the meaning, not the words. The passage will paraphrase the statement, so match ideas, not vocabulary.
4. Decide: Does the passage confirm it (True), contradict it (False), or say nothing about it (Not Given)?
5. Trust the text, not your knowledge. Even if you know a statement is true in real life, mark Not Given if the passage does not state it.

Common traps

• Extreme words. A statement with always or every is often False, because passages rarely make absolute claims.
• Your own opinion. The answer must come only from the passage, never from what you already know.
• Spending too long. If you cannot find the information after a careful scan, the answer is probably Not Given — choose it and move on.

Practise this skill

On Engldom, every Reading mock test and AI-generated passage includes True/False/Not Given questions with full explanations that point to the exact sentence, so you can see precisely why each answer is what it is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "Not Given" ever the correct answer multiple times in a row?

Yes. There is no pattern to the answers, and you may see two or even three Not Given answers together. Never change an answer just because it "feels" like too many of the same.

Should I read the whole passage first?

For this question type, no. Read the statements first, then scan the passage for each one in order. This saves time and keeps your focus on the specific information you need.

What is the difference between True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given?

True/False/Not Given is used for factual information. Yes/No/Not Given is used for the writer's opinions or claims. The method for answering them is identical.