IELTS

READING
TRUE, FALSE, NOT
GIVEN
OUR AGENDA?
01 True, False, Not Given

02 Reading Tips

03 Vocabulary

04 Discussion
01
TRUE, FALSE,
NOT GIVEN
PURPOSE - TASK

THE PURPOSE
To test your ability to find information in a
reading passage, then to read it carefully to
understand the details.

THE TASK

You have to read the passage and

decide if the statements are reporting
information correctly or not.
This task is often used to test your understanding
of a factual passage
What it looks like
Basic Rules

● The statements follow the order of information in the

passage
● The statements are not exactly the same as the wording of
the passage (paraphrase/synonym)
● The statements include some words and names that are also
used in the passage
● You need to read this information carefully and compare it
with the statement
 For some statements, there isn’t enough
information in the passage to know if the
statement is correct or not. In this case, you write
NOT GIVEN on the aswer sheet.
 True, False, Not Given
What you should do
• Look for specific details (keywords).
• Skimming and Scanning. Skim the passage for synonyms and
paraphrases of the keyword. Scan the place where the
information should be in the text and read it carefully.
• Write “TRUE” if the ideas between the questions and passage
are the same. If the passage says the opposite of the
information on the question, write “FALSE”; if the passage does
not include the information expressed in the question, write
“NOT GIVEN”
• If you look for information which is NOT EXPLICITELY
MENTIONED in the passage, then it is possible that the answer
is NOT GIVEN. Ask yourself “How can I say this is true or false if
I can't find it in the passage?”
 True, False, Not Given
Advertising works by focusing on the promotion of our ego, the sense of ourselves that we
identify with, rather than on specific objective facts of whatever it is we buy. The 'feel-good
factor' often associated with purchasing items can be explained in these terms rather than
price or value, although of course everyone likes to feel that he or she has got a bargain.
Companies know that they don't sell products, they sell us lifestyles, regardless of whether
they are selling a cheap daily necessity or a special luxury item.

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage?
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. The success of an advert relies on more than the nature and True
properties of the product itself.
2. The act of buying something creates a sense of satisfaction, as False
long as the buyer has got value for money.

3. It is easier to sell cheaper products than more expensive items Not Given
because they don't rely on sophisticated sales techniques.
 True, False, Not Given
Shopping for what we need or what we want?
Over the past hundred years, shopping has grown to
become one of the leading pastimes of an increasing
proportion of populations in rich and developing
nations alike. Indeed, for many - and this is not
necessarily restricted to the most affluent - shopping is cited
as the number-one hobby. Changes in modern lifestyles
mean that for many families, it is no longer eating
together but shopping that bonds them as a family, at least
at the weekend. The era that invented the term
'shopaholic' witnessed shopping, originally the necessary
process of exchanging goods or services in order to eat
and che ss, become acknowledged as a serious addiction if
not by all branches of medicine, at least by the general
public, and as such, it is an issue that merits serious study.
Decide if the following statements are True (T), False
(F) or Not Given (NG).
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
1. Shopping has only recently become a social pleasure.
2. The interest in shopping as a way of spending time
crosses social and national borders.
3. In most families, shared mealtimes have been
replaced by shopping as an opportunity for family
togethernes.
4. Medical research is being conducted into the problem of
excessive shopping.
 True, False, Not Given
Shopping for what we need or what we want?
Over the pastVhundred years, shopping has grown to
become one of the leading pastimes of an increasing
proportion of populationsV in rich and developing
nations alike. Indeed, for many - and this is not
necessarily restricted to the most affluent - shopping is cited
as the number-one hobby. Changes in modern lifestyles
mean that for many families, it is V no longer eating
together but shopping that bonds them as a family, at least
at the weekend. The era that invented the term
'shopaholic' witnessed shopping, originally the necessary
process of exchanging goods or services in order to eat
and che ss, become acknowledged as a serious addiction if
not by all branches of medicine, at least by the general
public, and as such, it is an issue that merits serious study.
1. False: The first line talks about over the past 100 years,
which cannot be considered 'only recently'.
2. True: The text refers to rich and poor people, and in rich
and developing nations.
3. False: There is a difference between “many families”
and most families. The qualifier at least at the
weekend also makes the generalization false.
Decide if the following statements are True (T), False
(F) or Not Given (NG).
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
1. Shopping has only recently become a social pleasure.
2. The interest in shopping as a way of spending time
crosses social and national borders.
3. In most families, shared mealtimes have been
replaced by shopping as an opportunity for family
togetherness.
4. Medical research is being conducted into the problem of
excessive shopping.
4. Not Given: Although there is mention of the phenomenon
being acknowledged by some branches of medicine and
that further study is merited, there is no mention that
research is being carried out. This does not mean that
research isn 't being carried out, simply that such research
is not mentioned in the text.
1. FALSE
2. FALSE
3. NOT GIVEN
4. TRUE
1. FALSE
2. FALSE
3. NOT GIVEN
4. TRUE
5. TRUE
6. FALSE
7. TRUE
1. FALSE
2. NOT GIVEN
3. FALSE
4. TRUE
5. TRUE
 02
READING TIPS
Understanding the author's
point of view
A writer may express his or her point of view in the
passage to emphasize the meaning of certain
beliefs/views in the passage.

There are six types of the author's

point of view that you may encounter
later
1. Opinions
2. Statements of fact
3. Generalizations
4. Paraphrases of the same
information
5. Opposites
6. Deductions
03

VOCABULARY
Match the words or expressions (1-9) with words or expressions that have a similar
meaning (a-i). You can open a dictionary to help you find the similar meaning.

1. proliferation a. harmful
2. impediments b. fixed
3. attached c. barriers
4. foreseeable future d. main
5. stringent standards e. great increase
6. unattainable f. out of reach
7. in the event of g. soon
8. detrimental h. if this happens
9. primary i. strict requirements
Match the words or expressions (1-9) with words or expressions that have a similar
meaning (a-i). You can open a dictionary to help you find the similar meaning.

1. proliferation a. harmful
2. impediments b. fixed
3. attached c. barriers
4. foreseeable future d. main
5. stringent standards e. great increase
6. unattainable f. out of reach
7. in the event of g. soon
8. detrimental h. if this happens
9. primary i. strict requirements

Answer Key
1. e 4. g 7. h
2. c 5. i 8. a
3. b 6. f 9. d
04

DISCUSSION
THANKS!