3.1.2 Comparison openings (out) Lesson Content Q&A 3.1.2 Comparison openings (out) 1 / 10 Two advice articles discuss revision before exams. Text One recommends strict timetables and regular breaks, while Text Two argues for flexible study based on energy levels and motivation. Which opening best follows the guidance to establish the main difference in viewpoint early? Both writers give advice about revision, although they use different examples and formats. Text One is about exams and Text Two is about study, so they cannot be compared. While Text One presents revision as structured and disciplined, Text Two focuses more on personal flexibility and self management. The writers both mention breaks and timetables, which makes them similar. The opening should directly contrast the writers methods or beliefs about revision, rather than explaining the topic in general. 2 / 10 Two extracts from a memoir describe moving to a new country. Text One reflects on loneliness and confusion, while Text Two celebrates learning a new language and making friends. The class is practising comparison openings for Paper 1 style responses. Both writers describe moving to a new country, although Text One emphasises loneliness while Text Two stresses growth and belonging. Text One is personal and Text Two is emotional, so they are similar. Both texts are about moving, but the details are not the same. The first extract uses memories, whereas the second extract uses facts. The most effective opening compares the writers attitudes to the same experience in a direct, concise way. 3 / 10 Two newspaper editorials respond to a new law limiting plastic packaging. Text One welcomes the law as necessary environmental action, while Text Two argues it will harm small businesses. A student is asked to choose the best comparison opening. The texts are different because one is in favour and the other is against. Both writers mention plastic, and both use strong language. Text One and Text Two are both newspaper editorials, which means they are persuasive. Both writers address the new plastic law, although Text One supports it while Text Two focuses on the economic impact on small businesses. A good opening should make the relationship between the texts clear at once, using both the shared issue and the main contrast. 4 / 10 Two articles discuss online learning after a school closure. Text One presents it as flexible and efficient, while Text Two highlights isolation and technical problems. Which opening most clearly establishes the main difference in viewpoint early? Both texts are about school closures, and they discuss learning in different ways. Text One talks about the internet and Text Two talks about classrooms. Both writers discuss online learning, although Text One is positive about its advantages while Text Two is critical of its drawbacks. The writers each use examples to support their ideas. Comparison openings should state the same subject first and then show the contrasting viewpoints in one clear sentence. 5 / 10 Two speeches from a school council campaign discuss lunch menus. Text One argues for healthier meals even if they cost more, while Text Two prioritises student choice and affordability. A student needs to write a comparison opening that avoids a long introduction. Both writers speak about school lunches, although they focus on different classrooms and age groups. While Text One presents healthier meals as the best option, Text Two focuses more on low cost and wider choice. Text One is about food and Text Two is about students. The speeches both try to persuade the audience, so they are similar. The best answer starts with the shared issue and immediately outlines the key difference in priorities between the writers. 6 / 10 Two travel reviews cover the same mountain resort. Text One praises the scenery and calm atmosphere, while Text Two complains about poor service and overcrowding. The teacher wants the best first sentence for a comparison paragraph. Both writers review the mountain resort, although Text One is enthusiastic about the peaceful setting while Text Two is disappointed by the service and crowds. Text One is good and Text Two is bad, so the reader can tell they are opposite. The writers describe the resort in detail, and both use adjectives. The first review is longer, which makes it better. An effective comparison opening should immediately show the difference in tone or attitude while linking both texts to the same topic. 7 / 10 Two opinion columns discuss social media use by teenagers. Text One warns about mental health risks and distraction, while Text Two argues that social media helps young people connect and express themselves. A student wants to start the comparison in a concise, exam suitable way. The texts both mention teenagers, and both are written in an opinion style. Both writers discuss social media, although they give examples from different schools. Text One and Text Two are both persuasive, which makes them similar. Both writers discuss social media, but Text One emphasises its dangers while Text Two highlights its benefits. The opening should begin with a direct comparison of the writers main attitudes, not with a general statement about the topic. 8 / 10 An exam question asks students to compare two magazine features about holiday travel. Text One promotes train journeys as relaxing and environmentally friendly, while Text Two argues that flying is quicker and more practical. Which comparison opening is most effective? Both writers discuss holiday travel, although they focus on different countries and activities. While Text One presents train travel as relaxing and green, Text Two focuses more on the speed and convenience of flying. The texts are both about transport and have many similarities. Text One gives opinions, and Text Two gives information. A clear opening should establish the central contrast in viewpoint early and avoid unnecessary background detail. 9 / 10 Two blog posts describe volunteering at a local food bank. Text One focuses on the emotional reward of helping others, while Text Two concentrates on the exhausting workload and lack of resources. A student is writing a comparison opening for an exam response. Both writers describe volunteering at the food bank, although Text One is positive about the experience while Text Two stresses the pressure and shortage of supplies. Text One is positive and Text Two is negative, so they are not the same. Both texts mention a food bank, and the details are different in many places. The first text uses an emotional style, whereas the second text uses a factual style. The best opening should identify the common subject first and then contrast the writers attitudes or emphasis straight away. 10 / 10 During a class discussion about two newspaper articles on city transport, one student notes that Text One celebrates the new electric bus network as a symbol of progress, while Text Two criticises it as expensive and unreliable. The teacher asks which opening would best compare the texts directly and efficiently in a summary paragraph. Both writers discuss the electric bus network, although one presents it as progress while the other sees it as a costly failure. Text One is about transport and Text Two is about money, which makes them very different. The first article has more facts than the second one, and both are interesting to read. The writers use statistics and examples to make their points in different ways. A strong comparison opening should begin with the shared topic and then state the main difference in viewpoint clearly and early, without a long lead in. Your score isThe average score is 0% Show more Please login to ask a question Previous Lesson Next Lesson 1 Foundation retrieval skills ***** 1.1 Precise retrieval for short-answer questions ***** 1.1 Precise retrieval for short-answer questions 1.1.1 Locating the exact answer 1.1.1 Locating the exact answer 1.1.1 Locating the exact answer (Out) 1.1.1 Locating the exact answer (Out) 1.1.2 Lifting carefully 1.1.2 Lifting carefully 1.1.2 Lifting carefully (Out) 1.1.2 Lifting carefully (Out) 1.1.3 Avoiding weak retrieval habits 1.1.3 Avoiding weak retrieval habits 1.1.3 Avoiding weak retrieval habits (out) 1.1.3 Avoiding weak retrieval habits (out) 2. Single-text analysis skills ***** 2.1 Building an analytical paragraph ***** 2.1 Building an analytical paragraph 2.1.1 Paragraph argument 2.1.1 Paragraph argument 2.1.1 Paragraph argument (out) 2.1.1 Paragraph argument (out) 2.1.2 Selecting evidence 2.1.2 Selecting evidence 2.1.2 Selecting evidence (out) 2.1.2 Selecting evidence (out) 2.1.3 Explaining word choice 2.1.3 Explaining word choice 2.1.3 Explaining word choice (out) 2.1.3 Explaining word choice (out) 2.1.4 Developing deeper interpretation 2.1.4 Developing deeper interpretation 2.1.4 Developing deeper interpretation (out) 2.1.4 Developing deeper interpretation (out) ***** 2.2 Language methods ***** 2.2 Language methods 2.2.1 Vocabulary and connotation 2.2.1 Vocabulary and connotation 2.2.1 Vocabulary and connotation (out) 2.2.1 Vocabulary and connotation (out) 2.2.2 Imagery and figurative language 2.2.2 Imagery and figurative language 2.2.2 Imagery and figurative language (done) 2.2.2 Imagery and figurative language (done) 2.2.3 Tone and voice 2.2.3 Tone and voice 2.2.3 Tone and voice (out) 2.2.3 Tone and voice (out) ***** 2.3 Structure methods ***** 2.3 Structure methods 2.3.1 Openings and introductions 2.3.1 Openings and introductions 2.3.1 Openings and introductions (out) 2.3.1 Openings and introductions (out) 2.3.2 Shifts and development 2.3.2 Shifts and development 2.3.2 Shifts and development (out) 2.3.2 Shifts and development (out) 2.3.3 Sentence structure and repetition 2.3.3 Sentence structure and repetition 2.3.3 Sentence structure and repetition (out) 2.3.3 Sentence structure and repetition (out) ***** 2.4 Overall effect and zoom-out sentences ***** 2.4 Overall effect and zoom-out sentences 2.4.1 Connecting to theme and message 2.4.1 Connecting to theme and message 2.4.1 Connecting to theme and message (out) 2.4.1 Connecting to theme and message (out) 2.4.2 Avoiding capped analysis 2.4.2 Avoiding capped analysis 2.4.2 Avoiding capped analysis (out) 2.4.2 Avoiding capped analysis (out) 3 Comparison skills ***** 3.1 Understanding comparison ***** 3.1 Understanding comparison 3.1.1 Comparison mindset 3.1.1 Comparison mindset 3.1.1 Comparison mindset (out) 3.1.1 Comparison mindset (out) 3.1.2 Comparison openings 3.1.2 Comparison openings 3.1.2 Comparison openings (out) 3.1.2 Comparison openings (out) 3.1.3 Balanced coverage 3.1.3 Balanced coverage 3.1.3 Balanced coverage (out) 3.1.3 Balanced coverage (out) ***** 3.2 Comparative paragraph structure ***** 3.2 Comparative paragraph structure 3.2.1 Text One evidence and analysis 3.2.1 Text One evidence and analysis 3.2.1 Text One evidence and analysis (out) 3.2.1 Text One evidence and analysis (out) 3.2.2 Transition to Text Two 3.2.2 Transition to Text Two 3.2.2 Transition to Text Two (out) 3.2.2 Transition to Text Two (out) 3.2.3 Text Two analysis 3.2.3 Text Two analysis 3.2.3 Text Two analysis (out) 3.2.3 Text Two analysis (out) 3.2.4 Comparative zoom-out 3.2.4 Comparative zoom-out 3.2.4 Comparative zoom-out (out) 3.2.4 Comparative zoom-out (out) ***** 3.3 Common comparison mistakes ***** 3.3 Common comparison mistakes 3.3.1 Avoiding separate essays 3.3.1 Avoiding separate essays 3.3.1 Avoiding separate essays (out) 3.3.1 Avoiding separate essays (out) 3.3.2 Avoiding vague comparison 3.3.2 Avoiding vague comparison 3.3.2 Avoiding vague comparison (out) 3.3.2 Avoiding vague comparison (out) 4 Transactional writing skills ***** 4.1 Purpose, audience and form ***** 4.1 Purpose, audience and form 4.1.1 Understanding the task 4.1.1 Understanding the task 4.1.1 Understanding the task (out) 4.1.1 Understanding the task (out) 4.1.2 Controlling tone and register 4.1.2 Controlling tone and register 4.1.2 Controlling tone and register (out) 4.1.2 Controlling tone and register (out) 4.1.3 Using source ideas 4.1.3 Using source ideas 4.1.3 Using source ideas (out) 4.1.3 Using source ideas (out) ***** 4.2 Transactional paragraph development ***** 4.2 Transactional paragraph development 4.2.1 Strong openings 4.2.1 Strong openings 4.2.1 Strong openings (out) 4.2.1 Strong openings (out) 4.2.2 Main benefit paragraph 4.2.2 Main benefit paragraph 4.2.2 Main benefit paragraph (out) 4.2.2 Main benefit paragraph (out) 4.2.3 Second benefit paragraph 4.2.3 Second benefit paragraph 4.2.3 Second benefit paragraph (out) 4.2.3 Second benefit paragraph (out) 4.2.4 Challenges and counterarguments 4.2.4 Challenges and counterarguments 4.2.4 Challenges and counterarguments (out) 4.2.4 Challenges and counterarguments (out) 4.2.5 Conclusions 4.2.5 Conclusions 4.2.5 Conclusions (out) 4.2.5 Conclusions (out) ***** 4.3 Rhetorical and stylistic control ***** 4.3 Rhetorical and stylistic control 4.3.1 Persuasive phrases 4.3.1 Persuasive phrases 4.3.1 Persuasive phrases (out) 4.3.1 Persuasive phrases (out) 4.3.2 Sentence variety 4.3.2 Sentence variety 4.3.2 Sentence variety (out) 4.3.2 Sentence variety (out) 4.3.3 Connectives and cohesion 4.3.3 Connectives and cohesion 4.3.3 Connectives and cohesion (out) 4.3.3 Connectives and cohesion (out) 5 Creative, narrative and descriptive writing skills ***** 5.1 Narrative writing ***** 5.1 Narrative writing 5.1.1 Narrative planning 5.1.1 Narrative planning 5.1.1 Narrative planning (out) 5.1.1 Narrative planning (out) 5.1.2 Openings and hooks 5.1.2 Openings and hooks 5.1.2 Openings and hooks (out) 5.1.2 Openings and hooks (out) 5.1.3 Building tension 5.1.3 Building tension 5.1.3 Building tension (out) 5.1.3 Building tension (out) 5.1.4 Endings 5.1.4 Endings 5.1.4 Endings (out) 5.1.4 Endings (out) ***** 5.2 Descriptive writing ***** 5.2 Descriptive writing 5.2.1 Choosing a focus 5.2.1 Choosing a focus 5.2.1 Choosing a focus (out) 5.2.1 Choosing a focus (out) 5.2.2 Sensory detail 5.2.2 Sensory detail 5.2.2 Sensory detail (out) 5.2.2 Sensory detail (out) 5.2.3 Structural movement in description 5.2.3 Structural movement in description 5.2.3 Structural movement in description (out) 5.2.3 Structural movement in description (out) ***** 5.3 Discursive writing ***** 5.3 Discursive writing 5.3.1 Building a balanced discussion 5.3.1 Building a balanced discussion 5.3.1 Building a balanced discussion (out) 5.3.1 Building a balanced discussion (out) 5.3.2 Argument development 5.3.2 Argument development 5.3.2 Argument development (out) 5.3.2 Argument development (out) 6 Exam performance and answer improvement ***** 6.1 Planning and timing ***** 6.1 Planning and timing 6.1.1 Reading questions carefully 6.1.1 Reading questions carefully 6.1.1 Reading questions carefully (out) 6.1.1 Reading questions carefully (out) 6.1.2 Planning longer answers 6.1.2 Planning longer answers 6.1.2 Planning longer answers (out) 6.1.2 Planning longer answers (out) ***** 6.2 Upgrading responses ***** 6.2 Upgrading responses 6.2.1 Upgrading analysis 6.2.1 Upgrading analysis 6.2.1 Upgrading analysis (out) 6.2.1 Upgrading analysis (out) 6.2.2 Upgrading comparison 6.2.2 Upgrading comparison 6.2.2 Upgrading comparison (out) 6.2.2 Upgrading comparison (out) 6.2.3 Upgrading writing 6.2.3 Upgrading writing 6.2.3 Upgrading writing (out) 6.2.3 Upgrading writing (out)