Why TFNG is So Difficult
True/False/Not Given is consistently the most misunderstood question type in IELTS Reading. The problem is that students confuse False and Not Given — and this single mistake can cost 3–4 marks per test.
TRUE
The statement agrees with the information in the passage
FALSE
The statement contradicts the information in the passage
NOT GIVEN
There is no information about this in the passage — it is neither confirmed nor denied
The 3-Step Method
1. Identify the key claim in the statement
What is the statement actually saying? Underline the main subject and the claim being made about it.
2. Find the relevant section in the passage
Use keywords from the statement to locate the relevant paragraph. Read only that section carefully — do not read the whole passage.
3. Compare the statement to the passage
Does the passage say the same thing (TRUE)? Does it say the opposite (FALSE)? Does it not mention this at all (NOT GIVEN)? If you cannot find any information about the claim, it is NOT GIVEN — even if it seems likely.
The Golden Rule for NOT GIVEN
If the passage does not explicitly confirm OR deny the statement, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
Your general knowledge is irrelevant. Your opinion is irrelevant. Only what is written in the passage matters. If you cannot find the information, do not guess FALSE — choose NOT GIVEN.
Common Traps to Avoid
- Trap: The statement uses a word from the passage, so it must be TRUE. → Wrong — always check the meaning, not just the words.
- Trap: The statement sounds reasonable/logical, so it must be TRUE. → Wrong — only what the passage says counts.
- Trap: The passage doesn't mention it, so it must be FALSE. → Wrong — if it's not mentioned, it's NOT GIVEN.
- Trap: Reading the whole passage for every question. → Wrong — use keywords to locate the relevant section only.