True False Not Given IELTS Reading 2023 – Lessons, Tips and Strategy | IELTSMaterial.com
In the Reading section, you will have a text as well as a list of facts. The test taker has to identify whether the facts are True False or Not Given by referring to the text that is given. Right next to the facts you need to write TRUE, if the fact matches the text, FALSE, if the fact does not match with the text and NOT GIVEN, if the fact is not present in the text.
This article helps the test taker understand, how to answer the True False Not Given IELTS reading questions. Have a look at the tips and strategies and samples given below.
Strategies for answering the True False Not Given Questions
There are a few True False Not Given strategies, which have to be borne in mind while answering the questions. They are listed below:
- The questions are asked in the same order in which the text or the information is given.
- In order to know the correct answer, you need to understand the text given and check which fact about the text is True False or Not Given.
- Read the first paragraph carefully and try to answer the questions. If you find the answer then do not rush to write it. Read the sentence carefully and then decide whether the answer is correct or incorrect. When you don’t find the answer in the first paragraph move to the second paragraph and repeat the procedure.
- You have to read the information text carefully, to find whether the keywords in the question are present in the text.
- You have to keep in mind that the text will be paraphrased ( rephrased i.e., the question may be worded with synonyms of the words contained in the text).
- If you look at the controlling words in the information, then you can easily find whether the fact given is True False or Not Given.
- Do not spend a lot of time on one question. If you cannot find the fact in the information then the answer is probably NOT GIVEN.
- Sometimes words like YES, NO, NO INFORMATION are used. These may be slightly different, where you may have to look for the opinions instead of the facts.
- Instead of focusing only on the keywords, try to read the sentences completely and identify the answer.
- Match the facts given with the correct and accurate information in the text.
- Once you feel that a particular fact matches the text you need to read it again, to know if the fact given is TRUE or FALSE. You need to keep in mind that, if the fact is TRUE, then there should be an exact match.
- If you are really unsure and cannot understand the synonyms given, then you can mark it as NOT GIVEN.
- Underline the words which you feel might be the correct answer so that you can refer them at the end.
Not sure how to successfully complete the True/False/Not Given section? In our best IELTS online classes , we teach effective tips and strategies to help you score higher.
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Tips for True False Not Given IELTS Reading Questions
Some tips to answer the questions and obtain a high band in the IELTS examination are given below:
- Before you rush in to write the answer, spend time on understanding the question that is given.
- Do not make any assumptions about the facts given. If you already know about the topic given, keep it aside and focus on the text that is given. Because your assumption may be wrong and may lead to loss of marks.
- Do not depend only on the keywords that are given. It is recommended to read the text and the question with full concentration.
- There will be many sentences in the text which are paraphrased from the facts that are given. So you need to be more careful and look for such sentences. For this, you should possess a good vocabulary and must know the synonyms and antonyms of various words.
- Some of the words like some, never, always, believe, claim, may completely change the meaning of the sentence. That is why it is important to read the sentence carefully to avoid making mistakes.
- It is not only based on the keywords. Sometimes, the keywords may be the same but the meaning of the sentence may be completely different.
- In the facts given, there will be at least one answer that is True False or Not Given.
- The answer will be FALSE when the information in the text states one meaning and the fact given states some other meaning.
- The order of the question given also may help in finding the answer. The answer to question 4 will be between the answers of questions 3 and 5 in the text.
- If you have no idea about the answer, then write NOT GIVEN, because probably the answer will not be available in the text.
- You can write the initials T instead of writing TRUE, but you need to make sure that your handwriting is clear and readable.
- You should solve the IELTS True False Not Given practice materials available on the internet.
True False Not Given IELTS Reading Example 1
Questions:
1. We can decide what to dream
2. Not all day dreams come true.
3. Day dreaming helps in formation of new ideas.
4. Day dreams may become dreams.
5. Issac Newton said that imagination is more important than knowledge
Answers:
1. We can decide what to dream –
FALSE
2. Not all day dreams come true. –
TRUE
3. Day dreaming helps in formation of new ideas –
TRUE
4. Day dreams may become dreams. –
NOT GIVEN
5. Issac Newton said that imagination is more important than knowledge –
FALSE
Explanation:
Now, could you guess the reason behind the answers?
For the first question, “decide” means “choose” . From the passage we understand that, we choose what our daydreams will be about, which we cannot usually do with dreams. So we cannot decide what to dream. Hence the statement is FALSE
For the second question, the passage clearly states that many day dreams are unlikely to happen and only some day dreams are likely to happen. So the statement is TRUE.
For the third question, “formation” also means “development”. From the passage we understand that, people in creative fields develop new ideas through daydreaming. So the statement is TRUE.
For the fourth statement, it is not mentioned anywhere in the passage that there is a possibility of a day dream to become a dream. So it is NOT GIVEN.
For the fifth question, the passage clearly states that it was Albert Einstein who said that imagination is more important than knowledge. So the statement is FALSE.
True False Not Given IELTS Reading Example 2
Questions:
- The Thames Tunnel was the first tunnel ever built under a river.
- The Thames Tunnel was the Eighth Wonder of the World.
- The tunnel was used more by the middle and upper classes.
- People were able to travel by sea or land in those days.
- The aim of the tunnel was to turn a profit as a tourist attraction.
Answers:
- The Thames Tunnel was the first tunnel ever built under a river. – TRUE
- The Thames Tunnel was the Eighth Wonder of the World. – FALSE
- The tunnel was used more by the middle and upper classes. – NOT GIVEN
- People were able to travel by sea or land in those days. – TRUE
- The aim of the tunnel was to turn a profit as a tourist attraction. – FALSE
Explanation:
For the first question, “It was the first subaqueous tunnel ever built…”, this sentence from the passage clearly indicates that the Thames Tunnel was the first tunnel ever built under a river. The word “subaqueous” which means existing, formed, or taking place underwater is also an indicator of the same. Hence the statement is TRUE.
For the second question, “.. .many believed it was the Eighth Wonder of the World at the time…. .. “, this sentence from the passage clearly indicates that it was something people believed at that time. It was not a fact. Hence the statement is FALSE.
For the third question, the passage does not state how much each class used the tunnel. So it is NOT GIVEN.
For the fourth question, “In the age of sail and horse-drawn coaches. “sail” refers to boats (sea) and “horse-drawn coaches” were the method of land travel, indicating that the statement is TRUE.
For the fifth question, “The aim had been for the tunnel to be used by wheeled vehicles to transport cargo so that it could bring in a profit.”, indicates that the aim of the tunnel is not to turn a profit as a tourist attraction. Hence the statement is FALSE.
True False Not Given IELTS Reading Example 3
Questions:
- The controversy over the method used in the construction of the pyramids has been solved by scientists.
- It is possible that Ancient Egyptians could have lubricated paths to aid transportation by sledge.
- Sledges were dragged by animals not humans.
- The Romans learned the techniques of moving huge stones from the Ancient Egyptians.
- The building work of the Ancient Egyptians is unrivalled.
Answers:
- The controversy over the method used in the construction of the pyramids has been solved by scientists. – FALSE
- It is possible that Ancient Egyptians could have lubricated paths to aid transportation by sledge. – TRUE
- Sledges were dragged by animals, not humans. – FALSE
- The Romans learned the techniques of moving huge stones from the Ancient Egyptians. – NOT GIVEN
- The building work of the Ancient Egyptians is unrivalled. – TRUE
Explanation:
For the first question, “.. scientists are piecing together the puzzle.” This sentence from the passage clearly indicates that the work of scientists is currently a work in progress. Hence the statement is FALSE.
For the second question, “It is believed that the sand in front of the sledge was wet with water in order to facilitate the movement of the sledges and reduce friction.” This sentence from the passage indicates that Ancient Egyptians could have lubricated paths to aid transportation by sledge. Hence the statement is TRUE.
For the third question, “These sledges were pulled manually or sometimes by using beasts of burden . .. “. Manually meaning by hand (people) and beast of burden meaning animal, indicating that the sledges were also dragged by humans. Hence the statement is FALSE.
For the fourth question, the passage gives no information about who the Roman’s learned from. So it is NOT GIVEN.
For the fifth question the statement is TRUE since the sentence from the passage, “The Ancient Egyptians achieved the most remarkable feats of building work which have still not been surpassed…..”, clearly indicates the same.
Here are the 10 examples for the True False or Not Given