Passage Reference: WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR IGNORING A TOTAL FIRE BAN? You could be fined up to $25 000 and/or jailed for 12 months for ignoring the ban.

Common Mistake: Some students choose NOT GIVEN because the passage does not repeat the words 'light a fire outside'. But this is a Synonym match - ignoring the ban includes lighting fires in the open air.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'jailed for 12 months' = Statement: 'go to prison for a year'

Tips: Look for penalties at the end of information texts - punishment details are often grouped together.

Key Vocabulary:

• jailed = sent to prison
• ignoring = not following

Question Focus: Duration of the ban

Correct Answer: FALSE

Passage Reference: HOW LONG IS A TOTAL FIRE BAN IN PLACE FOR? The ban will generally be in place from 12.01am to 11.59pm on the day declared; however, if weather conditions change significantly, times may vary.

Why this is correct: The passage says the ban lasts for one day, from early morning to late night. This directly contradicts the statement that it lasts for two days.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes choose NOT GIVEN because they see 'times may vary'. But the passage clearly gives a normal duration, so this is a Contradiction trap.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'on the day declared' = Statement: 'two days'

Tips: If the passage gives a clear number or time and the statement gives a different one, check for a direct contradiction.

Key Vocabulary:

• generally = usually
• declared = officially announced

Question Focus: Ways to get information about a ban

Correct Answer: NOT GIVEN

Passage Reference: HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN A TOTAL FIRE BAN HAS BEEN DECLARED? When a ban has been declared it will be: -broadcast on ABC local radio and other media outlets

Why this is correct: The passage says the information is broadcast on ABC local radio, but it does not say you can contact a local radio station yourself. The passage does not discuss whether you can contact them for more information.

Common Mistake: Many students mark this TRUE because they assume radio stations can be contacted. This is a Not Given trap - the idea sounds logical, but it is not stated.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'broadcast on ABC local radio' = Statement: 'contact your local radio station'

Tips: Do not add your own logic. Ask yourself: does the passage actually say this action is possible?

Key Vocabulary:

• broadcast = sent out on radio
• outlets = channels or sources

Question Focus: Meaning of 'open air' and undercover areas

Correct Answer: FALSE

Passage Reference: A Total Fire Ban prohibits: -the lighting of any fires in the open air Undercover areas such as patios, pergolas and huts that are open or partially open to the weather are deemed to be in the open air.

Why this is correct: A patio is deemed to be in the open air, so lighting a fire there is prohibited. This directly contradicts the statement that you can use a pizza oven under a patio.

Common Mistake: Students often think 'undercover' means allowed. This is a Reverse meaning trap - the passage explains that these areas are still considered open air.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'deemed to be in the open air' = Statement: 'under your patio'

Tips: Be careful with definitions. If the passage defines a term, use that definition, not your everyday understanding.

Key Vocabulary:

• deemed = considered
• prohibits = does not allow

General Tips:

• TFNG questions follow passage order - use the previous answer location to find the next one.
• FALSE means the passage clearly says the opposite, not just that the idea sounds wrong.
• NOT GIVEN means the topic is mentioned but the exact claim is not answered.
• Watch for everyday assumptions - IELTS only tests what is written, not what seems logical.