IELTS True False Not Given (2026 Strategy + The "Not Given" Trap)
Stop losing marks on True/False/Not Given. Learn the exact 3-step decision matrix to instantly spot the difference between False and Not Given.
Part of the IELTS Reading series. For the complete overview of all Reading question types, see the IELTS Reading Question Types guide or the IELTS Preparation Guide.
Key Takeaways
- TRUE = the statement matches (or paraphrases) what the text says.
- FALSE = the statement directly contradicts the text.
- NOT GIVEN = there is no information in the text to confirm or contradict - the most misunderstood category.
- Never use outside knowledge - every answer must come directly from the passage.
- True/False/Not Given = writer's FACTS; Yes/No/Not Given = writer's OPINIONS or CLAIMS.
- Always underline key words in the statement, then locate the relevant sentence in the passage before deciding.
What is the difference between True, False, and Not Given in IELTS Reading?
TRUE means the statement matches or paraphrases what the passage says. FALSE means the passage directly contradicts the statement. NOT GIVEN means the passage contains no information to either confirm or deny the statement - never use outside knowledge. NOT GIVEN is the most commonly misidentified answer because candidates confuse absence of information with contradiction.
- FALSE requires direct contradiction - the text must say the opposite
- NOT GIVEN means the passage is simply silent on the topic
- Never use your own knowledge - every answer must come from the text
- T/F/NG tests facts; Yes/No/Not Given tests the writer's opinions
AI-ready answer · mockde.com
What Is True False Not Given in IELTS?
Verified: British Council IELTSDefinition
IELTS True False Not Given (T/F/NG) is a Reading question type where candidates judge whether statements about factual information in a passage are confirmed (TRUE), contradicted (FALSE), or not addressed (NOT GIVEN) by the text.
T/F/NG questions appear in both the IELTS Academic and General Training Reading papers, typically in sets of 5-8 questions. They test whether you can accurately locate information and judge its relationship to a given statement - a higher-order reading skill than simple factual recall.
The question instruction always reads: "Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?" This distinguishes T/F/NG from the similar but distinct Yes/No/Not Given type. When you see the word "information", you are dealing with facts. When you see "claims of the writer", you are dealing with opinions.
The statement matches - or is a paraphrase of - information stated in the passage. Both the statement and the passage describe the same fact.
The passage contains information that directly contradicts the statement. The passage says the opposite of what the statement claims.
The passage does not contain enough information to confirm or contradict the statement. The topic may appear, but not the specific claim.
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What Is the Difference Between False and Not Given in IELTS?
The single most important concept in T/F/NG is the distinction between FALSE and NOT GIVEN. FALSE requires a direct, explicit contradiction in the text. NOT GIVEN means the text is simply silent on the specific claim - it may mention the broader topic, but not the particular assertion made in the statement.
The core test: ask yourself this question
"Does the passage contain a sentence that says the opposite of the statement?"
If YES → FALSE. If NO (the passage is simply silent) → NOT GIVEN.
Three example pairs - FALSE vs NOT GIVEN
Passage text
"Vertical farms use between 70 and 95 percent less water than conventional field agriculture."
"Vertical farming requires more water per kilogram of produce than conventional farming."
The passage directly states vertical farms use LESS water. "More water" is directly contradicted.
"Vertical farming was developed specifically to address global water shortages."
The passage mentions water efficiency as a benefit, but never states this was the original purpose of developing the technology.
Passage text
"Electricity consumption in vertical farms can be ten to twenty times higher per kilogram of produce than in field farming."
"The energy costs of vertical farming are lower than those of conventional agriculture."
The passage says energy costs are ten to twenty times HIGHER. The statement claims LOWER - direct contradiction.
"The high energy costs of vertical farming have caused several companies to abandon the technology."
The passage mentions high energy costs but says nothing about companies abandoning the technology as a result.
Passage text
"Some operators report growing crops that are entirely pesticide-free."
"All vertical farms produce crops that are free of pesticides."
"Some operators" means not all - the passage does not say "all farms." The statement's use of "All" makes it directly contradicted.
"Consumers prefer pesticide-free produce and are willing to pay a premium for it."
Consumer preferences and pricing are never mentioned in the passage. This is NOT GIVEN - not because it is false, but because the passage is silent on it.
What Is the 4-Step Method for Answering T/F/NG Questions?
Following a consistent decision process for every question is the most reliable way to improve your T/F/NG accuracy. The 4-step method below eliminates guesswork by forcing you to locate and compare - not assume.
Underline key words in the statement
Before reading the passage, identify the most specific and testable words in the statement: numbers, names, comparatives ("more than", "fewer"), absolutes ("all", "none", "always"), and the main verb or claim. These are your search targets.
Example
Statement: "Vertical farming uses at least 70% less water than field farming." → Underline: 70%, less, water, field farming.
Locate the relevant section of the passage
Scan the passage for your underlined keywords or their synonyms. Because T/F/NG statements follow the passage in order, start looking from where you found the previous answer. Read the surrounding 2-3 sentences once you identify the relevant area.
Example
You are looking for "water" + "less" → found in Paragraph 2: "uses between 70 and 95 percent less water than conventional field agriculture."
Compare the passage to the statement
Read the relevant sentence(s) carefully. Ask: does the passage say the same thing, the opposite thing, or nothing about the specific claim? Check every word in the statement - one changed detail (e.g. "all" vs "some") can change the answer.
Example
Statement says "at least 70%." Passage says "70 to 95 percent less." The statement says the minimum is 70% - consistent with the passage range. → TRUE.
Apply the decision rule
Passage matches statement → TRUE. Passage contradicts statement → FALSE. Passage does not address the specific claim → NOT GIVEN. If in doubt between FALSE and NOT GIVEN, ask: "Does the passage explicitly say the opposite?" If no, choose NOT GIVEN.
Example
Decision flowchart: Match? → TRUE. Contradiction? → FALSE. Neither? → NOT GIVEN.
Quick decision flowchart
| Can you find relevant text? | Does it match the statement? | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes - same meaning or close paraphrase | TRUE |
| Yes | No - passage says the opposite | FALSE |
| No | N/A - topic not in the passage | NOT GIVEN |
| Partly | Related topic present but specific claim absent | NOT GIVEN |
10 Practice Questions With Answers and Explanations
Verified: IELTS.org Reading GuidanceRead the passage below, then answer the 10 True/False/Not Given statements. Click "Reveal answer" to see the correct response and explanation for each question.
Reading Passage
~410 words · Academic levelThe vertical farm: feeding cities from the inside
The vertical farm: feeding cities from the inside
Vertical farming - the practice of growing crops in stacked indoor layers using artificial lighting and controlled environments - has attracted significant investment in recent years, particularly in Japan, Singapore, and the United States. Proponents argue that the technology offers a solution to some of agriculture's most pressing challenges: water scarcity, land degradation, and the environmental costs of food transportation.
A standard vertical farm uses between 70 and 95 percent less water than conventional field agriculture, largely because water is recirculated within a closed loop and plants absorb almost all of what is delivered directly to their roots. In contrast, traditional irrigation systems lose a substantial proportion of water to evaporation, runoff, and soil absorption before it reaches crops. This efficiency advantage is considered particularly valuable in arid regions, where groundwater supplies are becoming increasingly depleted.
However, the energy costs of vertical farming are considerable. Because crops cannot rely on sunlight, artificial LED lighting must operate for up to 16 hours per day, leading to electricity consumption that can be ten to twenty times higher per kilogram of produce than in field farming. Critics therefore argue that unless vertical farms are powered by renewable energy sources, their net environmental impact may not be significantly better than conventional agriculture.
Despite these concerns, several research institutions have reported that lettuce, herbs, and leafy greens - crops with a short growth cycle and high water sensitivity - are currently the most economically viable products for vertical farms. Staple crops such as wheat, rice, and potatoes, which require large root systems and extended growth periods, remain largely unsuitable for the technology at present. The market for vertical farming is therefore expected to remain concentrated in high-value, fast-turnaround produce for the foreseeable future.
Advocates also point to the reduced need for pesticides as a significant benefit. The enclosed, controlled environment eliminates most of the pest and disease pressures that drive pesticide use in outdoor farming. This not only lowers the chemical burden on the food supply but also reduces the runoff that contributes to the contamination of rivers and groundwater. Some operators report growing crops that are entirely pesticide-free - a claim that would be difficult to make for most field-grown equivalents.
Vertical farming requires more water per kilogram of produce than traditional field agriculture.
Japan, Singapore, and the United States are the only countries investing in vertical farming.
In conventional irrigation, a significant proportion of water does not reach crops directly.
Vertical farms use artificial lighting for a minimum of 16 hours per day.
The electricity consumption of vertical farms is lower than that of field farming per kilogram of produce.
Wheat and rice are among the crops most successfully grown in vertical farms today.
Researchers predict that the market for vertical farming will eventually expand to include staple crops.
The controlled environment of vertical farms helps reduce the amount of pesticides used.
Pesticide runoff from outdoor farming is a known cause of river contamination.
All vertical farms currently produce crops that are entirely free of pesticides.
Want more T/F/NG practice passages?
mockDe's Reading practice section includes full IELTS-standard passages with T/F/NG, matching headings, and multiple choice questions - all timed.
What Are the 5 Most Common T/F/NG Traps - and How Do You Avoid Them?
IELTS test writers design T/F/NG questions specifically to exploit predictable reading habits. Each trap below is a documented pattern that causes candidates to choose the wrong answer. Understanding the trap is the most efficient way to protect your score.
| Trap | Example | Why candidates get it wrong | Correct approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using outside knowledge | Statement: "Vertical farming is cheaper than conventional farming." You know this is debatable, so you write FALSE. | The passage does not compare costs directly. Your personal knowledge is irrelevant - only what the text states counts. | If the passage does not address the comparison, the answer is NOT GIVEN, regardless of your background knowledge. |
| Treating "NOT GIVEN" as "probably false" | Statement: "Vertical farming was invented in the 1950s." The passage never mentions a date of invention. | Candidates assume that if something sounds unlikely, it must be FALSE. But "unlikely" and "contradicted by the text" are different things. | NOT GIVEN means the text gives no information, not that the statement is wrong. Choose NOT GIVEN when the text is silent on the topic. |
| Being misled by a partially matching sentence | Statement: "Water efficiency is the most important advantage of vertical farming." Text: "Water efficiency… is considered particularly valuable." | "Particularly valuable" does not mean "most important." The passage lists other benefits too and never ranks water efficiency as the top one. | Check whether the passage uses superlatives or ranking language. If not, beware of statements that add a ranking not present in the text. |
| Misreading quantifiers | Statement: "All vertical farms are powered by renewable energy." Text: "…unless vertical farms are powered by renewable energy…" | The text uses a conditional ("unless"), which implies not all farms are using renewable energy. But it does not say none do - it is not a direct contradiction. | Read quantifiers (all, some, most, none) with extreme care. A conditional sentence is not the same as a factual statement about what currently exists. |
| Confusing the writer's suggestion with a stated fact | Statement: "Governments should subsidise vertical farms." Text: "Advocates argue that governments should subsidise vertical farms." | For T/F/NG, the writer's facts matter - not the views of people mentioned in the text. The writer is reporting what advocates claim, not asserting it themselves. | This distinction matters more in YES/NO/NG. For T/F/NG, focus on factual claims about the world, not opinions or recommendations. |
The golden rule
If you find yourself thinking "Well, I know that's not true in real life, so it must be FALSE" - stop. That is outside knowledge. IELTS T/F/NG questions are about what the passage says, not what you know. If the passage doesn't say it, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
What Is the Difference Between True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given?
True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given look almost identical in format, but they test completely different reading skills and require different strategies. Mixing them up is one of the most costly errors in IELTS Reading.
| Feature | True / False / Not Given | Yes / No / Not Given |
|---|---|---|
| What they test | Factual information - events, data, descriptions of the world as it is | The writer's opinions, views, beliefs, or recommendations |
| Key signal in question | "Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?" | "Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer?" |
| Where it appears | Academic and General Training Reading; tests of factual passages | Passages containing argument, discussion, or opinion (e.g. academic essays) |
| Strategy | Find the relevant sentence in the passage; check if the fact matches, contradicts, or is absent | Identify the writer's stated position; check if the statement matches, contradicts, or is absent |
| Common confusion | Choosing FALSE when the text simply does not mention the topic (should be NOT GIVEN) | Treating reported views of third parties as the writer's own opinion |
How to identify the type instantly
T/F/NG signal phrase
"Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?"
Key word: information (= facts about the world)
Y/N/NG signal phrase
"Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in the reading passage?"
Key words: claims of the writer (= the writer's opinion)
What Are the Best Exam Day Tips for T/F/NG Questions?
These six tips address the most common time-management and accuracy problems candidates face under exam conditions. Apply them consistently in practice sessions so they become automatic on test day.
Underline key words in every statement before searching
Before you even look at the passage, underline the key factual words in the statement - numbers, names, comparative terms ("more than", "less than"), and absolutes ("all", "never", "only"). These are the words you need to locate and verify in the text.
Find the relevant section, not the exact word
IELTS rarely uses the same word as the statement - it paraphrases. If the statement mentions "water usage", look for synonyms like "consumption", "irrigation", "moisture". Train yourself to scan for meaning, not exact wording.
Spend no more than 90 seconds per question
If you cannot find the relevant section within 90 seconds, write your best guess and move on. Come back at the end if time allows. Spending four minutes on one NOT GIVEN question risks not finishing the section.
Always write TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN - never T, F, NG
Some candidates abbreviate answers on the answer sheet. IELTS requires the full word. Writing "T" instead of "TRUE" will not be marked - it counts as blank. Double-check your answer sheet before time is called.
Use the sequential order of the passage to your advantage
T/F/NG statements follow the passage in order. Once you have found the text location for Statement 3, begin your search for Statement 4 from that point forward - never go backwards. This saves significant time over the 60-minute Reading section.
Re-read the question instruction carefully
If the question says "Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?" it is T/F/NG. If it says "claims of the writer" it is Y/N/NG. Answering the wrong question type uses the wrong strategy and costs you marks.
≤ 90 sec
Time per question
Move on if stuck; return later
Passage order
Statements follow
Never scan backwards
Full word only
Answer format
Write TRUE not T
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