In the IELTS exam, the reading section is one of the top-scoring parts if you have practiced sufficiently. Moreover, the IELTS reading true, false, not given questions are considered easy if you have put the required effort in the same. Therefore, this blog is entirely dedicated to the true, false, and not-given types of questions, as this type has the caliber of improving your overall score in the reading section. Thus, go through the samples and examples below to understand the format and tone of these questions. Further, you will also go through the strategies that will improve your true/false answers. So, read till the end for more details.
Table of Contents
The IELTS reading true, false, not given questions are common in both general and academic type of IELTS tests. In this, you will see statements that you need to identify as True/False or Not Given. You need to understand which information is in the passage, which is wrong, and which is not included. Therefore, the main idea behind this is to check the factual knowledge of the candidate and their ability to identify the correct and required information from a long passage.
Firstly, it is important to know that there are two types of variations in the IELTS: true, false and not given questions, which are ‘True/ False/ Not Given’ & ‘Yes/ No/ Not Given’. The intent is the same in both, only the word you will use to answer the question is different.
These are the variations of the IELTS reading true, false & not given questions. It is easy to understand these variations as the intent is the same. For better understanding, you will get two samples of the reading passages, one with true/ false and the other with yes/no type of questions. Thus, go through them for a better understanding.
The probability of you getting a passage with IELTS reading true, false, not given type of questions is high and can help you get a good score in the overall section. Thus, read the samples below and carry the approach in your exam to score well.
IELTS Reading Passage- Alternative Medicine in Australia Reading
A- The first students to study alternative medicine at the university level in Australia began their four-year, full-time course at the University of Technology, Sydney, in early 1994. Their course covered, among other therapies, acupuncture. The theory they learned is based on the traditional Chinese explanation of this ancient healing art: that it can regulate the flow of ‘Qi’ or energy through pathways in the body. This course reflects how far some alternative therapies have come in their struggle for acceptance by the medical establishment.
B- Australia has been unusual in the Western world in having a very conservative attitude to natural or alternative therapies, according to Dr Paul Laver, a lecturer in Public Health at the University of Sydney. ‘We’ve had a tradition of doctors being fairly powerful and I guess they are pretty loath to allow any pretenders to their position to come into it.’ In many other industrialized countries, orthodox and alternative medicines have worked ‘hand in glove’ for years. In Europe, only orthodox doctors can prescribe herbal medicine. In Germany, plant remedies account for 10% of the national turnover of pharmaceuticals. Americans made more visits to alternative therapists than to orthodox doctors in 1990, and each year, they spend about $US 12 billion on therapies that have not been scientifically tested.
C- Disenchantment with orthodox medicine has seen the popularity of alternative therapies in Australia climb steadily during the past 20 years. In a 1983 national health survey, 1.9% of people said they had contacted a chiropractor, naturopath, osteopath, acupuncturist, or herbalist in the two weeks prior to the survey. By 1990, this figure had risen to 2.6% of the population. The 550,000 consultations with alternative therapists reported in the 1990 survey represented about an eighth of the total number of consultations with medically qualified personnel covered by the survey, according to Dr Laver and colleagues writing in the Australian Journal of Public Health in 1993. ‘A better educated and less accepting public has become disillusioned with the experts in general and increasingly skeptical about science and empirically based knowledge,’ they said. ‘The high standing of professionals, including doctors, has been eroded as a consequence.’
D- Rather than resisting or criticizing this trend, increasing numbers of Australian doctors, particularly younger ones, are forming group practices with alternative therapists or taking courses themselves, particularly in acupuncture and herbalism. Part of the incentive was financial, Dr Laver said. ‘The bottom line is that most general practitioners are business people. If they see potential clientele going elsewhere, they might want to be able to offer a similar service.’
E- In 1993, Dr Laver and his colleagues published a survey of 289 Sydney people who attended eight alternative therapists’ practices in Sydney. These practices offered a wide range of alternative therapies from 25 therapists. Those surveyed had experienced chronic illnesses for which orthodox medicine had been able to provide little relief. They commented that they liked the holistic approach of their alternative therapists and the friendly, concerned, and detailed attention they had received. The cold, impersonal manner of orthodox doctors featured in the survey. An increasing exodus from their clinics, coupled with this and a number of other relevant surveys carried out in Australia, all pointing to orthodox doctors’ inadequacies, have led mainstream doctors themselves to begin to admit they could learn from the personal style of alternative therapists. Dr Patrick Store, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, concurs that orthodox doctors could learn a lot about beside manner and advising patients on preventative health from alternative therapists.
F- According to the Australian Journal of Public Health, 18% of patients visiting alternative therapists do so because they suffer from musculoskeletal complaints; 12% suffer from digestive problems, which is only 1% more than those suffering from emotional problems. Those suffering from respiratory complaints represent 7% of their patients, and candida sufferers represent an equal percentage. Headache sufferers and those complaining of general ill health represent 6% and 5% of patients, respectively, and a further 4% see therapists for general health maintenance. The survey suggested that complementary medicine is probably a better term than alternative medicine. Alternative medicine appears to be an adjunct, sought in times of disenchantment when conventional medicine seems not to offer the answer.
Questions 1-5
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet, write
YES, if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO, if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN, if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
1. Australians have been turning to alternative therapies in increasing numbers over the past 20 years.
2. Between 1983 and 1990, the number of patients visiting alternative therapists rose to include a further 8% of the population.
3. The 1990 survey related to 550,000 consultations with alternative therapists.
4. In the past, Australians had a higher opinion of doctors than they do today.
5. Some Australian doctors are retraining in alternative therapies.
1. As the lines from paragraph C it is clear that people from Australia are opting for alternative methods over the past years. So, the right response is Yes.
2. In paragraph C, the lines make it clear that the correct percentage for the increase is not 8%. Therefore, the correct answer is No.
3. As per paragraph C, the figures in the question exactly match those in the text thus the correct answer is yes.
4. According to paragraph C, it is clear that the people used to think highly of the doctors but now it is not so. Thus, the answer is Yes.
5. In paragraph D, it is stated that some Australian doctors are adopting alternative medicines. Hence, the answer is Yes.
IELTS Reading Passage- Seed Hunting Reading
A- With a quarter of the world’s plants set to vanish within the next 50 years, Dough Alexander reports on the scientists working against the clock to preserve the Earth’s botanical heritage. They travel the four corners of the globe, scouring jungles, forests, and savannas. But they’re not looking for ancient artifacts, lost treasure, or undiscovered tombs. Just pods. It may lack the romantic allure of archaeology or the whiff of danger that accompanies going after a big game, but seed hunting is an increasingly serious business. Some seek seeds for profit-hunters in the employ of biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies, and private corporations on the lookout for species that will yield the drugs or crops of the future. Others collect to conserve, working to halt the sad slide into extinction facing so many plant species.
B- Among the pioneers of this botanical treasure hunt was John Tradescant, an English royal gardener who brought back plants and seeds from his journeys abroad in the early 1600s. Later, the English botanist Sir Joseph Banks – who was the first director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and traveled with Captain James Cook on his voyages near the end of the 18th century – was so driven to expand his collections that he sent botanists around the world at his own expense.
C- Those heady days of exploration and discovery may be over, but they have been replaced by a pressing need to preserve our natural history for the future. This modern mission drives hunters such as Dr Michiel van Slageren, a good-natured Dutchman who often sports a wide-brimmed hat in the field – he could easily be mistaken for the cinematic hero Indiana Jones. He and three other seed hunters work at the Millennium Seed Bank, an 80 million [pounds sterling] international conservation project that aims to protect the world’s most endangered wild plant species.
D- The group’s headquarters are in a modern glass-and-concrete structure on a 200-hectare Estate at Wakehurst Place in the West Sussex countryside. Within its underground vaults are 260 million dried seeds from 122 countries, all stored at -20 Celsius to survive for centuries. Among the 5,100 species represented are virtually all of Britain’s 1,400 native seed-bearing plants, the most complete such collection of any country’s flora.
E- Overseen by the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Millennium Seed Bank is the world’s largest wild-plant depository. It aims to collect 24,000 species by 2010. The reason is simple: thanks to humanity’s effort, an estimated 25 percent of the world’s plants are on the verge of extinction and may vanish within 50 years. We’re currently responsible for habitat destruction on an unprecedented scale, and during the past 400 years, plant species extinction rates have been about 70 times greater than those indicated by the geological record as being ‘normal. ’ Experts predict that during the next 50 years, a further one billion hectares of wilderness will be converted to farmland in developing countries alone.
F- The implications of this loss are enormous. Besides providing staple food crops, plants are a source of many machines and the principal supply of fuel and building materials in many parts of the world. They also protect the soil and help regulate the climate. Yet, across the globe, plant species are being driven to extinction before their potential benefits are discovered.
G- The World Conservation Union has listed 5,714 threatened species is sure to be much higher. In the UK alone, 300 wild plant species are classified as endangered. The Millennium Seed Bank aims to ensure that even if a plant becomes extinct in the wild, it won’t be lost forever. Stored seeds can be used to help restore damaged or destroyed environments or in scientific research to find new benefits for society- in medicine, agriculture, or local industry- that would otherwise be lost.
H- Seed banks are an insurance policy to protect the world’s plant heritage for the future, explains Dr Paul Smith, another Kew seed hunter. “Seed conservation techniques were originally developed by farmers,” he says. “Storage is the basis of what we do, conserving seeds until you can use them just as in farming,” Smith says there’s no reason why any plant species should become extinct, given today’s technology. But he admits that the biggest challenge is finding, naming, and categorizing all the world’s plants. And someone has to gather these seeds before it’s too late. “There aren’t a lot of people out there doing this,” he says. “The key is to know the flora from a particular area, and that knowledge takes years to acquire.”
I- There are about 1,470 seed banks scattered around the globe, with a combined total of 5.4 million samples, of which perhaps two million are distinct non-duplicates. Most preserve genetic material for agriculture use in order to ensure crop diversity; others aim to conserve wild species, although only 15 percent of all banked plants are wild.
J- Many seed banks are themselves under threat due to a lack of funds. Last year, Imperial College, London, examined crop collections from 151 countries and found that while the number of plant samples had increased in two-thirds of the countries, the budget had been cut in a quarter and remained static at another 35 percent. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research has since set up the Global Conservation Trust, which aims to raise US $260 million to protect seed banks in perpetuity.
Questions for Reading Passage- Seed Hunting Reading
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE, if the statement is true
FALSE, if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN, if the information is not given in the passage
1. _______ The purpose of collecting seeds now is different from the past
2. _______ The millennium seed bank is the earliest seed bank.
3. _______ One of the major threats for plant species extinction is farmland expansion into wilderness.
4. _______ The approach that scientists apply to store seeds is similar to that used by farmers.
5. _______ Technological development is the only hope to save plant species.
6. _______ The works of seed conservation are often limited by financial problems.
Answers to the Above Questions:
1. According to paragraph C, it is clear that the reason for collecting seeds has changed over time. Hence, the correct answer is True.
2. From paragraph E, you can see that the mention of it being the largest seed bank is there, but the age is not there. Thus, the answer is Not given.
3. According to paragraphs E and F, it is clear that as the farmlands are growing, the diversity of plants is decreasing, which is leading to their extinction. So, the right answer is True.
4. As per paragraph H, Seed conservation techniques were originally developed by farmers. The farmers use the same method to store seeds for the next growing season. Hence, the right response is True.
5. If you look at paragraph E, it is very clear that the developments in human technology are resulting in a loss of plant life. Thus, the answer is False.
6. In paragraph J, you can see that the UN is offering financial help to preserve seeds. Therefore, the right answer is True.
These are two samples for your true, false & not given practice. Practice them yourself and improve your IELTS reading skills. Moreover, a few more examples are also mentioned in the section below to help you understand the concept well and practice it thoroughly.
Here, 10 more passages are mentioned that have IELTS reading true false not given questions for your practice.
Check these passages and you can also take the help of the IELTS reading practice test, which will help you understand the exam syllabus and format and practice accordingly. Moreover, there are some tips and strategies mentioned in the next section that will help you solve the true/false answers effectively.
Some of the strategies to score well in the IELTS reading true, false & not given questions are mentioned here. Go through them and make your preparation effective.
1. Read the instructions carefully and examine the question to know the type.
2. Locate the key information while reading the passage to save some time while solving the passage.
3. Paraphrasing is important when you are solving the passage because you will get answers in different languages from the question.
4. Synonyms are also important tools that you can add to your vocabulary, as they will help you identify the location easily.
5. Do not assume the information and try to be completely sure while giving the answer to the questions.
6. Take the help of the IELTS mock tests to get familiar with the IELTS syllabus, as this will help you face the questions with confidence.
This was all about the IELTS reading true, false & not given task. Here, you have two samples that will help you understand the approach to answering these questions, and on top of that, 10 examples are also shared for your practice. Moreover, there are a few strategies and tips discussed in this passage that will help you improve your preparations and score gradually. However, if you face any issues during the exam preparation, take the help of the academic experts who will help you improve your IELTS band score. So, reach out to them today, take coaching classes, and get the desired score.
1. Are the Questions Asked in the Same Order in Which the Text or the Information Is Given?
Yes. But, it is highly recommended that you read the passage carefully and answer the questions to avoid any silly mistakes and mark deductions.
2. How Do I Determine TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN From the Information Given?
If the fact is TRUE, then there should be an exact match. The answer will be FALSE when the text states one meaning and the question states something else. If you have no idea about the answer, then write NOT GIVEN, because probably the answer may not be available in the text.
3. What Happens If We Write True False Instead of Yes No in IELTS?
There will be unnecessary marks deduction in this case because the demand of the question is different from what you are writing. Therefore, read the question information properly and attempt accordingly.
4. How Can I Improve My IELTS Reading?
To improve your IELTS reading score, read the questions before you read the text, skim through the passage, pay attention to the introduction and conclusion, identify keywords, answer every question, and check your answers after completion.
5. Can I Write T for True in IELTS Reading?
You can write T instead of True, but you can't write T instead of Yes. You also can't write True instead of Yes. So, don't mix up true, false & not given answers with yes, no & not given answers.
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