IELTS Reading Preparation: Practical Tips for Identifying NG (Not Given)

Among IELTS Reading question types, the one that confuses test takers most is True / False / Not Given. Within it, Not Given (NG) means that the information is not written in the text, but many people cannot tell it apart from False and lose marks on it.

The reason NG is hard is that we unconsciously fill the gaps with common sense and background knowledge. When we read a statement, we think 'the text must say so too', and we choose an answer even though there is no evidence for it in the text.

In IELTS Reading, however, you must base your judgment only on information stated explicitly in the text. In other words, the criterion for choosing an answer comes down to a single point: is there evidence in the text or not?

This article summarizes practical tips for identifying NG with confidence and explains it so that the difference from False is clear. Improving your NG judgment will also greatly raise your score across True / False / Not Given questions as a whole.

First, let us review the basic rules of True / False / Not Given questions.

• True (T): The statement matches the information in the text.
• False (F): The statement is the opposite of, or contradicts, the information in the text.
• Not Given (NG): The text does not mention the information in the statement at all.

The important point here is the difference between False and Not Given.

• False is when the text has an answer but says the opposite.
• Not Given is when the answer is not written in the text in the first place.

For example, suppose the statement says: 'All students are required to take the exam.'

• If the text says 'All students must take the exam' -> True
• If the text says 'Only some students take the exam' -> False
• If the text does not mention the exam at all -> Not Given

In short, the key to spotting NG is whether the information exists in the text, and you must judge only by the facts written in the text, not by guesswork or common sense.

1. Check whether the keywords are there

If the keywords or theme in the statement do not appear in the text at all, it is likely to be NG. However, the text may use a paraphrase rather than the same words, so carefully check whether there is an expression with a similar meaning.

2. If the text gives only partial information, it is NG

Suppose the statement says 'All tourists receive a free map', and the text says only 'Some tourists receive a free map'. This is not False but NG. This is because the text lacks information to support the claim of 'all'.

3. Pay attention to absolute expressions

If the statement contains strong expressions such as all, always, never, only or must, it is more likely to be NG when the text does not state it that definitely. In IELTS, the difference between an absolute claim and a limited one often decides the answer, so take particular care.

4. Do not fill gaps with background knowledge

The most common NG mistake is judging that something must be true based on your own common sense or knowledge. For example, even if the statement says 'The United States is the country with the most English speakers in the world', if the text does not mention this, it is NG. Whether it is correct as common sense is irrelevant; the criterion is only the information in the text.

5. Consciously sort out the difference from False

• False -> the text clearly states the opposite
• Not Given -> the information does not exist in the text

Mixing up False and NG leads to big losses, so make it a habit to draw the line by always asking whether the text contains opposite information.

1. Build the habit of always looking for evidence

When solving True / False / Not Given questions, always check where in the text the evidence is.

• If you can clearly find evidence -> True or False
• If you really cannot find evidence -> very likely Not Given

Making this evidence line a habit makes it much easier to tell False and NG apart.

2. How to review when you confuse False and NG

If you mix up False and NG during practice, always check the following two points.

• Did the text contain opposite information?
• Or was the information simply missing?

Repeating this reflection naturally builds the awareness of 'in the text vs. not in the text'.

3. Check the statement by focusing on absolute expressions

During practice, highlighting words such as always, never, all and must makes it easier to spot NG. You will come to notice that if the text does not go that far, the answer is likely NG.

4. Practice only NG

Pulling out and solving only the questions that contain NG from commercial workbooks or past papers sharpens your judgment criteria. It feels difficult at first, but as you do more, your sense of False versus NG becomes clearer.

5. Solve under time limits in a real-test format

On test day, the biggest risk is wasting time by hesitating too much. From the practice stage, be aware of how long you spend on one question, and get used to deciding that if you cannot find it, no evidence means NG.

Among IELTS Reading True / False / Not Given questions, NG (Not Given) in particular is a hurdle for many test takers. But the point of judgment is simple, and if you focus only on whether the information is in the text, you will hesitate less.

• True: matches the text
• False: the text has opposite information
• Not Given: the information does not exist in the text

Organizing your understanding with particular attention to the difference between False and NG is the key to raising your score. And if you consistently judge based on evidence in the text rather than guesswork or background knowledge, your accuracy will definitely improve.

If you become good at NG questions, you will be steadier across True / False / Not Given as a whole, which lifts your entire Reading score. Build the habit of always checking whether there is evidence in your daily practice, so that you can choose NG with confidence on test day.