IELTS Reading question type

IELTS True False Not Given: Complete Strategy Guide

Learn exactly how to recognise this question type, manage time, avoid the common traps and practise with original example questions and full explanations.

Step-by-step methodWorked examplesTimed practiceBand-focused advice

What Is True / False / Not Given?

True/False/Not Given is one of the most challenging IELTS Reading question types because the exam tests accuracy, not intuition. You usually see a set of five to seven statements, and the answers normally follow the order of the passage, which means the skill is not random scanning but precise comparison. This task can appear in Academic or General Training Reading and may show up in any passage, although it often feels harder in Passage 3 because the language is denser. The key definitions are exact: True means the passage confirms the statement, False means the passage contradicts it, and Not Given means the passage neither confirms nor contradicts it. The single most important strategy is to decide only from the text in front of you. If the passage does not say it, your own knowledge is irrelevant and cannot rescue the answer.

For the wider test structure, read the IELTS Reading Guide or return to the Question Types hub.

How to Identify This Question Type

Instruction keywords

  • Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
  • TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN
  • Choose TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

Answer sheet

You write one of three labels only: TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN. There are no options to circle, so accuracy in spelling and label choice matters.

Typical count

Usually 5-7 questions in one set. The task can be longer, but this is the most common range.

Typical passage

Can appear in Passage 1, 2 or 3 in Academic Reading and in both IELTS formats. It is often more difficult when it appears in a later passage because the statements use denser paraphrase.

Time allocation

About 90 seconds per question, or roughly 8-10 minutes for a six-question set within the 60-minute test.

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. 1

    Read the statement carefully before finding the passage section

    Identify the subject, the verb and any limiting words such as always, never, only, some or most. These qualifiers often decide whether the statement is confirmed, contradicted or not addressed at all.

  2. 2

    Locate the relevant section using keywords

    Use names, dates, technical nouns or unusual terms to find the likely paragraph quickly. Expect paraphrase, so the exact wording may change even when the idea stays the same.

  3. 3

    Read that section carefully and do not rely on memory

    Once you find the likely location, read the two or three sentences around it slowly. Many mistakes happen because students remember the topic of a paragraph but not the exact meaning of the lines that matter.

  4. 4

    Ask whether the passage confirms the statement

    If the meaning of the statement matches the meaning of the passage, the answer is True. Do not expect the same vocabulary; IELTS often uses paraphrase instead of repetition.

  5. 5

    Ask whether the passage contradicts the statement

    If the passage clearly says the opposite, the answer is False. A contradiction may involve a changed number, an opposite comparison or a stronger claim than the text allows.

  6. 6

    Ask whether the information is simply not there

    If the passage says nothing that confirms or contradicts the statement, the answer is Not Given. This means absence of evidence, not weak contradiction.

  7. 7

    Be careful of partially true statements

    A statement can contain one accurate detail and one inaccurate detail. In that case the whole statement is wrong, because IELTS marks the complete claim, not part of it.

  8. 8

    Never use your own knowledge

    If you know the topic from school, work or general life, put that knowledge aside. IELTS only rewards what the passage explicitly states or clearly implies within the relevant lines.

Most important step

When you are torn between False and Not Given, ask a sharper question: does the passage state the opposite, or does it stay silent? Opposite meaning gives you False; silence gives you Not Given.

The False vs Not Given Distinction

This is the most common source of lost marks. False means the passage says the opposite of the statement. Not Given means the passage says nothing that answers the statement at all.

False Passage Extract

Statement: Urban farms are cheaper to run than conventional farms. Passage extract: Urban farms reduce transport costs, but their lighting and rent costs are usually higher than those of conventional farms. Why this is False: the statement claims they are cheaper overall, while the passage says important operating costs are higher.

Not Given Passage Extract

Statement: Urban farms are cheaper to run than conventional farms. Passage extract: Urban farms allow vegetables to be sold shortly after harvest and can supply neighbourhood markets more quickly. Why this is Not Given: the passage discusses speed and freshness, but it says nothing about total operating cost.

The topic looks similar in both cases, but only the left-hand extract gives a direct contradiction.

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Common Mistakes

Using general knowledge instead of the passage

Why it costs marks: Students often recognise the topic and answer from what they know in real life. IELTS ignores outside knowledge completely, so even a factually true statement can still be Not Given.

Exact fix: Return to the exact lines in the passage and ask what they say, not what the world says. Treat the passage as your only source of authority.

Incorrect Approach

Incorrect approach: 'I know urban farming saves money, so this must be True.'

Correct Approach

Correct approach: 'The passage mentions freshness and local supply, but it does not discuss total cost, so the answer is Not Given.'

Confusing False and Not Given

Why it costs marks: This mistake turns one uncertain decision into a guaranteed lost mark. Students often assume that lack of evidence means contradiction, but IELTS separates those two ideas very strictly.

Exact fix: Look for a sentence that actively opposes the statement. If you cannot find one, and the passage simply does not address the point, choose Not Given.

Incorrect Approach

Incorrect approach: 'The text does not say city councils support urban farms, so that must be False.'

Correct Approach

Correct approach: 'The text does not mention city councils at all, so the answer is Not Given, not False.'

Reading too quickly and missing qualifiers

Why it costs marks: Small words such as always, rarely, some and most can reverse the meaning of a statement. Missing one qualifier can make a True statement look False or vice versa.

Exact fix: Underline quantifiers in the statement before you search the passage. Then compare them carefully with the wording in the text.

Spending too long on one question

Why it costs marks: True/False/Not Given can feel stubborn, so students burn time trying to force certainty. That hurts the rest of the paper, where easier marks may still be available.

Exact fix: Use the one-minute rule: if you still cannot decide after rereading the key lines, mark your best answer, move on and return later if time remains.

Assuming Not Given means False

Why it costs marks: This mindset creates a systematic error pattern. Students start treating missing evidence as hidden contradiction, which is exactly what IELTS expects weaker candidates to do.

Exact fix: Remember the formula: False equals opposite meaning; Not Given equals missing meaning. Keep those two labels mentally separate every time.

For wider exam technique, read Common IELTS Mistakes and How to Use IELTS Practice Tests.

Practice: True / False / Not Given Questions

Read the original passage about urban farming, then decide whether each statement is True, False or Not Given according to the passage.

Urban Farming in Modern Cities

Urban farming has expanded rapidly in many large cities over the past decade. Supporters argue that growing vegetables close to consumers reduces transport time, which means produce can reach shops within hours of harvest. This shorter supply chain can also reduce food waste because delicate crops are less likely to spoil in transit.

However, urban farming is not automatically inexpensive. Many indoor farms rely on artificial lighting and climate control, both of which increase electricity costs. As a result, some city farms sell premium produce to restaurants rather than competing directly with the cheapest supermarket vegetables.

Advocates also claim that urban farming can strengthen community ties. Some neighbourhood projects invite residents to volunteer, attend workshops and learn basic food-growing skills. Yet researchers note that the success of these schemes depends heavily on local funding and long-term management, not simply on public enthusiasm.

Instructions

Questions 1-5: Choose TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN.

1

Urban farming usually allows vegetables to be sold soon after they are picked.

2

All urban farms cost less to operate than traditional farms.

3

Urban farms mainly sell vegetables to schools.

4

Community farming projects always succeed when residents are enthusiastic.

5

Some urban farming projects offer training to local people.

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How Much Time to Spend on True / False / Not Given

  • True / False / Not Given usually takes about 90 seconds per question, so a five-question set should stay close to 7-8 minutes.
  • If you get stuck, stop rereading the whole paragraph. Return to the one or two lines that matter and decide whether you see confirmation, contradiction or silence.
  • Use the one-minute rule. If you are still uncertain after 60 seconds, mark your best answer, move on and protect the rest of the section.
  • Within the overall 60-minute reading strategy, this task rewards discipline more than speed. Accurate comparison is better than anxious overreading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between False and Not Given in IELTS Reading?

False means the passage says the opposite of the statement. Not Given means the passage does not provide enough information to confirm or contradict the statement. The safest way to separate them is to look for a direct contradiction; if there is none, the answer may be Not Given.

Should I guess True False Not Given if I am not sure?

You should make a decision rather than leave the answer blank, because there is no penalty for a wrong answer. However, the guess should come after a quick check of the relevant lines, not from intuition alone. If you are torn between False and Not Given after a minute, move on and come back later if time remains.

Do True False Not Given questions follow the order of the passage?

Yes, they usually do. The first statement normally matches earlier lines in the passage, and later statements follow later sections. This order helps you avoid scanning from the beginning each time, but you still need to compare the wording carefully.

How many True False Not Given questions appear in IELTS Reading?

There is no fixed number for the entire test, but one set often contains five to seven questions. Some tests may not include this type at all, while others include a longer set. The best preparation is to learn the method, not rely on prediction.

Is True False Not Given only in Academic Reading?

No. You can see this question type in both Academic and General Training Reading. The language and topic may differ, but the logic of True, False and Not Given stays exactly the same.

Build a stronger IELTS Reading plan from here

Apply this question type under timed conditions, then connect it to your wider reading strategy with tools, mocks and preparation guides.

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For deeper preparation, read the IELTS Preparation Guide, the India preparation guide, How to Use IELTS Practice Tests and Common IELTS Mistakes.