Compare and Contrast Practice 1

When we say compare, we basically look for...

• things

• similar things

• different things

What is the definition of comparing and contrasting?

• what is similar and different about (two or more things)

• What is the same

• What is the difference

• What is the same to the other

Reptiles have scales and their toes have claws; amphibians have moist skin and their toes do not have claws. Both reptiles and amphibians lay eggs. However, reptile eggs have a thick hard shell and are laid on land, but amphibian eggs have no shell and are laid in water. Young reptiles are miniature replicas of their parents and are born with lungs, but young amphibians start out with gills. Once amphibians have matured to adults they have lungs.

When comparing reptiles and amphibians:

• Reptiles and amphibians both have lungs as adults.

• Reptiles and amphibians both have toes on their claws.

• Reptiles and amphibians have gills when babies.

• Reptiles and amphibians have scales.

Sally is having strawberry ice cream and Juan is having chocolate ice cream. If I am comparing Sally and Juan, what do they have in common?

• They are eating with a spoon.
• It is hot outside.
• I like to eat ice cream.
• They are eating ice cream.

What is the definition of contrast?

• What?

• Explain how something is different from something else.

• Explain how something is the same from something else.

• When two objects are found together.

Choose the correct text structure.

• cause and effect

• compare and contrast

• description

• problem and solution

Answer explanation

When you COMPARE one thing to another, you explain how the two are

• different
• mysterious
• alike or similar
• interesting

When you CONTRAST two things, you explain how they are

• different
• perfect
• the same
• pretty

Tara and Laura like to go hiking. While Laura loved to bring her dog and walk the trail, Tara loved to bike. Both girls really enjoyed finding natural waterfalls to swim in. Tana and Laura also really loved eating fresh fruit along the trails. Tana loved the hike up, while Laura loved the trek down. In what ways can you compare the two girls? 

• Tana and Laura both liked to bring their dogs on the trail. 
• Tana and Laura both liked finding natural waterfalls to swim in. 
• Tana and Laura both were scared to eat fruit along the trial. 
• Tana loved the hike up, while Laura loved the trek back down. 

Crocodiles and Alligators are covered with scales and have backbones. They have short legs and long, powerful tails. Also, baby crocodiles and alligators both hatch from eggs.
According to the paragraph, how are alligators and crocodiles alike?

• They both have short legs and powerful tails.
• They both eat eggs.
• They are both green.
• They both have hairy skin.