How to solve TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN in IELTS Reading

August 1, 2023
By Gurpreet
328114.7B views

Many candidates find the True/False/Not Given question one of the most challenging tasks in the Reading test.

Many candidates find the True/False/Not Given question one of the most challenging tasks in the Reading test. This lesson provides tips on how to answer this type of question.

Task Description:

You will be given a list of facts and asked to determine whether they are true, false, or not given based on the reading text.

Approach to the Task:

1. If the fact is clearly stated in the reading, it is True.

2. If the reading contradicts the given fact, it is False.

3. If the information is not present in the reading, it is Not Given.

Example:

Statement from IELTS reading: Chiles originate in South America and have been eaten for at least 9,500 years.

1. Chiles come from South America – TRUE. The statement is clearly TRUE, even though different words like “come from” are used instead of “originates.”

2. People began eating Chiles in the last few centuries – FALSE. The statement is clearly FALSE as it was 9,500 years ago, not a few hundred years ago.

3. South Americans were the first people to start eating Chiles – NOT GIVEN. The statement is not in the text, so assumptions should be avoided.

Practice Test:

Link: http://mini-ielts.com/791/reading/mau-piailug-ocean-navigator

1. At the time of his voyage, Mau had unique navigational skills. – TRUE

2. Mau was familiar with the sea around Tahiti. – FALSE

3. Mau thought it would be difficult to use a compass and charts. – NOT GIVEN

Explanation:

Question 1:

Keywords: At the time, unique navigational skills

Synonyms in passage: the only man alive who knew how to navigate just by observing the stars, the wind and the sea

Answer: TRUE

Question 2:

Keywords: familiar with the sea around Tahiti

Synonyms in passage: had never before sailed to Tahiti

Answer: FALSE

Question 3:

Keywords: difficult to use a compass and charts

Synonyms in passage: did it without a compass or charts

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Using this technique, continue with the other questions. With practice, you will become faster and more accurate in finding the answers. This will lead to an improved score in your IELTS reading test.