In this tutorial, we discuss how to answer True-False-Not Given questions in IELTS Reading with ex-IELTS examiner Robert.

The two types of reading test questions a lot of IELTS test-takers find tricky are the True – False and Not Given questions. 

We often see a variation of the True/False/Not Given statement in the second or third reading passage namely, Yes/No/Not Given when you are asked to compare a series of statements with the author’s claims or views. 

In other words, we have here two quite distinct purposes behind these two question types. 

What is a True-False question in IELTS Reading?

In true or false reading questions, we have to look at the factual information in the text and ask ourselves the following question:

Is there evidence to confirm that the statement is true or does it contradict what is written and is therefore false? 

This type of question is often used at the beginning of the reading test. This suggests that it shouldn’t be that hard. The reading texts and the questions based on them get progressively more difficult. 

So, what’s the problem here? Most people agree that it’s the Not Given option. 

What is a Not Given question in IELTS Reading?

What happens is that the Not Given statement will contain some information which is mentioned in the text but it is not enough to determine if the entire statement is either true or false. This is done quite simply by using words – phrases that are in the text itself. 

In theory, it looks like a simple enough task. As the test taker, you must ask yourself:

Is there sufficient information in the text so we can neither confirm nor deny it?

What we also see is the mention of something that we might expect to find in the text but in fact, isn’t there at all. 

Realizing that something is not there, that it’s Not Given requires a little more effort than just the binary true-false options. You have to make sure and do a double check to be certain you are right. 

Sample True-False Question and Answer

Let’s take an example. It comes from the Cambridge IELTS 16 test collection, in particular Test 3, Reading Passage 1, questions 1 to 5. 

Here are the first two questions:

* The Romans’ shipbuilding skills were passed on to the Greeks and the Egyptians.

* Skilled craftsmen were needed for the mortise and tenon method of fixing planks.

Here’s how to approach the reading test. It’s a question of exam technique. Moving from question type and question statement to the text. Skimming the text for a general impression, scanning it for specific details and, most importantly, knowing exactly where in the text to find the information you need. 

In this case, it’s right there from the start. Questions 1 to 5. 

Well in question 1, the grammatical relationship between the Subject (The Romans’ shipbuilding skills), verb (were passed on to) and object (the Greeks and the Egyptians). So, who did the “passing on “of these skills? Well, the Romans. The verb is passive but it’s because it’s the “skills<” we’re talking about. So, it was the Romans who “passed on”, that is, gave or taught, these skills “to” others, namely, the Greeks and the Egyptians. 

Does the text say that?

In the next question, the verb is also passive but the point perhaps here is in the connection between this strange method of fixing planks and the need for skilled craftsmen to do it. Every word counts sometimes. We place so much stress in IELTS reading on speed and skimming but it is important here with this type of question to weigh the significance of each word. 

Read the relevant part of the text below.

So, question 1 is FALSE. A simple case of being the other way around. The Romans didn’t pass their knowledge on to the Greeks and Egyptians.