タビスタ | まったく新しいオンライン英会話
[A+] Comparing and Contrasting

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

meticulous

[ muh-'tik-yuh-luhs ]

adjective

- very careful and with great attention to every detail

He's always meticulous in keeping the records up to date.

impeccable

[ im-'pek-uh-buhl ]

adjective

- without mistakes or faults; perfect

The furnishings and paintings had been chosen with impeccable taste.

aesthetics

[ es-'thet-iks ]

noun

- relating to the enjoyment or study of beauty, or showing great beauty

Qiu Zihua is the pathbreaker of oriental aesthetics.

to counterpart

[ 'koun-ter-pahrt ]

noun

- a person or thing that has the same purpose as another one in a different place or organization

The sales directress phoned her counterpart in the other firm.

hustle and bustle

phrase

- noise and activity

We escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city for the weekend.

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

Direction: Read and understand the different idiomatic expressions below.

A. compare favorably with

  • if something compares favorably with something else, it is better than it

2024-VPP-COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

Dialogue

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

I visited the new art exhibit downtown, and I must say, it compares favorably with international exhibits I’ve seen.

Icon_Sally

Sally

Really? That’s quite impressive! In what ways do you think it stood out?

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

The curation was meticulous, and the variety of artworks showcased a rich diversity of styles and perspectives, making it a delightful experience.

B. bear comparison with

  • to be as good as

2024-VPP-COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

I've tried the new Italian restaurant downtown. The food is good but I don't think it can bear comparison with our old favorite, La Trattoria.

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

Really? That’s disappointing. La Trattoria does set the bar high with their authentic dishes and warm hospitality.

Icon_Sally

Sally

Absolutely, their exceptional service and exquisite flavors are hard to match.

C. draw a comparison between

  • used to compare two or more different things for the purpose of highlighting similarities and/or differences

2024-VPP-COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

I recently read two novels by different authors, and I couldn't help but draw a comparison between their storytelling styles.

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

Oh, interesting. Which authors are you referring to?

Icon_Sally

Sally

Murakami and García Márquez. Both have this surreal touch, but they approach magical realism so differently.

D. strike the balance between

  • to accept parts of both things in order to satisfy some of the demands of both sides in an argument, rather than all the demands of just one side

2024-VPP-COMPARING AND CONTRASTING

Dialogue

Icon_Anna Happy

Anna

I find it really challenging to strike the balance between work and personal life. How do you manage it?

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

It’s definitely tough. I try to set boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and allocating specific times for work and family.

Icon_Anna Happy

Anna

That sounds like a sensible approach. I’ll try to implement those strategies to create a better balance.

E. in marked contrast to

  • very different from

MEMORIZE SOMETHING

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

The new policy adopted by the company is in marked contrast to the previous one. It seems more employee-friendly and flexible.

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

Yes, I noticed that too. It focuses more on work-life balance and mental health, which is a significant improvement.

Icon_Sally

Sally

Absolutely, it’s a positive change that signifies the company’s adaptability and concern for its employees.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

Direction: Choose the appropriate expressions to complete each of the sentences.

bear comparison with compare favorably with
strike the balance between draw a comparison between
in marked contrast to
  1. His new artwork is vibrant and colorful, his previous monochromatic pieces.

  2. The hotel we stayed at luxury resorts, offering impeccable service and amenities. (better)

  3. The authenticity and flavor of this local sushi restaurant can eateries in Japan. (as good as)

  4. It’s interesting to traditional marketing and digital marketing strategies.

  5. Successful companies manage to innovation and maintaining proven strategies.

Part II

Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statements twice. Then, repeat after your mentor.

  1. 🔊

  2. 🔊

  3. 🔊

Part III

Direction: Paraphrase the following sentences. Make sure to paraphrase the underlined idiomatic expressions.

  1. In graphic design, artists must strike the balance between aesthetics and functionality to create effective and attractive visuals.

  2. The performance of our team this season compares favorably with that of the last season, showing significant improvement.