IELTS True/False/Not Given: The Complete Strategy

True/False/Not Given is the most frustrating question type in IELTS Reading. It is also one of the most frequently tested. Nearly every Reading test includes at least one set of TFNG questions, usually with 4-7 statements.

The frustration comes from one specific problem: the difference between False and Not Given. Most candidates understand True (the passage says the same thing) and False (the passage says the opposite). But Not Given — "the passage does not mention this" — creates endless doubt. You think: "Maybe it is there and I just cannot find it."

This guide gives you a clear decision framework that eliminates the guesswork, walks through 5 worked examples, and explains the traps that test-makers use to confuse you.

The Decision Framework

For every TFNG statement, ask three questions in order:

Question 1: Can I find this topic in the passage?

Scan the passage for keywords from the statement. If you find the relevant section, move to Question 2. If the passage does not discuss this topic at all, the answer is Not Given.

Question 2: Does the passage agree with the statement?

Read the relevant section carefully. If the passage says the same thing as the statement (even if the wording is different), the answer is True.

Question 3: Does the passage contradict the statement?

If the passage says the opposite of the statement — or presents information that makes the statement impossible — the answer is False.

The Key Rule

• True = The passage confirms the statement
• False = The passage contradicts the statement
• Not Given = The passage does not address this specific claim

Not Given does NOT mean:

• "I cannot find the answer" (it might be True and you are looking in the wrong place)
• "The passage talks about something similar" (similar is not the same)
• "It seems logical" (logic and outside knowledge are irrelevant)

False vs Not Given: The Critical Difference

This is where most marks are lost. Let us make the distinction crystal clear.

False: The passage provides information that directly contradicts the statement. There must be a clear conflict between what the statement says and what the passage says.

Not Given: The passage either does not mention the topic at all, or mentions the topic but does not address the specific claim in the statement.

Example:

Passage: "The museum was founded in 1923 and houses over 50,000 artefacts from ancient Egypt."

Statement A: "The museum was founded in the 19th century." → False. The passage says 1923 (20th century). The statement says 19th century. Direct contradiction.

Statement B: "The museum is the largest in the country." → Not Given. The passage mentions 50,000 artefacts but says nothing about the museum's size relative to other museums. We cannot infer whether it is the largest.

Statement C: "The museum contains artefacts from ancient Egypt." → True. The passage confirms this directly.

Notice that Statement B seems like it could be true (50,000 artefacts sounds like a lot), but "seems true" is not the same as "the passage confirms it." This is exactly the trap.

5 Worked Examples

Passage (for all examples):

"Dr. Sarah Chen's research team at the University of Melbourne published a groundbreaking study in 2019 showing that regular exposure to green spaces reduces cortisol levels by an average of 21%. The study tracked 1,200 participants over 18 months and found that those who spent at least 30 minutes per week in parks or forests reported significantly lower stress levels. However, Dr. Chen noted that the benefits were most pronounced in participants over 40, suggesting that age may play a role in how individuals respond to nature-based interventions."

Statement 1: "Dr. Chen's study was published by the University of Melbourne."

Answer: Not Given.

The passage says Dr. Chen works at the University of Melbourne and published a study, but it does not say the university published it. The study could have been published in a journal. This is a subtle but important distinction — the passage does not confirm who published it.

Statement 2: "The study found that green spaces reduce stress hormones."

Answer: True.

Cortisol is a stress hormone. "Reduces cortisol levels" means the same as "reduces stress hormones." The wording is different but the meaning is the same.

Statement 3: "Over 1,500 people participated in the study."

Answer: False.

The passage says 1,200 participants. 1,200 is not over 1,500. Direct contradiction.

Statement 4: "Younger participants experienced no benefit from green spaces."

Answer: False.

The passage says benefits were "most pronounced in participants over 40" — not that younger participants experienced no benefit. "Most pronounced" means the benefit was stronger, not absent in younger people. However, this phrasing implies younger people did benefit, just less. The statement says "no benefit," which contradicts the passage's implication.

Statement 5: "Dr. Chen plans to conduct a follow-up study."

Answer: Not Given.

The passage says nothing about future plans. Even if it seems logical that a researcher would do a follow-up, the passage does not mention it.

The 5 Most Common TFNG Traps

Trap 1: Using Outside Knowledge

Example: The passage mentions that a city has a population of 2 million. The statement says it is "one of the largest cities in the country."

You might know from real life that 2 million is large, but if the passage does not compare it to other cities, the answer is Not Given. Never use your own knowledge.

Trap 2: Confusing "Most" with "All"

Passage: "Most students preferred online learning." Statement: "All students preferred online learning."

This is False. "Most" does not mean "all." The passage specifically indicates that some students did not prefer it.

Trap 3: Confusing "Some" with "None"

Passage: "Few companies adopted the new technology." Statement: "No companies adopted the new technology."

This is False. "Few" means some did. The statement says none did.

Trap 4: The Implied-But-Not-Stated Trap

Passage: "The restaurant is open from 9am to 10pm." Statement: "The restaurant serves lunch."

This is Not Given. Being open during lunch hours does not confirm that lunch is served. The passage does not mention lunch specifically.

Trap 5: The Partial Match

Passage: "The government increased spending on education by 15%." Statement: "The government increased spending on primary education by 15%."

This is Not Given. The passage mentions education generally, but the statement specifies primary education. The 15% might include secondary and tertiary education. The passage does not break it down.

Practical Tips

Tip 1: Statements Follow Passage Order

TFNG statements almost always follow the order of the passage. If statement 1 is about paragraph A, statement 2 will be about paragraph A or later. Use this to narrow your search.

Tip 2: Underline Keywords in the Statement

Before scanning the passage, underline the key words in the statement — names, numbers, specific claims. These are your search terms.

Tip 3: If You Are Stuck Between False and Not Given, Ask: "Does the Passage Say the Opposite?"

If yes → False. If no (the passage simply does not address this specific point) → Not Given.

Tip 4: Do Not Overthink

If you have been staring at a statement for over 90 seconds, your first instinct is usually correct. Mark it and move on. You can revisit it if you have time.

Tip 5: Read the Exact Words

IELTS is precise. "Most" is not "all." "May" is not "will." "Suggests" is not "proves." Pay attention to qualifiers.

For the overall reading strategy and time management, see our IELTS Reading tips guide. For all question types, see our complete question types guide.

Quick Reference: TFNG Decision Flowchart

1. Can I find this topic in the passage?
   • No → Not Given
   • Yes → go to step 2
2. Does the passage confirm the statement?
   • Yes → True
   • No → go to step 3
3. Does the passage contradict the statement?
   • Yes → False
   • No (the passage discusses the topic but not this specific claim) → Not Given

Writing Is Where Most Marks Are Lost

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