Guide to IELTS Reading True False Not Given Questions

True/False/Not Given (TFNG) questions in the IELTS Reading section check your ability to find and understand specific information in a text. Let's look closer at strategies designed for these question types.

Simple Strategies for TFNG Questions

1. Quick Reading

Before looking at the TFNG statements, quickly read through the text to understand its main idea and layout. This step is important for finding information later. Look for titles, main sentences, and any bold or repeated words to get the main idea of each paragraph.

2. Understanding the Statement

Read each TFNG statement carefully. Understanding the exact claim being made is very important. Pay attention to the small details in the language used. Sometimes, a small detail in the statement can change its meaning completely.

3. Focused Searching

When looking at the TFNG statements, focus on finding the specific parts of the text that match each statement. This process is made easier by finding and using good keywords. Good keywords are those parts of a statement that are clear and less likely to be changed. These include:

• Names: Special to people, places, or things.

• Dates and Numbers: Specific figures or time references.

• Hard Words: Uncommon or technical terms that are less likely to have synonyms.

After finding these keywords, use a smart scanning method. Reading from left to right can put your brain on 'auto-pilot', leading to missing important details. Instead, try scanning the text in a zig-zag pattern, moving from right to left. This different movement helps keep your brain actively involved in searching for the keywords, which increases your chances of finding the right information. This method is especially useful for quickly going through large texts while keeping a high level of focus and efficiency.

Scanning Exercise: Keyword Practice

Now, let's test your scanning skills with a short exercise. Below are three keywords. Your task is to scan an IELTS reading paragraph to find these keywords. Remember to use the zig-zag scanning method from right to left to improve your focus.

Keywords to Scan:

• Everest (a name)

• 1953 (a date)

• Oxygen (a technical term)

"In the 20th century, many teams have tried to climb various mountains. One of the most famous was the 1953 British Expedition to Mount Everest, which was an important event in climbing history. This journey was not only special for its goal but also for the use of extra oxygen, which had caused debate among climbers. While some argued that using oxygen took away from the true nature of the climb, others pointed out the increased safety and lower chance of altitude sickness it gave. In contrast, the 1978 climb of Everest by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler, without the help of oxygen, changed these views and set new standards for high-altitude climbing. Besides Everest, other mountains like K2 and Kangchenjunga have also been studied by various teams, especially in understanding the geological and environmental aspects unique to these tall giants."

Now, try to find the keywords. Remember to focus on how well you can find these specific words using the zig-zag scanning technique. This exercise is meant to improve your ability to quickly and accurately find important information in a text.

4. Close Comparison

When you find the right part of the text, compare it carefully with the statement. Look for exactness in the information given. Be careful with data, names, places, and any measurable information. The key is in the details.

5. Understanding Rewording with Examples

In the IELTS Reading section, rewording is a common method used to test understanding. It involves saying the same idea in different words. Recognizing rewording is key to understanding the true meaning of a statement. Here are two examples to show rewording in IELTS texts:

Example 1: Rewording a Concept

• Original Statement: "Air pollution greatly adds to breathing problems."

• Reworded in Text: "Pollutants in the air are a major cause of breathing issues."

• Analysis: The original statement's idea about air pollution causing breathing problems is rephrased in the text. Although the words are different, the main idea is the same.

Example 2: Rewording Statistical Information

• Original Statement: "More than 50% of the city's people use public transport."

• Reworded in Text: "Most of the people in the city use buses and trains for their daily travel."

• Analysis: Here, the specific number (over 50%) is reworded as "most." The type of transport, "public transport," is further explained as "buses and trains." The main idea of the statement is kept, even though the wording is changed.

Recognizing such rewording is very important. It involves understanding synonyms, changed sentences, and the ability to see when different words mean the same thing. This skill is especially important for TFNG questions, as the answer depends on whether the reworded text supports or contradicts the statement.

6. Importance of Absolutes and Qualifiers in TFNG Questions

In TFNG questions, understanding the meaning of absolutes and qualifiers is very important. Absolutes are strong words like "all," "never," or "only," while qualifiers are softer terms like "some," "often," or "usually." The use of these words can greatly affect the answer. Here are two examples to show how

Example 1: Effect of an Absolute

• Original Statement: "All birds can fly."

• Text Excerpt: "While most bird types can fly, some, like penguins and ostriches, cannot."

• Analysis: The absolute word "all" in the statement is contradicted by the text mentioning exceptions (penguins and ostriches). Therefore, the presence of the absolute makes the statement False.

Example 2: Effect of a Qualifier

• Original Statement: "Some mammals are known to live in water."

• Text Excerpt: "Mammals like dolphins and whales spend their whole lives in the water."

• Analysis: The qualifier "some" in the statement is supported by the text's examples of dolphins and whales. This makes the statement True, as the qualifier allows for exceptions and does not demand universality.

Recognizing the presence and importance of absolutes and qualifiers helps in accurately understanding TFNG statements. An absolute needs complete agreement or disagreement, while a qualifier adds some flexibility. This understanding is important for deciding if a statement is true or false based on the text.

7. Handling 'Not Given'

If no part of the text clearly agrees or disagrees with the statement, it is 'Not Given'. Do not depend on your background knowledge or guesses. If the text does not clearly address the statement, it's safer to choose 'Not Given'.

More Examples

To better show these strategies, let's look at more examples:

Example 1: True (Close Comparison)

• Statement: "Acupuncture is over a thousand years old."

• Text Excerpt: "...acupuncture, an old practice that goes back at least 1000 years..."

• Analysis: Despite different wording, the text agrees with the statement's claim about acupuncture's age. It's True.

Example 2: False (Identifying Absolutes)

• Statement: "All polar bears are found in the Arctic region."

• Text Excerpt: "Polar bears are mainly found in the Arctic, but some have been seen in areas south of the Arctic Circle."

• Analysis: The statement's absolute word "all" is contradicted by the text mentioning exceptions. Therefore, it's False.

Example 3: Not Given (Understanding Rewording)

• Statement: "Climate change is the biggest threat to rainforests."

• Text Excerpt: "Rainforests face many threats, including cutting down trees and wildlife extinction."

• Analysis: The text lists threats to rainforests but does not say climate change is the biggest threat, nor does it mention it directly. Therefore, the answer is Not Given.

Example 4: Statement with Mixed Information

• Statement: "The city of Atlantis was found in the Atlantic Ocean in the 20th century."

• Text Excerpt: "Atlantis, a mythical city mentioned by Plato, has been a subject of interest, but its existence has never been proven."

• Analysis: The statement has two parts: the location of Atlantis (Atlantic Ocean) and its finding in the 20th century. The text only talks about the existence of Atlantis, suggesting it is mythical and not yet proven to be real, making no mention of its finding or location. The first part of the statement (location) is 'Not Given', as the text doesn't tell where Atlantis is thought to be. The second part (finding in the 20th century) is 'False', as the text suggests it has not been found. In such cases where part of the statement is false and another part is not given, the final answer is 'False'. The presence of any false element in the statement makes it false overall.

Final Tips

• Regular Practice with Different Texts: Reading different types of texts and questions is important for improving your skills.

• Time Management Skills: Use your time wisely. Spending too long on one question can cost you valuable time for others.

• Objective Answering: Your answers should be based only on the information in the text.

With these focused strategies and regular practice, you'll be better prepared to handle the TFNG questions in the IELTS Reading section. Remember, accuracy and a sharp eye for details are your best tools in this part of the exam. Good luck in your studies!