Part Three Question Type 1: Comparing


This is one of the most common Part Three question types. It usually appears very early in Part Three (the first or second question). The comparing question can be asked in different ways:
·                     Time comparison
Are houses nowadays, the same as houses 30 years ago in your country?
(This type of comparison question requires the use of mixed tenses.)
·                     Social group comparison
      Do men and women like the same types of books?
      Do old and young people like the same holidays?
·                     Geographic comparison
      Are houses in North China the same as houses in South China?

Although these questions look quite different, they all require a very similar answer. The important thing to remember is that you do not get marks for the "differences" that you describe. Some candidates simply list a number of differences - this does not produce a good quality answer. For this question type you need to use "comparative" structures. Look at the following answer:

Do men and women like the same hobbies?
I think men and women like different hobbies, for example men are fond of many types of sporting activities such as football and basketball. Also they prefer things like watching action movies and going to bars, but women like hobbies such as shopping, watching TV, singing KTV and charting online.

This answer is simply a list of different hobbies: it is focused on content. It does not produce the "comparative" language that is required for this type of question.

Now look at the next answer to the same question:
Well obviously there are a number of clear differences. However, I guess that the most significant would be that men tend to prefer sporting activities such as football or basketball. Whereas in contrast women prefer things like shopping for clothes. In addition to this, another possible distinction might be that men usually like watching films: while on the other hand, women are more likely to prefer watching soap operas on TV.

This second answer contains similar content to the first answer but the content is presented with comparative structures. The comparative language here is: whereas, in contrast, while on the other hand. These two comparative linking structures will increase your score. Now you need to build your own comparative answer. Begin with an opening linking phrase:
·                     Well obviously...
·                     Well undoubtedly...
·                     Well clearly...
·                     Well unmistakably...
·                     Sure, without a doubt...
·                     Unquestionably...

Now say that there are some differences:
·                     There are a number of underlying differences here.
·                     There are a variety of possible differences here.
·                     There are a range of potential distinctions here.

Now introduce the first difference:
·                     However, I guess that the most significant would be that...
·                     Though I suppose that the most obvious would he that...
·                     But I would say the most fundamental would be that...

Now use a sentence to describe the first difference. For example, "...men tend to prefer..."
Develop this first difference with a simple linking word: especially, particularly, in fact, such as, for example, specifically.
Now use your first comparative linking structure:
·                     Whereas on the other hand...
·                     On the contrary...
·                     Though quite the opposite...

Now add your next sentence. For example, "...women are generally keener on..."
Develop the second part of the first difference with a simple linking word: especially, particularly, in fact, such as, for example, specifically.

So you have described one difference. Now you need to introduce a second difference. Begin with a linking word:
·                     In addition...
·                     On top of this...
·                     Additionally...
·                     Moreover...
·                     As well as this...
·                     After that...

Say there is another important difference.
·                     ...a second key distinction would be that...
·                     ...a subsequent contrast could be that...
·                     ...a further distinction might be that...

Now describe the second difference. For example, "...men are quite keen on..."
Now use your second comparative linking structure.
·                     While on the other hand...
·                     Conversely...
·                     Alternatively...
·                     Then again, in opposition...


Then give a sentence to describe the second Part of the second difference. You only need to describe two differences.
·                     Tenses for Time Comparison
Sometimes people call these questions "changes" questions. However the question "How has X changed in recent years?" is actually the same question as, "Is X nowadays the same as X in the past (20 years ago, 50 years ago etc.)?"

The answer is actually the same, because if you describe the changes you are simply describing the difference between past and present.

In your answer, when you describe the past, the easiest tense to use accurately is "used to". For example:
·                     X used to be much smaller...
·                     X didn't use to have as many...
·                     X always used to be more...
·                     X didn't use to be as...

Now use your own answer structure to practice the following compare questions.
·                     Are schools nowadays the same as schools in the past?
·                     Are TV programmes nowadays the same as TV programmes in the past?
·                     Are restaurants nowadays the same as restaurants in the past?
·                     Are free-time activities nowadays the same as 20 years ago in your country?
·                     Are shops nowadays the same as shops when you were younger?
·                     Are trips nowadays the same as trips that your parents had when they were young?
·                     In what ways are magazines different to newspapers?
·                     Do adults and children make friends in the same way?
·                     Are families nowadays the same as families in the past?
·                     Are buildings nowadays the same as buildings 100 years ago?
·                     Is public transport nowadays the same as public transport 20 years ago?
·                     Do old and young people like the same hobbies?
·                     Do men and women have the same attitudes to shopping?
·                     What's the difference between things made by hand and things made by machines?
·                     Do people nowadays eat the same food as people 50 years ago?
·                     Is the weather in North China the same as the weather in South China?
·                     How has education changed in recent years in your country?
·                     Nowadays, do people make new friends in the same way as people 20 years ago?
·                     Are the ways in which people become famous nowadays the same ways that people became famous 100 years ago?

This is not a complete list of every comparison question in Part Three, but if you can confidently use your comparative structure for all of these questions, you will have no problem answering this type of question - regardless of the topic.