Master IELTS Reading True False and Not Given Question Practice

True/False/Not Given is considered to be one of the most confusing question types in IELTS reading section. Another variation of this question type is Yes/No/Not Given. Candidates often find it challenging to differentiate between False and Not Given. One more concern they have is how to locate the sentence for comparison in the text.

Read below for helpful tips and tricks, as well as example questions!

1. Question Overview

The Identifying Information True/False/Not Given question type is one of fourteen (14) question types on the Reading Section of the IELTS exam.

Objective:

You must identify if information in the questions is actually expressed in the text which convey the same meaning or opposite meaning.

Skills Used:

You will need to look for specific content in the text. You will need to scan the text and understand the content.

The questions will be statements – in other words, sentences that mention information that may or may not be expressed in the text. Good news, they come in order, so it is easier to locate them within the text!

Check out our article with an overview of all the Reading question types on the IELTS exam!

2. Example of IELTS Reading Matching True/False/Not Given

3. Steps to Follow

How should you answer these questions? Follow our steps below!

3.1. Make sure you understand what the answers mean

True —> The information in the question is expressed in the text.

False —> The information in the text contradicts the question.

Not Given —> The information in the question is not expressed in the text.

3.2. Read and understand the questions:

Because you are looking for specific information, it essential that you read the True/False/NG questions carefully and understand what they mean, so that you can tell whether the meaning is mentioned in the text, is contrary to what the text is saying or is not there at all.

3.3. Paraphrase the questions:

Paraphrasing the questions means saying what they mean in different words, focusing particularly on their keywords and/or phrases.

Example: ‘The life span of a Monarch butterfly is between 2 and 6 weeks.’

In other words: ‘A Monarch butterfly can live for 2 to 6 weeks.

If you explain the questions, in other words, you make sure you understand them better, and you can see more easily whether the meaning is expressed in the text, is contradicted of is not mentioned at all.

3.4. Scan the text for information:

To scan a text means to read it quickly while looking for specific information. You don’t need to read or understand every single word, as long as you are able to identify (or not, depending on the question) specific information and details that help you answer the question.

3.5. Choose the correct answer:

After you made sure you understood the question, and you have scanned the text for specific information, you can choose whether the meaning of the statement in the question is expressed, is contradicted or is not mentioned at all.

Example 1

Statement

The life span of a Monarch butterfly is between 2 and 6 weeks.

Text

Monarch butterflies typically live for two to six weeks.

Right Answer

True

Explanation

The life span1 of a Monarch butterfly is between 2 and 6 weeks2.

1. life span = duration of life, live, live for/between
2. 2 and 6 weeks = 2 to 6 weeks

Example 2

Statement

The Statue of Liberty was given to the USA by the Spanish.

Text

France offered a sculpture to the USA, the Statue of Liberty.

Answer

False

Explanation

Text clearly says it was France, so the answer is False.

Example 3

Statement

The surface of the Earth is covered mostly in water.

Text

Earth comprises of vast areas of land and water.

Answer

Not Given

Explanation

Even though the text talks about earth and water, it doesn’t say whether earth is mostly covered in water or not.

3. Tips & Tricks

1.1 Read all the questions first. Because some of the information is not given in the text and the answers come in order, you want to make sure you know what topics you are expected to look for in the text before answering the questions. This will help you make the most of your time.

1.2 When paraphrasing the statements in the questions, think of synonyms to key words and/or phrases in the statements.

Example: The life span of a Monarch butterfly is between 2 and 6 weeks.

lifespan —> live for, duration of life, time on earth

1.3 You do not need to understand all the words. If you identify specific information in the text, read around it to get the meaning and decide whether it is True or False.

1.4 Remember the questions are in order, so there is no need to jump back and forth in the text to look for the answers.

Below are example questions to put your knowledge and skills to practice!

5. Mock Test

The Story of Blackbeard

The history of piracy has been a subject of interest for centuries, and continues to intrigue researchers to this day. The story of Blackbeard comes with many gaps, especially with regards to his early life. The exactly date of birth of the notorious pirate is unknown, but it is believed that he died in his mid to late thirties. Variations to his name were found through research, and he has been identified as Edward Teach, although the spelling of his name is uncertain. Due to lack of education and employment opportunities, piracy was an option for people to take control over their destiny. Their lives may be shorter as pirates, but more prosperous, with some types of pirates taking over merchant ships. Because of those actions, it was common practice for pirates to use a pseudonym when committing acts of piracy. It is therefore very likely that his real name shall remain unknown.

When thinking of pirates, one might think of heroes of oceans and seas, chasing freedom and treasure chests. While some pirates were allured by the concept of liberty that came with piracy, such representation of pirates is romanticised and misrepresentative, as the term ‘pirates’ largely refers to any renegade or non-national entities operating on the high seas. For instance, some were ‘privateers’, hired by governments to use warships and attack enemies during battle. Others were ‘buccaneers’, who were specialised privateers often semi employed by the British to prey on Spanish vessels. And then there were pirates who operated independently. Though the first mention of Blackbeard was in 1716, it was believed that he acted as a privateer for the British during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-17013).

In 1717, he turned a captured French merchantman into a warship. The warship was named Queen Anne’s Revenge, and is said to have been equipped with 40 guns. Blackbeard sailed the Caribbean and the Atlantic coast of North America alongside a crew of approximately 300 men. Together they were infamous for torturing crews and passengers of merchant ships, as well as stealing their cargo. Blackbeard was known for his outstanding strength, and he promoted an image of himself that would instil fear in the hearts of other sailors, wrapping slow-burning lighted coils in his long, black hair and beard. The reputation that pirates like Blackbeard built for themselves was almost as important as their actions.

Blackbeard settled in North Carolina, and bribed colonial governor Charles Eden to ignore any criminal actions. As a result, piracy became more prominent and uncontrollable in the area. In 1718, after eighteen months of terror, residents and merchant sailors from North Carolina turned to lieutenant governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood, for help. Hearing their plea, the lieutenant governor sent a British naval force to stop Blackbeard, led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard. Maynard came with two ships, the ‘Ranger’ and ‘Jane’, both of which were quickly fired upon by Blackbeard. When ‘Jane’ began to take damage, Maynard ordered the crew to go below deck, fooling Blackbeard into thinking they had abandoned the vessel. When Blackbeard and his men went on deck, they were surprised by Maynard’s crew. It was tough fight, but after twenty-five stabs and five gunshots, Blackbeard was finally defeated by Maynard.

Questions 1 – 8

True/False/Not Given

1. Extensive background research has led to plenty of information about Blackbeard’s youth
   True
   False
   Not Given
   

   False

   Exp

   Answer: False

   Explanation

   Step 1. – Paraphrase the statement and look at keywords/phrases

   Extensive1 background research2 has led to plenty of information3 about Blackbeard’s youth4

   1. Extensive = a lot of, plenty of, large amounts of
   2. background research = historical research, academic research, person’s history/story/past
   3. plenty of information = abundant amount of information/knowledge, many pieces of information, a lot of information/knowledge
   4. youth = childhood, early life

   Step 2 – Scan the text for information

   The second sentence of the first paragraph in the text says:

   The story of Blackbeard comes with many gaps1, especially with regards to his early life2.

   1. gaps = parts are missing in the story
   2. early life refers to his youth.

   If there are many gaps, not a lot is known about his early life, therefore the statement contradicts the information in the text.

2. Despite research, it is not possible to determine how his true name was spelt.
   True
   False
   Not Given
   

   True

   Exp

   Answer: True

   Explanation

   Step 2. – Paraphrase the statement and look at keywords/phrases

   Despite research1, it is not possible2 to determine3 how his true4 name was spelt5.

   1. despite research= in spite of research, even with research, no research
   2. not possible = impossible, unattainable, undoable
   3. true = real, actual, certain
   4. youth = childhood, early life
   5. spelt = written, writing, spelling, letters

   Step 2 – Scan the text for information

   The fourth sentence of the first paragraph in the text says:

   Variations to his name were found through research, and he has been identified as Edward Teach, although the spelling of his name is uncertain.

   The sentence mentions a name and contains the words ‘identified’ and ‘uncertain’, which is an antonym to (the opposite of) ‘certain’, as well as ‘spelling’. This confirms that the statement agrees with the information in the text.

3. It was not uncommon for pirates to hide their identity with the use of fake names.
   True
   False
   Not Given
   

   True

   Exp

   Answer: True

   Explanation

   It was not uncommon1 for pirates to hide their identity2 with the use of fake names3

   1. not uncommon = customary, common practice, usual, normal, expected
   2. hide their identity = fake their identity, pretend to be someone else, go by a different name, imposter
   3. fake names = avatars, pseudonyms, other/different names, other identities, deceiving identity

   Step 2 – Scan the text for information

   The penultimate (one before last) sentence of the first paragraph in the text says:

   Because of those actions, it was common practice for pirates to use a pseudonym when committing acts of piracy.

   The phrase ‘common practice’ expresses a regular custom or action. The word ‘pseudonym’ is a term used for fake names. You may not know what pseudonym means, but ‘when committing acts of piracy’ should suggest an activity that was not well viewed by some, and where a different name would come in handy to pirates to avoid trouble. These therefore confirm that the statement agrees with the information in the text.

4. Blackbeard was on the Spanish side and provided them his services during the war.
   True
   False
   Not Given
   

   False

   Exp

   Answer: False

   Explanation

   It is thought1 that Blackbeard was on the Spanish side2 and provided them his services3 during the war4

   1. it is thought = it is believed, according to popular belief, it is commonly believed/thought
   2. on the Spanish side = fought for the Spanish, worked with/worked for the Spanish, supported the Spanish
   3. provided them his services = worked for them, used his skills for them, helped them
   4. the war = the battle, the conflict, the clash

   Step 2 – Scan the text for information

   The last sentence of the second paragraph in the text says:

   It was believed1 that he acted as a privateer for the British2 during the War of the Spanish Succession.

   1. It was believed = it was thought
   2. Acted as a privateer for the British = worked with/fought for the British, was on the British side

   In the last phrase, ‘for the British’ therefore suggests that he did not fight for the Spanish. This confirms that the statement contradicts the information in the text.

5. Queen Anne’s Revenge was one of many warships owned by Blackbeard.
   True
   False
   Not Given
   

   NOT GIVEN

   Exp

   Answer: NOT GIVEN

   Explanation

   Step 1. – Paraphrase the statement and look at keywords/phrases

   Queen Anne’s Revenge was one of many1 warships2 owned by Blackbeard3.

   1. many = numerous, a number of, several, plenty of, countless
   2. warships = battleships, gunned ships
   3. owned by Blackbeard = belonging to Blackbeard, property of Blackbeard

   Step 2 – Scan the text for information

   The third paragraph does mention Queen Anne’s Revenge, however there in no indication of ‘many warships’ he might have ‘owned’ anywhere in the text between the last question and the next part of the text where the next answer could be found (remember, answers come in order!) This confirms that there is no information on this.

6. Blackbeard was loved by people at sea and in coastal areas.
   True
   False
   Not Given
   

   False

   Exp

   Answer: False

   Explanation

   Step 1. – Paraphrase the statement and look at keywords/phrases

   Blackbeard was loved by people1 at sea2 and in coastal areas3.

   1. loved by people = approved, liked, worshipped
   2. sea = waters
   3. coastal areas = coasts, beaches, ports

   Step 2 – Scan the text for information

   The third and fourth sentences in the third paragraph in the text say:

   Blackbeard sailed the Caribbean1 and the Atlantic coast2 of North America alongside a crew of approximately 300 men. Together they were infamous3 for torturing crews and passengers4 of merchant ships, as well as stealing their cargo5.

   1. Caribbean = Caribbean Sea
   2. Atlantic coast = refers to coastal areas
   3. Infamous = well known for bad actions
   4. Torturing crews and passengers = physically and/or mentally harming people on ships
   5. Stealing their cargo = taking away goods forcefully without asking for permission

   While the geographical locations are correct, the actions described clearly caused harm and pain to people, suggesting that he was not loved by people. This confirms that the statement contradicts the information in the text.

7. There is documented evidence that Blackbeard had four children.
   True
   False
   Not Given
   

   NOT GIVEN

   Exp

   Answer: NOT GIVEN

   Explanation

   Step 1. – Paraphrase the statement and look at keywords/phrases

   There is documented evidence1 that Blackbeard had four children2.

   1. Documented evidence = documented proof, written evidence/proof
   2. children = offspring, kids, heirs, sons, daughters, boys, girls

   Step 2 – Scan the text for information

   There is no indication of any family he might have had anywhere in the text between the last question and the next part of the text where the next answer could be found. This confirms that there is no information on this.

8. Lieutenant governor Alexander Spotswood was responsible for Blackbeard’s death.
   True
   False
   Not Given
   

   False

   Exp

   Answer: False

   Explanation

   Step 1. – Paraphrase the statement and look at keywords/phrases

   Lieutenant governor Alexander Spotswood1 was responsible2 for Blackbeard’s death3.

   1. Alexander Spotswood = name – key information but cannot be rephrased
   2. responsible = the reason, the cause, the reason why
   3. death = killing, defeat, put an end to

   Step 2 – Scan the text for information

   The fourth sentence in the last paragraph in the text says:

   The Lieutenant governor1 sent a British naval force to stop Blackbeard, led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard2.

   1. Lieutenant governor = If we read around the name Alexander Spotswood, we can see that he was a lieutenant governor, and that he ‘sent a British naval force’. This suggests that he did not go himself.
   2. Led by Lieutenant Maynard = this suggest Maynard was the one who went and was the leader of the naval force.

   The last sentence of the last paragraph says:

   Blackbeard was finally defeated by Maynard.

   The word ‘defeated’ is synonym of ‘killed’ and Maynard is the one who did it. This means that it was not Alexander Spotswood who killed Blackbeard, but Robert Maynard who faced him in the fight. These confirm that the statement contradicts the information in the text.

Score –

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