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Part Three Question Type 1: Comparing
This is one of the most common Part Three question types. It usually appears very early in Part Three (the first or second question). The comparing question can be asked in different ways:
Are houses nowadays, the same as houses 30 years ago in your country?
(This type of comparison question requires the use of mixed tenses.)
Do men and women like the same types of books?
Do old and young people like the same holidays?
Are houses in North China the same as houses in South China?
Although these questions look quite different, they all require a very similar answer. The important thing to remember is that you do not get marks for the "differences" that you describe. Some candidates simply list a number of differences - this does not produce a good quality answer. For this question type you need to use "comparative" structures. Look at the following answer:
Do men and women like the same hobbies?
I think men and women like different hobbies, for example men are fond of many types of sporting activities such as football and basketball. Also they prefer things like watching action movies and going to bars, but women like hobbies such as shopping, watching TV, singing KTV and charting online.
This answer is simply a list of different hobbies: it is focused on content. It does not produce the "comparative" language that is required for this type of question.
Now look at the next answer to the same question:
Well obviously there are a number of clear differences. However, I guess that the most significant would be that men tend to prefer sporting activities such as football or basketball. Whereas in contrast women prefer things like shopping for clothes. In addition to this, another possible distinction might be that men usually like watching films: while on the other hand, women are more likely to prefer watching soap operas on TV.
This second answer contains similar content to the first answer but the content is presented with comparative structures. The comparative language here is: whereas, in contrast, while on the other hand. These two comparative linking structures will increase your score. Now you need to build your own comparative answer. Begin with an opening linking phrase:
Well obviously...
Well undoubtedly...
Well clearly...
Well unmistakably...
Sure, without a doubt...
Unquestionably...
Now say that there are some differences:
There are a number of underlying differences here.
There are a variety of possible differences here.
There are a range of potential distinctions here.
Now introduce the first difference:
However, I guess that the most significant would be that...
Though I suppose that the most obvious would he that...
But I would say the most fundamental would be that...
Now use a sentence to describe the first difference. For example, "...men tend to prefer..."
Develop this first difference with a simple linking word: especially, particularly, in fact, such as, for example, specifically.
Now use your first comparative linking structure:
Whereas on the other hand...
On the contrary...
Though quite the opposite...
Now add your next sentence. For example, "...women are generally keener on..."
Develop the second part of the first difference with a simple linking word: especially, particularly, in fact, such as, for example, specifically.
So you have described one difference. Now you need to introduce a second difference. Begin with a linking word:
In addition...
On top of this...
Additionally...
Moreover...
As well as this...
After that...
Say there is another important difference.
...a second key distinction would be that...
...a subsequent contrast could be that...
...a further distinction might be that...
Now describe the second difference. For example, "...men are quite keen on..."
Now use your second comparative linking structure.
While on the other hand...
Conversely...
Alternatively...
Then again, in opposition...
Then give a sentence to describe the second Part of the second difference. You only need to describe two differences.
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