How to Attempt True, False, Not Given Questions Exercises [Part 2]

Conquer IELTS Reading The Ultimate Guide to True, False, Not Given Questions (Exercises)

Unlocking the IELTS Reading Labyrinth: A Masterclass in True, False, Not Given

Welcome, dedicated IELTS student. The T/F/NG question type is notorious. It’s not just a test of your reading; it’s a test of your logic, your precision, and your ability to resist temptation. Many students feel it’s subjective, but it is, in fact, fiercely objective.

This guide will take you on a progressive journey, from understanding the core logic to applying advanced strategies on unique passages.

Part 1: The Mindset & The Core Logic – Deconstructing the Trick

Before we touch a single passage, we must internalize the definitions. The examiner isn’t trying to trick you with lies, but with shades of meaning.

The Golden Definitions:

TRUE: The statement in the question AGREES WITH or MATCHES EXACTLY the information in the text.
- It’s a direct paraphrase. The meaning is identical.
FALSE: The statement in the question CONTRADICTS or is the DIRECT OPPOSITE of the information in the text.
- The text says one thing; the statement says something that cannot be true based on the text.
NOT GIVEN: The statement in the question is NEITHER CONFIRMED NOR CONTRADICTED by the text.
- The text is silent on the matter, or provides some information but not enough to confirm the specific claim.

The Examiner’s Toolkit: Words with “Shades of Meaning”

Examiners love using words that are almost synonyms, but not quite. Recognizing these is your first line of defense.

Common “Trick” Word in Statement	Possible “Clarifier” in the Passage	What it Means for Your Answer
some / a few	all / most / the majority	`some` vs. `all` is a classic FALSE trigger.
suggest / propose	prove / demonstrate	A suggestion is not proof. This can be FALSE or NG.
can / may / might	must / will / always	Possibility vs. certainty. A big difference. Often FALSE.
often / frequently	sometimes / rarely / never	A difference in degree. Can lead to FALSE.
claim / believe	know / is (a fact)	What someone claims is not necessarily a proven fact. Often NG.
aim / goal / intention	result / outcome / achievement	Intending to do something is not the same as doing it. Often NG.

Part 2: The Strategy Playbook – Your Step-by-Step Battle Plan

Read the Instructions Carefully: Are they TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN or YES/NO/NOT GIVEN? This seems obvious, but under exam pressure, mistakes happen. Write T/F/NG or Y/N/NG on your answer sheet accordingly.
Tackle Questions in Order: The information in the text for these questions almost always appears in order.
Underline Keywords in the Statement: Focus on names, dates, places, and nouns. But beware of “shade” words from the table above (e.g., “all,” “prove,” “always”).
Scan, Don’t Read: Take your keywords from the first statement and scan the text to find the relevant section. You do not need to read the entire passage first.
Read the Found Text Intensively: Once you locate the area, read that specific sentence and the one before and after it with extreme care.
The Decision Matrix: Ask Yourself These Questions
- Is there a direct match or a clear paraphrase? -> Likely TRUE.
- Does the text say the opposite of the statement? -> Likely FALSE.
- Is the information in the statement simply not there? -> Likely NOT GIVEN.
- Is the statement about a wider topic or a future implication that isn’t discussed? -> Likely NOT GIVEN.

The “Not Given” Trap: The most common mistake is inventing an answer. You must base your answer only on the text. If you find yourself thinking, “Well, it’s probably true because…” or “I think it’s false based on common knowledge,” you are falling into the NG trap.

Part 3: Progressive Activities & Exercises

Let’s put theory into practice with a unique, step-by-step activity set.

Activity 1: Micro-Skill Builder - The Word Shade Detector

Objective: To train your brain to spot the subtle differences in vocabulary that determine the answer.
Instructions: For each pair of sentences below, state whether Sentence B is TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN based on Sentence A.
1. A: The company plans to invest in renewable energy sources next year.
B: The company will invest in renewable energy sources next year.
(Hint: Is a 'plan' a guarantee?)

2. A: Several researchers have proposed a link between the two phenomena.

B: A link between the two phenomena has been proven.
(Hint: What's the difference between a 'proposal' and 'proof'?)

A: The museum is visited by over a million people annually.

B: The museum is popular with tourists.
(Hint: Does a high number of visitors necessarily mean it's popular with a specific group?)

A: All participants in the study reported improved sleep.

B: Some participants in the study reported improved sleep.
(Hint: This is a classic logic check.)

Activity 2: Unique Reading Passage & Question Set 1

The Psychology of Urban Green Spaces

[A] The integration of green spaces, such as parks and community gardens, into urban planning is no longer seen as a mere aesthetic luxury but as a crucial component of public health. A significant body of research now suggests that access to nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and even enhance cognitive function. For instance, a 2019 study found that city dwellers who spent at least thirty minutes in a park per week reported significantly lower levels of psychological distress than those who did not.

[B] Furthermore, the design of these spaces is critical to their efficacy. Landscape architects are increasingly focused on creating “biophilic” designs that foster a deep connection between humans and the natural world. This involves using native plants, providing habitats for local wildlife, and ensuring layouts that encourage exploration and quiet contemplation. However, some critics argue that the focus on elaborate, manicured parks diverts resources from more essential civic services like public transportation and housing.

[C] The economic benefits are also becoming clearer. Properties located near well-maintained green spaces often see a rise in value, a phenomenon known as the “proximity premium.” This can lead to concerns about gentrification, where the very improvements meant to benefit a community end up pricing out long-term residents. Therefore, urban planners face the complex challenge of implementing green initiatives in an equitable manner.

Questions 1-5
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?
Write:
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

Activity 3: Unique Reading Passage & Question Set 2 (Advanced)

The Enigma of Animal Culture

[A] For centuries, the capacity for culture was considered a defining hallmark of humanity. However, a growing field of ethology (the study of animal behavior) is challenging this long-held assumption. Culture, defined as behaviors shared by a community and transmitted through social learning rather than genetics, is now observed in various animal species. The most famous example is the potato-washing behavior spread among Japanese macaques on Koshima Island in the 1950s.

[B] Cetaceans, particularly dolphins and whales, provide compelling evidence. Different pods of orcas (killer whales) exhibit distinct “vocal dialects”—unique sets of calls learned from their mothers and pod members. Furthermore, these pods have specialized hunting techniques. One pod in the Antarctic has mastered a coordinated method to create waves that wash seals off ice floes, a technique not observed in other populations. This knowledge is passed down through generations, firmly placing it in the realm of culture.

[C] The implications are profound. If culture is not uniquely human, it forces a re-evaluation of what we mean by “animal intelligence.” It also presents significant challenges for conservation. A population of animals is not simply a number of genetically similar individuals; it is a repository of unique cultural knowledge. The loss of a single pod of whales could mean the extinction of a hunting technique or a dialect that has existed for centuries.

[D] Skeptics remain, of course. They argue that many of these behaviors could be explained by innate instincts or individual learning triggered by environmental factors. They call for more rigorous criteria to label a behavior as “cultural.” Despite this, the cumulative evidence from primates, cetaceans, and even some bird species makes a strong case for the existence of non-human culture.

Part 4: Final Tips for Test Day Confidence

Practice Active Reading: Always read with the question in mind: “What is the author actually saying here?”
Time Management: Spend no more than 1.5 minutes per question on this task type. If you’re stuck, mark it as NOT GIVEN, make a note, and move on. You can always come back.
Trust the Text: Your personal knowledge is irrelevant. The text is your only source of truth.
Beware of Absolute Words: Words like all, every, always, never, and must are often triggers for FALSE answers. Look for their qualifiers in the text (some, many, often, can).

By working through this masterclass, you have done more than just practice some questions. You have deconstructed the examiner’s methodology, honed your analytical skills, and built a robust strategic framework. Go into your IELTS exam with the confidence of someone who knows not just the what, but the why.

Good luck! You are now equipped to conquer the T/F/NG challenge.

Your Ultimate Guide to Conquering True/False/Not Given Exercises [Part 2]