Compare and contrast

Compare and contrast

to compare and contrast two stories.

compare and contrast

When we compare two things, we tell how they are alike.

When we contrast two things, we tell how they are different. 

compare and contrast

Here are two stories. As you read, think about how the stories are alike, and how they are different.

Fox and Bear

Fox saw the field being planted with corn. He went to visit Bear, and suggested that they share the field. Fox said he would have the tops of the crop, and Bear would have the roots. When the crop was grown, Bear did not like having only the roots of the corn plants. But it was what they had agreed. The next year, Fox saw the field being planted with turnips. He went to visit Bear. He said that, to be fair, this year Bear would have the tops of the crop, and Fox would have the roots. When the crops were grown, Bear was unhappy again. He had only the bitter tops, while bear had the nice sweet turnips. But it was what they had agreed. However, Bear never agreed to share the field with Fox again.

Camel and Pig

Camel said being tall was best, and Pig said being short was best. Camel said if he was wrong, he would give up his hump. Pig said if he was wrong, he would give up his curly tail. They came to a garden inside a low wall. Camel reached his long neck over the wall and ate his fill. Pig could not even see over the wall. Then they came to a garden inside a high wall, with a covered gate. Pig went through the gate and ate his fill. Camel was too tall to go through the gate. They thought about all this, and decided that Camel would keep his hump, and Pig would keep his curly tail, because, as Pig said, “Tall is good when tall is needed; of short, the same is true.

Multiple Choice

Some of these details are true of just one of the two stories. Some are true of both stories. Some are not true of either story. Read each detail, and select the best answer.

The characters are animals.

• “Fox and Bear” only

• “Camel and Pig” only

• Both stories

• Neither story

Multiple Choice

Someone learns a lesson.

• “Fox and Bear” only

• camel and pig only

• Both stories

• Neither stories

Multiple Choice

One character is smarter than another.

• Fox and Bear only

• Camel and Pig only

• Both stories

• Neither stories

Multiple Choice

The characters disagree about something in the beginning

• Fox and Bear only

• Camel and Pig only

• Both stories

• Neither stories

Multiple Choice

The characters agree about something in the beginning.

• Fox and Bear only

• Camel and Pig only

• Both stories

• Neither stories

Multiple Choice

The setting is indoors.

• Fox and Bear only

• Camel and Bear only

• Both stories

• Neither stories

Multiple Choice

One character tricks another.

• Fox and Bear only

• Camel and Pig only

• Both stories

• Neither stories

Multiple Choice

The characters never agree about anything

• Fox and Bear only

• Camel and Pig only

• Both stories

• Neither stories