Mat Clark – IELTS Speaking
170
good quality answer. For this question type you need to use ―comparative‖ structures. Look
at the following answer:
―Do men and women like the same hobbies?‖
―I think men and
women like different hobbies, for example men are fond of many
type of sporting activities such as football and basketball. Also they prefer things like
watching action
movies and going to bars, but women likes hobbies such as shopping,
watching TV, singing TV and chatting online‖.
This answer is simply a list of different hobbies; it is focused on content. It does not
produce the ―comparative‖ language that is required for this type of question.
Now look at the next answer to the same question:
―Well obviously there are a number of clear differences. However, I guess that the
most significant would be that men tend to prefer sporting activities
such as football or
basketball. Whereas in contrast women prefer things like shopping for clothes. In addition to
this, another possible distinction might be that men usually watching films; while on the
other hand, women are more likely to prefer watching soap operas on TV.‖
This second answer contains similar content to the first
answer but the content is
presented with comparative structures. The comparative language here is: whereas, in
contrast, while on the other hand. These two comparative linking structures will increase
your score. Now you need to build your own comparative answer.
Begin with an opening linking phrase:
Well obviously …
Well clearly …
Sure, without a doubt …
Well undoubtedly …
Well unmistakably …
Unquestionably …..
Now say that there are some differences:
There are a number of underlying differences here.
There are a variety of possible differences here.
There are a range of potential distinctions here.
Now introduce the first difference:
However, I guess that the most significant would be that …
Mat Clark – IELTS Speaking
171
Though I suppose the most obvious would be that …
But I would say the most fundamental would be that …
Now use a sentence to describe the first difference. For example, ―…men tend to
prefer …‖
Develop this first difference with a simple linking word: especially, particularly, in
fact, such as, for example, specifically.
Now use your first comparative linking structure:
Whereas on the other hand ….
On the contrary …
Though quite the opposite …
Now add your next sentence. For example, ―…women are generally more keen on …‖
Develop the second part of the first difference with a simple linking word: especially,
