Reading Comprehension Compare and Contrast in Texts 2

Question 1

Wolves and domestic dogs share a common ancestor and look similar in many ways. Both are social animals that live in groups. Wolves, however, live in the wild and hunt prey cooperatively, whereas dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years to work alongside humans.

Accepted Answer

Wolves and dogs are both social animals, but wolves are wild hunters while dogs are domesticated companions

Answer

The passage states both are social animals, then uses 'however' and 'whereas' to contrast wild wolves with domesticated dogs.

Question 2

Print newspapers and online news sites both deliver news to readers. Print papers are published once a day and offer a curated selection of stories. Online sites, by contrast, update continuously and can carry far more stories, videos, and reader comments.

Accepted Answer

Both deliver news, but print papers update daily with curated content while online sites update continuously with more formats

Answer

'By contrast' introduces the differences: continuous updates and multimedia breadth of online sites versus the daily, curated print paper.

Question 3

Butterflies and moths are both insects with four wings and scaly bodies. Butterflies are generally active during the day and rest with their wings folded upright. Moths, on the other hand, are mostly nocturnal and rest with their wings spread flat.

Accepted Answer

Both insects share four wings and scaly bodies, but differ in when they are active and how they rest

Answer

'On the other hand' signals the contrast: butterflies are daytime and fold wings up; moths are nocturnal and spread wings flat.

Question 4

The Amazon rainforest and the Sahara Desert are both vast ecosystems that influence global climate. The Amazon is dense with plant life and receives abundant rainfall. The Sahara, in contrast, is almost entirely barren, receives very little rain, and experiences extreme heat.

Accepted Answer

Both influence global climate, but the Amazon is lush and wet while the Sahara is barren and dry

Answer

'In contrast' distinguishes the wet, dense Amazon from the barren, dry Sahara while noting both affect global climate.

Question 5

Renting a home and buying a home both provide a place to live, but they come with different responsibilities. Renters pay monthly fees and leave maintenance to landlords. Homeowners, though, pay a mortgage and are responsible for all repairs and upkeep.

Accepted Answer

Both provide shelter, but renters pay fees with landlord-handled maintenance while owners pay a mortgage and handle repairs

Answer

The passage sets up a shared purpose then contrasts renters' reliance on landlords with homeowners' full financial and maintenance responsibility.

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Compare and Contrast in Texts 2