IELTS Reading: True/False/Not Given 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In IELTS Academic Reading, what does 'TRUE' mean in a True/False/Not Given question?

The statement contradicts the passage
The statement agrees with information in the passage (Correct answer)
The passage does not mention the topic
The statement is an opinion, not a fact

Correct answer: The statement agrees with information in the passage

'TRUE' means the statement agrees with or confirms information explicitly stated in the passage.

In IELTS True/False/Not Given questions, 'TRUE' means the statement is confirmed by information in the passage — the passage directly supports what the statement claims. This is different from 'NOT GIVEN', where the topic may not even appear.

Question 2: What does 'FALSE' indicate in a True/False/Not Given question?

The statement is partially correct
The passage contradicts the statement (Correct answer)
The information is not discussed in the passage
The writer is unsure about the information

Correct answer: The passage contradicts the statement

'FALSE' means the passage directly contradicts or disagrees with the statement.

A 'FALSE' answer means the passage contains information that directly contradicts the statement. You must find specific text that says the opposite of what the statement claims. If the text simply doesn't mention it, the answer would be 'NOT GIVEN'.

Question 3: When should you choose 'NOT GIVEN' in a True/False/Not Given question?

When the statement is false
When the passage partially supports the statement
When the passage neither confirms nor contradicts the statement (Correct answer)
When the statement uses different words from the passage

Correct answer: When the passage neither confirms nor contradicts the statement

'NOT GIVEN' applies when the passage provides no information to confirm or deny the statement.

'NOT GIVEN' is selected when you cannot find any information in the passage that either supports or contradicts the statement. The topic may be unrelated or simply never addressed. Many test-takers confuse this with FALSE — remember: FALSE requires active contradiction, NOT GIVEN means absence of information.

Question 4: Which reading section of IELTS uses True/False/Not Given questions?

Only General Training
Only Academic
Both Academic and General Training (Correct answer)
Neither — only Yes/No/Not Given is used

Correct answer: Both Academic and General Training

True/False/Not Given questions appear in both IELTS Academic and General Training reading sections.

True/False/Not Given (T/F/NG) questions appear in both the Academic and General Training Reading sections of IELTS. They test the candidate's ability to identify factual claims in a passage. A related but distinct type — Yes/No/Not Given — tests opinions and writer's views.

Question 5: What is the key difference between True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given questions?

There is no difference — they are identical
T/F/NG tests facts; Y/N/NG tests the writer's opinions or claims (Correct answer)
Y/N/NG is harder than T/F/NG
T/F/NG uses a passage; Y/N/NG uses a graph

Correct answer: T/F/NG tests facts; Y/N/NG tests the writer's opinions or claims

T/F/NG tests factual information; Y/N/NG tests whether statements agree with the writer's views or claims.

True/False/Not Given questions ask you to check factual claims against the passage. Yes/No/Not Given questions ask whether statements agree with the writer's opinion or viewpoint. When the passage presents a perspective or belief, Y/N/NG is used; for objective facts, T/F/NG applies.

Question 6: A passage states: 'The Amazon rainforest covers approximately 5.5 million square kilometres.' The statement says: 'The Amazon rainforest is the largest forest in the world.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE
NOT GIVEN (Correct answer)
YES

Correct answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage gives the area of the Amazon but does not compare it to other forests, so 'largest' cannot be confirmed or denied.

Even though you may know the Amazon is the world's largest rainforest, the passage only states its area. It makes no comparison to other forests. Therefore, whether it is 'the largest' is NOT GIVEN — you must base answers solely on the passage, not outside knowledge.

Question 7: A passage says: 'Solar panels were first used commercially in the 1950s.' The statement reads: 'Commercial use of solar panels began in the twentieth century.' What is the answer?

TRUE (Correct answer)
FALSE
NOT GIVEN
CANNOT SAY

Correct answer: TRUE

The 1950s falls within the twentieth century, so the statement is confirmed by the passage — TRUE.

The passage states solar panels were first used commercially in the 1950s. The twentieth century began in 1901, and 1950 falls within it. The statement that 'commercial use began in the twentieth century' is directly supported — the answer is TRUE.

Question 8: Which strategy is most effective for True/False/Not Given questions?

Read every word of the passage before answering any question
Use your general knowledge to fill in gaps
Locate the relevant section of the passage and compare it carefully to the statement (Correct answer)
Always choose NOT GIVEN when unsure

Correct answer: Locate the relevant section of the passage and compare it carefully to the statement

Locating the relevant part of the passage and carefully comparing it to the statement is the most reliable approach.

The most efficient strategy is to identify key words in the statement, scan the passage to find the relevant section, then read that section carefully to determine if the statement is confirmed, contradicted, or not addressed. Guessing NOT GIVEN or using outside knowledge leads to errors.

Question 9: A passage states: 'Most scientists agree that climate change is primarily caused by human activity.' The statement says: 'All scientists agree that human activity is the primary cause of climate change.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE (Correct answer)
NOT GIVEN
YES

Correct answer: FALSE

'Most' and 'all' are different — the passage says most, not all, so the statement is FALSE.

The passage says 'most scientists agree', while the statement claims 'all scientists agree'. Since 'most' does not equal 'all', the passage directly contradicts the statement — the answer is FALSE. Absolute quantifiers are a classic test trap in IELTS T/F/NG questions.

Question 10: In IELTS, if a passage says a study 'suggests' something might be true, and a statement claims it 'proves' the same thing, what is the answer?

TRUE — the meaning is similar enough
FALSE — 'suggests' and 'proves' have different levels of certainty (Correct answer)
NOT GIVEN — the passage is unclear
YES — academic language often uses these interchangeably

Correct answer: FALSE — 'suggests' and 'proves' have different levels of certainty

'Suggests' implies possibility; 'proves' implies certainty. These are different, making the statement FALSE.

IELTS tests precise understanding of hedging language. 'Suggests' indicates possibility or tentative findings, while 'proves' indicates certainty. If the passage says 'suggests' and the statement says 'proves', the statement overstates the passage's claim — the answer is FALSE.

Question 11: A passage says: 'The city of Venice was founded in the 5th century AD.' A statement reads: 'Venice has existed for over 1,000 years.' What is the answer?

TRUE (Correct answer)
FALSE
NOT GIVEN
YES

Correct answer: TRUE

Founded in the 5th century AD means Venice is over 1,500 years old — well over 1,000 years, so the statement is TRUE.

The 5th century AD ended around 500 AD. From 500 AD to the present is over 1,500 years, which is certainly more than 1,000 years. The passage supports the statement, so the answer is TRUE.

Question 12: What should you do if you cannot find relevant information in the passage for a T/F/NG question?

Mark it FALSE by default
Skip the question entirely
Choose NOT GIVEN — the passage does not address it (Correct answer)
Use your prior knowledge to decide

Correct answer: Choose NOT GIVEN — the passage does not address it

If the passage contains no relevant information, NOT GIVEN is the correct answer.

When you cannot locate any information in the passage that relates to the statement — even after careful scanning — the answer is NOT GIVEN. Never use outside knowledge; IELTS T/F/NG answers must come entirely from the passage.

Question 13: A passage states: 'Deforestation rates have declined in Brazil since 2004.' A statement reads: 'Brazil has completely stopped deforestation.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE (Correct answer)
NOT GIVEN
CANNOT SAY

Correct answer: FALSE

The passage says rates declined — not that deforestation stopped entirely. The statement is FALSE.

The passage confirms a decline in deforestation rates — not that deforestation has completely stopped. The statement claims total cessation, which contradicts the passage (rates still exist, just lower). The answer is FALSE.

Question 14: Can synonyms and paraphrasing appear between the statement and the passage in T/F/NG questions?

No — statements always use the exact same words as the passage
Yes — IELTS commonly uses paraphrasing and synonyms to test understanding (Correct answer)
Only in General Training, not Academic
Only for NOT GIVEN answers

Correct answer: Yes — IELTS commonly uses paraphrasing and synonyms to test understanding

IELTS frequently paraphrases statements compared to the passage to test comprehension, not just word matching.

A core skill tested in IELTS Reading is recognising paraphrasing. Statements in T/F/NG questions routinely use synonyms or rephrase information from the passage. Candidates must understand meaning — not just match words — to correctly identify TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN.

Question 15: A passage discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health but does not mention yoga specifically. A statement says: 'Yoga is beneficial for mental health.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE
NOT GIVEN (Correct answer)
YES

Correct answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage discusses exercise generally but does not specifically mention yoga — NOT GIVEN.

Even though yoga is a form of exercise, the passage does not specifically mention it. You cannot infer the statement is true based on a general claim. Since yoga is not addressed in the passage, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Question 16: What time limit is given for the IELTS Academic Reading section?

30 minutes
45 minutes
60 minutes (Correct answer)
90 minutes

Correct answer: 60 minutes

IELTS Academic Reading gives candidates 60 minutes to answer 40 questions across three passages.

The IELTS Academic Reading section lasts 60 minutes (unlike Listening, which gives 10 extra minutes to transfer answers on paper). Candidates must answer all 40 questions and write them on the answer sheet within the same 60 minutes.

Question 17: A passage says: 'The number of electric vehicles sold globally doubled between 2018 and 2020.' A statement reads: 'Fewer electric vehicles were sold in 2020 than in 2018.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE (Correct answer)
NOT GIVEN
CANNOT SAY

Correct answer: FALSE

Doubled means more were sold in 2020, not fewer — direct contradiction, so FALSE.

If sales doubled between 2018 and 2020, then 2020 sales were significantly higher than 2018. The statement claims fewer were sold in 2020, which directly contradicts the passage. The answer is FALSE.

Question 18: Which reading skill is most directly tested by True/False/Not Given questions?

Identifying the main idea of a paragraph
Understanding complex vocabulary
Comparing specific details in a statement against the text (Correct answer)
Summarising long passages accurately

Correct answer: Comparing specific details in a statement against the text

T/F/NG questions specifically test the ability to compare specific factual claims against the passage.

True/False/Not Given questions test detailed reading comprehension — specifically the ability to compare a factual claim against a text and determine whether the text confirms it, contradicts it, or doesn't address it. This is different from main idea questions or summary tasks.

Question 19: A passage says: 'Smoking was banned in public places in England in 2007.' A statement reads: 'The smoking ban in England was introduced in the twenty-first century.' What is the answer?

TRUE (Correct answer)
FALSE
NOT GIVEN
YES

Correct answer: TRUE

2007 is in the twenty-first century, so the statement is confirmed — TRUE.

The passage states the ban was introduced in 2007. The twenty-first century began in 2001, and 2007 falls within it. The statement is therefore confirmed by the passage — the answer is TRUE.

Question 20: A passage discusses the history of the internet but makes no mention of social media. A statement reads: 'Social media platforms were developed before the internet.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE
NOT GIVEN (Correct answer)
NO

Correct answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage does not mention social media at all, so the statement is NOT GIVEN.

Although you know from outside knowledge that social media came after the internet, the passage does not address social media at all. Because the passage neither confirms nor contradicts this statement, the answer is NOT GIVEN — not FALSE.

Question 21: How many passages are in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

2 passages
3 passages (Correct answer)
4 passages
5 passages

Correct answer: 3 passages

The IELTS Academic Reading test contains 3 passages of increasing difficulty.

The IELTS Academic Reading section contains exactly 3 passages, each progressively more difficult. Together they account for all 40 questions. Topics are academic in nature, drawn from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers.

Question 22: A passage states: 'Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.' A statement reads: 'Antibiotics can be used to treat the flu.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE (Correct answer)
NOT GIVEN
YES

Correct answer: FALSE

The flu is a viral infection; the passage says antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections — so this is FALSE.

The passage states antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. Since influenza (the flu) is a viral infection, using antibiotics to treat it would be ineffective per the passage. The statement claiming antibiotics can treat the flu is therefore FALSE.

Question 23: A passage describes water treatment processes in developed countries. A statement says: 'All countries in the world use advanced water treatment methods.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE
NOT GIVEN (Correct answer)
CANNOT SAY

Correct answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage only discusses developed countries — it says nothing about all countries globally, so NOT GIVEN.

The passage discusses developed countries only. It neither confirms nor denies that all countries use advanced water treatment. Because the passage does not address global coverage, the answer is NOT GIVEN — not FALSE, since there is no direct contradiction.

Question 24: A passage says: 'The population of Tokyo exceeds 13 million.' A statement reads: 'Tokyo has more than 10 million inhabitants.' What is the answer?

TRUE (Correct answer)
FALSE
NOT GIVEN
YES

Correct answer: TRUE

More than 13 million is also more than 10 million — the statement is confirmed by the passage, so TRUE.

The passage states Tokyo's population exceeds 13 million. Since 13 million is greater than 10 million, the statement that Tokyo has more than 10 million inhabitants is directly supported. The answer is TRUE.

Question 25: Which of these is a common mistake candidates make in T/F/NG questions?

Checking whether the statement relates to the passage topic
Using outside knowledge instead of passage information (Correct answer)
Re-reading a section twice to confirm the answer
Looking for synonyms of key words in the passage

Correct answer: Using outside knowledge instead of passage information

Using outside knowledge is a frequent error — answers must be based solely on the passage.

A very common mistake is applying personal knowledge or factual background to answer T/F/NG questions. Candidates must ignore what they know and focus entirely on what the passage says. Even if a statement is factually true in real life, if the passage doesn't confirm it, the answer may be NOT GIVEN.

Question 26: A passage says: 'In 2015, global CO2 emissions reached a record high.' A statement reads: 'CO2 emissions were lower in 2015 than in any previous year.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE (Correct answer)
NOT GIVEN
CANNOT SAY

Correct answer: FALSE

A record high means emissions were higher than all previous years — the statement says the opposite, so FALSE.

If 2015 saw a record high in CO2 emissions, that means they were the highest ever measured — not lower than any previous year. The statement is directly contradicted by the passage. The answer is FALSE.

Question 27: Does the order of T/F/NG questions typically follow the order of information in the passage?

No — they are deliberately placed out of order
Yes — they generally follow the order of information in the passage (Correct answer)
Only for TRUE answers
Only in the Academic version

Correct answer: Yes — they generally follow the order of information in the passage

Like most IELTS Reading question types, T/F/NG questions generally follow the order of information in the passage.

In IELTS Reading, most question types — including T/F/NG — follow the order in which information appears in the passage. This means the answer to question 3 will be found after the answer to question 2. This helps candidates scan efficiently rather than searching randomly.

Question 28: A passage says: 'The first antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928.' A statement reads: 'Alexander Fleming introduced penicillin in the twentieth century.' What is the answer?

TRUE (Correct answer)
FALSE
NOT GIVEN
YES

Correct answer: TRUE

1928 is in the twentieth century (1901–2000), and the passage confirms Fleming discovered it — TRUE.

The passage confirms Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. The twentieth century runs from 1901 to 2000, so 1928 falls within it. The statement paraphrases the passage accurately — the answer is TRUE.

Question 29: How is 'NOT GIVEN' different from 'FALSE' when answering T/F/NG questions?

NOT GIVEN means the statement is wrong; FALSE means it is slightly wrong
FALSE requires a direct contradiction in the passage; NOT GIVEN means no relevant information exists (Correct answer)
They mean the same thing
NOT GIVEN only applies when the topic is mentioned vaguely

Correct answer: FALSE requires a direct contradiction in the passage; NOT GIVEN means no relevant information exists

FALSE requires the passage to actively contradict the statement; NOT GIVEN means the passage says nothing relevant.

The distinction between FALSE and NOT GIVEN is critical. FALSE means the passage contains a direct contradiction to the statement — you can point to the sentence that disproves it. NOT GIVEN means the passage doesn't address the claim at all. Many students choose FALSE when they can't find information, but the correct choice is NOT GIVEN.

Question 30: A passage mentions that researchers at one university developed a new cancer treatment. A statement says: 'Multiple universities collaborated to develop the cancer treatment.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE (Correct answer)
NOT GIVEN
YES

Correct answer: FALSE

The passage says 'one university'; the statement says 'multiple universities' — a direct contradiction, so FALSE.

The passage specifies one university developed the treatment. The statement claims multiple universities collaborated. 'One' directly contradicts 'multiple', so the answer is FALSE.

Question 31: A passage states: 'Organic farming uses no synthetic pesticides.' A statement reads: 'Organic farmers sometimes use natural pesticides.' What is the answer?

TRUE
FALSE
NOT GIVEN (Correct answer)
YES

Correct answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage only says no synthetic pesticides are used — it does not address whether natural pesticides are used.

The passage states organic farming uses no synthetic pesticides. The statement asks about natural pesticides — a separate category not addressed in the passage. Since the passage neither confirms nor denies the use of natural pesticides, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Question 32: A passage says: 'The Great Barrier Reef spans over 2,300 kilometres.' A statement reads: 'The Great Barrier Reef is longer than 2,000 kilometres.' What is the answer?

TRUE (Correct answer)
FALSE
NOT GIVEN
YES

Correct answer: TRUE

Over 2,300 km is certainly longer than 2,000 km — the statement is confirmed by the passage, so TRUE.

The passage gives a length of over 2,300 kilometres. Since 2,300 kilometres exceeds 2,000 kilometres, the statement that the reef is longer than 2,000 kilometres is directly supported. The answer is TRUE.

Question 33: Which skill helps most with correctly identifying the NOT GIVEN option in T/F/NG questions?

Fast reading for the main idea
Careful comparison of what the passage addresses vs what the statement claims (Correct answer)
Using context clues to predict meaning
Understanding complex grammar in the passage

Correct answer: Careful comparison of what the passage addresses vs what the statement claims

Careful comparison of passage coverage against statement scope is key to correctly identifying NOT GIVEN.

Identifying NOT GIVEN requires you to confirm that the passage neither supports nor contradicts the statement — that the topic is simply not addressed. This demands careful comparison: you must verify that no relevant information exists anywhere in the passage, which is a more thorough process than just failing to find the answer quickly.

Question 34: In IELTS Academic Reading, which passage is typically the most difficult?

Passage 1
Passage 2
Passage 3 (Correct answer)
They are all equally difficult

Correct answer: Passage 3

Passage 3 is typically the most difficult, featuring more complex vocabulary and abstract ideas.

IELTS Academic Reading passages are arranged in increasing difficulty. Passage 1 is the most accessible, Passage 2 is moderately difficult, and Passage 3 is the most challenging — often containing abstract academic language, complex arguments, or specialised topics.

Question 35: How many questions are in the entire IELTS Reading section?

20 questions
30 questions
40 questions (Correct answer)
50 questions

Correct answer: 40 questions

The IELTS Reading section contains 40 questions in total, distributed across three passages.

Both IELTS Academic and General Training Reading sections contain 40 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. These are spread across three sections or passages. Each correct answer earns one mark, giving a raw score out of 40 that is converted to a band score.

Question 36: Which approach best prepares candidates for T/F/NG questions in IELTS practice?

Memorising vocabulary lists
Practising with sample passages and checking answers against official answer keys (Correct answer)
Reading newspaper editorials only
Focusing exclusively on grammar exercises

Correct answer: Practising with sample passages and checking answers against official answer keys

Practising with authentic IELTS sample passages and checking against official keys builds the most reliable T/F/NG skills.

The best preparation for T/F/NG questions is repeated practice with authentic IELTS-style passages, followed by careful review of why each answer is TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN. This builds the skill of identifying evidence (or its absence) in a passage, which cannot be fully developed through vocabulary or grammar study alone.

IELTS Reading: True/False/Not Given 1

In IELTS Academic Reading, what does 'TRUE' mean in a True/False/Not Given question?

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