Welcome, Future Reading Detectives!
In the Pre-Secondary One Attainment Test, reading comprehension is like being a detective. Your job is to find clues in a story or an article to answer questions. One of the trickiest parts is the True / False / Not Given section. But don't worry! Once you learn the "detective rules," these questions become much easier. Today, we will learn how to spot the difference between what is true, what is wrong, and what is simply missing.
Section 1: What Do They Actually Mean?
Before we look at the text, let’s understand the three choices you have:
1. True: The text says the exact same thing, or the same idea using different words. It is a 100% match!
2. False: The text says the opposite or something that makes the statement impossible. It is a "no" or a "wrong."
3. Not Given: The text doesn't mention this information at all. You can't find the answer in the passage, even if you think it might be true in real life!
Let’s Use a "Lunch Box" Analogy
Imagine your friend tells you: "I have an apple in my lunch box."
Statement: Your friend has a fruit. (True - An apple is a fruit!)
Statement: Your friend has a chocolate bar. (False - They said they have an apple, not chocolate.)
Statement: The apple is red. (Not Given - The friend said they have an apple, but they didn't say what color it is! It could be green or red, but we don't know.)
Key Takeaway: If you can't find the specific detail in the text, don't guess! It's usually Not Given.
Section 2: The Biggest Challenge — False vs. Not Given
Many students find it hard to choose between False and Not Given. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first; even experts have to be careful here!
How to Tell the Difference:
To choose False, you must find a sentence that contradicts (goes against) the statement.
Example Text: "The school bus arrives at 8:00 AM."
Statement: "The bus arrives in the afternoon." -> False (The text says 8:00 AM, which is morning).
To choose Not Given, the information is simply missing.
Example Text: "The school bus arrives at 8:00 AM."
Statement: "The school bus is yellow." -> Not Given (The text tells us the time, but it says nothing about the color).
Quick Tip: The "Real World" Trap
Did you know? Sometimes students choose "True" because they know it's true in real life. Stop! You must only use the information provided in the text. If the text doesn't say it, it's Not Given, even if it's common sense!
Key Takeaway: False means the text says the opposite. Not Given means the text is silent about that specific detail.
Section 3: Step-by-Step Strategy
Follow these steps to solve any T/F/NG question like a pro:
Step 1: Read the Statement First
Underline the keywords in the question (names, dates, places, or action words).
Step 2: Scan the Text
Run your eyes quickly over the reading passage to find those keywords or words that mean the same thing (synonyms).
Step 3: Compare Carefully
Once you find the right sentence in the text, read it slowly. Does it agree with the statement?
- If it matches: True
- If it says the opposite: False
- If a part of the statement is missing: Not Given
Key Takeaway: Keywords are your best friends. They help you find the right "search area" in the text.
Section 4: Common Traps to Watch Out For
The test makers often use "extreme words" to trick you. Look out for these:
1. Quantity and Frequency Words
Watch out for words like Always, Never, All, Only, or Some.
Text: "Some students like the new library."
Statement: "All students like the new library." -> False (Some does not mean all!)
2. Synonyms (Different words, same meaning)
The text might use the word "enormous" while the question uses the word "very big." These are True matches!
3. The "Not" Trick
Sometimes a sentence has a "not" or "fail to" that changes the whole meaning. Read the small words carefully!
Key Takeaway: Words like all, only, and always are very strong. If the text is less certain (using words like "often" or "usually"), the answer is likely False or Not Given.
Section 5: Quick Review Box
T (True): The text says "Yes."
F (False): The text says "No/Opposite."
NG (Not Given): The text says "I don't know/I didn't mention that."
Memory Trick: Think of TFN as "Tell, Fake, No-info."
1. Tell: The text tells us this is right.
2. Fake: The statement is a fake version of what the text says.
3. No-info: There is no information about this.
You’ve got this! Keep practicing, stay calm, and remember: if you can't find it, don't invent it!