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Lesson 35

True/False/Not Given & Yes/No/Not Given Questions

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Hello! Welcome to the first lesson of Module 6, where we will focus on specific strategies for the IELTS Academic Reading section.

In our last lesson, we learned how to understand the function of paragraphs within a text. This skill helps you create a mental "map" of the passage, so you can quickly find where information is located. Today, we'll use that skill to tackle one of the most common—and often challenging—question types in the IELTS Reading test.

Our goal for this lesson is to learn how to answer True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given questions accurately. You will learn to tell the difference between these answers and use specific strategies to find the correct one without wasting time.

1. Understanding the Basics: T/F/NG vs. Y/N/NG

First, let's understand what these questions are asking you to do. Although the strategy for answering them is the same, there is a small but important difference between "True/False/Not Given" (T/F/NG) and "Yes/No/Not Given" (Y/N/NG).

  • True/False/Not Given questions are used for texts that contain factual information. You are checking if a statement is factually correct according to the passage.
  • Yes/No/Not Given questions are used for texts that contain the writer's opinions or claims. You are checking if a statement agrees with the writer's views.

The instructions on your exam paper will always tell you which one to use. You must write the correct words on your answer sheet (e.g., if the question asks for YES/NO/NOT GIVEN, writing "TRUE" would be marked as incorrect).

To begin, let's watch a short video that clearly defines each answer and explains this difference.

IELTS Reading Tips: True False Not Given

This video from IELTS Liz provides a clear and simple introduction to what these question types require and the key difference between them.

Please watch from the beginning until 04:31. Focus on understanding the precise meaning of 'True/Yes', 'False/No', and 'Not Given'.

So, to summarize:

  • TRUE / YES: The statement matches the information or opinion in the passage.
  • FALSE / NO: The statement contradicts (says the opposite of) the information or opinion in the passage.
  • NOT GIVEN: You cannot find the information in the passage.

2. The Biggest Challenge: 'False/No' vs. 'Not Given'

The most difficult part of this question type is often deciding between 'False/No' and 'Not Given'. Many students waste time looking for information that isn't there.

Here is the key difference:

  • For an answer to be False/No, the passage must contain information that directly proves the statement is wrong. It's a clear contradiction.
  • For an answer to be Not Given, there is simply no information about the statement. The passage doesn't say if it's right or wrong.

The next part of the same video gives excellent examples that make this difference very clear.

IELTS Reading Tips: True False Not Given

Let's continue with the video from IELTS Liz. Pay close attention to how she analyzes the statements and the text to find contradictions versus a lack of information.

Please watch from 04:31 to 11:27. Notice these two key points: False: The statement says 'all people', but the text says 'the majority of people'. This is a direct contradiction. Not Given: The statement makes a comparison ('spends more money... than...'), but the text only lists the two items without comparing them.

3. Key Strategies and Common Traps

Now that you understand the concepts, let's establish a clear strategy. Answering these questions is not about finding the exact same words; it's about matching the meaning. This requires you to be a careful reader and look out for common traps.

Key strategies include:

  1. Answers come in order: The answer to question 2 will be in the text after the answer to question 1. This is a huge help in saving time.
  2. Analyze the statement first: Underline keywords in the question statement. Think about what the statement really means.
  3. Look for synonyms and paraphrasing: The text will almost always use different words to express the same idea.
  4. Watch out for qualifying words: Words like all, some, many, always, often, and sometimes can completely change the meaning of a sentence. This is one of the most common traps.

The next video demonstrates how to apply these strategies in a practical way.

IELTS Reading Test - Tips & Strategies for True, False, Not Given

This video from E2 IELTS provides a guided practice session. It focuses on the crucial skill of identifying synonyms and parallel expressions to locate and confirm answers.

Please watch from 04:04 to 12:28. The video first lists the key strategies, then it shows you how to use them with examples. Pay special attention to how synonyms and parallel expressions are used to find the 'False' and 'Not Given' answers.

To reinforce these ideas and give you a written guide to follow, please review the tips and step-by-step strategy on the following webpage.

IELTS Reading – True, False, Not Given Questions

This article from IELTS Jacky provides a clear, structured approach that you can use every time you face these questions.

Please read the sections titled '8 Top tips' and 'The Strategy'. These sections summarize the most important points and give you a clear, repeatable process.

4. Practice Exercise

It's time to put your new knowledge into practice. The following resource contains a short passage and a set of 'Yes/No/Not Given' questions.

Remember the strategy:

  1. Read the statement carefully.
  2. Scan the passage to find the relevant section (remember, the answers are in order).
  3. Read that section in detail, comparing the meaning of the statement with the meaning of the text.
  4. Pay close attention to qualifying words and synonyms.
  5. Decide if the writer's view matches (Yes), contradicts (No), or isn't mentioned (Not Given).

IELTS Yes No Not Given Reading Practice with Tips & Techniques

This exercise from IELTS Liz is an excellent opportunity to practice. After you try the questions, make sure to read the answer explanations. They highlight common mistakes and explain the reasoning very clearly.

Scroll down to the heading 'IELTS Yes No Not Given Reading Practice'. Read the passage 'Richard, the Lionheart' and answer questions 1-8. After you finish, click on the 'Answers' button below the questions to see the correct answers and the explanations. Pay special attention to the reasoning for questions 2 (the meaning of 'practically all') and 8 (the difference between 'all' and 'many').

Conclusion

Great work today! Mastering T/F/NG and Y/N/NG questions is essential for achieving a high band score in the IELTS Reading test. It requires careful, precise reading, but with a clear strategy, you can answer these questions with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • T/F/NG is for factual texts, while Y/N/NG is for opinion-based texts.
  • The key is to distinguish between a contradiction (False/No) and a lack of information (Not Given).
  • Answers always appear in order in the text.
  • The most important skill is matching meaning, not just keywords. Pay very close attention to qualifying words (e.g., all, some, always) and synonyms.

In our next lesson, we will tackle another common IELTS Reading question type: Matching Headings. The skills you've developed today—scanning for information and understanding the precise meaning of sentences—will be extremely useful for that task.