IELTS Reading: True/False/Not Given Questions – Step-by-Step Guide with Full Practice Passage

One of the trickiest question types in the IELTS Reading test is True/False/Not Given (TFNG). Many candidates lose marks because they confuse False with Not Given. In this lesson, we’ll break down exactly how to approach these questions with confidence.

You’ll learn:

• What TFNG questions are testing.
• A clear, step-by-step strategy to answer them.
• A full IELTS-style practice passage with questions.
• A detailed explanation of each answer.

What Are True/False/Not Given Questions?

You’ll be presented with statements about the passage. Your task is to decide:

• TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information in the passage.
• FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information in the passage.
• NOT GIVEN – if the passage does not contain enough information to decide.

⚠️ Common Mistake: Many candidates think “Not Given” means “False.” Remember: False means the text says the opposite, but Not Given means the text says nothing about it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Solving TFNG Questions

1. Read the statements carefully first.
   Identify keywords (nouns, numbers, adjectives).
2. Scan the passage for keywords or synonyms.
   IELTS often paraphrases information.
3. Read the relevant sentence closely.
   Don’t just match words — look at meaning.
4. Decide: Does the text agree, contradict, or say nothing?
   • If the statement and text match → TRUE
   • If they are opposite → FALSE
   • If the text does not mention it → NOT GIVEN

IELTS-Style Practice Passage

(Approx. 430 words – written to mirror IELTS academic passages in length, vocabulary, and complexity.)

Passage: The History of Coffee

(1) Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with a history stretching back over a thousand years. According to legend, coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia when a goat herder noticed that his animals became unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain plant. The story may be more myth than fact, but it highlights coffee’s ancient origins.

(2) By the 15th century, coffee was being cultivated in Yemen, where Sufi monks drank it to stay awake during long nights of prayer. From there, it spread across the Islamic world, reaching Persia, Egypt, and Turkey. Coffeehouses, known as qahveh khaneh, soon became popular social hubs where people gathered to discuss politics, play games, and listen to music.

(3) Coffee entered Europe in the 17th century, initially meeting resistance from those who viewed it with suspicion, calling it the “bitter invention of Satan.” However, Pope Clement VIII is said to have blessed the drink after tasting it, declaring it too delicious to be the work of the devil. With that papal approval, coffeehouses began to flourish in major cities like London, Paris, and Vienna, where they became centres of intellectual debate and commerce.

(4) By the 18th century, European colonial powers had recognised the economic potential of coffee and began cultivating it in their overseas territories. Plantations were established in the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia, often relying on slave labour. This expansion transformed coffee into a global commodity and laid the foundation for its status as an essential part of modern economies.

(5) Today, coffee remains the second most traded commodity in the world, after crude oil. While Brazil is the largest producer, countries such as Vietnam, Colombia, and Ethiopia also play major roles in the global coffee trade. In recent years, the rise of specialty coffee has encouraged consumers to pay more attention to bean quality, ethical sourcing, and sustainable farming practices.

Questions: True / False / Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?

Write TRUE if the statement agrees with the passage.
Write FALSE if the statement contradicts the passage.
Write NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this.

1. Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia by a group of monks.
2. In the 15th century, coffee was grown and consumed in Yemen.
3. Coffeehouses in the Islamic world served as places for both entertainment and discussion.
4. Pope Clement VIII officially banned coffee in Europe.
5. Coffee cultivation in colonies relied heavily on the use of slave labour.
6. Coffee is currently the most traded commodity worldwide.
7. Ethiopia remains the largest producer of coffee today.

Answer Explanation

1. Coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia by a group of monks.
   • Passage: Ethiopia → goat herder, not monks.
   • Contradicts → FALSE
2. In the 15th century, coffee was grown and consumed in Yemen.
   • Passage: “By the 15th century, coffee was being cultivated in Yemen…”
   • Matches → TRUE
3. Coffeehouses in the Islamic world served as places for both entertainment and discussion.
   • Passage: People gathered to discuss politics, play games, listen to music.
   • Matches → TRUE
4. Pope Clement VIII officially banned coffee in Europe.
   • Passage: He approved coffee, not banned.
   • Contradicts → FALSE
5. Coffee cultivation in colonies relied heavily on the use of slave labour.
   • Passage: “Plantations… often relying on slave labour.”
   • Matches → TRUE
6. Coffee is currently the most traded commodity worldwide.
   • Passage: Coffee is the second most traded, after oil.
   • Contradicts → FALSE
7. Ethiopia remains the largest producer of coffee today.
   • Passage: Brazil is the largest producer, Ethiopia is mentioned but not as largest.
   • Contradicts → FALSE

✅ Final Answers:
1 – FALSE
2 – TRUE
3 – TRUE
4 – FALSE
5 – TRUE
6 – FALSE
7 – FALSE

Activity for Readers

Try this mini activity:

Statement A: Coffee was once considered dangerous in Europe.
Statement B: Vietnam plays no role in modern coffee production.

👉 Can you decide if these are True / False / Not Given?
(Answers: A – TRUE; B – FALSE)

Final Tips for TFNG Questions

• Always read carefully for meaning, not just keywords.
• FALSE means the text says the opposite; NOT GIVEN means silence.
• Practice paraphrasing to recognise synonyms in questions.
• Don’t spend too long — move on if you can’t find the answer quickly.

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