Pre-test: Compare & Contrast

Which of the following is the best definition of a "compare and contrast" text structure?

• The text provides only differences between the two subjects.

• The text explains how two subjects are alike and different.

• The text describes a single subject in detail.

• The text only focuses on the similarities between two subjects.

What is the main purpose of a compare and contrast essay?

• To argue for a specific viewpoint.

• To describe a subject in detail.

• To examine the similarities and/or differences between two or more subjects.

• To explain a process step-by-step.

Which of the following is an example of a contrast in a passage?

• The company’s profits increased in the first quarter, but dropped in the second.

• The two countries have similar political systems.

• The artist’s work was admired for its bold use of color.

• Both writers used similar themes in their books.

Which of the following phrases indicates a comparison between two things?

• On the other hand

• In contrast

• Similarly

• However

Which signal word would most likely be used in a passage that contrasts two ideas?

• Likewise

• Similarly

• However

• In addition

What is the difference between comparing and contrasting?

• Comparing highlights both similarities and differences, while contrasting only looks at similarities.

• Comparing shows how subjects are alike, while contrasting highlights their differences.

• Comparing and contrasting are the same process.

• Comparing shows how subjects are different, while contrasting shows how they are alike.

Which of the following would most likely be the topic of a compare and contrast passage?

• The history of the Eiffel Tower.

• The process of photosynthesis.

• The differences between classical and jazz music.

• A biography of a famous person.

Which sentence shows an example of both comparison and contrast?

• Both nations have large populations, but their economies are quite different.

• Both writers share similar ideas in their novels.

• The two leaders shared the same opinions on climate change.

• The novels follow similar storylines.

When reading a passage that compares two subjects, which of the following should you focus on?

• The differences between the subjects.

• How the subjects are described in detail.

• How the subjects are unrelated to each other.

• The similarities and differences between the subjects.

Which of the following is a key feature of a "compare and contrast" graphic organizer?

• It shows the differences and similarities in a clear format.

• It summarizes the text without breaking down the details

• It arranges information in a cause-and-effect pattern.

• It lists only the similarities between the subjects.