compare and contrast ielts essay example

How to Write ‘Compare and Contrast’ Type of Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2?

In ‘compare and contrast’ type of essay, IELTS examiners want you to discuss the points of comparing and contrasting the two things i.e. similarities and differences between the two. Therefore, it is important that you find out relevant points of similarities and differences of the two mentioned things after reading the question for IELTS Writing . Let’s look at an example:

Some people want to live in a house while others prefer living in an apartment.

Does living in a house bring more advantages than living in an apartment.

With this type of essay for IELTS Writing , you have two points to be discussed as follows:

• Benefits of living in a house/apartment
• Issues of living in an house/apartment

You must discuss both of them by giving reasons and support them with examples. And at the end, mention which of the two is better and why. If you do not discuss any of the above two points in the essay, you will lose marks.

So, in this type of essay, you must explain both the points.

How to structure IELTS Writing asnwer?

The essay can be structured mainly in 4 paragraphs as follows:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Benefits of living in a house/apartment

Paragraph 3: issues of living in a house/apartment, paragraph 4: conclusion.

Further structuring of the paragraphs can be done as follows:

a. Paragraph 1- Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase the Question

Sentence 2-Outline the sentence

b. Paragraph 2- Body Paragraph 1 (Apartment)

Sentence 1- State the benefit

Sentence 2- Explain how it brings this benefit

Sentence 4- Write an example

c. Paragraph 3 – Body Paragraph 2 (House)

Sentence 1- State the issue

Sentence 2-Explain how it leads to this issue

Sentence 3- Write an example

d. Paragraph 4- Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary of the main point to conclude which is better and why Four paragraphs are sufficient to explain your point of view. You may use any other structure you are comfortable with but this structure is approved by the IELTS examiners to help the students write in an effective and cohesive manner.

Vocabulary:

Useful vocabulary for comparison points.

• to be the same as
• neither… nor…
• not only… but also…
• to be alike
• just like (+ noun)
• to be similar (to)
• similar to (+ noun)
• to compare (to/with)

Useful vocabulary for Contrasting points

• in contrast
• by comparison
• in comparison
• on the other hand
• to differ from
• to be dissimilar to
• to be different (from)
• to be unlike

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer:

There are many people who believe that living in a house is the best. However, some people disagree with this opinion and instead prefer to live in an apartment. This essay makes comparison of the two and chooses the most preferred option.

To begin with, living in a flat definitely brings several advantages to a resident. One of the most important reasons behind this is the huge convenience it offers. An apartment is a part of large building giving a feel of living in a small societal association which takes responsibility of any fix or repair or maintenance required. For example, if one needs to repair the roof, the maintenance charges are borne by the landlord. Moreover, various facilities as well as amenities are available nearby including shopping mall, tuition centre, medical store, bus station and so on.

On the other hand, living in an owned house does not offer the facilities that one can avail while living in an apartment. One reason for this is that it is quite lonely to stay in a house which occupies a large land area bringing boredom and snatching the joy of living with so many people around. For example, it would be such a dull experience of sitting alone in the garden with no one around to share life experiences. In addition to this, maintenance and cleanliness of the house are borne by the owner and thus it is costly to live in a house.

Conclusively, living in an apartment is comparatively better than staying lonely in a house. Though a house provides a large spacious area to move around but living in an apartment enhances more social interaction and adds more excitement to life.

(283 words)

Write an essay with minimum 250 words. Use the above mentioned vocabulary. 1. Some people think that learning online is more efficient. However, according to some other people, studying from books is still the preferred method. Which is the better method of learning out of the two?

2. Distance education is gaining popularity day by day and more students are enrolling through distance mode than full-time course in colleges. Make comparison of distance education and full-time course to find which is better and why.

3. A growing number of people own personal vehicle as they find it a convenient mode of transport in comparison to public transport. Compare the public and private mode of transportation and state which is better out of the two.

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How to make comparsions and contrasts in IELTS Task 2 writing

By ielts-jonathan.com on 17 June 2022 0

Comparing and Contrasting in IELTS

The purpose of a compare and contrast essay is to analyse the differences and/or the similarities of two distinct subjects.

A good compare/contrast essay doesn’t only point out how the subjects are similar or different, it uses those points to make a meaningful argument about the subjects.

While it can be a little intimidating to approach this type of essay at first, with a little work and practice, you can write a great compare-and-contrast essay for IELTS!

I’ve provided some examples useful for comparing and contrasting, and exercises too.

Here you go!

1. The two groups were not the same as each other. (DIFFERENT)

The two groups were different to each other.

2. The two groups of children were different . (CONTRAST)

The two groups of children showed a contrast.

3. The three liquids had many things in common with one another (SIMILAR)

The three liquids had many similarities to each other.

4. The data revealed that the informants’ responses were different . (DIFFERENCES)

The date revealed the differences among informants.

5. The title of her paper was ‘ A comparison of male attitudes towards prison sentencing and  female attitudes’. (COMPARED)

The paper compared male attitudes and female attitude towards prison sentencing.

6.  In a similar way in which the economy of the north is booming, the south is also enjoying an economic upturn. (SIMILARLY)

Similarly, as the economy of the north is booming, the south is also enjoying an economic upturn.

You can use tips and information on this website to help make it easier to obtain a higher score, but remember you still need to work at learning the language to be successful.

Please share to someone you know and in the meantime take a look at my  Facebook Page and Website for IELTS answers and you can also join my Facebook Group here too.

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How to Write a Comparison Essay in IELTS Writing Task 1

• By Tiju's Academy
• October 12, 2023

The IELTS Writing Task 1 is a formal test that requires students to write a report based on a visual stimulus, such as a graph, chart, or table. One of the most common types of task 1 essays is the comparison essay, in which students are asked to compare and contrast two or more things.

Mastering IELTS Writing Task 1

Let us learn to write a comparison essay for IELTS Writing Task 1 . We will provide tips on reading the question carefully, identifying the similarities and differences between the two things you are comparing, using specific examples to support your points, and writing in a clear and concise style.

1. Read the question carefully

The first step to writing a good comparison essay is to read the question carefully. Make sure you understand what the question is asking you to do. The question will usually specify what you should compare and contrast. For example, you might be asked to compare and contrast two graphs, two maps, or two sets of data.

2. Compare and contrast the two items, noting their similarities and differences

When writing an essay, it is important to compare and contrast two subjects while organizing your thoughts effectively.

3. Please provide specific examples to support your arguments

When writing about the similarities and differences between two things, using specific examples to support your points is essential. This will make your essay more convincing and engaging. For example, if you compare two graphs, you could use specific data points from the graphs to support your points.

4. Use a logical structure

Your essay should have a clear and logical structure. This means that your paragraphs should flow smoothly and your points should be well-organized. It would help if you also used transition words and phrases to connect your ideas.

5. Write in a formal style

The IELTS Writing Task 1 is a formal test, so you should write in a traditional style. This means that you should avoid using slang, contractions, or informal language.

6. Proofread your essay carefully

Be sure to carefully proofread your essay for any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors before submitting it.

By following these tips, you can write a great comparison essay for your IELTS Writing Task 1.

Additional tips:

• Start by brainstorming a list of similarities and differences between the two things you are comparing.
• Organize your thoughts by grouping the similarities and differences together.
• Write clear and concise topic sentences for each paragraph.
• Use evidence from the graphs, maps, or data sets to support your points.
• For smooth flow of ideas, use transition words and phrases to connect your thoughts.
• Write in a clear and concise style.
• Proofread your essay carefully before submitting it.

We hope these tips help you to write a great comparison essay for your IELTS Writing Task 1 .

Here are some examples of comparison essay questions that you might be asked in the IELTS Writing Task 1:

• Compare and contrast the two graphs below.
• Compare and contrast the two maps below.
• Compare and contrast the two sets of data below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

• grammarchallenge , IELTS , IELTS Writing Task 1 , Tijusacademy

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How to Write ‘Compare and Contrast’ Type of Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2?

• April 21, 2020
• Posted by: ielts
• Category: Writing Tips

In ‘compare and contrast’ type of essay, IELTS examiners want you to discuss the points of comparing and contrasting the two things i.e. similarities and differences between the two. Therefore, it is important that you find out relevant points of similarities and differences of the two mentioned things after reading the question for IELTS Writing . Let’s look at an example:

Some people want to live in a house while others prefer living in an apartment.

Does living in a house bring more advantages than living in an apartment.

With this type of essay for  IELTS Writing , you have two points to be discussed as follows:

• Benefits of living in a house/apartment
• Issues of living in an house/apartment

You must discuss both of them by giving reasons and support them with examples. And at the end, mention which of the two is better and why. If you do not discuss any of the above two points in the essay, you will lose marks.

So, in this type of essay, you must explain both the points.

How to structure IELTS Writing asnwer?

The essay can be structured mainly in 4 paragraphs as follows:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Paragraph 2: Benefits of living in a house/apartment

Paragraph 3: issues of living in a house/apartment, paragraph 4: conclusion.

Further structuring of the paragraphs can be done as follows:

a. Paragraph 1- Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase the Question

Sentence 2-Outline the sentence

b. Paragraph 2- Body Paragraph 1 (Apartment)

Sentence 1- State the benefit

Sentence 2- Explain how it brings this benefit

Sentence 4- Write an example

c. Paragraph 3 – Body Paragraph 2 (House)

Sentence 1- State the issue

Sentence 2-Explain how it leads to this issue

Sentence 3- Write an example

d. Paragraph 4- Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary of the main point to conclude which is better and why Four paragraphs are sufficient to explain your point of view. You may use any other structure you are comfortable with but this structure is approved by the IELTS examiners to help the students write in an effective and cohesive manner.

Vocabulary: 

Useful vocabulary for comparison points.

• to be the same as
• neither… nor…
• not only… but also…
• to be alike
• just like (+ noun)
• to be similar (to)
• similar to (+ noun)
• to compare (to/with)

Useful vocabulary for Contrasting points

• in contrast
• by comparison
• in comparison
• on the other hand
• to differ from
• to be dissimilar to
• to be different (from)
• to be unlike

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer:

There are many people who believe that living in a house is the best. However, some people disagree with this opinion and instead prefer to live in an apartment. This essay makes comparison of the two and chooses the most preferred option.

To begin with, living in a flat definitely brings several advantages to a resident. One of the most important reasons behind this is the huge convenience it offers. An apartment is a part of large building giving a feel of living in a small societal association which takes responsibility of any fix or repair or maintenance required.   For example, if one needs to repair the roof, the maintenance charges are borne by the landlord. Moreover, various facilities as well as amenities are available nearby including shopping mall, tuition centre, medical store, bus station and so on.

On the other hand, living in an owned house does not offer the facilities that one can avail while living in an apartment. One reason for this is that it is quite lonely to stay in a house which occupies a large land area bringing boredom and snatching the joy of living with so many people around. For example, it would be such a dull experience of sitting alone in the garden with no one around to share life experiences. In addition to this, maintenance and cleanliness of the house are borne by the owner and thus it is costly to live in a house.

Conclusively, living in an apartment is comparatively better than staying lonely in a house. Though a house provides a large spacious area to move around but living in an apartment enhances more social interaction and adds more excitement to life.

(283 words)

Write an essay with minimum 250 words. Use the above mentioned vocabulary. 1. Some people think that learning online is more efficient. However, according to some other people, studying from books is still the preferred method. Which is the better method of learning out of the two?

2. Distance education is gaining popularity day by day and more students are enrolling through distance mode than full-time course in colleges. Make comparison of distance education and full-time course to find which is better and why.

3. A growing number of people own personal vehicle as they find it a convenient mode of transport in comparison to public transport. Compare the public and private mode of transportation and state which is better out of the two.

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IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.

Ielts writing task 2 sample 20 - not everything that is learned is contained in books, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, it is said that "not everything that is learned is contained in books"., idea generation for this ielts essay:.

• Books present us true facts, history, subject matter expertise, story and knowledge that we need to evolve as a true human. Our life experience also gives us wisdom, knowledge and teaches us lessons to become the better persons we are.
• Books are the primary source of knowledge and enhance our horizon. Experience gathered in life also provides us guideline and wisdom to broaden our horizon.
• Both are excellent sources of knowledge and unparalleled sources of great wisdom.
• Without reading, we cannot home our brain. Without experiencing things we cannot learn how to deal with difficulties.  
• Without reading books we can't become wise enough to gather the right experience and lessons in our life.
• Books give us knowledge and our experience and practice hones it.
• Books provide us theoretical knowledge while our experiences give us firsthand knowledge.
• Theories learned from books are often pointless if you cannot use it in our life.
• Lessons learned from books are often forgotten but we never forget our first-hand experience.
• Lessons learned from an experience could never be learned from reading.
• Most important lessons in life can't be taught, but experienced.
• Books contain the experience gathered by many generations and their observation. Experience is limited to a person only.
• Some knowledge could only be learned from books like the atmosphere of Mars but can never be experienced by a person.
• Books are important to raise our concept about important subjects affecting our life, like science, nature, or health.
• The materials we learn from books can help us to become more competitive in our real life, at our job or study.
• Books increase our abstract thinking. We will be able to have better conceptual thoughts if we analysis them before by reading more books.
• Reading more books, we will have better basics to create better frames in practice. Those only trusting on their sole experience may make more mistakes.
• Books improve our self-confidence. Reading about experts’ opinions, we will able to rely more on performance in practice.
• Books can help us to become successful businesspersons than those who just rely on their experience.
• Humans can save their money as they read more due to using other professionals’ knowledge and experience written in books.
• Practical lessons help us to have more deeply understanding, while theory learned from books will be forgotten far easier.
• Having a better experience, we can save our time. We may have to review several times a book to learn about its subjects, while by having enough experience it is not necessary we review them.
• By having more practice, we will become more flexible to critical conditions.
• Experience assists us to become more socially active. Instead of studying materials in an isolated condition, for example in a library, we can meet more people by practising more.
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