True / False / Not Given Questions in IELTS General Training (GT) Reading
1.
Understand the Difference Clearly
|
Answer |
Meaning |
Example |
|
True |
The text says exactly what the
statement says. Same meaning, different words. |
Text: "The pool opens at 9
AM." Statement: "The pool opens at 9 o'clock in the morning." |
|
False |
The text says the opposite of the
statement. |
Text: "The pool opens at 9
AM." Statement: "The pool opens at 7 AM." |
|
Not Given |
The text doesn't say anything
about the statement (neither confirms nor denies). |
Text: "The pool opens at 9
AM." Statement: "The pool has a lifeguard." |
Key trick: If you can't find evidence for True or False,
it's Not Given.
2.
GT Reading Specific Advice
GT Reading often uses notices, ads,
company policies, or workplace manuals. These texts are factual and direct.
- True
→ Facts match exactly.
- False
→ Facts contradict.
- Not Given
→ Fact is missing from the text.
Example
from a Job Ad
Text: "Applicants must have a driver's license."
Statement: "A driver's license is required." → True
Statement: "Applicants need a university degree." → Not
Given (not mentioned)
Statement: "No driver's license is needed." → False
(opposite)
3.
Top 10 Tricks & Strategies
✅
Trick 1: Don't Use Outside Knowledge
Base your answer only on the text.
Even if a statement is factually true in real life, if the text doesn’t say it
→ Not Given.
✅
Trick 2: Beware of Synonyms and Paraphrasing
GT Reading loves rephrasing.
Text: "Only managers can approve leave."
Statement: "Leave requests require managerial approval." → True
✅
Trick 3: Spot Opposite Words
If the statement says all but
the text says some → False
Text: "Some employees work from home."
Statement: "All employees work from home." → False
✅
Trick 4: Look for Absolute Words
Words like always, never, every,
none often make a statement False if the text shows an exception.
Text: "Most days, the gym closes at 10 PM."
Statement: "The gym always closes at 10 PM." → False
✅
Trick 5: “Not Given” = No Information at All
If the text doesn’t mention the
subject → Not Given
Do not guess based on logic or
implication.
✅
Trick 6: Compare Subjects and Actions
Sometimes the action matches but the
subject is different.
Text: "John received a bonus."
Statement: "Mary received a bonus." → Not Given (Mary
not mentioned)
✅
Trick 7: Read the Statement First, Then Scan the Text
Do not read the whole passage first.
1.
Read the statement.
2.
Underline keywords.
3.
Scan quickly for those words or
their synonyms.
✅
Trick 8: Numbers and Dates Are Traps
If a statement contains a number or
date, check carefully.
Text: "A 15% discount was offered."
Statement: "A 20% discount was offered." → False
(wrong number)
✅
Trick 9: If a Statement Has Two Parts, Both Must Match
Statement: "The room has a window and a door."
Text: "The room has a window but no door."
→ False (second part is
wrong)
✅
Trick 10: Don't Overthink Not Given
If you spend more than one minute
looking for evidence and still can't find support or contradiction, it is
probably Not Given.
Move on and come back later if
needed.
Quick
Summary Table
|
Situation |
Answer |
|
Information matches the text |
True |
|
Information is opposite to the
text |
False |
|
Information is not mentioned in
the text |
Not Given |
Golden
Rule
True = Match
False = Opposite
Not Given = Missing Information
Critical
Difference: Yes/No/Not Given vs. True/False/Not Given
|
Question
Type |
Asks
About |
Text
Type |
|
True / False / Not Given |
Facts (verifiable information) |
Reports, notices, manuals, factual
articles |
|
Yes / No / Not Given |
Opinions, claims, or beliefs of
the writer or specific people |
Opinion pieces, editorials,
letters, persuasive essays |
Key trick: If the statement expresses what someone thinks, believes,
agrees/disagrees with, or claims → Use Yes / No / Not Given.
Clear
Meaning Guide
|
Answer |
Meaning |
Example |
|
Yes |
The writer's opinion/claim agrees
with the statement. |
Text: "I believe remote work
boosts productivity." Statement: "The writer thinks remote work is
beneficial for output." → Yes |
|
No |
The writer's opinion/claim
contradicts the statement. |
Text: "In my view, remote
work reduces team cohesion." Statement: "The writer believes remote
work improves teamwork." → No |
|
Not Given |
The writer does not express an
opinion on this specific point (it's not mentioned or unclear). |
Text: "Remote work is
becoming popular." Statement: "The writer supports flexible
hours." → Not Given (flexible hours not discussed) |
GT
Reading: Where You'll See This
In General Training, Yes/No/Not
Given appears in:
Section
3 (the longest, most complex text)
Opinion-based passages like:
- Letters to the editor
- Blog posts or personal essays
- Reviews or critiques
- Advice columns
- Persuasive articles
Top
10 Tricks & Strategies
✅
Trick 1: Look for Opinion Language
Spot these words in the text → they
signal Yes/No territory:
- I believe
- I think
- In my opinion
- It seems
- Arguably
- Perhaps
- I feel
- My view is that
- I agree/disagree
If there's no opinion language, it
might be a fact (True/False) instead.
✅
Trick 2: Identify Who Holds the Opinion
The question often says:
- "The writer agrees that..."
- "The author claims..."
You must match the writer's view,
not your own, and not a quoted person's view (unless the writer agrees with
them).
Example:
Text: "Some experts claim that
sugar is addictive, but I remain unconvinced."
Statement: "The writer believes
sugar is addictive."
→ No (writer is unconvinced)
✅
Trick 3: Watch for Agreeing/Disagreeing Language
|
Writer
Agrees (Yes) |
Writer
Disagrees (No) |
|
I support... |
I reject... |
|
I am in favor of... |
I am against... |
|
It is right that... |
It is wrong that... |
|
I concur... |
I disagree... |
|
Absolutely... |
On the contrary... |
|
Indeed... |
Actually... |
✅
Trick 4: Distinguish Between the Writer's View and a Reported View
Text: "Many people believe that
social media harms mental health."
Statement: "The writer believes
social media harms mental health."
→ Not Given (writer only
reports others' views)
✅
Trick 5: Don't Confuse "Not Given" with "No"
No
= Writer clearly states the opposite opinion.
Not Given = Writer never mentions this idea.
Text: "I think cycling is a good form of exercise."
Statement: "The writer thinks
cycling is dangerous."
→ No (opposite opinion)
Statement: "The writer thinks
running is better than cycling."
→ Not Given (running not
mentioned)
✅
Trick 6: Beware of Similar but Not Identical Opinions
Text: "I prefer working in an
office rather than at home."
Statement: "The writer dislikes
working from home."
→ Not Given (prefer ≠
dislike)
The writer may like both but simply
prefer one.
✅
Trick 7: One Wrong Detail = No or Not Given
If a statement has two parts, both
must match the writer's opinion.
Text: "I agree that public
transport is affordable and reliable."
Statement: "The writer thinks
public transport is affordable but unreliable."
→ No (second part
contradicts)
✅
Trick 8: Strong vs. Weak Language Matters
|
Text
(writer's words) |
Statement |
Answer |
|
"It might be useful to limit
screen time." |
"The writer believes screen
time must be limited." |
No (might be ≠ must be) |
|
"I strongly oppose animal
testing." |
"The writer is against animal
testing." |
Yes |
✅
Trick 9: Answers Appear in Order
Like True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not
Given answers follow the passage order.
If Q1 answer is in paragraph 2, Q2
will usually be later in the text.
✅
Trick 10: "Not Given" Is the Most Common Trap
In GT Reading, about 40–50%
of answers may be Not Given.
Don't force a Yes or No
when the writer simply hasn't expressed that opinion.
Common
Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
|
Mistake |
Why
It's Wrong |
Fix |
|
Using your own opinion |
The question asks for the writer's
opinion. |
Ask: "What does the text say
the writer thinks?" |
|
Confusing "Not Given"
with "No" |
No = contradiction; Not Given =
not mentioned. |
If it's not there, it's Not Given. |
|
Treating it like True/False |
True/False = facts; Yes/No =
opinions. |
Look for belief/opinion signals. |
|
Ignoring quoted people |
Writer may quote someone without
agreeing. |
Check if writer endorses the
quoted view. |
|
Overlooking qualifiers (some,
many, often) |
Writer may express a limited
opinion. |
Match the exact strength of
opinion. |
Step-by-Step
Strategy
1.
Read the Statement Carefully
Identify the opinion or claim it
describes.
2.
Scan the Passage for the Writer's Opinion
Look for:
- I think
- I believe
- I feel
- In my view
- I agree
- I disagree
3.
Compare the Writer's Opinion with the Statement
Check whether they match exactly.
4.
Decide
- Same opinion → Yes
- Opposite opinion → No
- Opinion not expressed → Not Given
5.
Double-Check
Ask yourself:
"Did I find the writer's actual
words, or just someone else's opinion?"
Quick
Examples (GT Style)
Passage
Excerpt
"In my opinion, homework for
young children is counterproductive. While I understand parents' concerns, I
firmly believe that play-based learning is far more effective at this age. Some
educators argue for a balanced approach, but I disagree."
|
Statement |
Answer |
Why |
|
The writer believes homework harms
young children's learning. |
Yes |
"counterproductive" =
harmful |
|
The writer supports a balanced
approach to early education. |
No |
"I disagree" with
balanced approach |
|
The writer thinks parents should
be involved in homework. |
Not Given |
Parents mentioned, but involvement
not discussed |
|
The writer agrees that play-based
learning is beneficial. |
Yes |
"far more effective" |
Quick
Cheat Sheet
Yes
= Writer's opinion = Statement
No
= Writer's opinion ≠ Statement (Opposite)
Not
Given = Writer never expresses this opinion
Look
for:
- I think
- I believe
- In my view
- I agree
- I disagree
- I support
- I oppose
Remember:
It's about the writer's belief, not
facts, and not other people's beliefs.
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