IELTS Reading: IELTS Reading: True / False / Not Given Practice Questions
Test yourself on IELTS Reading: True / False / Not Given with 13 original IELTS practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
Free original practice questions for study purposes. Open Exam Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the makers of IELTS.
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Answer the questions below — you get instant feedback and a full explanation for each.
1. In True/False/Not Given questions, what does the answer 'False' specifically mean?
Explanation. 'False' means the statement directly contradicts what the passage states. 'True' means it agrees, and 'Not Given' means there is no information to confirm or contradict it. Choosing 'False' when the topic is simply absent is a common error—absence means 'Not Given', not 'False'.
2. A passage states: 'The museum opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays.' The statement to assess is: 'The museum opens at 9 a.m. every day.' What is the correct answer?
Explanation. The passage limits opening to weekdays, but the statement claims 'every day', which would include weekends. This goes beyond and contradicts the specific information given, so the answer is False. Watch for overgeneralising words like 'every', 'all', and 'always'.
3. A passage states: 'Dr Lee published three books on marine biology.' The statement is: 'Dr Lee enjoyed writing her books.' What is the correct answer?
Explanation. The passage tells us she published books but says nothing about whether she enjoyed the process. Since there is no information to confirm or contradict her enjoyment, the answer is Not Given. Do not assume feelings or motives that the text does not state.
4. Which strategy is MOST reliable for finding the relevant part of the passage for a True/False/Not Given statement?
Explanation. True/False/Not Given questions generally follow the order of the passage, so scanning for keywords and their paraphrases locates the relevant section efficiently. Using outside knowledge is forbidden, and defaulting to 'Not Given' when unsure is a guessing habit that lowers accuracy.
5. What is the key difference between True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given question types in IELTS Reading?
Explanation. True/False/Not Given is used for factual statements in the text, whereas Yes/No/Not Given targets the writer's opinions, views, or claims. The decision process is otherwise identical (agrees / contradicts / no information). Both appear in Academic and General Training tests.
6. A passage states: 'Renewable energy now accounts for 30% of the country's electricity.' The statement is: 'Renewable energy provides less than half of the country's electricity.' What is the correct answer?
Explanation. 30% is logically less than half (50%), so the statement agrees with the information and is True. This tests whether you can make a simple, safe logical inference based directly on the figure given. The deduction is mathematical and unavoidable, not an outside assumption.
7. Why is it risky to answer 'True' based on partial keyword matching alone?
Explanation. Examiners deliberately reuse keywords from a statement while changing the meaning (e.g., reversing cause and effect, adding a qualifier, or negating). You must read the full sentence and confirm the meaning matches, not just spot familiar words. This is a classic trap leading to wrong 'True' answers.
8. A passage states: 'Some experts believe the bridge could last 100 years, although others disagree.' The statement is: 'All experts agree the bridge will last 100 years.' What is the correct answer?
Explanation. The passage explicitly says 'others disagree', which directly contradicts the claim that 'all experts agree'. Because the text states the opposite, the answer is False, not Not Given. The word 'all' makes the statement contradict the partial agreement described.
9. Which of the following best describes when you should choose 'Not Given'?
Explanation. 'Not Given' applies only when the passage provides no information to either support or refute the statement. Different wording (paraphrasing) is normal and does not make something 'Not Given'. Personal disagreement is irrelevant in this task.
10. A passage states: 'The factory reduced emissions by improving its filters.' The statement is: 'The factory increased its emissions.' What is the correct answer?
Explanation. The passage says emissions were reduced, while the statement claims they increased—a direct contradiction. Therefore the answer is False. When the text states the opposite of the statement, the answer is always False, never Not Given.
11. Why must candidates avoid relying on prior knowledge in True/False/Not Given questions?
Explanation. The task assesses comprehension of the given text only. A statement may be true in reality but still be 'Not Given' if the passage doesn't mention it, or even 'False' if the passage contradicts established facts. Always answer strictly from the passage.
12. A passage states: 'The survey was conducted in 2018 with 2,000 participants.' The statement is: 'More than 1,500 people took part in the survey.' What is the correct answer?
Explanation. 2,000 participants is greater than 1,500, so the statement directly agrees with the figure given and the answer is True. This is a safe numerical inference based wholly on the data stated, not on outside assumptions.
13. In an exam, what is the recommended approach if, after careful reading, you genuinely cannot find any related information for a statement?
Explanation. If you have searched the relevant area (questions follow text order) and found nothing that supports or contradicts the statement, 'Not Given' is the logical choice. Never leave answers blank—there is no penalty for wrong answers in IELTS, so always commit to a response.
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FAQ
What is the difference between 'False' and 'Not Given'?
'False' means the passage clearly contradicts the statement—the text says the opposite. 'Not Given' means the passage contains no information to confirm OR contradict the statement. The most common mistake is marking something 'False' when the topic is simply absent; absence equals 'Not Given'.
Do the questions follow the order of the passage?
Yes, True/False/Not Given (and Yes/No/Not Given) statements almost always appear in the same order as the information in the text. This means after finding the answer to question 3, the answer to question 4 will be located further down. Use this to scan efficiently rather than re-reading the whole passage each time.
How can I avoid the keyword trap?
Examiners reuse words from the statement while changing the meaning—through negation, qualifiers (some/all/always), or reversed cause-and-effect. Don't just match words; read the full sentence in the passage and check whether the complete meaning agrees, contradicts, or is absent. Pay special attention to limiting words like 'only', 'every', and 'never'.