True/False/Not Given Listening Questions Explained

When preparing for the IELTS Listening test, many learners worry most about multiple-choice or map-labeling tasks. However, True/False/Not Given (TFNG) style questions can also be tricky because they test not only your listening ability but also your logical reasoning. Unlike simple fact-checking, you must carefully analyze what is actually stated in the recording and what is not mentioned at all.

In this guide, we will break down the nature of True/False/Not Given listening questions, provide strategies for success, highlight common traps, and share practice tips to help you master them.

What Are True/False/Not Given Questions?

In IELTS Listening, you will sometimes be asked to listen to a recording (such as a lecture, conversation, or discussion) and then answer statements with either True, False, or Not Given:

• True: The statement agrees with the information you heard.

• False: The statement contradicts the information in the recording.

• Not Given: The information is not mentioned in the recording at all.

This task looks simple at first glance, but candidates often confuse “False” and “Not Given.” To succeed, you must train yourself to distinguish between something that is directly contradicted and something that is simply missing.

Why Are These Questions Challenging?

1. Paraphrasing
   The test rarely repeats words exactly. Instead, synonyms and paraphrases are used. For example, “students must hand in the form before Friday” might be rephrased in the audio as “the deadline is Thursday evening.”

2. Speed of Listening
   The recording is played only once. If you miss the exact moment, it’s hard to catch the detail later.

3. Similar-Sounding Ideas
   IELTS often includes distractors—phrases that are similar but not the same. For example, the speaker may mention “most students” while the question says “all students.”

4. Logical Assumptions
   Many test-takers mistakenly assume information that sounds reasonable. IELTS wants to check if you rely on the actual content, not your background knowledge.

Step-by-Step Strategy

1. Read the Statements First

Before the recording starts, scan the given statements. Underline keywords like numbers, dates, adjectives, and verbs. This gives you a mental map of what to listen for.

2. Identify Synonyms and Paraphrases

Think about alternative ways the idea might be expressed. For example:

• “Children under 12” could be “kids younger than twelve.”

• “Prohibited” might be “not allowed” or “forbidden.”

This prepares you to catch variations in the recording.

3. Listen Actively for Confirmation or Contradiction

When you hear something connected to the statement, decide if the audio:

• Directly supports it → True

• Directly opposes it → False

• Says nothing about it → Not Given

4. Avoid Overthinking

Don’t bring your own knowledge or assumptions. For example, even if you know from real life that “smoking is harmful,” you must mark Not Given if the recording never discusses health effects.

5. Keep Moving Forward

If you miss one question, don’t panic. The questions usually follow the order of the recording. Focus on the next one.

Distinguishing Between False and Not Given

This is the hardest part for many students. Let’s look at examples:

Example 1:

Statement: “The museum is open every day of the week.”
Audio: “The museum is closed on Mondays.”

• This is a False, because the statement says “every day,” but the recording contradicts it by saying it closes on Monday.

Example 2:

Statement: “The museum offers free admission to students.”
Audio: “The museum is closed on Mondays.”

• This is Not Given, because the recording says nothing about student discounts.

Rule of Thumb:

• If the audio gives opposite information → False

• If the audio doesn’t mention it → Not Given

Common Traps in IELTS Listening TFNG Questions

1. Absolute Words: Words like “all,” “every,” “never,” “only,” and “always” are often traps. If the speaker gives a more limited statement (“most,” “some,” “usually”), then the statement is likely False.

2. Similar Numbers and Dates: The statement might say “in 1999,” while the recording says “in the late 1990s.” This is not the same, so check carefully.

3. Negative Expressions: Watch out for “not,” “no longer,” or “except.” The recording may use positive phrasing that changes the meaning.

4. Implied Meaning: Sometimes the speaker hints at something, but doesn’t say it directly. If it’s not explicit, the safest answer is Not Given.

Practice Technique

1. Dictation Training
   Write down short parts of the recording word for word. This improves accuracy.

2. Paraphrasing Practice
   After listening, try to restate sentences using different words. This prepares you for how IELTS changes wording.

3. Spotting Absolutes
   Collect sentences with “always,” “never,” “all,” and practice checking if the idea is realistic or likely to be contradicted.

4. Mini Listening Quizzes
   Create your own True/False/Not Given statements from podcasts or lectures. Ask a friend to test you.

Example Practice Set

Audio (imaginary script):
“The city library is open from Tuesday to Sunday. On weekends, it closes earlier at 5 pm. Membership is free for residents, but non-residents must pay a small annual fee. The library also plans to open a café next year.”

Statements:

1. The library opens every day of the week. → False (because it’s closed on Monday)

2. Residents do not need to pay for library membership. → True

3. The library café is already open. → False (it will open next year)

4. The library has a children’s play area. → Not Given

Tips for Test Day

• Stay calm: If you miss one, the next answer will come soon.

• Trust the audio: Not your assumptions or real-life knowledge.

• Underline key words: Helps you focus during listening.

• Check grammar: Your answer must fit the statement correctly.

• Manage time: Don’t waste minutes rethinking one item.

Final Thoughts

True/False/Not Given questions are not just about listening, but also about critical thinking. You must carefully judge whether the information is supported, contradicted, or absent. By practicing with paraphrases, training your ear for detail, and learning to distinguish between False and Not Given, you will build confidence and accuracy.

With regular practice, this type of question can become one of your strengths, helping you secure a higher IELTS Listening band score.

FAQ:True/False/Not Given Listening Questions Explained

What is IELTS Listening Section 1 and why does it matter?

Section 1 features a short dialogue between two speakers in an everyday, social context (e.g., booking a room, asking about services, confirming delivery details). It matters because questions are typically straightforward and data-heavy—names, dates, times, prices, addresses—so you can secure easy marks early. A near-perfect score here builds confidence and provides a cushion for more challenging sections where vocabulary density and inference demands increase.

What question types appear most often in Section 1?

You will usually see form completion, note completion, table completion, and short-answer items. These tasks target specific data points such as phone numbers, postcodes, emails, prices, durations, and dates. Read word-count limits carefully (e.g., “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”). Expect paraphrasing: questions might use “fee,” while audio says “price” or “cost.” Focus on the last, corrected version of any detail you hear.

Which everyday topics and contexts should I practice?

Practice scenarios like accommodation inquiries, course registrations, transport arrangements, event bookings, medical or service appointments, and club/gym memberships. Within each scenario, prepare to capture identity details (name, spelling, ID), logistics (date, time, place), money (deposit, discount, total), and contact information (phone, email). Training with varied accents—British, Australian, New Zealand—helps with realistic pronunciation patterns.

How can I predict answers before the audio starts?

Skim all questions and headings first. Label the grammar slot—name, number, time, noun phrase—so you know what to listen for. Use context clues from form fields (e.g., “Postcode,” “Preferred time,” “Payment method”). Underline units and constraints (e.g., “per week,” “up to two words”). Anticipate paraphrases: “starting date” could appear as “from,” “commencing,” or “beginning on.” Prediction narrows your listening focus and reduces cognitive load.

What are the most common “distractors” and how do I handle them?

Distractors include self-correction (“Tuesday—sorry—Thursday”), alternatives (“15 or 50?”), and partial repetitions. The rule: write the final, confirmed detail. Listen for confirmation phrases like “Let me confirm…,” “Just to clarify…,” or “So that’s….” When numbers are contrasted, wait seconds longer to ensure you capture the final version. If you miss one item, avoid panic—shift your attention to the next question to protect downstream accuracy.

How do I avoid spelling and capitalization errors?

Names and proper nouns must be spelled exactly. Learn common letter calls (e.g., “double s,” “I for India,” “zed” for “z”). Capitalize names of people, streets, and organizations. Practice writing while listening at normal speed to build muscle memory. When you hear spelling cues (“That’s P as in Paul”), transcribe letter-by-letter. For emails, pay attention to symbols (“underscore,” “dash,” “dot”) and avoid inserting spaces unless the format requires it.

What are proven strategies for numbers, dates, and times?

Numbers: train for sequences (e.g., phone, booking IDs), currency amounts, and ranges. Dates: recognize multiple formats (“the twelfth of March,” “March twelfth,” “12/03”). Times: watch for 24-hour conversions and qualifiers like “around,” “just after,” and “quarter to.” Prices often involve discounts or additional fees; compute totals only if explicitly required. When uncertain, prioritize the last stated figure. Write neatly so you can check quickly during transfer.

How can I take efficient notes during Section 1?

Use short, consistent abbreviations (e.g., “addr,” “ph,” “Wed 2pm,” “dep” for deposit). Mirror the question order to reduce searching. For forms, pre-draw quick placeholders next to each field so your eye lands where you’ll write. Keep one line per answer and avoid rewriting question stems. If the audio is fast, jot keywords first (e.g., “4pm Fri,” “£120 dep”) and expand only if time allows. Clarity beats completeness in the moment.

How do I deal with accents and connected speech?

Exposure is key. Build a routine with short daily clips in multiple accents. Focus on weak forms (“to,” “of,” “for”), linking (“go_out,” “write_it”), and reductions (e.g., “gonna,” “wanna” in informal contexts). Train your ear to ignore non-essential filler language and lock onto data-bearing words. When uncertain, rely on context fields (e.g., a “Postcode” box signals alphanumeric patterns, not a place name) to constrain interpretation.

What are the most frequent mistakes to avoid?

• Exceeding word limits (e.g., writing three words when only two are allowed).
• Spelling or capitalization errors on proper nouns.
• Copying the first number you hear instead of the final corrected one.
• Pausing to fix a missed answer and then missing several more.
• Ignoring paraphrases (e.g., “fee” vs. “charge”).
• Illegible handwriting or cluttered notes that block fast checking.

How should I practice effectively at home?

Use a “light-to-heavy” stack: start with short form-filling clips, then move to full Section 1 sets under time pressure. After each attempt, perform a deep error review: classify every error (spelling, number, distractor, paraphrase, speed). Create micro-drills from your errors (e.g., 5 minutes of postcode dictation). Once a week, simulate test conditions end-to-end and track your rolling average to verify steady improvement.

Do hyphens, numerals, and units affect correctness?

Follow instructions exactly. If the field expects a number, numerals are safest (e.g., “14”). For compound nouns, hyphenation is usually flexible if meaning is clear, but keep standard forms when common (e.g., “check-in”). Include units when asked or visible in the field (e.g., “£,” “km,” “mins”). If the prompt already supplies a unit, you normally write only the number. Ambiguity can cost marks, so mirror the format given in the question.

What should I do if I miss an answer?

Move on immediately to protect subsequent items. Place a discreet mark beside the missed question so you can revisit during the pause or transfer time. Use logic to reconstruct likely answers (e.g., if Q3 is an email and you captured the name and company domain elsewhere). Do not sacrifice three answers to rescue one. A resilient mindset—reset attention within two seconds—prevents a single miss from snowballing.

How can I maximize accuracy during the answer transfer?

Transfer methodically: one answer at a time, finger-tracking each line. Recheck spelling of names and alphanumeric codes. Confirm that each answer meets the word/number limit and fits the grammar slot. If you used abbreviations in notes, expand them correctly now. Finally, scan for common traps: mismatched question numbers, plural/singular mismatches, and accidental unit duplication (e.g., writing “££60” or “60 mins minutes”).

What is a simple weekly study plan for Section 1?

• Mon–Tue: 15 minutes accent drills + 10 minutes dictation (names, postcodes).
• Wed: Two Section 1 sets under time limits; full review and error log.
• Thu: Numbers/dates/times micro-drills; paraphrase mapping practice.
• Fri: One Section 1 mock; targeted redo of missed item types.
• Weekend: Mixed-roleplay (booking, inquiry, appointment) with form-filling.

Can you give a quick checklist to use on test day?

• Skim questions and label answer types (name/number/date/price).
• Underline limits (words/numbers) and supplied units.
• Listen for corrections; record the final detail only.
• Write clearly, capitalize proper nouns, and keep answers aligned.
• If you miss one, move on—protect the next answers.
• During transfer, verify spelling, format, and numbering carefully.

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