Can’t Crack IELTS True/False/Not Given? Here’s the Simple Formula
True/False/Not Given – The Most Confusing IELTS Reading Questions Solved!
What Are True/False/Not Given (TFNG) Questions?
In the IELTS Reading section, True/False/Not Given questions are tricky and often confuse even advanced learners.
You will be given statements and need to decide whether:
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True – The statement exactly matches the information in the passage.
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False – The statement contradicts the information in the passage.
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Not Given – The information is not mentioned in the passage at all.
📝 These questions test your logical understanding and your ability to identify the difference between similar or confusing statements.
🧠 Why Are These Questions Difficult?
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Students often assume information instead of reading what is exactly written.
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Keywords in the passage may be paraphrased, so it’s hard to match directly.
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Some sentences may look “kind of true” — but remember, almost true is not true!
✅ Step-by-Step Strategy to Solve TFNG Questions
1️⃣ Read the Instructions Carefully
Make sure it says “True/False/Not Given” (not “Yes/No/Not Given” – that is used for opinions).
2️⃣ Understand the Statement
Read the question sentence properly. Identify the subject, verb, numbers, dates, or any facts.
Example Statement:
“Elephants can remember human voices for over 10 years.”
3️⃣ Scan the Passage for Keywords
Look for names, places, numbers, and synonyms in the passage. Do not read the whole passage – just find the relevant section.
4️⃣ Match the Meaning, Not Just the Words
Even if the same words appear, the meaning may be different.
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If the meaning matches, mark TRUE
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If the meaning is opposite, mark FALSE
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If there’s no clear information, mark NOT GIVEN
5️⃣ Watch Out for Extreme Words
Be careful with absolute words in the statements like:
Always, Never, All, Only, Every, None
If the passage doesn’t confirm such strong claims, the answer is usually False or Not Given.
🧪 Practice Example
Passage Line:
“According to scientists, elephants have strong memory and can identify sounds of danger.”
Question:
“Elephants can remember the voices of humans for over ten years.”
🟰 Answer: Not Given
✅ Reason: The passage says they remember danger sounds, but doesn’t mention humans or ten years.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Assuming things from general knowledge
❌ Thinking “almost correct” is True
❌ Wasting time on one question
❌ Ignoring small details (like dates or numbers)
💡 Expert Tips to Score High
✔ Underline keywords in the question
✔ Read the matching section of the text twice
✔ Practice TFNG questions regularly from Cambridge IELTS books
✔ Don’t overthink — go by what is written, not what you believe
🧭 Final Words
True/False/Not Given questions can be confusing — but with the right strategy and practice, you can master them. Always remember:
👉 Don’t assume
👉 Read carefully
👉 Practice daily
With confidence and a clear approach, you’ll tackle these questions like a pro!
