How to answer "Compare" questions
Compare means: Give the similarities AND/OR differences between two or more things.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
AO1/AO2. · Also phrased as: contrast, give similarities and differences
What the examiner is looking for
- Make linked statements about BOTH things in the same sentence.
- Use comparative language: "whereas", "is higher than", "both…but".
How to structure your answer
- For each mark, compare the same feature across both items.
- Do not write two separate descriptions — the marks are for the comparison itself.
Worked example
Q: Compare arteries and veins. (3 marks)
Model answer: Arteries carry blood away from the heart whereas veins carry blood towards it [1]. Arteries have a thick, muscular, elastic wall to withstand high pressure, whereas veins have a thinner wall and lower pressure [1]. Veins contain valves to prevent backflow, whereas arteries do not [1].
Common mistakes
- Describing each item separately and never actually comparing.
- Omitting the comparative word so the point is not "linked".
Practise it
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