Part 1: What is True/False/Not Given Question Type in IELTS Academic Reading?
The True/False/Not Given (TFNG) question type is one of the most common and challenging question types in the IELTS Academic Reading section. It tests a candidate’s ability to understand factual information and distinguish between what is explicitly stated, what is contradicted, and what is not mentioned at all in the text.
🔹 What You’re Asked to Do:
You are presented with several statements, and you must determine if each statement:
TRUE – The statement agrees with the information in the passage.
FALSE – The statement contradicts the information in the passage.
NOT GIVEN – The statement is not mentioned or cannot be confirmed based on the information in the passage.
These questions are based only on the information provided in the text — you should not use your own knowledge or assumptions.
🔍 TFNG vs. YES/NO/NOT GIVEN:
While both question types are similar in structure, they test slightly different things:
| Type | What is being tested? | Example Topic |
|---|---|---|
| True/False/Not Given | Facts or information | Scientific data, historical events |
| Yes/No/Not Given | Writer’s opinion or belief | Author’s argument or viewpoint |
✅ Definitions Summarized:
TRUE – The information in the passage directly supports the statement.
FALSE – The passage clearly contradicts the statement.
NOT GIVEN – The passage does not provide enough information to judge whether the statement is true or false.
📌 Key Features:
The questions follow the order of the text, so answers to earlier questions appear before those to later ones.
The statements are often paraphrased — not exact copies from the passage.
The NOT GIVEN option is especially tricky, as students often assume something is mentioned when it isn’t.
🧠 Skills Tested:
Skimming and scanning
Matching paraphrased language
Distinguishing explicit and implicit information
Critical reading and logic-based judgment
Part 2: How to Approach True/False/Not Given Questions in IELTS Academic Reading
Successfully answering True/False/Not Given (TFNG) questions requires careful reading, logic, and the ability to spot paraphrasing. Below is a clear step-by-step method, followed by a fully explained example.
✅ Step-by-Step Strategy:
Step 1: Read the Statement Carefully
Understand what the statement is saying.
Identify the key information or claim.
Watch for qualifiers (like all, some, only, always, never, etc.), which often change the meaning.
Step 2: Find the Relevant Section in the Passage
Use keywords from the statement to locate the correct paragraph.
Scan the passage using names, numbers, dates, and topic-specific vocabulary.
Step 3: Match the Meaning, Not Just Words
Look for paraphrased sentences in the passage.
Do not expect exact word matches.
Focus on whether the meaning of the statement is confirmed, denied, or not addressed.
Step 4: Decide the Answer
Use the logic below:
| Statement vs Passage | Answer |
|---|---|
| Information agrees with the passage | TRUE |
| Information contradicts the passage | FALSE |
| Information is not mentioned or cannot be determined | NOT GIVEN |
📝 Example Passage (Shortened for Explanation):
“Many researchers believe that eating breakfast improves cognitive function. However, some recent studies suggest that skipping breakfast occasionally does not significantly harm performance.”
🔍 Example TFNG Statements with Explanations:
Statement 1: All researchers agree that eating breakfast is essential for brain function.
Key Word: All
Passage Says: “Many researchers believe…”
Analysis: “Many” ≠ “All”. This is an overgeneralization.
Answer: ❌ FALSE (the passage contradicts the idea that all researchers agree)
Statement 2: Some studies suggest that skipping breakfast may not harm mental performance.
Passage Says: “…some recent studies suggest that skipping breakfast occasionally does not significantly harm performance.”
Analysis: This directly supports the statement.
Answer: ✅ TRUE
Statement 3: Children who eat breakfast score higher on math tests than those who skip it.
Passage Says: No mention of children or test scores.
Analysis: This is an example of information not mentioned at all.
Answer: ❓ NOT GIVEN
🧠 Common Traps to Avoid:
Assuming knowledge: Base your answer only on the text, not your opinions or prior knowledge.
Misreading paraphrases: “Some scientists” ≠ “All scientists”; “unlikely” ≠ “impossible.”
Confusing TRUE with NOT GIVEN: Just because a statement seems likely doesn’t mean it’s supported by the passage.
✅ Quick Tips for Success:
Pay attention to absolute words (always, never, only) — they often lead to FALSE.
If you’re unsure, ask yourself: “Is this directly stated or clearly implied?”
Don’t overthink NOT GIVEN — If you can’t prove the statement is true or false, it’s likely NOT GIVEN.
Part 3: IELTS Reading Passage with True/False/Not Given Questions
📘 Reading Passage: The Impact of Urban Green Spaces on Public Health
Urban areas around the world are rapidly expanding, with more than half of the global population now living in cities. As urbanization intensifies, planners and policymakers are increasingly turning their attention to the benefits of green spaces—parks, gardens, green rooftops, and tree-lined streets—for public health.
A growing body of research has demonstrated the positive effects of green spaces on both physical and mental well-being. Access to greenery has been linked to lower stress levels, reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, and increased opportunities for physical activity. Even passive exposure—such as having a view of trees from a window—has been shown to contribute to improved mood and cognitive performance.
The mechanisms through which green spaces exert their health benefits are varied. Firstly, they can act as natural air filters, trapping pollutants and improving air quality. Secondly, vegetation provides shade and lowers urban temperatures, which helps prevent heat-related illnesses. Lastly, green environments encourage social interactions and community engagement, which are associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety.
Despite these benefits, access to green spaces is not evenly distributed. Lower-income neighborhoods often have fewer and smaller green areas compared to wealthier districts. This inequality raises concerns about environmental justice, as residents in underserved communities may not receive the same health advantages.
In response, some cities have introduced policies that mandate the inclusion of green infrastructure in new developments. These initiatives aim not only to improve aesthetics but also to promote health equity. However, critics argue that simply increasing the number of green areas is insufficient if they are not maintained or if they displace vulnerable populations due to rising property values—a phenomenon known as “green gentrification.”
📝 True/False/Not Given Questions
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading 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
More than half of the world’s people now live in urban areas.
Green spaces must be large in size to produce measurable health benefits.
Looking at nature from indoors can have a positive psychological effect.
One reason green spaces help is because they absorb harmful pollutants.
Rich and poor neighborhoods typically have equal access to green spaces.
Some critics say green infrastructure might lead to rising living costs in some areas.
Every city now requires green roofs in all new buildings.
Part 4: Explanation of Answers for True/False/Not Given Questions
✅ Statement 1: More than half of the world’s people now live in urban areas.
🔍 Locate in Passage:
“Urban areas around the world are rapidly expanding, with more than half of the global population now living in cities.”
🧠 Analysis:
This is a direct match to the sentence in the passage. The key phrase “more than half of the global population” aligns exactly.
✅ Answer: TRUE
❌ Statement 2: Green spaces must be large in size to produce measurable health benefits.
🔍 Locate in Passage:
Nowhere in the passage does it say that green spaces must be large to be beneficial.
🧠 Analysis:
The passage states that even passive exposure (e.g., seeing trees from a window) can benefit health. This suggests size is not necessarily a factor. However, it doesn’t directly mention anything about size being a requirement for benefits.
❓ Answer: NOT GIVEN
✅ Statement 3: Looking at nature from indoors can have a positive psychological effect.
🔍 Locate in Passage:
“…Even passive exposure—such as having a view of trees from a window—has been shown to contribute to improved mood and cognitive performance.”
🧠 Analysis:
This clearly supports the statement. “Looking at nature from indoors” = “having a view of trees from a window.”
✅ Answer: TRUE
✅ Statement 4: One reason green spaces help is because they absorb harmful pollutants.
🔍 Locate in Passage:
“…they can act as natural air filters, trapping pollutants and improving air quality.”
🧠 Analysis:
“Trapping pollutants” = absorbing harmful pollutants. The idea is clearly confirmed.
✅ Answer: TRUE
❌ Statement 5: Rich and poor neighborhoods typically have equal access to green spaces.
🔍 Locate in Passage:
“Lower-income neighborhoods often have fewer and smaller green areas compared to wealthier districts.”
🧠 Analysis:
This directly contradicts the statement. The passage says access is unequal, not equal.
❌ Answer: FALSE
✅ Statement 6: Some critics say green infrastructure might lead to rising living costs in some areas.
🔍 Locate in Passage:
“…if they displace vulnerable populations due to rising property values—a phenomenon known as ‘green gentrification.’”
🧠 Analysis:
Rising property values = rising living costs. Critics are mentioned, and this negative consequence is explicitly linked to their concern.
✅ Answer: TRUE
❓ Statement 7: Every city now requires green roofs in all new buildings.
🔍 Locate in Passage:
“Some cities have introduced policies that mandate the inclusion of green infrastructure in new developments.”
🧠 Analysis:
The passage says some cities, not every city, and it does not say green roofs are required in all new buildings. This information is not fully stated or confirmed.
❓ Answer: NOT GIVEN
✅ Summary of Correct Answers:
| No. | Statement | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | More than half of the world’s people now live in urban areas. | TRUE |
| 2 | Green spaces must be large in size to produce measurable health benefits. | NOT GIVEN |
| 3 | Looking at nature from indoors can have a positive psychological effect. | TRUE |
| 4 | One reason green spaces help is because they absorb harmful pollutants. | TRUE |
| 5 | Rich and poor neighborhoods typically have equal access to green spaces. | FALSE |
| 6 | Some critics say green infrastructure might lead to rising living costs in some areas. | TRUE |
| 7 | Every city now requires green roofs in all new buildings. | NOT GIVEN |
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