IELTS Reading: True/False/Not Given vs Yes/No/Not Given

True/False/Not Given (T/F/NG) and Yes/No/Not Given (Y/N/NG) are two distinct question types in IELTS Academic Reading that test your ability to identify information and distinguish between fact and opinion.

True/False/Not Given assesses whether statements agree with factual information presented in the passage. Choose True when the statement matches the passage facts exactly. Select False when the statement contradicts the passage. Pick Not Given when the information is neither confirmed nor contradicted—the passage is silent on this specific detail.

Yes/No/Not Given evaluates whether statements match the writer's views, claims, or opinions. Answer Yes when the statement reflects the author's expressed viewpoint. Choose No when the statement contradicts the writer's perspective. Select Not Given when the author's opinion on this matter isn't stated or implied.

Key Distinction Formula: T/F/NG = Facts from text | Y/N/NG = Author's opinions/claims

Command Words Matter: Questions asking "Do the following statements agree with the information in the text?" require T/F/NG. Questions asking "Do the following statements agree with the views/claims of the writer?" require Y/N/NG.

Memory Aid (FAVO): Facts = T/F/NG | Author's Views/Opinions = Y/N/NG

Both question types demand precise reading and no assumptions beyond the text. You must base answers strictly on what is written, not general knowledge or logical deductions. The Not Given option is crucial—never guess True/Yes or False/No when information is absent.

Think of T/F/NG as a courtroom presenting evidence: Did this event happen? The passage is your only evidence file. If the file says "The experiment occurred in 2015," and the statement says "The experiment happened in 2015," it's True. If it says "happened in 2016," it's False. If the date isn't mentioned at all, it's Not Given—even if logically it could have been 2015.

Y/N/NG functions like a journalist analyzing an opinion column. Does the columnist believe climate change is urgent? If they write "immediate action is essential," answer Yes. If they argue "concerns are exaggerated," answer No. If they discuss climate data without expressing personal urgency, answer Not Given.

Real-World Parallel: Reading a product review (Y/N/NG) versus checking technical specifications (T/F/NG). The specs list "Battery life: 10 hours" (factual). The reviewer writes "This battery performance is disappointing" (opinion).

Statement: "The battery lasts 10 hours" → Check specs = T/F/NG Statement: "The reviewer finds the battery adequate" → Check review opinion = Y/N/NG

Analogy: T/F/NG is like checking if your friend actually went to the cinema (fact). Y/N/NG is like determining if your friend enjoyed the film (opinion).

Critical Insight: Not Given doesn't mean "probably true" or "could be inferred." The passage must explicitly state or clearly imply the information. Inference based on logic or world knowledge earns zero marks.