COMPARISON

TASK I
Table 2: Temperature and Rainfall in Edinburgh, Scotland
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Temperature 39,1 39,5 41,3 45,4 50,1 55,7 58,6 58,3 54,7 48,5 43,3 39,9
Rainfall 1,7 1,6 1,9 1,4 2,0 1,9 2,7 3,1 2,0 2,6 2,1 2,1

Now complete the following sentences. If necessary, look at the formation of comparisons.
Number 1 has been done for you.
1. The Severn is longer than the Thames.
2. The Thames is _________ long _____ the Severn.
3. The Severn and the Thames are __________________ in England.
4. In Edinburgh January is a _____________ month __________ December.
5. July is a _______________ month __________ June.
6. There is ______________ rain in May ___________ in March.
7. August has the ______________ rain; in other words, August is ____________ month.
8. May is _________ warm _______ June.
9. April is ______________ month.
10. The rainfall in May is ____________________ in September.
11. June is ___________ wet ________________ March.
12. The rainfall in February is ___________________ in March.
(2) Look at the text below. Read carefully and do the exercise.

TASK II
Characteristics of Indica Japonica Rice Varieties
There are two main groups of rice varieties. These are the Indica varieties and the Japonica
varieties. The Indica varieties grow in tropical countries, where the climate is hot. The
Japonica varieties grow in countries like China and Japan, where the climate is more
temperate. The Indica varieties usually grow in less fertile soils than the Japonica varieties. In
general, Indica varieties have a taller stem than the Japonica varities.

Taken from A.J. Clyne. 1985.

English for the Life Science. IDP Australia: Canberra

Make 5 statements of comparison based on the information in the text.

Example: The Indica varieties grow in less temperate climate than the Japonica
varieties.
 (a) _________________________________________________________________
(b) _________________________________________________________________
(c) _________________________________________________________________
(d) _________________________________________________________________
(e) _________________________________________________________________

TASK III
Look carefully at the information below:
Table 3: 4 Nordic countries (information 1976)

Information Denmark Finland Norway Sweden

Temperature
in Fahrenheit: 83 F 82F 83F 83F
(average 11F -11F -2F 3F
max annual)
min
Area: sq. 16.600 130.165 125.018 173.624
miles
Population 4.767.597 4.715.800 3.973.000 8.208.000
Density: per 113 15,4 18 12,2
km2
Forest area 11% 73% 20% 55%
Agricultural 70% 13% 3% 11%
area
Constitution constitutional Republic constitutional constitutional
monarchy monarchy monarchy
Religion Lutheran Lutheran Lutheran Lutheran

(1) Similarities:
(a) Look at the following examples based on the table above:

 Both Denmark and Norway have a constitutional monarchy.

 Denmark and Norway are similar (or: alike) in that they both have a constitutional
monarchy.

 Sweden is similar to Norway in that it has a small agricultural area.

 Sweden is similar to Norway in its constitution.

 Denmark and Sweden both have the same kind of constitution.

  Denmark, like Finland, has a population of about 43/4 million.
(b) Now write one sentence similar to each of the above six types, basing your information
on Table 3.

(2) Differences:
(a) Look at the following examples based on Table 3:

 Norway and Sweden are dissimilar in that Norway has a much smaller population
than Sweden.

 Denmark is different from (or: unlike) Finland in that it has a constitutional monarchy
(…. whereas Finland is a republic).

 With regard to population, Sweden is bigger than Norway.

 Denmark has a constitutional monarchy, whereas (or: while) Finland is a republic.

 Whereas Finland is a republic, Norway has a constitutional monarchy.

 Denmark has the smallest land area; however, it has the largest percentage
agricultural area.

 Although Denmark has the smallest land area; on the other hand, it has the largest
percentage agricultural area.

 (On the other hand,) Denmark has the smallest land area; on the other hand, it has the
largest percentage agricultural area.

 The main difference One of the differences between Finland and Sweden is that
Finland is a republic, whereas Sweden has a constitutional monarchy.
(b) Now write one sentence similar to each of the above nine types, basing your information
on Table 3.