Compare and Contrast Nonfiction #2

Which signal word is used to compare?

• similar

• different

• opposite

• but

Which signal word is used to contrast?

• same

• similar

• different

• both

Which sentence compares lions and tigers?

• The average lion weighs 180kg, but the average tiger weights 220kg.

• Both lions and tigers grow to 2.4 meters in length.

• Lions are native to Africa. Tigers, however, are native to Asia.

Which sentence contrasts two ancient civilizations?

• Pyramids were built by ancient Egyptians and the Aztec/Mayan civilizations.

• The Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations were both located near rivers.

• The Chinese settled near the Huang river, but the Egyptians settled near the Nile river.

Read this paragraph from “Alligator Or Crocodile? You Decide.” Members of the Crocodylia family have been around for approximately 230 million years. This means that not only were they around when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, but they outlived the dinosaurs! During that time they haven’t changed much. So, they must have some extremely successful survival strategies and physical traits.

Which statement offers the BEST summary of this paragraph?

• Alligators and crocodiles are hundreds of millions of years old.

• Alligators and crocodiles have lived longer than many other animal species.

• Alligators and crocodiles have special qualities and abilities that help them survive.

• Alligators and crocodiles have remained very much the same since the days of the dinosaurs.

The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads. Both are common at birdfeeders. But the birds have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

Which choice most accurately contrasts the cardinal and the cedar waxwing?

• The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds.

• The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

• Both have crests on their heads.

• Both are common at birdfeeders.

Ice-cream is a delicious frozen treat that comes in a many different colors and flavors. Two of my favorite flavors are strawberry and chocolate. Though both of these flavors are delicious, strawberry may contain pieces of fruit while chocolate usually will not. Even though more chocolate ice-cream is sold across the country annually than strawberry, each flavor tastes great inside of a milk shake.

Compare strawberry and chocolate ice cream.

• Both have chunks of fruit in them.

• The same amount of chocolate ice cream is sold as strawberry ice cream.

• Both strawberry ice cream and chocolate ice cream can be used to make shakes.

Ice-cream is a delicious frozen treat that comes in a many different colors and flavors. Two of my favorite flavors are strawberry and chocolate. Though both of these flavors are delicious, strawberry may contain pieces of fruit while chocolate usually will not. Even though more chocolate ice-cream is sold across the country annually than strawberry, each flavor tastes great inside of a milk shake.

Contrast strawberry and chocolate ice cream.

• More chocolate ice cream is sold across the country each year than strawberry ice cream.

• Chocolate ice cream is used for milkshakes but strawberry is not.

• More strawberry ice cream is sold across the country each year than chocolate.

Robots that look like humans are called androids, but not all robots are androids. The industrial robots used in factories look like machines and not at all like human beings. So, what does an android have in common with an industrial robot? They both have computers, and they both have sensors to gather information about ways to interact with their environments.

Which statement is accurately comparing information based on the passage?

• Robots that look like humans are called androids, but not all robots are androids.

• The industrial robots used in factories look like machines and not at all like human beings.

• So, what does an android have in common with an industrial robot?

• The android and the industrial robot have sensors to gather information on how to interact with their environments.

Football and baseball are two of the most popular sports in the country. They have many things in common. For one, they are both team sports, and they both require players to advance to an end or “home” point on the playing field. However, football requires players to carry the ball to the end zone, whereas in baseball, it is the defending team that controls the ball while it is in play.

What is the best main idea statement for this passage?

• Football and baseball have several similarities and differences.

• Football is not at all like baseball.

• Football requires players to carry the ball to the end zone, whereas in baseball, it is the defending team that controls the ball while it is in play.

• Football and baseball have many things in common.