True, False, Not Given is one of the most frustrating IELTS Reading question types because the wrong answers often look almost right. The good news is that the task becomes much simpler once you stop guessing by feeling and start classifying statements by evidence. This guide breaks down the exact difference between False and Not Given, shows you how to approach each item, and gives you full worked examples to practise with.
What Are True, False, Not Given Questions?
In this task, you read a statement and decide whether it agrees with the passage (True), contradicts it (False), or cannot be answered from the text (Not Given). Although it looks straightforward, the wording is designed to test precise reading rather than general understanding.
If you are collecting official practice materials, start with the sample sets on the Cambridge IELTS pages. Then compare your attempts with the strategies in our Reading practice hub so you can see how this question type fits into the wider test.
The Critical Difference Between False and Not Given
| Statement | False | Not Given |
|---|---|---|
| The museum opens later on Fridays. | Passage says it opens at 9 a.m. every day, including Friday. | Passage mentions Friday ticket prices but says nothing about opening times. |
| All participants completed the training successfully. | Passage says several participants left before the course ended. | Passage says 120 people joined, but gives no completion data. |
| The new policy reduced costs immediately. | Passage says costs rose in the first year before falling later. | Passage discusses staff reactions, but does not mention costs. |
The fastest test is this: can you point to a line that says the opposite? If yes, the answer is False. If you can only say “the passage never mentioned that detail”, the answer is Not Given.
A Step-by-Step Method for Every Question
Underline the key idea, names, dates, or comparisons in the statement.
Locate the matching section of the passage by scanning for the same idea or a clear synonym.
Read two or three lines before and after the match so you do not miss a contrast or qualifier.
Decide whether the passage agrees, contradicts, or stays silent on the full statement.
Answer and move on instead of rereading the same sentence repeatedly.
Practice Examples with Explanations
Example 1
Passage extract: A recent study of urban cycling found that most commuters chose bicycles because short journeys in city centres were often faster than driving. However, the researchers also noted that safety concerns remained the main reason some people avoided cycling altogether.
1. Most city commuters cycle because it is cheaper than driving.
Answer: Not Given
The passage gives speed as the reason. It says nothing about cost, so the statement cannot be confirmed.
2. Cycling was reported to be quicker than driving for many short urban trips.
Answer: True
This matches the statement that short journeys in city centres were often faster by bicycle.
3. Safety concerns were the least important barrier to cycling.
Answer: False
The passage says safety concerns were the main reason some people avoided cycling, which is the opposite.
Example 2
Passage extract: The school introduced a later start time for older pupils after teachers observed low concentration levels in the first lesson. Attendance improved slightly, but the report warned that exam performance would need to be tracked over a longer period before any firm conclusions could be drawn.
1. Teachers changed the timetable because students were tired in the morning.
Answer: True
Low concentration in the first lesson implies morning tiredness and directly supports the reason for the timetable change.
2. Exam results improved immediately after the timetable change.
Answer: Not Given
The report says performance would need to be tracked for longer, so no result is stated yet.
3. Attendance became much worse after the new start time.
Answer: False
The passage says attendance improved slightly, so the statement contradicts the text.
Example 3
Passage extract: Although the coastal town has promoted eco-tourism for more than a decade, visitor numbers only began rising sharply after a new rail link opened. Local business owners welcomed the change, but conservation groups warned that the area would need stricter visitor limits during the summer season.
1. Visitor numbers started to rise quickly only after transport access improved.
Answer: True
The passage clearly links the sharp rise in visitors to the opening of the new rail link.
2. All local groups supported unlimited growth in tourism.
Answer: False
Conservation groups wanted stricter visitor limits, so not all groups supported unrestricted growth.
3. The new rail link was paid for by local business owners.
Answer: Not Given
The passage mentions the link and local reactions, but it gives no funding information.
Common Traps Set by IELTS Examiners
Keyword matching without checking meaning
What to do instead: Read the whole sentence around the keyword and ask whether the meaning matches or changes direction.
Treating missing detail as False
What to do instead: Remember that False needs a direct contradiction. If the text simply does not say, the answer is Not Given.
Ignoring qualifiers such as “some”, “often”, or “mainly”
What to do instead: Compare every modifier carefully because IELTS often changes a small word to create the trap.
Using outside knowledge instead of the passage
What to do instead: Judge the statement only against the text in front of you, even if you know the topic well.
Spending too long deciding between two options
What to do instead: Apply the method once, choose the best answer, and move on so the rest of the passage does not suffer.
Time Management for Reading
Spend roughly one minute per True, False, Not Given question on the first pass. If one statement keeps resisting you, mark your best option, continue, and return only if time remains after the rest of the passage.
This question type becomes dangerous when it breaks your rhythm. A candidate who spends four minutes on one tricky item often loses easy marks later in the section.
For a more realistic sense of how timing feels across all question types, take a Full Mock Test and review the result afterwards. If you want a broader sense of whether Reading is your biggest issue, the Readiness Quiz is a useful next step.
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Open Reading AnalyserFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between False and Not Given in IELTS Reading?
False means the passage directly contradicts the statement. Not Given means the statement cannot be confirmed or contradicted from the text because the necessary information is missing.
Should I guess if I am unsure between False and Not Given?
Yes, never leave an answer blank. Before guessing, check whether the passage clearly says the opposite of the statement. If it does not, and the detail is missing, Not Given is usually the safer choice.
Do True False Not Given questions appear in both Academic and General Training?
Yes. This question type can appear in both versions of the IELTS Reading test, although the texts and difficulty level vary.
How many True False Not Given questions are in the IELTS Reading test?
There is no fixed number for the whole test. A passage may include a small set or a larger block, but the overall Reading paper still contains 40 questions across several question types.
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