If you are preparing for IELTS Academic Reading, you may have come across two question types that look almost identical: Yes / No / Not Given and True / False / Not Given.

Both require you to read a passage, compare statements with the information provided, and decide whether each statement is supported by the text. Both also include the challenging Not Given option, which often causes confusion for candidates.

However, there is one important difference: True / False / Not Given questions test your understanding of factual information, while Yes / No / Not Given questions focus on the writer’s views, claims or opinions.

Understanding this distinction can help you avoid choosing an answer based on your personal knowledge or assumptions rather than the passage.

In this guide, you will learn the difference between IELTS Yes No Not Given and True False Not Given, how to identify the correct answer, and how to avoid common mistakes. You will also find practical examples and a short exercise to help you improve your IELTS Reading performance.

What Is the Difference Between Yes No Not Given and True False Not Given?

The main difference is the type of information you need to evaluate.

• True / False / Not Given: You compare statements with factual information in the passage.
• Yes / No / Not Given: You compare statements with the writer’s views, opinions or claims.

Although the answer options are similar, the two question types assess different aspects of reading comprehension.

Quick Comparison

Feature	True / False / Not Given	Yes / No / Not Given
Main focus	Factual information	Writer’s views, opinions or claims
What you compare	Statements against facts in the passage	Statements against the writer’s position
TRUE / YES	The statement agrees with the passage	The statement agrees with the writer’s view
FALSE / NO	The statement contradicts the passage	The statement contradicts the writer’s view
NOT GIVEN	The passage does not provide enough information	The writer’s position is not stated clearly enough
Common challenge	Distinguishing contradiction from missing information	Identifying the writer’s actual opinion

The most important thing to remember is that True and False relate to information, while Yes and No relate to the writer’s position.

What Is IELTS Reading True False Not Given?

True / False / Not Given is a question type in which you decide whether statements agree with the factual information presented in a reading passage.

You will usually see three possible answers:

• TRUE
• FALSE
• NOT GIVEN

Your task is to compare each statement with the information in the text.

When Should You Choose TRUE?

Choose TRUE when the statement agrees with the factual information in the passage.

The wording does not need to be identical. IELTS often uses synonyms, paraphrasing and different sentence structures.

Example:

Passage:

“Researchers began the experiment in 2018.”

Statement:

“The experiment started in 2018.”

Answer: TRUE

The statement expresses the same information as the passage.

When Should You Choose FALSE?

Choose FALSE when the statement contradicts the information in the passage.

A contradiction means that the text provides information that conflicts with the statement.

Example:

Passage:

“Researchers began the experiment in 2018.”

Statement:

“The experiment started in 2016.”

Answer: FALSE

The passage clearly states that the experiment started in 2018, not 2016.

When Should You Choose NOT GIVEN?

Choose NOT GIVEN when the passage does not provide enough information to confirm or contradict the statement.

This is one of the most misunderstood answers in IELTS Reading.

Example:

Passage:

“Researchers began the experiment in 2018.”

Statement:

“The experiment involved 200 participants.”

Answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage provides the starting date but does not mention the number of participants.

You cannot assume that the statement is true or false based on information that is not included.

What Is IELTS Reading Yes No Not Given?

Yes / No / Not Given questions follow a similar format, but they focus on the writer’s views, opinions or claims rather than simply checking factual information.

The possible answers are:

• YES
• NO
• NOT GIVEN

You need to identify what the writer actually believes, argues or claims.

When Should You Choose YES?

Choose YES when the statement agrees with the writer’s expressed opinion or position.

Example:

Passage:

“The writer believes that public transport should receive greater investment because it can reduce traffic congestion.”

Statement:

“The writer supports increasing investment in public transport.”

Answer: YES

The statement accurately reflects the writer’s position.

When Should You Choose NO?

Choose NO when the statement contradicts the writer’s expressed view.

Example:

Passage:

“The writer believes that public transport should receive greater investment because it can reduce traffic congestion.”

Statement:

“The writer believes that investment in public transport should be reduced.”

Answer: NO

The statement expresses the opposite of the writer’s position.

When Should You Choose NOT GIVEN?

Choose NOT GIVEN when the writer’s opinion on the specific issue is not stated clearly enough in the passage.

Example:

Passage:

“The writer believes that public transport should receive greater investment because it can reduce traffic congestion.”

Statement:

“The writer believes that public transport should be free for all passengers.”

Answer: NOT GIVEN

The writer supports greater investment, but the passage does not explain whether public transport should be free.

Do not confuse a related opinion with an answer to the exact statement.

IELTS Yes No Not Given vs True False Not Given: Examples

The easiest way to understand the difference is to compare examples of both question types.

Example 1: Factual Information

Passage:

“The city introduced its new recycling programme in 2021. The programme initially covered five residential districts.”

Statement:

“The recycling programme was introduced in 2021.”

Answer: TRUE

The statement agrees with the factual information.

Statement:

“The programme initially covered eight residential districts.”

Answer: FALSE

The passage states that it covered five districts, which contradicts the statement.

Statement:

“The programme was funded by the national government.”

Answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage does not mention who funded the programme.

These are examples of True / False / Not Given questions because they test factual details.

Example 2: The Writer’s Opinion

Passage:

“In my view, cities should invest more in public parks. Although these spaces require maintenance, their contribution to residents’ quality of life makes them a worthwhile investment.”

Statement:

“The writer believes that cities should spend more money on public parks.”

Answer: YES

The statement agrees with the writer’s opinion.

Statement:

“The writer believes that maintaining public parks is a waste of public money.”

Answer: NO

The writer acknowledges maintenance costs but considers public parks a worthwhile investment.

Statement:

“The writer believes that public parks should remain open throughout the night.”

Answer: NOT GIVEN

The writer does not express an opinion about opening hours.

These are Yes / No / Not Given questions because they ask you to identify the writer’s position.

How to Identify Which Question Type You Are Answering

Before reading the passage in detail, look carefully at the instructions.

This is the simplest way to avoid confusing the two question types.

Look at the Answer Options

If the instructions ask you to choose TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN, you are answering a factual-information question.

If they ask you to choose YES, NO or NOT GIVEN, you are evaluating the writer’s views or claims.

Read the Instructions Carefully

IELTS questions usually explain what the statements refer to.

For example:

True / False / Not Given

“Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?”

Yes / No / Not Given

“Do the following statements agree with the views or claims of the writer?”

The wording tells you what you need to evaluate.

Identify the Focus of the Statement

Look for clues that indicate whether a statement concerns a fact or an opinion.

Factual Information	Writer’s View or Opinion
Dates and times	The writer believes…
Numbers and measurements	The writer argues…
Locations	The writer supports…
Historical events	The writer opposes…
Research findings	The writer considers…
Descriptions of processes	The writer suggests…

These are useful clues, but do not rely on individual words alone. Always follow the question instructions.

How to Answer IELTS True False Not Given Questions

A systematic approach can help you locate relevant information and make accurate decisions.

Step 1: Read the Statement Carefully

Identify the key information in the statement.

For example:

“All employees received additional training in 2022.”

Important elements include:

• All employees
• Received training
• Additional training
• In 2022

Pay particular attention to words that limit or change the meaning, such as:

• All
• Some
• Only
• Always
• Never
• Before
• After
• More
• Less

A small difference in wording can change the correct answer.

Step 2: Find the Relevant Part of the Passage

Use keywords and synonyms to locate the information.

The passage may not repeat the exact words used in the statement.

For example:

• Statement: “received additional training”
• Passage: “participated in further professional development sessions”

The wording is different, but the meaning may be similar.

Step 3: Compare the Meanings

Once you find the relevant information, compare it with the statement.

Ask yourself:

• Does the passage support the statement?
• Does the passage directly contradict it?
• Is the information missing?

Do not choose an answer simply because the statement sounds reasonable.

Step 4: Choose the Correct Option

Use this decision process:

• If the passage confirms the statement, choose TRUE.
• If the passage contradicts the statement, choose FALSE.
• If the passage does not provide enough information, choose NOT GIVEN.

Step 5: Check for Small Differences

Before finalising your answer, check whether the statement changes:

• A number
• A date
• A location
• A comparison
• A quantity
• A cause or result
• The strength of a claim

These details frequently determine whether a statement is true or false.

How to Answer IELTS Yes No Not Given Questions

Yes / No / Not Given questions require you to understand the writer’s position, which may be expressed directly or through the way an argument is developed.

Step 1: Identify the Writer’s Main Position

Look for sentences that express opinions, arguments or recommendations.

Useful expressions include:

• I believe that…
• In my view…
• The writer argues that…
• It is essential to…
• The evidence suggests that…
• This approach should…
• It would be better to…

Remember that an opinion may also be expressed without an obvious phrase such as “I believe”.

Step 2: Find the Relevant Argument

Locate the paragraph or section that discusses the issue in the statement.

Read the surrounding sentences, not just one isolated line. The writer may explain or qualify an opinion elsewhere in the paragraph.

Step 3: Identify Agreement or Contradiction

Compare the statement with the writer’s actual position.

For example:

Writer’s view:

“Governments should encourage cycling by investing in safer roads.”

Statement:

“The writer supports government investment in cycling infrastructure.”

Answer: YES

The statement expresses the same position.

If the statement says that the writer opposes investment in cycling infrastructure, the answer would be NO.

Step 4: Avoid Adding Your Own Opinion

Your personal beliefs do not matter when answering IELTS Reading questions.

You may strongly agree or disagree with the writer, but your answer must reflect the passage.

Step 5: Choose NOT GIVEN When the View Is Missing

If the writer discusses a topic but does not express a clear position on the specific issue in the statement, choose NOT GIVEN.

Do not assume that the writer supports every idea related to a subject.

How to Distinguish FALSE from NOT GIVEN

This is one of the most important skills in both question types.

Many candidates understand the passage but still lose marks because they confuse a contradiction with missing information.

The difference is straightforward:

FALSE means the passage provides information that contradicts the statement. NOT GIVEN means the passage does not provide enough information to decide.

Consider the following examples.

Example 1: FALSE

Passage:

“The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday.”

Statement:

“The museum is open every day of the week.”

Answer: FALSE

The passage states that the museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, not every day.

Example 2: NOT GIVEN

Passage:

“The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday.”

Statement:

“Entry to the museum is free for children.”

Answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage does not mention admission prices or children’s entry.

Example 3: A Subtle Difference

Passage:

“Most students completed the online course within three months.”

Statement:

“All students completed the online course within three months.”

Answer: FALSE

The passage says “most”, while the statement says “all”. These expressions do not mean the same thing, and the passage contradicts the statement’s claim about every student.

Example 4: Related Information Is Not Enough

Passage:

“The university introduced a new scholarship for international students.”

Statement:

“The scholarship covers all accommodation expenses.”

Answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage confirms that a scholarship exists, but it does not explain what expenses it covers.

The key lesson is to look for direct evidence, not information that is merely related to the statement.

Common Traps in IELTS Yes No Not Given and True False Not Given

Understanding the question types is only part of the challenge. You also need to recognise the wording patterns that can lead to incorrect answers.

1. Absolute Words

Words such as “all”, “every”, “always”, “never” and “only” can make a statement much stronger than the passage.

Example:

Passage: “Some residents use public transport.”

Statement: “All residents use public transport.”

The statement is not supported by the passage. The word “some” does not mean “all”.

Always check the exact meaning and scope of a statement.

2. Synonyms and Paraphrasing

IELTS often uses different vocabulary to express the same meaning.

For example:

• Passage: “The number of visitors increased.”
• Statement: “Visitor numbers rose.”

The two expressions communicate the same information.

You should focus on meaning rather than searching for identical words.

3. Cause and Effect

A statement may introduce a cause or result that the passage does not establish.

Passage:

“The company introduced flexible working hours in 2020. Employee satisfaction increased during the same period.”

Statement:

“Flexible working hours caused employee satisfaction to increase.”

Answer: NOT GIVEN

The passage mentions two events but does not establish that one caused the other.

Do not assume a causal relationship simply because two events occurred together.

4. Comparisons

Pay attention to comparative expressions such as:

• Higher than
• Lower than
• More popular
• Less expensive
• The most effective
• The least common

Passage:

“Online sales increased by 15%, while in-store sales increased by 10%.”

Statement:

“In-store sales grew faster than online sales.”

Answer: FALSE

The passage gives figures that directly contradict the statement.

5. Personal Knowledge

You may know something about the topic from your studies, work or everyday experience.

However, IELTS Reading tests your ability to understand the passage, not your general knowledge.

If the passage does not provide the information, do not use outside knowledge to decide that a statement is true or false.

6. Partial Information

Sometimes a passage confirms one part of a statement but says nothing about another.

For example:

Passage:

“The company opened a new office in Doha in 2022.”

Statement:

“The company opened its largest office in Doha in 2022.”

The opening date and location are confirmed, but the passage does not say that the office was the company’s largest.

You must evaluate the complete statement, not just the part that matches the passage.

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

The best way to understand these question types is to practise identifying evidence in a passage.

Read the following examples and decide whether each statement is TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN, YES, or NO.

Practice Passage

The Development of Urban Cycling

Over the past decade, cycling has become more popular in several cities. Local authorities have responded by creating dedicated cycle lanes and introducing public bicycle-sharing schemes.

In Greenford, the number of people cycling to work increased between 2015 and 2020. The city council also introduced a bicycle-sharing programme in 2018, initially providing 300 bicycles at 20 stations.

However, the development of cycling infrastructure has not been equally successful in every district. While the central area has received several new cycle lanes, some residential neighbourhoods still have limited cycling facilities.

The writer believes that investment in cycling infrastructure should be a priority for urban planners. In the writer’s opinion, safer routes would encourage more people to cycle and could help reduce traffic congestion. Nevertheless, the writer does not believe that cycling alone can solve every transport problem in large cities.

Part A: True / False / Not Given

Decide whether the statements agree with the factual information in the passage.

1. The bicycle-sharing programme in Greenford began in 2018.
2. The programme initially provided 500 bicycles.
3. The central area received new cycle lanes.
4. Every residential neighbourhood has several dedicated cycle lanes.
5. The number of people cycling to work increased between 2015 and 2020.

Part B: Yes / No / Not Given

Decide whether the statements agree with the writer’s views.

1. The writer believes that cycling infrastructure should be a priority for urban planners.
2. The writer thinks that safer cycling routes could help reduce traffic congestion.
3. The writer believes that cycling is the only solution to urban transport problems.
4. The writer supports investment in safer cycling routes.
5. The writer believes that public bicycle-sharing schemes should be free.

Answer Key and Explanations

Part A: True / False / Not Given

Question	Answer	Explanation
1	TRUE	The passage states that the programme was introduced in 2018.
2	FALSE	The programme initially provided 300 bicycles, not 500.
3	TRUE	The passage confirms that the central area received several new cycle lanes.
4	FALSE	The passage states that some residential neighbourhoods still have limited cycling facilities.
5	TRUE	The passage directly confirms that cycling to work increased between 2015 and 2020.

Part B: Yes / No / Not Given

Question	Answer	Explanation
1	YES	The writer explicitly supports making cycling infrastructure a priority.
2	YES	The writer believes safer routes could help reduce traffic congestion.
3	NO	The writer states that cycling alone cannot solve every transport problem.
4	YES	The writer supports investment in cycling infrastructure and safer routes.
5	NOT GIVEN	The writer does not express an opinion about whether bicycle-sharing schemes should be free.

When reviewing your answers, pay attention to the evidence behind each decision. Understanding why an answer is correct is more valuable than simply memorising the answer key.

How to Improve Your Score in These IELTS Reading Question Types

If you regularly make mistakes in Yes / No / Not Given or True / False / Not Given questions, use a structured practice routine.

Practise One Question Type at a Time

Start by practising True / False / Not Given questions until you become comfortable identifying factual agreement, contradiction and missing information.

Then practise Yes / No / Not Given questions, focusing on the writer’s opinions and arguments.

Once you understand both formats, complete exercises that include different IELTS Reading question types.

Build Your Paraphrasing Skills

IELTS frequently changes the wording between the passage and the statements.

Create a vocabulary list of common paraphrases.

For example:

Passage Expression	Possible Paraphrase
Increased	Rose, grew, went up
Decreased	Fell, declined, dropped
Important	Significant, essential, crucial
Begin	Start, commence, initiate
Purchase	Buy, acquire
Difficult	Challenging, demanding
Support	Favour, advocate, endorse
Oppose	Disagree with, reject, object to

Do not assume that two words are interchangeable in every context. Always check the meaning of the complete sentence.

Learn to Recognise Opinions

For Yes / No / Not Given questions, practise identifying:

• Recommendations
• Arguments
• Criticism
• Support
• Reservations
• Conclusions
• Personal positions

Pay attention to how the writer develops an argument, not just to sentences containing obvious opinion words.

Practise Under Time Limits

You need to manage your time across all three IELTS Reading passages.

Practise locating relevant paragraphs, identifying evidence and making decisions without spending too long on a single statement.

If you are unsure about an answer, avoid repeatedly reading the entire passage. Return to the relevant section and compare the meanings carefully.

Review Every Incorrect Answer

After each practice exercise, identify the reason for every mistake.

Ask yourself:

• Did I misunderstand the question?
• Did I overlook a synonym?
• Did I confuse FALSE with NOT GIVEN?
• Did I mistake the writer’s opinion for a factual statement?
• Did I rely on my own knowledge?
• Did I ignore an important word such as “all” or “some”?

This type of review helps you identify repeated weaknesses and make your next practice session more effective.

Should You Practise with IELTS Reading Mock Tests?

Yes. Targeted exercises are useful for learning individual question types, but full Reading practice tests help you understand how these questions fit into the complete IELTS Reading examination.

A structured practice test can help you:

• Work with longer reading passages.
• Manage the 60-minute Reading test.
• Practise different question formats.
• Improve your ability to locate specific information.
• Recognise paraphrasing and synonyms.
• Identify recurring mistakes.
• Evaluate your performance across the complete test.

For example, you may be able to answer True / False / Not Given questions accurately when practising them individually but struggle when they appear alongside matching headings, multiple choice and sentence completion questions.

Full-length practice gives you an opportunity to work on both accuracy and time management.

At IFI Qatar, candidates preparing for IELTS can use Reading practice and mock testing to become more familiar with the test format and assess their performance. Reviewing your answers after each test can help you identify which question types require more attention.

Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS Yes No Not Given vs True False Not Given

What is the difference between Yes No Not Given and True False Not Given in IELTS?

True / False / Not Given questions test whether statements agree with factual information in the passage. Yes / No / Not Given questions test whether statements agree with the writer’s views, opinions or claims.

Is Not Given the same in both question types?

The basic principle is the same: the passage does not provide enough information to confirm or contradict the statement. However, in True / False / Not Given questions, you are checking factual information, while in Yes / No / Not Given questions, you are checking the writer’s position.

How do I know when to choose Not Given?

Choose Not Given when the passage does not provide enough information to decide whether the statement is correct or incorrect. Do not use your personal knowledge or assumptions to fill in missing details.

Is False the same as Not Given in IELTS Reading?

No. False means that the passage provides information that contradicts the statement. Not Given means that the passage does not provide enough information to confirm or contradict it.

Can I use my own knowledge to answer IELTS Reading questions?

No. Your answers must be based on the information and opinions presented in the passage. Even if a statement is factually correct in real life, you should not choose True or Yes unless the text supports it.

Do Yes No Not Given questions test the writer’s opinion?

Yes. These questions focus on the writer’s views, opinions or claims. You need to identify the writer’s actual position rather than decide whether you personally agree with the statement.

Are True False Not Given questions about facts?

Yes. These questions ask you to compare statements with factual information in the reading passage.

Can the wording be different in the question and passage?

Yes. IELTS frequently uses paraphrasing and synonyms. You should compare the meaning of the statement with the passage rather than search only for identical words.

What is the best way to improve in Not Given questions?

Practise distinguishing between information that is directly stated, information that is contradicted, and information that is missing. After each exercise, review the evidence and explain why the answer is Not Given.

Should I practise these question types separately or in full IELTS Reading tests?

Both approaches are useful. Start with targeted exercises to understand each question type, then complete full Reading practice tests to improve accuracy, timing and performance across different tasks.

Improve Your IELTS Reading Performance with Practice Tests at IFI Qatar

Understanding the difference between Yes / No / Not Given and True / False / Not Given is an important step towards improving your IELTS Reading performance.

However, recognising the rules is not enough. You also need to apply them accurately when working with unfamiliar passages, complex statements and different question types under time pressure.

Regular IELTS Reading practice tests can help you:

• Become familiar with the complete Reading test format.
• Improve your reading speed and information-location skills.
• Recognise paraphrasing and synonyms.
• Avoid confusing False with Not Given.
• Identify the question types that cause the most difficulty.
• Track your progress through repeated practice.

At IFI Qatar, you can explore IELTS Reading practice and mock-testing options as part of your preparation.

Ready to assess your Reading skills? Practise with IELTS-style tests, review your mistakes and build a more focused preparation plan before your official exam.

Final Thoughts

IELTS Yes / No / Not Given and True / False / Not Given questions may look similar, but they test different reading skills.

Remember the essential distinction:

• TRUE: The statement agrees with factual information in the passage.
• FALSE: The statement contradicts factual information in the passage.
• YES: The statement agrees with the writer’s view or claim.
• NO: The statement contradicts the writer’s view or claim.
• NOT GIVEN: The passage does not provide enough information to decide.

The most effective strategy is to read the instructions carefully, locate relevant evidence, compare the meaning of the complete statement with the text, and avoid making assumptions.

Start with targeted exercises, then use full IELTS Reading practice tests to improve your accuracy and time management.

With consistent practice and careful review, you can become more confident in handling both question types and make better decisions during the IELTS Reading test.