Speakers often compare and contrast objects or ideas to help describe something. In the Listening sections of language exams, you will often have to determine what is being compared and what is being contrasted.

You will hear:

Speaker 1: I've been corresponding by letter with a French student.

Speaker 2: In English? You don't speak French, do you?

Speaker 1: No, unfortunately, but she writes English well. We have a lot in common.

Speaker 2: Like what, you age?

Speaker 1: Well, I'm actually about two years older than she is. But we do have the same first name.

Speaker 2: And you're both students.

Speaker 1: Yes, and we both are studying to be doctors, although she wants to be a pediatrician, and I want to be a neurosurgeon.

Speaker 2: It seems the only similarities are your sex and your given name.

Speaker 1: Well, we both like to swim. She likes to dance, too, but you know how little I like dancing.

You will see:

Put a tick to show if these items are alike or different.

PRACTICE 1

Complete the chart below based on what you hear. Put a tick to show if these items are alike or different.