Reading Module: Academic Skill 2: True/False/Not Given

Decide if statements agree with (TRUE), contradict (FALSE), or are not mentioned (NOT GIVEN) in the text. This is often the most challenging question type.

🎯 Question Type Overview

• Format: 5-8 statements to classify as TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN
• Time: 10-12 minutes (about 1.5-2 minutes per statement)
• Marks: 1 point per correct answer (usually 5-8 marks)
• Difficulty: Requires 100% accuracy and careful reading

📚 Step-by-Step Strategy

1. Read Instructions: Note the number of each category (may vary)
2. Scan Statements: Underline key words and qualifiers
3. Locate in Text: Find relevant section using keywords
4. Read Carefully: Check exact meaning and implications
5. Verify Answer: Ensure no contradictions or missing information
6. Mark Confidently: Don't change answers unless absolutely certain

💡 Advanced Tips & Tricks

🔍 Reading Techniques

• Use keywords to locate relevant paragraphs
• Read around the keyword (before/after)
• Pay attention to qualifiers (some, all, always)
• Watch for negative meanings

🎯 Decision Making

• TRUE = Exact match in meaning
• FALSE = Clear contradiction
• NOT GIVEN = No information at all
• Don't assume or infer

📝 Guidelines & Rules

Key Guidelines:

• Statements must match exactly - no paraphrasing allowed
• Qualifiers matter: "all" vs "some", "always" vs "sometimes"
• NOT GIVEN means the information is completely absent
• Don't use your background knowledge

✅ Model Exercise

Sample Text: "Coffee Production"

"Coffee is grown in many tropical countries around the world. The beans are harvested when they are ripe and then processed to remove the outer layers."

Statements:

1. Coffee is cultivated in tropical regions worldwide.
2. Coffee beans are picked when they are unripe.
3. The processing removes the outer layers of the beans.
4. Coffee plants grow well in cold climates.

Answers & Explanations:

• 1. TRUE: "Coffee is grown in many tropical countries" matches "cultivated in tropical regions"
• 2. FALSE: Text says "harvested when they are ripe" but statement says "unripe"
• 3. TRUE: Direct match with "processed to remove the outer layers"
• NOT GIVEN: Text mentions tropical countries but says nothing about cold climates

👍 Dos and Don'ts

✅ DOs

• Read the statement carefully before searching
• Use keywords to find the exact location
• Read the surrounding context
• Check for synonyms and paraphrases
• Be 100% certain before choosing NOT GIVEN

❌ DON'Ts

• Don't assume information not in the text
• Don't match similar meanings (must be exact)
• Don't spend too long on one statement
• Don't change answers based on doubt
• Don't use general knowledge

🚀 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Qualifiers: "Some scientists" ≠ "All scientists"
• Time References: "In the past" ≠ "Currently"
• Scope: Local information ≠ Global claims
• Inference: Reading between the lines

🎯 Final Pro Tip: For NOT GIVEN, ask yourself: "If I removed this statement from the text, would the meaning change?" If the answer is "no," then it's NOT GIVEN. This eliminates 90% of wrong answers.