Let's look at the word family for 'compare'. Remember that we are looking at usage, not meaning (I'm sure you know the meaning of these words).
- The graph compares the number of males and females...
- 10% of males were unemployed, compared to only 8% of females.
- The unemployment rate was high in 2008 compared with previous years.
- The unemployment rate was high in 2008 in comparison with...
- By/in comparison, the unemployment rate in 2008 increased to...
- Figures for the USA were comparable with/to those for the UK.
- The figure for females was comparatively low, at only 8%.
You've probably noticed that this word family is really useful for writing task 1.
PS. Thanks to Martin for sharing this online dictionary. The 'usage notes' at the bottom of the page are especially helpful.
Hi Simon,
Thank you for sharing this.
By the way, when the question uses "show" in the topic sentence, do we have to paraphrase with other verb such as "illustrate","compare","describe","depict"?
It seems using " show" and "illustrate" are more common. Is there any concern to displace it with words such as "depict" or "describe"?
Thanks
Posted by: Ed | Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 13:09
Hi Simon,
Could you give some ideas for the question; what are the advantages of learning a foreign language for young children?
Thanks!
Posted by: Kathy | Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 23:10
Hi Kathy,
I think if young children learn a different language, they easily absorb that language compared to older children. This is because older children may have more subjects in schools.
Another advantage is children will learn not only a language, but also culture from different country. Additionally, with the development of globallisation, people who have professional skills and can use multi language fluently,can have a high chance to be successfull. So, the early children learn another language, the better outcomes they can achieve.
Hope this help, Kathy
This is my ideas, not sure they are right.
Thanks
Nga
Posted by: Nga | Monday, September 12, 2011 at 01:24
Hi Simon,
You are very welcome and I am glad that I could contribute to the lesson for today!
Hope you had a nice weekend~
Martin
Posted by: Martin | Monday, September 12, 2011 at 02:13
Thank You Nga!
Posted by: Kathy | Monday, September 12, 2011 at 06:08
Hi Ed,
I just use: shows, illustrates, compares, gives information about.
I would avoid other words because many of them are not appropriate for this situation e.g. 'depicts' is used when we describe what a painting or piece of art shows (not for describing a graph, chart etc.)
...
Hi Kathy,
Nga's ideas are perfect. You don't need my help this time!
Thanks Nga!
...
I did have a nice weekend, thanks Martin!
Posted by: Simon | Monday, September 12, 2011 at 13:10
Hi Simon,
Can we write % in our task 1? Or we have to write percent?
Regards,
Inusure
Posted by: inusure | Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 02:44
Just write %. It's perfectly acceptable (and it's what a native speaker would write).
Posted by: Simon | Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 10:40
Dear Simon,
Is there any differences between "compared to" and "compared with".
Thank u in advance!
Posted by: Quynh | Monday, November 28, 2011 at 16:10
Hi Quynh,
For the purposes of IELTS, there is no real difference that you need to worry about.
If you want to read something about small differences in terms of 'style', read the article below:
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/compared-to-or-compared-with/
Posted by: Simon | Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 20:24
Dear Simon, I found this article as well as this website really helpful! Thank u sooo much :D
Posted by: Quynh | Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 02:08
No problem Quynh.
Posted by: Simon | Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 19:45