Finding Exact Information
Learn how to locate precise answers, recognise paraphrases and avoid
the most common IELTS Reading traps.
True, False, Not Given
Decide whether the text confirms, contradicts or does not mention a statement.
Short-answer Questions
Find precise information and answer using words taken directly from the text.
Sentence Completion
Predict the missing information and complete each sentence accurately.
What Will You Learn?
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to find exact information
without translating or reading every word.
You will learn to:
- scan a text for names, numbers, places and key details;
- recognise synonyms and paraphrases;
- distinguish between False and Not Given;
- respect IELTS word limits;
- check spelling and grammar before submitting an answer.
Quick Diagnostic
Decide whether each statement is correct.
- You must understand every word in an IELTS text.
- False and Not Given mean the same thing.
- Writing three words is incorrect when the instruction says ONE WORD ONLY.
Check your ideas
1. Incorrect · 2. Incorrect · 3. Correct
Your job is to locate evidence and understand its meaning.
Skim, Scan, Then Read Closely
Strong IELTS readers change their reading technique according to what
they need to find.
Skim
Read quickly to understand the general topic and organisation.
Scan
Move your eyes across the text to locate a specific detail.
Read Closely
Read the relevant sentence and the sentences around it carefully.
The three-step method
Read the question → underline its keywords → scan for the same idea →
read that part closely → choose the answer.
Mini Activity
Which technique would you use first?
- Finding the cost of a ticket: Scanning
- Understanding the topic of an article: Skimming
- Checking whether a statement is contradicted: Close reading
Follow the Word Limit Exactly
A correct idea can still receive no mark if you use too many words.
ONE WORD ONLY
Correct: relocation
Incorrect: a relocation
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS
Correct: feeding dish
Correct: sun
Incorrect: the feeding dish
WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER
Possible: $5
Possible: three months
Before you write an answer, check:
- What is the maximum number of words?
- Can I include a number?
- Does the answer fit grammatically?
- Have I copied the spelling correctly?
Contractions are not usually tested in these completion tasks.
True, False or Not Given?
Compare the meaning of the statement with the evidence in the text.
Do not answer using your personal knowledge.
TRUE
The text confirms the statement.
Statement: The office opens at eight.
FALSE
The text clearly contradicts the statement.
Statement: Helmets are compulsory.
NOT GIVEN
The text does not provide enough information to decide.
Statement: Most participants live in London.
The evidence test
Can you underline a sentence that proves the statement?
- Yes, it confirms it: TRUE
- Yes, it contradicts it: FALSE
- No clear evidence: NOT GIVEN
you cannot find the information. Missing information is Not Given.
London to Brighton Bike Ride
Task: Decide whether each statement is TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN.
- You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated
starting time. - Your Rider Identity Card will be sent to you before the event.
- Some roads may have normal traffic flow on them.
- Helmets are compulsory for all participants.
- First aid staff can provide cycle capes.
Evidence Challenge
For each answer, underline the exact phrase that confirms,
contradicts or fails to mention the statement.
Check the answers
- TRUE: Participants should arrive no earlier than
30 minutes before their start time. - NOT GIVEN: The text mentions the card but does not
say when or how it is sent. - TRUE: The text warns that vehicles may travel in
the opposite direction. - FALSE: Helmets are strongly recommended, but the
text does not make them compulsory. - FALSE: First aid staff can provide bin liners,
not cycle capes.
Short-answer Questions
These questions ask for a specific person, place, object, amount,
date or other factual detail.
Step-by-step strategy
- Read the word limit.
- Underline the question word.
- Predict the type of information required.
- Scan the text for keywords or synonyms.
- Copy only the essential answer.
What should you look for?
| Question word | Expected answer |
|---|---|
| Who? | A person or job title |
| Where? | A place or position |
| When? | A date or time |
| How much? | A price or quantity |
| What? | An object, event or idea |
Example
Question: Where is the batch number printed?
Prediction: A location on the product.
Answer: the bottom
sentence. Write only the words required by the question.
Important Notice: Product Return
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER
from the text for each answer.
- What has been found in some Fancy Foods products?
- Where can you find the batch number on the jars?
- How much will you receive for an opened jar?
- Whom should previous consumers contact?
- What is the maximum reward being offered?
Predict Before You Scan
- Question 4 needs an object or substance.
- Question 5 needs a location.
- Questions 6 and 8 need an amount of money.
- Question 7 needs a person or job title.
Check the answers
- pieces of metal
- the bottom
- $5
- Retailing Manager
- $50,000
Sentence Completion
Use the grammar around the gap to predict what kind of word or phrase
is missing before you search the text.
Look before the gap
The position of the ______ was changed.
After the, we probably need a noun or noun phrase.
The company paid ______ for each jar.
After paid, we probably need an amount of money.
Look after the gap
The dance points towards the ______.
The gap probably needs a place, object or direction.
The reel is ______ before being used.
The passive structure requires a past participle.
Completion method
- Read the incomplete sentence.
- Predict the missing grammar and meaning.
- Scan the text for the relevant idea.
- Copy the exact word or phrase.
- Read the completed sentence again.
correct, but you cannot change the words taken from the text.
Understanding Bee Behaviour
Complete the sentences below. Choose
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text.
- Von Frisch discovered the difference between dance types by
changing the position of the 1 __. - The dance outside the hive points in the direction of the 1 __.
- The angle of the dance from the vertical shows the angle of the
food from the 1 __.
Grammar Prediction
All three gaps follow the. Therefore, each answer
should be a noun or noun phrase.
Check the answers
- feeding dish — the researcher moved the dish
progressively farther away. - food source — the direction of the dance directly
indicated where the food was located. - sun — the angle communicated the food’s position
in relation to the sun.
Look for Meaning, Not Identical Words
IELTS questions frequently replace the words in the text with synonyms, grammatical changes or equivalent expressions.
| Question wording | Possible wording in the text |
|---|---|
| compulsory | must be worn / required |
| receive | will be paid |
| contact | speak to / inform / get in touch with |
| location | position / place |
| opposite direction | oncoming traffic |
| food location | food source / feeding place |
Correct approach
Search for the same idea, even when the vocabulary and grammar are different.
Common mistake
Choosing an answer only because it contains the same word as the question.
Match the Paraphrases
Match each expression with its closest meaning:
- mandatory
- refund
- approximately
A. about B. compulsory C. money returned
Show answers
1–B · 2–C · 3–A
Can You Find the Evidence?
Complete a mixed set of questions using the three strategies from this lesson.
Your challenge
- 3 True, False or Not Given questions
- 3 Short-answer Questions
- 3 Sentence Completion questions
- Recommended time: 12 minutes
Final checking routine
- Check the word limit.
- Check spelling.
- Check singular and plural forms.
- Check that the answer fits the sentence.
- Confirm the textual evidence.
My Reading Error Log
| My mistake | How I will correct it |
|---|---|
| I did not recognise the paraphrase. | I will record the synonym pair. |
| I confused False and Not Given. | I will underline the evidence before deciding. |
| I exceeded the word limit. | I will circle the instruction before starting. |
| I made a spelling mistake. | I will copy the word directly from the text. |
| I spent too long on one question. | I will move on and return later. |
What Can You Do Now?
You are now ready to locate exact information and answer three essential IELTS General Reading question types more accurately.
Find Evidence
Use skimming, scanning and close reading strategically.
Recognise Paraphrases
Search for the same meaning rather than identical vocabulary.
Write Precise Answers
Respect word limits, grammar and spelling.
Revision Tracker
Colour the stars: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
My most common mistake today: __________________________________________
One strategy I will use next time: __________________________________________
Three things I can do now:
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
- __________________________________________
Continue Learning with Mentes Altus
Review and Download the Lesson PDFs
¡Hora de hacer ejercicios! Explora con los botones los distintos grupos.
IELTS General Reading – True, False, Not Given
London to Brighton Bike Ride
Do the following statement agree with the information given in the text?
The system of allocated starting times is intended to reduce congestion during the ride.
London to Brighton Bike Ride
Do the following statement agree with the information given in the text?
Cyclists are divided into starting groups according to their level of experience.
London to Brighton Bike Ride
Do the following statement agree with the information given in the text?
Motor vehicles are prevented from using every road included in the cycling route.
London to Brighton Bike Ride
Do the following statement agree with the information given in the text?
A thumbs-up signal indicates that the cyclist does not require assistance.
London to Brighton Bike Ride
Do the following statement agree with the information given in the text?
Cyclists with a Rider Identity Card do not have to pay any repair-related costs.
IELTS General Reading – Multiple-choice Questions: Bee Behaviour
Understanding Bee Behaviour
Why did von Frisch begin changing the position of the feeding dish?
Understanding Bee Behaviour
What determined which type of dance the scout bees performed?
Understanding Bee Behaviour
What information was communicated by the number of runs in the dance?
Understanding Bee Behaviour
How did an outdoor dance show the location of the food?
Understanding Bee Behaviour
What function did gravity perform during a dance inside the hive?