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Making comparisons is fundamental to IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. Almost every visual requires you to compare categories, time periods, or values. This lesson provides a comprehensive toolkit of comparison and contrast structures that will help you demonstrate the grammatical range and lexical resource needed for Band 7+.
The standard Task 1 instruction says:
"Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant."
The phrase "make comparisons where relevant" is not a suggestion — it is a requirement. Failing to compare is one of the most common reasons candidates score below Band 7 on Task Achievement.
Structure: A + was/is + comparative + than + B
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"The USA was higher than the UK."
"France was more popular than Germany."
"Expenditure was significantly greater than revenue."
"The increase was considerably sharper than expected."
Intensifiers for comparatives:
Examples:
Structure: A + was/is + the + superlative + of / in / among
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"The USA had the highest figure."
"Oil was the most widely used energy source."
"India had the lowest salary of all five countries."
"Technology was by far the most lucrative sector."
Intensifiers for superlatives:
Equal: "A was as high as B."
Not equal: "A was not as high as B." (= B was higher)
Multiples: "A was twice as high as B."
"A was three times as expensive as B."
"A was nearly as large as B."
These introduce a contrast within a single sentence.
"While the USA spent 6%, the UK spent only 3%."
"Whereas France showed an increase, Germany experienced a decline."
"Whilst oil consumption fell, gas usage rose."
Band 7+ Tip: "While" is the most versatile — it can begin a sentence or appear in the middle. "Whereas" is more formal. "Whilst" is acceptable but less common.
These introduce a contrast at the start of a new sentence.
"Oil consumption decreased by 15%. In contrast, gas usage rose by 10%."
"The USA recorded the highest spending. Conversely, India had the lowest."
"Technology salaries were above $60,000. By contrast, education salaries were below $50,000."
These introduce a contrasting idea, often with a concessive tone.
"Sales increased overall. However, the rate of growth slowed significantly after 2015."
"The UK had the highest participation rate. On the other hand, its expenditure per student was relatively low."
"Unlike France, Germany experienced a decline in tourism."
"Compared to the USA, European countries spent relatively little on defence."
"In comparison with developing nations, industrialised countries had much higher emissions."
"France saw a 10% increase. Similarly, Germany recorded a rise of 8%."
"Oil consumption declined in the USA. Likewise, coal usage dropped."
"Both France and Germany experienced growth."
"Neither Japan nor India saw a significant change."
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