++COMPARE AND CONTRAST LANGUAGE 

Transitions

1. The Middle East produces high levels of oil; however, Japan produces none.
2. The USA produces large amounts of natural gas.  In contrast, South Korea
produces none.
3. European countries make great use of solar power.  On the other hand, most Asian
countries us this method of power generation very little.

Subordinating Conjunctions

1. The Middle East produces high levels of oil, whereas / while Japan produces none.
2. Whereas / While the Middle East produces high levels of oil, Japan produces none.
3. Although the Middle East produced 100 tons oil, Japan produced none.

Other Structures

1. Developing countries are more reliant on alternative energy

production than developed countries.
2. Solar power accounts for far less of the total energy production than gas or coal
does.
3. Hydropower is not as efficient as wind power.
4. Like Japan, South Korea does not produce any natural gas.
5. The Middle East produces twice as much oil as Europe.
6. Western countries consume three times more oil than the Middle East.
7. Russia consumes slightly more oil than Germany.
8. The UAE produced the same amount of oil as Saudi Arabia.
Using Approximate Data

When you compare and contrast, you also need to learn phrases so you can refer to data
that is not exact.

For example:

7.1
“just over 7 million tonnes”   
“approximately 7 million tonnes”

65.6
“nearly 70 million tonnes”
“almost 70 million tonnes”

 
Compare and Contrast Language Practice

Look at the table below.  What is being compared?

Natural Gas Consumption and Production, 2001

Consumption* Production*
Country

The USA 588.9 500.0

The United Kingdom 86.1 97.3

The Former Soviet Union 7.1 0.4

The UAE 30.0 35.9

Australia 19.1 28.0

Japan 68.6 0

New Zealand 4.9 5.1

South Korea 18.9 0

China 24.3 25.0

*in millions of tonnes

 
Look at the compare and contrast language in the drop down box and choose the correct
word to complete the sentences. 

times/ more /nearly the same/ lowest/ however/ biggest/ While/ least/ far more/ just

under/ than  

1. New Zealand consumed the  .............................  gas at approximately 5 million

tonnes.

2. The former Soviet Union produced the  .............................  amount at 0.4 million

tonnes.

3. The USA was the  .............................  consumer and producer of gas at 600 million
tonnes and 500 respectively.

4. The USA consumed and produced  .............................  natural gas than any other
country.

5. South Korea consumed 18.9 millions tonnes of gas;  however, it produced none.

6. China’s consumption and production of oil were  nearly the same at 24.3 and 25.0
respectively.

7. The USA, the Former Soviet Union, Japan and South Korea all consumed more
gas  than  they produced.

8. Australia consumed four  times more   gas than New Zealand.

9.  While  Zealand produced 5.1 million tonnes of gas, South Korea produced none.
10. New Zealand consumed  just under  5 million tonnes of gas.