UNIT 5

COMPARISON / CONTRAST ESSAY

A Comparison or Contrast essay is an essay in which you either compare something or contrast
something or write both the similarities and differences. A comparison essay is an essay in which
you emphasize the similarities, and a contrast essay is an essay in which you emphasize the
differences. 

 Imagine you are the boss of a small company. Read the following letter.

Dear Boss,

You asked me to write about whether we should buy a Brother 2040 Printer or an HP
Laserjet. The printer will be used by the Sales department and the Marketing department, and
they each print about 1000 pages per month. I think that Toshiba makes better computers
than HP, but I don’t know about Toshiba’s printers. Although there are similarities between
these two printers, there are also many differences.

Both the Brother and the HP are laser printers. They are both quite small, and would fit easily
on the shelf next to your desk. They are both only black and white printers, and neither the
Brother nor the HP can be used with a color cartridge. However, color is nice to have so that
you can print photographs of your family. In addition, their prices are similar: the HP is 140
YTL, and the Brother is 160 YTL. However, as you can see below, the brother might
actually be a better value for us. Both the HP and the Brother are able to print about 3000
pages per cartridge. Cartridges for the Brother are 56 YTL, and the price of HP cartridges
ranges from 60 to 80 YTL depending on where it is bought. TechnoSa always charges too
much money for printers, and their iPods are also overpriced.

However, there are also many differences which must be considered. The brother printer can
be used with both Windows and Macs, but the HP is only compatible with Windows. This
could be important due to the fact that eight people in the Marketing department have Mac
computers. Additionally, the HP is quite a new model. Although it looks good, there are no
online reviews of it. On the other hand, the Brother is an older model; however, it always
gets great reviews online. Finally, guarantees must be considered. The HP has a three-year
guarantee, whereas the brother only has one-year guarantee.

Considering the above, both printers would be reasonable choices for our office. However, I
think that the Brother is best, but both printers are good if we work hard.

Yours faithfully,

Ned Brownnose
Assistant
• Which printer is:
1. cheaper in the short term? 4. a newer model?
2. cheaper in the long term? 5. a model with better reviews online?
3. useful for more people? 6. guaranteed for a longer time?

• If you were the manager, which printer would you choose?

___________________________________________________________________________

• Now look back at the letter. Ned Brownnose has put some “extra information” into his
letter. Find it and cross it out.
___________________________________________________________________________

• This business letter is very similar to a compare-contrast essay, but there are a few
differences. Discuss them with a partner.

What’s the point?

Writers can use a comparison / contrast strategy for a variety of purposes.
1. To inform: The essay simply explains how two things are similar and / or different, such as
Greek vs. Roman Mythology.
2. To describe something unfamiliar: The essay explains something unusual or foreign by
comparing it to something more common, such as the Ukraine vs. Texas.
3. To evaluate: The essay shows the differences between two things for the purpose of arguing
that one is superior, such as the Geo Prism vs. the Ford Taurus.
4. To persuade: The essay tries to change readers’ minds about one thing by comparing it to
another, such as sending troops to Bosnia vs. sending troops to Vietnam.

Organization
A) Writing about the similarities OR differences
If you wish to compare or contrast two things, places, people, etc. you could do it in two different
ways: one is called block arrangement of ideas; the other is called point-by-point or alternating
arrangement of ideas.  Suppose you are interested in showing the differences between vacationing
in the mountains and vacationing at the beach.  You will then write a contrast composition. One
way to arrange your material is to use the block arrangement which is to write about vacationing in
the mountains in one paragraph and vacationing at the beach in the next.  If you mention a
particular point in the mountains paragraph, you must mention the same point in the beach
paragraph, and in the same order.  Study the following outline, which shows this kind of
organization. The introductory paragraph is followed by the mountains paragraph, the beach
paragraph, then the conclusion; the fully developed essay is four paragraphs.

Topic: Write the similarities and/or differences between vacationing in the mountains and at the
beach.
I. Block Type
 Block Type Arrangement
I. General ideas about the topic + thesis statement
II. Mountain
A.  Climate
B.  Types of Activities 
C.  Location 
III. Beach
A.  Climate
B.  Types of Activities
C.  Location 

IV. Conclusion
 
Sample Block Type Essay
Vacationing at the Beach or in the Mountains

People always look forward to their vacation period. There are many alternatives where
to choose. The two most common places people choose to take a vacation are the beaches
and the mountains. Both places offer a variety of fun activities. The beach offers activities
that the mountain cannot offer and vice versa. The mountain and the beach are totally
different in the activities that they offer. There are two major differences between having a
vacation in the mountains and at the beach: the climate and types of activities.

Having a vacation in the mountains is quite different from having a vacation at the
beach in terms of climate and types of activities. To start with, climate is always important in
order to enjoy vacations. If a person dislikes cold weather, he or she might have a hard time
in the mountains. The cold climate in the mountains is the first barrier to enjoying them, but
the climate and the temperature of these zones also determine the types of activities they
offer. Snow boarding, mountain climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing are some
activities people can enjoy when going to the mountains.

The beach, on the other hand, differs from the mountain. Unlike the mountains, warm
climate is one of the most important features that the beach has. Sun and fun are two words
that describe the beach. The temperature in those places is always hot. Different from the
mountains, the sea and the warm climate determine the activities that are available at the
beach. People can swim, play volleyball, play soccer, and ride water bikes. In most coastal
 sites, there are discos and restaurants where people can dance or party throughout the night.

In short, one should consider the different aspects of vacationing in the mountains and
at the beach. It does not matter what place a person decides to choose. The fun is guaranteed.
I personally like the beach better than the mountains, but sometimes it is better to take a risk
and try a different place to enjoy. 
(340 words)

II. Point-by-point/ Alternating Type

A second way to organize the same topic is to discuss a particular point about vacationing in the
mountains and then immediately to discuss the same point about vacationing at the beach.  This is
called point-by-point or alternating arrangement.  An outline of this organization follows.

Point-by-Point or Alternating Arrangement

I. General ideas about the topic + thesis statement
II. First difference between mountains and beaches is climate
A.  Mountains
B.  Beach
III. Second difference between mountains and beaches are types of activities
A.  Mountains
B.  Beach
IV. Conclusion

Sample Point-by-Point Type Essay

Vacationing at the Beach or in the Mountains

People always look forward to their vacation period. There are many alternatives where to
choose. The two most common places people choose to take a vacation are the beaches and
the mountains. Both places offer a variety of fun activities. The beach offers activities that
the mountain cannot offer and vice versa. The mountain and the beach are totally different in
the activities that they offer. There are two major differences between having a vacation in
the mountains and at the beach: the climate and types of activities.

To begin with, having a vacation in the mountains is quite different from having a vacation at
the beach in terms of climate. Climate is always important in order to enjoy vacations. If a
person dislikes cold weather, he or she might have a hard time in the mountains. The cold
climate in the mountains is the first barrier to enjoying them. However, warm climate is one
of the most important features that the beach has. The temperature in those places is always
hot. Sun and fun are two words that describe the beach.

Secondly, the types of activities that mountains and beaches offer are quite different. Snow
boarding, mountain climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing are some activities people
can enjoy when going to the mountains. On the other hand, people who prefer to spend their
vacations at the beach can swim, play volleyball, play soccer, and ride water bikes. In
addition, in most coastal towns, there are discos and restaurants where people can dance or
party throughout the night.

In short, one should consider the different aspects of vacationing in the mountains and
at the beach. It does not matter what place a person decides to choose. The fun is guaranteed.
I personally like the beach better than the mountains, but sometimes it is better to take a risk
and try a different place to enjoy. 
(316 words)

Writing Thesis Statements for Comparison OR Contrast Essays

1. There are more differences than similarities between vacationing in the mountains and
vacationing at the beach, such as the climate and types of activities you can have.

2. There are two major differences between homemade food and fast food: price and taste.
 3. If we compare newspapers and magazines, we can see more similarities than differences,
such as advertising and news.
4. When you compare Ankara and Istanbul, you can realize that there are many similarities
between them like population and traffic.

5. There are two important similarities between living alone and living with your parents:
mundane jobs and sense of responsibility.

B) Writing about both the similarities AND differences

Topic: Write the similarities and/or differences between modern families and traditional families.

Similarities & Differences Type Arrangement

I. Background Information + thesis statement
II. Similarities
A. Support 1
B. Support 2
III. Differences
A. Support 1
B. Support 2 
IV. Conclusion

Sample Similarities & Differences Type Essay

 Modern Families
Each country around the world consists of the family which is the basic unit of any
society. Since the last century and nowadays, I believe that families have changed in many
ways from being traditional to modern and that has happened because of many
technological and economical factors. Although traditional and modern families have
many aspects in common, they are also different from each other in many respects.

There are many similarities between modern and traditional families. Although
families have changed over the years, both traditional and modern families have
maintained the affection and warmth that they feel and share with each other. They both
sit at the same table having food, gather for the special occasions and share the happiness
and love and they also help each other with their problems and support each other in need.
In addition, the mother’s role in the family is still the same since she is the main source of
love and caring for her children and the other members; she also keeps doing the same
tasks that every mother does even if she has a job outside the home.

In spite of the similarities, traditional families differ greatly from modern families
in some ways. In the traditional family, the father is considered as the head of the family
who controls and gives orders and rules and each member should obey and respect him.
On the other hand, in the modern family the father has become more flexible and easy-
going with his children and he gives them more freedom to do whatever they want but
without overacting. It is also worth noting that the traditional family was extended and all
their members usually lived in the same house whereas the modern family is nuclear
consisting of the parents and their two or three children.

All in all, I believe that both traditional and modern families are controlled by their
own conditions although they have some common points. However, if I had the chance to
choose one of them, I would prefer living in a traditional family because I love the
extended family where there are a lot of sisters and brothers.

Writing Thesis Statements for Comparison AND Contrast Essays

 1. There are several similarities and differences between vacationing in the mountain and at the
beach.
2. A comparison between vacationing in the mountain and at the beach reveals/ demonstrates/
shows some similarities and differences.
3. Akmerkez in Etiler and Kanyon in Levent have a lot of differences in some aspects but they
are also similar in some ways, especially at weekends.
4. When you compare these two places, they seem like they are quite different from each other,
but they also share some similarities.
5. Education given in private schools has some characteristics different from education given
in state schools, but they also display some similar aspects at certain points.
6. Istanbul and Ankara may seem to be very different from each other at a first glance.
However, when you get to know those two cities more closely, it is possible to say that there
are many similarities between them.
7. Being married and being single are completely different concepts when certain points are
taken into consideration. However, some other aspects of these two make them have some
things in common.

Language Study
Comparatives

We use –er for short words (one syllable): We use more … for longer words (two
syllables or more):
cheap→ cheaper fast→ faster more modern more serious
large→ larger thin→ thinner more expensive more comfortable

We also use –er for two syllable words that We use more … for adverbs that end in –ly:
end in –y (-y→ -ier):
lucky→ luckier early→ earlier more slowly more seriously
easy→ easier pretty→ prettier more quietly more carefully

also: more often

but: earlier (not ‘more early’)

Compare these examples:

 You are older than me.  You are more patient than me.
 The exam was quite easy – easier  The exam was quite difficult – more
than we expected. difficult than we expected.
 Can you walk a bit faster?  Can you walk a bit more slowly?
 I’d like to have a bigger car.  I’d like to have a more reliable car.
 Last night I went to bed earlier than  I don’t play tennis much these days.
usual. I used to play more often.

You can use –er or more … with some two-syllable adjectives, especially:
quiet clever narrow shallow simple
 It is too noisy here. Can we go somewhere quieter / more quiet?

Exercise 1. Complete the sentences using a comparative form (older/more important etc.)

1. It is too noisy here. Can we go somewhere quieter?

2. This coffee is very weak. I like a bit _________________.
3. The hotel was surprisingly big. I expected it to be _________________.
4. The hotel was surprisingly cheap. I expected it to be _________________.
5. The weather is too cold in this country. I’d like to live somewhere _________________.
6. My job is a bit boring sometimes. I’d like to do something _________________.
7. I was surprised how easy it was to use the computer. I thought it would be _____________.
8. Your work isn’t very good. I’m sure you can do _________________.
9. Don’t worry. The situation isn’t so bad. It could be _________________.
10. I was surprised we got here so quickly. I expected the journey to take ________________.
11. You’re talking very loudly. Can you speak a bit _________________?
12. You hardly ever phone me. Why don’t you phone me _________________?
13. You’re standing too near the camera. Can you move a bit _________________?
14. You were a bit depressed yesterday, but you look _________________ today.
Exercise 2. Read the situations and complete the sentences. Use a comparative form (-er or more
…).
1. Yesterday the temperature was nine degrees. Today it’s only six degrees.
It’s colder today than it was yesterday.
2. The journey takes four hours by car and five hours by train.
It takes __________________________________________________________________.
3. Dave and I went for a run. I ran ten kilometers. Dave stopped after eight kilometers.
I ran __________________________________________________________________.
4. Chris and Joe both did badly in the exam. Chris got 20%, but Joe only got 15%.
Joe did __________________________________________________________________.
5. I expected my friend to arrive at about 4 o’clock. In fact, they arrived at 2.30.
My friends _________________________________________________________________.
6. You can go by bus or by train. The buses run every 30 minutes. The trains run every hour.
The buses __________________________________________________________________.
7. We were very busy at work today. We’re not usually as busy as that.
We __________________________________________________________________.

 Before comparatives you can use:

much a lot far (=a lot) a bit a little slightly (=a little)
 Let’s go by car. It’s much cheaper. (or It’s a lot cheaper.)
 Don’t go by train. It’s a lot more expensive. (or it’s much more expensive.)
 Could you speak a bit more slowly? (or … speak a little more slowly?)
 This bag is slightly heavier than the other one.
 Her illness was far more serious than we thought at first. (or … much more serious … or …
a lot more serious…)

Exercise 3. Fill in the blanks using the words in brackets in the comparative form. Use
‘than’ where necessary.
1. Her illness was much more serious than we thought at first. (much / serious)
2. This bag is too small. I need something _____________________. (much / big)
3. I’m afraid the problem is _____________________ it seems. (much / complicated)
4. You looked depressed this morning, but you look _____________________ now. (a bit /
happy)
5. I enjoyed our visit to the museum. It was _____________________ I expected. (far /
interesting)
6. You’re driving too fast. Could you drive _____________________? (a bit / slowly)
7. It’s _____________________ to learn a foreign language in the country where it is spoken.
(a lot / easy)
 8. I thought she was younger than me, but in fact, she is _____________________. (slightly /
old)

 You can use any and no + comparatives (any longer / no bigger etc.):
 I’ve waited long enough. I’m not waiting any longer. (= not even a little longer)
 We expected their house to be very big, but it’s no bigger than ours. (or … it isn’t any
bigger than ours.)
 Yesterday you said you felt ill. Do you feel any better today?
 This hotel is better than the other one and it’s no more expensive.

Exercise 4.Complete the sentences using any / no + comparative. Use ‘than’ where necessary.
1. I’m fed up with waiting. I’m not waiting any longer.
2. I’m sorry I’m a bit late, but I couldn’t get here _______________.
3. This shop isn’t expensive. The prices are ______________________ anywhere else.
4. I must stop for a rest. I can’t walk _______________.
5. The traffic isn’t particularly bad today. It’s ______________________ usual.

 Harder and harder / more and more and more difficult etc.
We repeat comparatives like this (… and …) to say that something is changing continuously:
 It’s becoming harder and harder to find a job.
 It’s becoming more and more difficult to find a job.
 Your English is improving. It’s getting better and better.
 These days more and more people are learning English.

Exercise 5.Complete the sentences using the structure above (… and …).
1. It’s becoming harder and harder to find a job. (hard)
2. That hole in your pullover is getting _____________________.(big)
3. My bags seemed to get ______________________ as I carried them. (heavy)
4. As I waited for my interview, I became ______________________. (nervous)
5. As the day went on, the weather got ______________________. (bad)
6. Traveling is becoming ______________________. (expensive)
7. Since she has been in Britain, her English has got ______________________. (good)
8. As the conversation went on, he became ______________________. (talkative)

 We also use the … the … (with two comparatives) to say that one thing depends on another
thing):
The warmer the weather, the better I feel. (= if the weather is warmer, I feel better)
The sooner we leave, the sooner we will arrive.
The younger you are, the easier it is to learn.
The more expensive the hotel, the better the service.
The more electricity you use, the higher your bill will be.
The more I thought about the plan, the less I liked it.
Exercise 6. Use the word(s) in brackets (in the correct form) to complete the sentences.
1. I like warm weather. The warmer the weather, the better I feel. (feel)
2. I didn’t really like him when we first met.
But the more I got to know him, ______________________________. (like)
3. If you’re in business, you want to make a profit.
The more goods you sell ______________________________. (profit)
4. It’s hard to concentrate when you’re tired.
The more tired you are, ______________________________. (hard)
5. She had to wait a very long time.
The longer she waited, ______________________________. (impatient / become)

 Some more comparative structures:

 Tom isn’t as old as he looks. (= he looks older than he is)
 The city centre wasn’t as crowded this morning as it usually is. (= it is usually more
 crowded)
 Jenny didn’t do as well in the exam as she had hoped. (= she had hoped to do better)
 ‘The weather is better today, isn’t it?’ ‘Yes, it’s not as cold.’ (=yesterday was colder)
 I don’t know as many people as you do. (= you know more people)

You can also say ‘not so … (as)’:

 It’s not warm, but it isn’t so cold as yesterday. ( =… it isn’t as cold as…)

Less … (than) is similar to not as … (as):

 I spent less money than you. (= I didn’t spend as much money…)
 The city center was less crowded than usual. (=it wasn’t as crowded …)

You can use as … as (but not ‘so…as’) in positive sentences and in questions:
 I’m sorry I’m late. I got here as fast as I could.
 There is plenty of food. You can have as much as you like.
 Let’s walk. It’s just as quick as taking the bus.
 Can you send me the money as soon as possible, please?

Also: twice as…as, three times as…as etc.:

 Petrol is twice as expensive as it was a few years ago.
 Their house is about three times as big as ours.

We say the same as (not ‘the same like’):

 Ann’s salary is the same as mine. or Ann gets the same salary as me.
 Tom is the same age as George.
 What would you like to drink? ‘I will have the same as you.’

Than me / Than I am etc.

We usually say:
 You are taller than me. (not ‘than I’)
 He is not as clever as her. (not ‘as she’)
After than/as it is more usual to say me/him/her/them/us when there is no verb. Compare:
  You are taller than I am. but You are taller than me.
 They have more money than we have. but They have more money than us.
 I can’t run as fast as he can. but I can’t run as fast as him.

Exercise 7. Rewrite these sentences so that they have the same meaning.
1. Jack is younger than he looks.
Jack isn’t .....as....old.....as......he......looks........
2. I didn’t spend as much money as you.
You .......spent..... more...money....than.....me......
3. The station was nearer than I thought.
The station wasn’t ____________________________________________________________
4. The meal didn’t cost as much as I expected.
The meal ___________________________________________________________________
5. I go out less than I used to.
I don’t _____________________________________________________________________
6. Her hair isn’t as long as it used to be.
She used to _________________________________________________________________
7. I know them better than you do.
You don’t __________________________________________________________________
8. There were fewer people at this meeting than at the last one.
There weren’t _______________________________________________________________

Exercise 8. Complete the sentences using as…as. Choose one of the following.

bad comfortable fast long often quietly soon well well-qualified

1. I’m sorry I’m a bit late. I got here ......as...fast.....as...... I could.

2. It was a difficult question. I answered it __________________________________ I could.
3. ‘How long can I stay with you?’
‘You can stay __________________________________ you like.
4. I need the information quickly, so please let me know ______________________ possible.
5. I like to keep fit, so I go swimming __________________________________ I can.
6. I didn’t want to wake anybody, so I came in _____________________________ I could.
Exercise 9. In the following sentences use just as…as.
1. I’m going to sleep on the floor. It’s ________________________ sleeping in that hard bed.
2. Why did he get the job rather than me? I’m __________________________________ him.
3. At first I thought you were nice, but really you’re ________________________________
everybody else.
Exercise 10. Write sentences using the same as.
1. Sally and Kate are both 22 years old.
......Sally......is........the.......same......age.......as........Kate..........................................
2. You and I both have dark brown hair.
Your hair ___________________________________________________________________
3. I arrived at 10.25 and so did you.
I __________________________________________________________________________
4. My birthday is on 5 April. Tom’s birthday is on 5 April, too.
My ________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 11. Complete the sentences with than... or as... .
1. I can’t reach as high as you. You are taller .......than.....me....... .
2. He doesn’t know much. I know more __________________________________________
3. I don’t work particularly hard. Most people work as hard __________________________
4. We were very surprised. Nobody was more surprised _____________________________
5. She is not a very good player. I’m a better player ________________________________
6. They have been very lucky. I wish we were as lucky ______________________________
Exercise 12. Rewrite the sentences so that they have the same meaning.
1. I’m quite tall but you are taller.
I’m not …….as…tall…as…you…. .
2. My salary is high but yours is higher.
My salary is not ______________________________________________________________
3. You know a bit about cars but I know more.
You don’t __________________________________________________________________
4. It is still cold but it was colder yesterday.
It isn’t _____________________________________________________________________
5. I still feel a bit tired but I felt a lot more tired yesterday.
I don’t _____________________________________________________________________
6. They have lived here for quite along time but we have lived here longer.
They haven’t ________________________________________________________________
7. I was a bit nervous before the interview but usually I’m a lot more nervous.
I wasn’t ____________________________________________________________________
Structure Words

Comparison Structure Words

Sentence Connectors Clause Connectors Others

 Like
 Similarly  As Just like
 Likewise  And Similar to
 Also  Just as  (be) similar to
 Too (be) similar
(be) alike
 Not only....but also
Both....and
 As well as
 In common

Examples:
1. Football is a team sport, similarly/ likewise, basketball is a team sport.
2. Albert Einstein was a physicist; Lev Landau was also a physicist./ Lev Landau was a physicist,
too.
3. Newspapers are important advertising media just as/ as magazines are.
4. My sister, like/ just like/ similar to my cousin, wears glasses.
5. An international team of astronomers has found a planet, which is more similar to Earth than
any other celestial body.
6. No two animal habitats are exactly similar.
7. Friends are generally alike in background and tastes.
8. The panda and the leopard are alike in that they both face the danger of extinction.
9. Some physicists say time travel is not only possible, but also likely to happen.
10. Both Istanbul and my hometown are places that are worth living.
11. Daily Chronicle is a newspaper that publishes daily news stories as well as commentaries on
major current issues.
12. Computers of today and word processors of the past have a lot in common.
Exercise 1. Combine/ rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets.
1. Advertising brings the public information about a product or service. It is used to sell an idea or
an event. (similarly)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. Advertising influences people’s spending habits. It raises their standard of living. (both...and)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. The tiger faces extinction. The leopard faces extinction. (Just as)
___________________________________________________________________________
4. Istanbul attracts many tourists. Antalya attracts many tourists. (similar to)
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Recreational activities are enjoyed by freshman and senior students. (alike)
___________________________________________________________________________
6. A high school student has to realize some graduation procedures. A university student has to
realize some graduation procedures. (not only...but also)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
7. A state school provides a good education. Some private schools provide a good education. (also)
________________________________________________________________________
8. Course books at public schools cost a lot. Course books at private schools cost a lot. (the same
as)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
9. Daily exercise keeps the body strong. Eating nutritious food is necessary for good health.
(Likewise)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
10. The mechanical gadgets we use at home and the machinery used in the car assembly units share
a lot of qualities. (in common)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Contrast Structure Words
Sentence Connectors Clause Connectors Others

 However  Although  Despite (+noun)

Nevertheless Even though In spite of (+noun)
Nonetheless Though
Still  (to be) different from
 In contrast (to) differ from
In/ By comparison  Whereas
On the other hand While  To compare with
On the contrary
 But  Unlike
Yet

Examples
1. Most cats hate to swim; however/ nevertheless/ nonetheless/still, they can do so if they have
to.
2. A human worker has to take breaks to eat and sleep; in contrast/ in comparison/ on the other
hand, a robot can work around the clock.
3. This medicine is not harmful. On the contrary, it is very effective in treating many diseases.
4. People in developed countries experience a wealthy life. On the other hand, they are usually
isolated and lonely.
5. Although/ even though more and more people are becoming obese all around the world, they
continue to consume unhealthy food excessively.
6. Some holiday resorts are at the beach, while others are in the mountains.
7. Maria is tall and thin, whereas her sister is short and fat.
8. Izmir is one of the biggest and most crowded cities of Turkey, but/ yet it does not experience
the hardships of other big and crowded cities.
9. Despite/ In spite of its warm climate, there is no humidity in Bodrum.
10. The internet is different from/ differs from any other information source because you can
access the internet anywhere and anytime.
11. Compared with Peter Mendelson, Joshua Bear is an honest politician.
12. Unlike Peter Mendelson, Joshua Bear is an honest politician.
Exercise 2. Combine/ rewrite the sentences using the words in brackets. Be careful about punctuation.
1. I know that he is an honest politician. I never vote for him. (however)
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. Fresh fruit and vegetables are delicious. Canned fruit and vegetables are tasteless. (while)
___________________________________________________________________________
3. The local police department has started several crime prevention programs. The crime rate has
continued to rise. (nevertheless)
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4. Although the weather was extremely hot, they went jogging in the park. (despite)
___________________________________________________________________________
5. The city has experienced a terrible earthquake. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
(even though)
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
6. The south of Turkey is agricultural. The north is industrialized. (whereas)
___________________________________________________________________________
7. The French are romantic. The Swedish are cool. (in contrast)
___________________________________________________________________________

8. The desert plants can survive without water for a long time. The plants in forests can not. (unlike)
___________________________________________________________________________
9. The traffic density on the boulevard is very high during rush hours. It is very low at midday and
during the night. (on the other hand)
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
10. Cuba and the USA do not have a friendly relationship. They have a hostile relationship. (on the
contrary)
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
11. There have been improvements in the economy, but unemployment is still the most important
problem. (in spite of)
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Compare and Contrast Structure and Vocabulary

considerably
  
a great deal

    smaller
(very) much
 (It is) bigger
  (quite) a lot
cheaper than ….
  rather

  somewhat

   a little
exactly

  precisely

  just

X is virtually
  the same as…

practically  
more or less
 
almost
exactly

  X is entirely the same as…

not
  quite
X is totally different from Y
 
completely
 
entirely
 
X is not quite quite
big as…
as/so
 
expensive

etc.
Exercise 3. Complete the following text using each of the following once only.
yet/ although/ even though/ compared with/ in spite of/ despite/ however/ nevertheless/ also
For several years now, the Government has obliged firms to print health warnings on packets of
cigarettes, 1_________________ the opposition of tobacco companies who claim that this would
ruin them. It does not seem to have made much difference. People know smoking is bad for them.
2_________________, they go on smoking, 3_________________ the warnings.
4_________________ some people would like to ban smoking by law, the Government was
unwilling to do this. The Minister of Health would be in favour of it. The Chancellor of the
Exchequer, 5_________________ would ask him where he would get the money for the Health
Service from if he could not tax tobacco. 6_________________, the campaign against smoking has
had some effects on smokers like me. 7_________________ we go on smoking as much as before,
we do not enjoy it so much. 8_________________ we can not say everybody can continue to
smoke as much as before since the launch of the new law that prohibits smoking in enclosed areas.
We can say that 9_________________ old times (before the law) fewer people will tend to start
smoking as smoking a cigarette is becoming more and more difficult each day.

Exercise 4. Fill in the gaps using one of the words from the box. There are two extra words.

also another both but compare contrast counterparts difference

dilemma finally however instance numerous opinion primary
similarities similarly since

Work, children, and preparing dinner are some of the concerns families with two working
parents have to deal with. One solution to this 1. __________ is to hire a maid. Or is it? We can and
a house where children are dealt with by maids and by stay-at-home moms.

To begin with, let’s highlight some 2. __________between having a maid at home to look
after the children and a stay-at-home mom. First, 3. __________ provide peace of mind. Having
maids gives parents the chance to focus on their work knowing that things are taken care of on the
home front. Housemaids 4. __________ feel assured that they have a job. Furthermore, one could
say the two cases are similar because they both provide employment opportunities. For 5.
__________ by hiring a maid it is much easier for a mother to take a job that may have early starts
or long days. 6. _________ point is that it gives both parties financial freedom. Working mothers
are able to contribute financially to their families and 7. __________ maids can ease the financial
woes of their distant families.
 Some differences are also worth mentioning. The 8. __________ one concerns payment.
Mothers do not earn an income for taking care of their own children  9. __________ they do it for
the “love of it”. A maid, 10. __________ is paid for the care she provides. Another major 11.
__________ concerns the emotional health of the children. People generally believe that the best
care that children can receive is from a happy mother. In contrast, their 12. ________ may not love
the children and, in extreme cases, may even abuse them. 13. __________, the language spoken
may differ: a maid may speak a different language other than the mother tongue of the family, or a
different dialect, and one could argue that this benefits the children.
In brief, we can see 14. __________ similarities and differences. In my 15. __________, the
best choice would be for the mother to stay at home until the children are of school age 16.
________ this is a crucial time in their development and they need a lot of attention.

PRACTICE 1. Fill in this essay outline writing a thesis statement, a topic sentence for each body
and a concluding sentence.

Topic: Write about the similarities or differences between Istanbul and your hometown or a town
you know well.

Paragraph 1 - Introduction
General ideas about the topic
Thesis Statement- __________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2 – Body 1
Topic Sentence ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 3 – Body 2
Topic Sentence ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
Concluding Sentence _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
PRACTICE 2. Fill in this essay outline writing a thesis statement, a topic sentence for each body
and a concluding sentence.
Topic: Write about the similarities and differences between you and one of your sisters/ brothers/
cousins.

Paragraph 1 – Introduction
General ideas about the topic
Thesis Statement- __________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2 – Body 1
Topic Sentence ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 3 – Body 2
Topic Sentence ____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
Concluding Sentence _______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

PRACTICE 3. Unscramble the sentences below - put them in the right order.

Introduction Paragraph
1. There are many different kinds.
2. Some of them are very popular and most sports provide many benefits to anyone who plays
them.
3. Some of them are played individually, whereas others are played in teams against another
team.
4. I am going to write about the similarities and differences between two sports; basketball and
football. 
5. Sports have been played all over the world for hundreds, maybe thousands of years.

Body Paragraph 1: Similarities

1. It is usually a reddish-brown color.
 2. A basketball team consists of five players, while a football team is made up of eleven
players.
3. It is usually black and white.
4. Another similarity between them is that they both use a ball, although these are not exactly
the same.
5. In both of these sports, players can be replaced by substitutes when they are injured or tired.
6. In contrast, a basketball is generally not as light and it is made of hard rubber.
7. There are some important similarities between basketball and football.
8. A football is round, light, quite hard, and made of either leather of synthetic material.
9. Firstly, they are both team sports.

Body Paragraph 2: Differences

1. Another obvious difference is the places that these sports are played.
2. In contrast, basketball players can only use their hands to control the ball, which they
dribble, pass and shoot.
3. One difference is the part of the body used to control the ball.
4. Football is generally played outdoors on grass pitches, whereas basketball is usually played
indoors on a wooden surface, although quite a lot of people also play outdoors on concrete
basketball courts.
5. In football, the feet are used to dribble, kick and trap the ball.
6. Although there are some similarities, there are also some important differences.
7. Also, people sometimes use their heads to head the ball.

Conclusion
1. That is probably the reason why basketball and football are so popular all around the world.
2. They can also learn self-discipline and teamwork at the same time.
3. All in all, most sports, especially team sports like basketball and football, give players a
chance to develop themselves physically.
 

PRACTICE 4. Read this compare and contrast essay and circle all the comparison/contrast
structure words.
 Hotels and Motels

When people plan their holiday, they seek for comfortable and good accommodation
and reasonable prices. Hotels and motels are the most common kinds of accommodation for
many travelers in the world. Although both of them provide housing and a variety of
services, they still differ in some respects.

When we have a look at hotels and motels, we can see some similarities. Not only
hotels, but also motels serve their guests in similar ways. They usually have a restaurant and
often have some recreational facilities, too. Similarly, both accept alternative methods of
payment, such as cash, credit card and occasionally even traveler’s cheques. Third, their
locations tend to be similar: both hotels and motels are situated in busy areas, although hotels
may be closer to city centers.

In spite of these similarities, if you examine them more closely, hotels and motels are
quite different. First, hotels are generally larger than motels: the former may even have thirty
floors, while the latter usually has only a couple. Second, most hotels have more facilities:
you can hold a wedding or convention at a hotel but not at a motel. Last, perhaps the main
difference is accessibility of the room: in a hotel, you have to go to through a lobby to reach
your room, whereas you can drive your car up to the door of the room at a motel.

To conclude, hotels and motels provide a variety of similar services, but they also
have many different features. If I were to choose one of them, I would definitely stay at a
motel because it is less luxurious and warmer. As a traveler, I believe, people need a
comfortable place to stay, not a place to boast. (288 words)

Now answer the questions below:

1. Which format does this essay follow: point-by-point, block or compare and contrast? How
do you understand?
2. What is the thesis statement of the essay? Where is it?
3. What is the topic sentence of the first body paragraph?
4. How many supporting sentences are there in the first body paragraph?
5. What is the topic sentence of the second body paragraph?
6. How many supporting sentences are there in the second body paragraph?
7. Does the concluding paragraph summarize the ideas presented in the essay?
8. What function do the last sentences have?

PRACTICE 5. Choose one of the given topics write a compare and/or contrast essay.
1. Single sex schools (only boys or only girls) and co-educational schools.
Similarities:students ---- learn to communicate
the sexes --- no problems when married or at work (future)
boys in study harder to look good in front of the girls or vice versa
better classroom atmosphere
Differences: different viewpoints of sexes
students --- more focused on work
no concentration on studies in mixed class
big difference between girls and boys
they don’t think in the same way so not be taught the same way
different strengths (girls good at social studies/ boys - scientific subjects)

2. High school and university

Difference –homework (policy/ teachers’ attitude/ length/ etc.).
Difference- tests (frequency/ difficulty/ cheating/ plagiarism, etc.)
Difference- attendance (total absenteeism/ policy/ pass-fail/ parents/ student responsibility/ etc.)
Difference- teachers (student autonomy/ attitude to students/ etc.)

3. ITU and METU

Difference 1. Specialties- METU founded 1956/ ITU 1773
  METU- social sciences and engineering/ ITU no social sciences
METU- 47 undergraduate programs/ ITU- 42 undergraduate
programs
METU- 1st academic program - Department of Architecture
2nd - Mechanical Engineering
ITU- 1st academic program- Department of Maritime.
2nd- Department of Civil Engineering.

Difference 2. Facilities ITU 5 campuses/ METU 1 campus

ITU- all campuses in the city/ METU- campus outside city
ITU 1 closed swimming pool/ METU 2 swimming pools-one
closed, one open
  METU shuttle service on campus/ ITU no shuttle
METU- 18 dormitories/ accommodate 6680 students
ITU -19 dormitories/ accommodate 2765 students

 
 

Practice 6: Write a thesis statement and two topic sentences for the following essay.
 School Systems in Europe and United States

A nation’s purpose in educating its children is to prepare them to become productive members
of society. Each country in the world has developed a system of education based on its needs,
economic resources, and traditions. One would think that industrial cities such as the US and the
countries of Europe would have similar systems for educating their children.
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________ . To begin with, elementary school
classes look the same everywhere. They are about twenty to twenty-two students per class, and the
classes are coeducational. Also, there is one teacher for all subjects for each grade, and the majority
of elementary school teachers are women. Furthermore, European and American students spend
approximately the same number of years in school. Both the US and most European countries
require children to attend school for at least nine or ten years.

_____________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________ . For example, the number of
hours per day and days per year that children must attend varies widely. Some countries in Europe
require a half-day of school, whereas the US requires a full day. Another major difference is that in
many European countries, students have to make a choice between academic preparatory and
vocational training schools. In Germany for instance, students must make this decision as early as
age ten. In the United States, in contrast, they never have to make it. Anyone in the US who
graduates from high school has the opportunity to go on to a college or university.

In conclusion, it is clear that the experience of school children varies from country to country.
Even though the education systems of the US and the European countries seem very similar in
many ways, they have also many differences. No one can say if one system is better than another
system, because each one fits its own needs, economies, and traditions the best.
Practice 7: Write an introduction for the following essay.
 Fresh Foods or Canned Foods

__________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________ .

When we compare these two different kinds of foods, we see many similarities between
them. First of all, they are both available almost everywhere. People don’t have to go to big
supermarkets where every kind of food is available to find them as they are sold even in small
shops. Another similarity is their flavour. Many people prefer fresh foods because they think that
they are much tastier than canned food. However, especially nowadays foods are canned via such
professional techniques that it is almost impossible to distinguish between their flavours.

Despite the similarities, there are some differences between fresh foods and canned foods.
There is a health factor that affects both of them. Canned foods lose some of the original fresh food
nutrients when stored, and also it has to be tinned with many conservatives and chemical factors
that prolong the shelf life and apparent freshness of the food and could also become toxic if
consumed too often. Another difference between these two types of foods is the cost. Canned foods
are much more expensive than fresh foods because of the process they need to go under before they
are served during meals.

In conclusion, there are many similarities and differences between fresh foods and canned
foods. As we can see, it comes down to a personal choice, based on the importance a person gives
to his/her nutrition and health and the money he/she has. Therefore it is important that you consider
your possibilities and choose the best type of foods for your lifestyle.
Practice 8:
A) The following questions all use words which come up in your reading below. They are in bold.
Ask a partner the following questions. Then repeat, with the other person asking questions. If you
wish, you can change the words which are underlined.

1. Which Turkish city do you think has a good supply of fish?

2. Where in Istanbul would you find a large number of expensive shops?
3. Can you name a musician who probably had a major influence on Sezen Aksu?
4. What are 3 issues with living in Avcilar and going to ITU?
5. Can you name 3 TV channels that are only available on Digiturk?
6. Can you name 3 common American cars?
7. Do you know which drink consists of tomato juice, vodka and pepper?
8. Name 4 European cities that have a reputation for art.
9. What do you think is the main problem with Turkey’s entry to the EU?
10. Which city in eastern Turkey do you think is overall the best place to live in?
11. Which high school subject is relatively simple for you?
12. Who tends to be noisier – your mother or your father?
13. Do you think Istanbul is cleaner or dirtier these days?
14. Can you name 4 movies that were based on books?

B) Read the following articles about Greek and British cuisine. Identify the differences and
similarities between them and fill in the chart below. Then write a compare and contrast essay
about them.

Similarities Differences
 British Food
British food has a reputation for being unpleasant and bland. The food is Northern European food
and it consists of ingredients which it is easy to cook badly!

British people usually begin their day with a fairly big breakfast. Today, breakfast is generally
cereal (usually corn flakes or porridge), toast and marmalade, and tea or coffee. There is a growing
trend for people to buy a muffin or pastry from a coffee shop for breakfast. However, overall
breakfasts quite a large meal. Breakfast can be even bigger on the weekends, when people have
time to relax: they usually fire eggs and sausages or bacon, and also enjoy cereal, toast, coffee, and
tea.

Lunch, by comparison, is quite small. Most British people take a packed lunch to work or school:
sandwiches and a piece of fruit are common. Most work places have a kitchen with a macro wave
oven, so that you can take soap or leftovers to work and heat them up at lunch time. Lunch is
usually 12-1 pm.

Dinner is usually the biggest meal of the day. It is eaten around 6 pm for most people. This results
in school children being hungry (and often eating junk food) between the end of school and dinner
time. Working people often get a “take a way” meal, or a pre-made frozen meal, rather than cooking
something healthy. These days British people eat a lot of international cuisine but a traditional
British dinner consists of a piece of meat and two vegetables. The vegetables are usually boiled.
British people tend to boil their green vegetables for a very long time. Dinner usually ends with a
sweat – often a cooked pudding or tinned fruit. Bread is not eaten with every meal. Although British
bread can be good, “white sliced” bread is cheap and easy to use, so people eat it a lot although it
tastes like plastic.

The most common flavourings for food were local herbs, such as parsley, sage, rose marry, and
thyme. Soups often have meat flavour but are not mainly meat. Meat is often cooked very slowly in
an oven. Fish is eaten quite a lot, since there has always been a good supply. British food is usually
hot or cold – warm or room-temperature food is the sign of a bad cook!

In the twentieth century, many things changed. Firstly, food was rationed during the wars, so for
many years food in Britain was universally bad. Secondly, people from colonies began to bring
their colonies’ cuisines to Britain. Indian curies became especially popular, and they developed in
Britain in to a wide variety of “different” curries, which were based on Indian food but not”
Indian”! There was also a major influence from other places such as Hong Kong.

Another major change during the twentieth century was the importation of food. In the past, British
cuisine was based on things that could be produced locally: Potatoes, fish, vegetables such as
turnips, green beans and peas and fruit such as apples and pears. During the twentieth century, it
became possible to freeze meat and to transport vegetables and fruit quickly and cheaply.
Consequently, British people began to eat more things from around the world. For example, melon,
peppers and paella have become relatively common.

Today, the main advantage of British food is the choice which is available. It is always easy to buy
a good pasta, a Chinese stir-fry, or an Indian curry. There is usually very good choice of healthy
food in the shops. The main disadvantage of British food is the huge choice – and price – of sweets
and unhealthy food. Because it is often cheaper (and definitely easier) many

British people today eat a processed-food diet which consists of cake, chocolate, frozen vegetables,
too much meat, and plenty of chemicals and additives.

Greek Food
Greek food has an international reputation for being tasty and healthy. A large number of Greek
immigrants to places like Australia and Britain opened Greek restaurants, popularizing the food.
Greeks also like to eat up a lot, so restaurant food and culture is relatively important.

For most Greeks these days, breakfast consists of coffee and cigarette. Lunch is not served until
2pm at the earliest, and dinner is late _ restaurants consider that the “normal” time for a reservation
is 10 pm. After lunch, which is the biggest meal of the day, Greeks usually have a siesta until about
6 pm. Fast food such as gyros are mainly prepared in the evening, since few people eat it in the day
time.

Greek food is actually a lot more varied than many people think. However, this variety is based on
the use of vegetables, not meat. Pasta is fairly popular – the Venetians used to rule Greece, and had
a major influence on Greek food. Meat tends to be either lamb, pork, or chicken. Beef is not popular
because there is not a good local supply of it, and consequently it needs to be imported. Surprisingly
fish is quite expensive and the best fish is often exported or sold to tourists, rather than eaten by
locals. However, overall Greeks do not eat a lot of meat and poorer people, especially in the
countryside, eat beans and legumes instead of meat.

Vegetables are universally popular in Greek food. Greeks tend to flavour their food with lemon,
garlic, and lots of herbs. Spices are less common than you would expect. They eat a lot of potatoes
as well as bread. Flat pita bread is much more popular than any other type of bread. It is available
everywhere and always very fresh.

One characteristic of Greek food is that it is primarily local. Vegetables and fruit tend to be good
quality because they have not been imported, and Greeks strongly favour their own local foods.
French cheese and Italian pasta sauce are simply not popular. The other side of the tendency is the
fact that Greeks tend to be quite narrow-minded about international cuisine. Many Greeks will
claim, “I do not like Indian food, so I have never tried it!” Macdonald’s
opened restaurants in Greece and found that they could not attract the Greek customers until they
started offering a “Greek Mac”.

Traditionally, Greek food centred on beans or legumes, lots of vegetables, and bread. Rice and pasta
have always been less popular than bread. Cooking is primarily done with olive oil, and while many
Greeks consume too much olive oil, this also means that they do not eat animal fat such as butter.
This results in an improvement to their health. Another advantage of the Greek diet is the fact that
sweets are not eaten very much. You finish a meal with fresh fruit if you are visiting someone, or on
a special occasion.

Greek food is connected to Greece’s family culture. Generally people are very attached to home-
made food, and young professionals who move out and live in a city-centre apartment still go home
to Mum for her cooking. This is part of the reason that Greek families’ structure is still so strong.
Cost is also an issue. Pre-made meals are quite expensive, so you might as well just go to a
restaurant or home to Mum.

Overall, Greek food is tasty and healthy, but it needs good, fresh ingredients. If you use old
vegetables and frozen meat for Greek food, the result is a disaster.
 Practice 9: the following table shows information about the Canadian and the Japanese school systems. Note the information and then prepare a compare-contrast essay outline.

Canada Japan
Ages Start officially at age 5-6. Elementary school until age 12. high school (sometimes divided into Start at age 6. most students start studying unofficially before then. Elementary school until age 12,
middle-high and high) until age 18. Legally, you must attend school until age 16. Publicly then lower-secondary until age 15. High school (not compulsory) must be paid for- about $2000
funded until age 18. per year.
Post-secondary University degrees are usually 4 years. A masters degree and a PhD both take 2 years or more. Universities offer four-year general degrees or six-year professional degrees. Universities tend to
education You can only do a Master’s after getting a first degree. Universities are generally considered be much more free and easier than secondary school, which is very strict. Costs are about $14000
quite tough. Colleges offer diplomas (2 years) and certificates (1 year) in vocational subjects. per year for tuition plus living expenses ( a room, food, etc). 77% of colleges and universities are
Most universities and colleges are public or partly publicly funded, and students pay $1000- private, not public.
$5000 tuition fees per year. Most students work part-time while studying, and/or take out
government Student Loans.
Classes As small as possible. Classes are often mixed to account for different levels - i.e. you frequently Generally large classes in lower-secondary school and high school- about 38 per class. Lectures are
study with students who are older or younger than you. Techniques are very mixed- you may common. “Work groups” are often used, which emphasizes the Japanese tradition of cooperating.
work in small groups, alone, or independently.
Teachers All teachers must have a Bachelor’s degree in education. Teaching pays well, so it is a Usually have a degree in their subject. Teaching is a middle profession in Japan, paying well but
competitive profession and standards are high. Teachers in high school often do not have a not very well.
degree in their subject.
Support Schools are expected to help students with their weak subjects, personal problems, especially In the past, only “problem students” were dealt with. Today, teachers and counselors help students
with career planning. Any school/teacher that refuses to help students will get in trouble with the deal with the stress of studying. University entrance and careers are a direct result your grades, so
Ministry of Education. there is no career planning- usually, a student’s career is chosen by his grades.
Testing Generally testing happens regularly and students who are doing badly are first helped, then not School exams are graded but your exam marks don’t really make you pass or fail. The notorious
moved to a higher level. Tests which are done little-but-often tend to teach students University Entrance Exam is only stressful because it is usually the first exam that will have
responsibility. serious consequences if students fail.
University High school assign grades to students and governments do a final examination in each main The Japanese entry exam is well-known all over the world for being very tough and stressful: there
Entrance subject. Most universities consider that about 5o% of your high-school grade and 50% of your are stories in the news every year of students who kill themselves because they fail the exam.
government exam are averaged, and then choose students according to faculty. You need high Public schools are doing a poorer and poorer job of preparing students for university, so many
grades in different subjects in order to enter different faculties. students use private classes to learn what they need. Most universities use a combination of the
government state exams and their own entrance examination. Entrance exams are quite expensive
to take.
Goal The Canadian education system tries to teach its students how to think, and how to be The Japanese system is overseen by a government which wants to produce young people who
responsible, and to choose a career which they will enjoy, and train for it. It does not make a respect traditional Japanese values, are hard-working, and have strong morals. It unofficially
major effort to teach citizenship, morals, or national ideals. focuses on producing people who will be good “salarymen” for Japan’s huge companies.
Strengths There is lots of money in the education system, so teachers can give individualized help to Japanese students consistently score highly on international tests that measure math and science.
students who are strong or weak in different areas. There is a good balance in teaching students When they become international students, their study habits are strong and their standards are high.
to “think” and preparing them for a career.
Weakness In rural schools, it is hard to attract good teachers and city schools are much better. There is an Students are taught to memorize, not to think for themselves. After years spent studying hard (too
approach that the students should be guided, not pushed, and weak students often become lazy in hard!) for the university entrance exams, students are often burnt out and unhappy. University, in
this system. Standards are so high that weak students often don’t bother. For example, salaries contrast, is often too easy.
for a student with a high-school education are generally no higher than salaries for illiterate
people.
Practice 10. Study the information and write an essay on sports.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS COMPETITION

Developed countries Developing countries
Usually successful Seldom successful

Reasons
Not enough sports facilities
Not enough qualified trainers

INDIVIDUAL SPORTS TEAM SPORTS

Performed alone or with another athlete Require two teams
Athletes mostly compete against individual Players compete against another team
athletes. Purpose: beat the other team
Purpose: get the best time or win the game
Carried on by rules Carried on by rules
Success depends on individual performance Success depends on team performance
Need physical strength and skill Need physical strength and skill
Athletes participate in regional, national, Athletes participate in regional, national,
and international competitions. and international competitions.

Study the information and write an essay of at least two paragraphs on microscopes.

MICROSCOPE
Optical instrument
Magnifying lens or combination of lenses
Use: Increase apparent size of small, nearby object.
Late 13th century: Origins of optical lenses (spectacles come into use in Europe)
1600’s: First microscope (adaptation of astronomical telescope)
Until 19th century: Slow progress
Lack of theoretical understanding
Lack of mechanical technology
1880: fundamental principles of today’s microscope by Ernst Abbe
Practice 11. Study the information and write an essay on microscopes.

Microscopes
Optical Electron
Use visual light to illuminate object Use electron beam to illuminate object

Simple Development: Germany / 1931

- Single or double - Magnify image up to 200.000
- Lenses held near eye times
- Very limited power of magnification - Study cells, tissues, bacteria,
e.g. magnifying glass viruses
- Essential tool in biological &
Compound medical sciences
Multiple lenses:
- lower lens (form real, inverted
image of object)
- - upper lens 8magnify and reflect
image)
- Used in biology, medicine & study
of structures of rocks and metals,
forms of microscopic fossils
e.g. laboratory microscope

Practice 12. Study the information below and write an essay about popular / quality
newspapers.

POPULAR NEWSPAPERS QUALITY NEWSPAPERS

Relatively cheap Quite expensive
Lots of pictures Few pictures (black & white)
Advertisements: Financial support for Advertisements: Financial support for
newspaper newspaper
Mainly sensational news items on: Mainly long & detailed articles on:
Rich and famous people Politics, economy and major world events
Suffering or seriously ill people
Practice 13. The charts show changes in the proportion of world population from different
regions in 1900 and 2000. Compare the charts and write an essay.