True, False, Not Given questions explained
In these questions a child reads a passage and then decides whether each statement is true, false or not given. Children usually find True and False straightforward. The tricky one is Not Given, which means the passage does not say.
What each answer means
- True: the passage says this, in the same meaning, perhaps in different words.
- False: the passage says the opposite.
- Not Given: the passage does not say either way.
A worked example
Passage: "Ella's bakery opens at seven in the morning and sells bread and cakes."
- "The bakery sells bread." True, because the passage says so.
- "The bakery opens at nine." False, because the passage says seven.
- "The bakery sells cheese." Not Given, because the passage does not mention cheese.
A routine for every statement
- Find the part of the passage the statement is about.
- Ask: does the passage say this, say the opposite, or say nothing about it?
- Choose True, False or Not Given from your answer, and be ready to point to the words.
The trap: using what you already know
Many children answer from their own knowledge. A child might think "most bakeries sell cheese rolls, so True." The question only asks what this passage says. If it is not written, it is Not Given, however likely it seems.
False versus Not Given
False needs a line that contradicts the statement. If you cannot point to a contradicting line, the answer is probably Not Given. Ask your child to find the line each time.
Practise at home
Read a short paragraph and write three statements together, one of each kind. Swap with your child and let them write the next three for you. Making questions is a good way to understand them.
Common questions
Where do these questions appear?
In some school reading tasks and in English-language tests for older students. Check what your child's own tests use.
Why is Not Given hard?
Because it asks a child to notice the absence of information, which goes against the habit of filling gaps with what they know.
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