How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1 | http://www.dcielts.

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How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1

► IELTS Vocabulary
► IELTS Writing
► IELTS Listening Test
Some of the most important language in task 1 is the compare and contrast vocabulary. This is because
the instructions tell you to

make comparisons where relevant

If you want to score well, you need some different ways to compare and contrast. Here are some variations
to help you out. It is not all about more and less.

1. Comparisons between sentences

One way to make comparisons is to start a new sentence with a word/phrase that shows that you are
about to make a comparison with the previous sentence. The basic words you need here are:

In contrast

The most popular form of holiday among the Welsh was self-catering with over 60% choosing to cook
for themselves. In contrast, only 5 % of the English chose this form of vacation and hotel
accommodation was much more popular at 48%.

In comparison

Almost 50% of the English, Scots and Northern Irish chose to stay in a hotel for their holiday. In
comparison, staying in self-catering accommodation was much less popular with around 10% of
people choosing this.

However

The general pattern was for hotel accommodation to be the most popular with around half the people
choosing it. The majority of the Welsh, however, chose to stay in self-catering accommodation.

On the other hand

It is clear that a majority of the British chose to stay in hotel for their holiday. On the other hand, there
was an exception to this because over 50% of the Welsh opted for self-catering accommodation.

Note that we normally use a comma after In contrast and In comparison.

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How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1 | http://www.dcielts.com/task-1-2/compare-and-contrast/

Note that there are lots of different ways to use compare and contrast and these are just the most basic
examples. If you are looking for a higher band score, it’s good advice to learn different ways to use these
words.

Note too that typically however is not used as the first word in a sentence.

2. Comparisons within sentences

Another possibility is to compare two pieces of information within the same sentence. The basic words you
need here are:

while

While there are 4 million miles of train lines in the UK, there are only 3 million in France.

whereas

Whereas the majority of the French prefer to travel to work by train, only a small minority of the British
do.

although

Although 15% of the French read novels, only 5% of the British do.

but

Almost 25% of French females study maths with a private tutor, but nearly 60% study English with
one.

3. Comparisons with more or less/fewer

This is another obvious way to make comparisons and contrasts. You should note though that you are
normally going to compare numbers and nouns and not adjectives. You want to remember these two key
bit of grammar:

Than

Remember that after more/less/fewer we use than

5% more girls chose to read books than go to cinema.

Fewer/less

If the word is uncountable we use less, if it is countable we use fewer:

Fewer mobiles phones were bought in 2013 than 2014.

Less oil was consumed in 2013 than 2014.

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How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1 | http://www.dcielts.com/task-1-2/compare-and-contrast/

4. Qualify your comparisons with much/far/slightly or a number

This is similar. The idea here is that you still use less/more/fewer but this time you explain how much.
Typically, the best way to do this is to use a number:

Far fewer people chose to travel by train than by car. [Where’s the detail?]

25% fewer people chose to travel by train than by car. [Better now we have detail and not just a
comparison]

5. Comparisons with most or least/fewest

When you are looking for details to include, the highest/lowest number is almost always important. This too
is a form of comparison.

The most popular form of entertainment in the UK was going to the cinema.

The least common form of transport was taking a taxi.

6. Comparisons with similar or same or as…..as

Don’t forget that some of the numbers you will be comparing are similar. These are the basic words and
structures you need.

Similar (to)

The percentage of females and males who studied languages at university were very similar.

A similar amount of gas and electricity was used domestically in homes.

The figures for 2012 were very similar to the figures for 2013.

Same as …as

The percentage of females who studied at university in 2011 was almost exactly the same as in 2012

7. Comparisons with differ/different/difference

If something is similar, it can also be different! Here is another set of basic variations for you:

The amount of time spent at home differed by almost 25% according to gender.

There was a difference of over 25% in the amount of time males and females spent at home.

This figure was very different among males, only half of whom watched television.

8. Comparisons with numbers

Another way to make comparisons is to do some simple arithmetic! Here are some simple variations:

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How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1 | http://www.dcielts.com/task-1-2/compare-and-contrast/

[5 million] more/less/fewer

5 million fewer units of gas were sold in 2014.

Twice

Twice as many people elected to use gas and not electricity for cooking [note the twice as …as
structure]

Twice the amount of gas was used for cooking in this period. [note that we amount with uncountable
nouns]

Three/four etc times

Four times as many people chose to heat their house with electricity as with gas.

Half

Half the number of people chose to use gas as electricity.

Electricity was half as popular as gas for cooking.

Try a practice exercise

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How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1 | http://www.dcielts.com/task-1-2/compare-and-contrast/

DC IELTS

Comparing language

Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers.

as difference fewer more similar smallest than twice While

1. the Japanese purchased nearly 50 million smart phones, the Canadians

bought only just over 3 million.

2. Americans bought nearly 9 million smart phones than tablets.

3.The Australians bought slightly more smart phones the British did.

4. It is notable how the Australians bought smart phones than tablets.

5. In contrast, Australians bought a number of smart phones and tablets.

6.The Koreans bought exactly as many smart phones as tablets.

7. The British bought the number of tablets.

8. There was only a slight in the number of smart phones and tablets
bought by Canadians.

9. Canadians bought almost as many tablets smart phones.

Check Hint

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3 Responses to How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1

Ed July 8, 2014 at 1:03 pm # REPLY

Hi Dominic,

This is another great summary, which I benefit a lot from the post. THANK you.

By the way, I would like to ask some grammar questions as I am confused.

For the above practice sentence 1, why you put ” the Japanese” and “the Canadians” instead of
“Japanese” and ” Canadians”?

The same question applies to sentence 3 and 6 for ” the Australian”, “the British” and “the
Korean”.
I was told that if we put “the” in front of Australian to to indicate they are a special group of
Australian we are referring to.

Thank you in advance.

Regards,
Ed

Ed July 12, 2014 at 1:28 pm # REPLY

I am confused because in sentence 2, 5 and 9 there is not “the” in front of Americans,

Australians and Canadians.

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How to compare and contrast numbers in task 1 | http://www.dcielts.com/task-1-2/compare-and-contrast/

I am really confused as to when we have to add the article “the” in front of Americans,
Australians or Canadians. I searched on the news from Australia and I see most of time there is
no “the” in front of Australians.

Can anyone help me with this?

Thank you.

Regards,
Ed

Anonymous October 1, 2014 at 5:27 am # REPLY

can u tell me plz about the correct usage of the

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