True/False/Not Given

What it tests

You get a set of statements and decide, for each one, whether the passage agrees with it (TRUE), says the opposite (FALSE), or does not tell you (NOT GIVEN). It tests careful reading of detail: not what you know about the topic, and not what seems likely, but exactly what this writer has written.

The statements follow the order of the passage, and most are paraphrased: the passage says the same thing in different words. The hardest part is the line between FALSE and NOT GIVEN.

How to approach it

1. Read the instructions. If they say YES / NO / NOT GIVEN, the statements are about the writer's opinions rather than facts, but the method is the same.
2. Read the first statement and underline its key words, especially names, numbers and dates, which are easy to find, and qualifiers such as all, only, always, most and never.
3. Scan the passage for the part that matches. Names and numbers usually stay the same; other words are usually replaced by synonyms.
4. Read that part slowly, one or two sentences either side, and compare it with the statement word for word.
5. Ask: does the passage say this? Then TRUE. Does it say something that cannot be true at the same time? Then FALSE. Does it say nothing either way? Then NOT GIVEN.
6. Move on in order. If you cannot find a statement, it is often NOT GIVEN, but first check that the statements before and after it are where you expect.

Common traps

• Using your own knowledge. A statement can be true in real life and still be NOT GIVEN. Only the passage counts.
• Matching words, not meaning. The passage may repeat the statement's words but change one detail. Check every part of the statement, not just the topic.
• Missing a qualifier. "Some birds" in the passage and "all birds" in the statement is FALSE, not TRUE.
• Calling a missing detail FALSE. FALSE needs a contradiction. If the passage simply does not mention something, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

A worked example

A short passage, written for this guide, and three statements.

The town library opened a second floor in 2019. Since then, the number of visitors has risen every year, although the library still closes at six in the evening. A reading club for teenagers meets there on Saturdays.

1. The library was extended in 2019.

2. The library now stays open later in the evening.

3. The teenage reading club is the most popular activity in the library.

1. Statement 1: "opened a second floor" means it was made bigger, so the library was extended. TRUE.
2. Statement 2: the passage says it "still closes at six", which means the hours have not changed. That contradicts "stays open later". FALSE.
3. Statement 3: the club is mentioned, but nothing compares its popularity with anything else. NOT GIVEN.

Timing

Aim for about a minute per statement. If one is taking much longer, choose your best answer, note the number, and come back if you have time at the end. Never leave a box blank.