Some of the most important language in task 1 is the compare and contrast vocabulary.

This is
because the instructions tell you to
make comparisons where relevant
If you want to score well, you need some different ways to compare and contrast. Here are some
variations to help you out. It is not all about more and less.

1. Comparisons between sentences

One way to make comparisons is to start a new sentence with a word/phrase that shows that you
are about to make a comparison with the previous sentence. The basic words you need here are:
In contrast
The most popular form of holiday among the Welsh was self-catering with over 60% choosing to
cook for themselves. In contrast, only 5 % of the English chose this form of vacation and hotel
accommodation was much more popular at 48%.
In comparison
Almost 50% of the English, Scots and Northern Irish chose to stay in a hotel for their holiday. In
comparison, staying in self-catering accommodation was much less popular with around 10% of
people choosing this.
However
The general pattern was for hotel accommodation to be the most popular with around half the
people choosing it. The majority of the Welsh, however, chose to stay in self-catering
accommodation.
On the other hand
It is clear that a majority of the British chose to stay in hotel for their holiday. On the other
hand, there was an exception to this because over 50% of the Welsh opted for self-catering
accommodation.
Note that we normally use a comma after In contrast and In comparison.
Note that there are lots of different ways to use compare and contrast and these are just the most
basic examples. If you are looking for a higher band score, its good advice to learn different
ways to use these words.
Note too that typically however is not used as the first word in a sentence.

2. Comparisons within sentences

Another possibility is to compare two pieces of information within the same sentence. The basic
words you need here are:
while
While there are 4 million miles of train lines in the UK, there are only 3 million in France.
whereas
Whereas the majority of the French prefer to travel to work by train, only a small minority of the
British do.
although
Although 15% of the French read novels, only 5% of the British do.
but
Almost 25% of French females study maths with a private tutor, but nearly 60% study English
with one.

3. Comparisons with more or less/fewer

This is another obvious way to make comparisons and contrasts. You should note though that
you are normally going to compare numbers and nouns and not adjectives. You want to
remember these two key bit of grammar:
Than
Remember that after more/less/fewer we use than
5% more girls chose to read books than go to cinema.
Fewer/less
If the word is uncountable we use less, if it is countable we use fewer:
Fewer mobiles phones were bought in 2013 than 2014.
Less oil was consumed in 2013 than 2014.

4. Qualify your comparisons with much/far/slightly or a number

This is similar. The idea here is that you still use less/more/fewer but this time you explain how
much. Typically, the best way to do this is to use a number:
Far fewer people chose to travel by train than by car. [Wheres the detail?]
25% fewer people chose to travel by train than by car. [Better now we have detail and not just a
comparison]

5. Comparisons with most or least/fewest

When you are looking for details to include, the highest/lowest number is almost always
important. This too is a form of comparison.
The most popular form of entertainment in the UK was going to the cinema.
The least common form of transport was taking a taxi.

6. Comparisons with similar or same or as..as

Dont forget that some of the numbers you will be comparing are similar. These are the basic
words and structures you need.
Similar (to)
The percentage of females and males who studied languages at university were very similar.
A similar amount of gas and electricity was used domestically in homes.
The figures for 2012 were very similar to the figures for 2013.
Same as as
The percentage of females who studied at university in 2011 was almost exactly the same as in
2012

7. Comparisons with differ/different/difference

If something is similar, it can also be different! Here is another set of basic variations for you:
The amount of time spent at home differed by almost 25% according to gender.
There was a difference of over 25% in the amount of time males and females spent at home.
This figure was very different among males, only half of whom watched television.

8. Comparisons with numbers

Another way to make comparisons is to do some simple arithmetic! Here are some simple
variations:
[5 million] more/less/fewer
5 million fewer units of gas were sold in 2014.
Twice
Twice as many people elected to use gas and not electricity for cooking [note the twice as as
structure]
Twice the amount of gas was used for cooking in this period. [note that we amount with
uncountable nouns]
Three/four etc times
Four times as many people chose to heat their house with electricity as with gas.
Half
Half the number of people chose to use gas as electricity.
Electricity was half as popular as gas for cooking.

Try a practice exercise

Read more: How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1 | http://www.dcielts.com/task-12/compare-and-contrast/#ixzz3S5TDiCv4

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Comparing language
Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers.
as
While

1.

difference

fewer

more

similar

smallest

than

twice

the Japanese purchased nearly 50 million smart phones, the Canadians

bought only just over 3 million.

2. Americans bought nearly 9 million

smart phones than tablets.

3.The Australians bought slightly more smart phones

4. It is notable how the Australians bought

5. In contrast, Australians bought a

6.The Koreans bought exactly

7. The British bought the

8. There was only a slight

the British did.

smart phones than tablets.

number of smart phones and tablets.

as many smart phones as tablets.

number of tablets.

in the number of smart phones and tablets

bought by Canadians.
9. Canadians bought almost as many tablets

smart phones.

1. While the Japanese purchased nearly 50 million smart phones, the Canadians
bought only just over 3 million.
2. Americans bought nearly 9 million more smart phones than tablets.
3.The Australians bought slightly more smart phones than the British did.
4. It is notable how the Australians bought fewer smart phones than tablets.
5. In contrast, Australians bought a similar number of smart phones and tablets.
6.The Koreans bought exactly twice as many smart phones as tablets.
7. The British bought the smallest number of tablets.
8. There was only a slight difference in the number of smart phones and tablets
bought by Canadians.
9. Canadians bought almost as many tablets as smart phones.