MS 181 Reading Strategy Review Compare and Contrast

Finding how two or more things are alike and how they are different is called comparing and contrasting.

Compare When we compare two or more things, we are finding ways in which they are similar. Clue words that signal a comparison are: both, same, like, alike and similar. Similes and metaphors also signal that a comparison is being made, as writers use them to compare two unlike things.

Similes Compare two unlike things using the words like and as. Example: When my brother wakes up in the morning, he is like a bear. Don’t get in his way unless you want to be growled at! In this example the author is discussing how her brother’s morning mood is similar to that of a ferocious bear.

Metaphor When an author uses a metaphor, he is comparing two unlike things by saying that one is the other. Example: Your brother is a beast on the basketball court! Don’t worry, your brother has not suddenly sprouted fur! The author is using a metaphor to imply that your brother is very rough on the court and probably gets a lot of foul calls!

Contrast When we contrast two or more things we are looking at how they are different. Clue words that signal contrast are: but, unlike, different, however, whereas, instead.

Let’s Practice! Read the passage and answer the accompanying questions. The ship is considered the most beautiful on the seas. Artists have decorated the ship with lavish interiors. She has been built with the most modern technology available and has all the newest safety features. She is considered unsinkable. Still, while crossing the Atlantic the ship suffers a terrible collision and sinks. The loss of life is tragic. Does this story sound familiar? You may think that this is the story of the passenger ship Titanic, also considered unsinkable, which sank in the North Atlantic on April 15, But it is the story of the Andrea Doria, which collided with the Swedish liner Stockholm on July 25, The ship sank the next day. While over 1,000 lives were lost on the Titanic, casualties were much lower on the Andrea Doria. Unlike the Titanic disaster, a nearby ship was able to assist in the rescue efforts, preventing a greater loss of life.

Choose the best answer. How were the Titanic and the Andrea Doria alike? A)Both were considered unsinkable. B)Both collided with icebergs. C)Both were responsible for the death of almost 1,000 people. D)Both originated in Sweden.

Choose the best answer. How were the Titanic and the Andrea Doria alike? A)Both were considered unsinkable. Correct! According to the passage both ships were considered unsinkable. The 1 st sentence in the 2 nd paragraph says that the Titanic was ALSO considered unsinkable. B)Both collided with icebergs. Incorrect. The Titanic hit an iceberg, whereas the Andrea Doria collided with another ship. C)Both were responsible for the death of almost 1,000 people. Incorrect. Although the passage does not directly state the number of people who lost their lives on the Andrea Doria, paragraph 2 does state that there were far fewer casualties because there was another ship nearby. D)Both originated in Sweden. Incorrect. The passage does not state where either ship originated.

How did the Andrea Doria differ from the Titanic? A) The Andrea Doria was not as elegant as the Titanic. B) The Andrea Doria sank in the Atlantic Ocean. C) The Andrea Doria sank as a result of a collision. D) The Andrea Doria lost fewer passengers.

How did the Andrea Doria differ from the Titanic? A) The Andrea Doria was not as elegant as the Titanic. Incorrect, although the author does not state the name of the ship, one could infer that the passage is making reference to the Titanic because of prior knowledge. B) The Andrea Doria sank in the Atlantic Ocean. Incorrect. Both ships sank in the Atlantic. C) The Andrea Doria sank as a result of a collision. Incorrect, although the objects which the ships collided with were different, both ships sank as a result of the collisions. D) The Andrea Doria lost fewer passengers. Correct! Although the passage does not directly state the number of people who lost their lives on the Andrea Doria, paragraph 2 does state that there were far fewer casualties on the Andrea Doria because there was another ship nearby.