IELTS Reading Tips 2026: True/False/Not Given & All Question Types Strategy

IELTS Reading gives you 60 minutes to answer 40 questions across 3 passages (Academic) or 3 sections (GT). It is the section where time management makes the biggest difference — many students score well on the first passage but run out of time on the third. This guide covers every major question type with specific strategies, the critical True/False/Not Given distinction that confuses most Indian students, and EEC's proven skimming and scanning techniques that help you find answers without reading every word. All strategies apply to both Academic and GT unless otherwise noted.

IELTS Reading — Test Structure & Time Management

Academic Reading: 3 passages (700–1,000 words each) from academic journals, textbooks, and research papers. Difficulty is consistent across passages, but question complexity increases. GT Reading: 3 sections with increasing difficulty. Section 1 has 2–3 short everyday texts. Section 2 has 2 workplace-related texts. Section 3 has one long general-interest text. You get no extra transfer time on paper (unlike Listening). On computer, you type answers directly. Aim for 20 minutes per passage/section, but be flexible — if Passage 1 takes only 15 minutes, use the extra 5 on Passage 3.

True/False/Not Given — The Most Confused Question Type

This is the question type where Indian students lose the most marks. The distinctions are precise: TRUE means the passage explicitly states information that matches the statement. FALSE means the passage explicitly contradicts the statement. NOT GIVEN means the passage either does not mention the topic at all, or mentions it but does not provide enough information to confirm or deny the specific claim. The most common confusion is between FALSE and NOT GIVEN. FALSE requires explicit contradiction. If the statement says “All students passed the exam” and the passage says “Most students passed the exam,” the answer is FALSE (“most” contradicts “all”). If the passage says “Students took the exam” without mentioning results, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

Yes/No/Not Given — Opinion vs Fact

Yes/No/Not Given is similar to T/F/NG but applies to the writer's opinions, views, or claims rather than factual information. YES = the writer's view agrees with the statement. NO = the writer's view contradicts the statement. NOT GIVEN = the writer does not express an opinion on this specific point. The strategy is the same as T/F/NG, but you must focus on what the writer thinks or argues, not just what facts are presented. Look for opinion markers: “I believe,” “it is argued that,” “research suggests,” “critics contend.”

Matching Headings — Strategy

Matching Headings asks you to choose the best heading for each paragraph from a list of headings (there are always more headings than paragraphs, so some are distractors). Strategy: (1) Read the list of headings first. (2) Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph (they usually contain the main idea). (3) Match the paragraph to the heading that best captures its main idea, not just a detail mentioned in it. (4) Cross off matched headings. (5) Be wary of headings that match a detail but not the overall paragraph theme — these are common distractors.

“IELTS Reading is not about understanding every word — it is about finding the right information in the right place within the time limit.”

— EEC Expert Trainer, 27+ Years Experience

Matching Information & Features

Matching Information asks: “Which paragraph contains the following information?” Unlike Matching Headings (which tests main ideas), this tests specific details. Scan each statement's keywords, then scan paragraphs for those keywords or their synonyms. Note that you may use a paragraph more than once, or some paragraphs may not be used. Matching Features asks you to match items (e.g., researchers, dates, theories) to statements. These require careful scanning for proper nouns and specific terms. Both types reward quick scanning skills over careful reading.

Sentence & Summary Completion

These question types ask you to fill gaps in sentences or a summary using words from the passage (or from a word list). Key rules: (1) The word limit is strict — if it says “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS,” writing three words is automatically wrong. (2) Copy words exactly from the passage, including spelling. (3) The answers follow the order of the passage (for sentence completion) or a specific section (for summary completion). (4) For summary completion from a word list, read the summary first, predict answer types, then match from the list.

Multiple Choice Questions

IELTS MCQs can be single-answer or multiple-answer. For single-answer: Eliminate clearly wrong options first, then compare remaining options against the passage. The correct answer often paraphrases the passage rather than using identical words. For multiple-answer (e.g., “choose TWO from A–E”): Treat each option as a True/False question against the passage. Both correct answers must be verified independently. MCQs are often considered time-consuming — don't spend more than 2 minutes per question.

Skimming & Scanning Techniques

Skimming is reading quickly for the main idea without reading every word. Skim by reading: the title, subtitle, first sentence of each paragraph, and the last paragraph. This gives you the passage's structure in 2–3 minutes. Scanning is searching for specific information (names, numbers, dates, keywords). Move your eyes quickly over the text looking for the target word or its synonym. Once found, read the surrounding sentences carefully. The combination of skim-then-scan is the foundation of time-efficient IELTS Reading. Never read the entire passage word-by-word before looking at questions.

60-Minute Time Management Plan

EEC Reading Coaching

EEC provides section-specific reading modules covering every question type with graded practice passages. Trainers teach the skim-scan approach, run timed drills for each question type, and analyze your error patterns to identify which question types need the most practice. Cambridge IELTS practice tests (with real past exam questions) are used throughout the course. Call +91 8758883889 or book a free consultation.

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