Reading · Unit 2: Common mistakes
R11: True, False or Not Given: the difference finally explained
Target band 6 to 6.5
True/False/Not Given is the question type Bangladeshi students fear most in IELTS Reading. The problem is almost always the same. Students can't tell the difference between FALSE and NOT GIVEN. This lesson gives you a clear test you can use every single time.
Why this matters
You'll see True/False/Not Given in almost every Academic Reading test, often with five to seven questions. If you confuse FALSE and NOT GIVEN, you can lose three or four marks in one block. Once you understand the logic, these questions become much more reliable.
The three answers
| Answer | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TRUE | The passage says the same thing as the statement, maybe in different words. |
| FALSE | The passage says the opposite. It contradicts the statement. |
| NOT GIVEN | The passage doesn't say. There isn't enough information to decide. |
The key difference
- FALSE means the passage disagrees with the statement.
- NOT GIVEN means the passage is silent about it.
Think of it like this. You ask a friend, "Did Rahim pass his exam?"
- If the friend says "Yes, he passed", that's TRUE.
- If the friend says "No, he failed", that's FALSE.
- If the friend says "I don't know, he never told me", that's NOT GIVEN.
The two-question test
For every statement, ask:
- Does the passage say this? If yes, it's TRUE.
- Does the passage say the opposite? If yes, it's FALSE.
If the answer to both is no, it's NOT GIVEN.
A worked example
Honeybees are found on every continent except Antarctica. A single hive can contain up to 60,000 bees, most of which are female workers. The queen is the only bee that lays eggs. She can live for several years, while workers usually live for only a few weeks in summer.
| Statement | Answer | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Honeybees live in Antarctica. | FALSE | "every continent except Antarctica" |
| Most bees in a hive are female. | TRUE | "most of which are female workers" |
| Worker bees can lay eggs. | FALSE | "The queen is the only bee that lays eggs" |
| Honey from Australia is the sweetest. | NOT GIVEN | No information about honey taste |
| Queens live longer than workers. | TRUE | several years vs a few weeks |
| Workers live longer in winter. | NOT GIVEN | It says summer only. Winter isn't mentioned. |
Look at the last one. You might know from science class that workers live longer in winter. But the passage doesn't say it. So it's NOT GIVEN. Never use your own knowledge (R13).
Common NOT GIVEN traps
- Extra detail. The passage talks about the topic, but not the specific detail in the statement.
- Comparisons. The statement compares two things, but the passage only describes one.
- Reasons. The passage says something happened, but not why.
Two useful facts
- These questions follow the order of the passage.
- Write exactly TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN, as the instructions say.
Honest note
Even strong students sometimes disagree on a hard NOT GIVEN. If you're stuck between FALSE and NOT GIVEN, ask: "Can I point to words that clearly say the opposite?" If you can't point to them, it's probably NOT GIVEN.
Your task today
Do one block of True/False/Not Given. For every answer, write the sentence from the passage that proves it. For NOT GIVEN, write "no sentence".