Name: Date: reading (10 marks) 1

TOTAL 

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WRITING TASK 1 MODEL ANSWER

Compare and contrast the two sharks in the diagram.

The diagram gives information about two kinds of large tropical shark, the whale shark and the tiger 

shark. 

The sharks have a number of differences in terms of size, shape and colour. The whale shark is a much 

larger animal than the tiger shark. It is six metres longer than its smaller cousin and eight and a half (8.5) 

tonnes heavier. Both sharks are similar in shape. However, their skin patterns are different. The whale 

shark has dots on its body, the tiger shark has stripes. 

The sharks are also different in terms of their diet, behaviour and conservation status. The whale shark 

eats very small animals like plankton and krill, whereas the tiger shark has a diet of larger sea creatures 

such as tuna, dolphins and turtles. This may explain why the tiger shark attacks humans, which are the 

same size as the food it normally eats. In terms of conservation, the whale shark is more endangered 

than the tiger shark. 

Overall, it is clear that the whale shark is a much larger animal, but it is a gentle giant, whereas the 

smaller tiger shark is much more dangerous. 

ADDITIONAL WRITING TASK 1

Compare and contrast two similar animals (e.g. a German shepherd dog and a labrador, or 

a sparrow and a thrush or a tiger and a lion).