true-or-false
/ˌtruː.ɔː(r)ˈfɔːls/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
A true-or-false question, statement, or test has only two answers: true or false. It is used to check basic knowledge quickly.
- We had a true-or-false quiz in class.
- Mark each statement true-or-false.
- The test included ten true-or-false questions.
Adinary Nuance
True-or-false is more specific than yes-no because it asks about correctness, not agreement. It is also different from multiple-choice, where you choose from several answers. In school and exam writing, true-or-false sounds clear and simple, but it is usually used for questions or tests, not for general descriptions.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đúng-sai
- Spanish
- verdadero o falso
- Chinese
- 判断对错
- Japanese
- 正誤式
- Korean
- 참거짓
Etymology
This phrase is made from the English words true and false. It became common in school tests and quizzes as a simple two-choice format.
Common phrases
true-or-false questiontrue-or-false testtrue-or-false quiz
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is true-or-false formal or informal?
- It is neutral. You can use it in school, exams, and everyday teaching.
- What is the difference between true-or-false and yes-no?
- True-or-false checks whether a statement is correct. Yes-no asks for a simple answer of yes or no.
- Can I use true-or-false for a person or idea?
- Usually no. It is mainly used for questions, statements, and tests.
- Is true-or-false common in academic writing?
- Yes, in descriptions of tests and surveys. It is common in education and assessment contexts.