Speaking: Functional Language B1 - Lesson 5: Comparing & Contrasting Options

Speaking: Functional Language B1

Comparing & Contrasting Options

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to use key phrases to talk about what is similar and what is different between two or more options.

Conversation Scenario: Choosing a Weekend Trip ⚖️

Listen as two colleagues, Leakhena and Samnang, discuss where to go for a short holiday. They need to compare two popular Cambodian destinations: Siem Reap and Koh Rong.

Leakhena: I need a break. Where should we go next weekend? What about Siem Reap or Koh Rong?

Samnang: That's a tough choice. They are both great, but they're very different. Siem Reap is more historical than Koh Rong, obviously.

Leakhena: That's true. But Koh Rong is probably more relaxing. We could just lie on the beach. On the other hand, visiting the temples in Siem Reap would be amazing.

Samnang: Right. A big difference is the journey. Getting to Siem Reap is easier. The ferry to Koh Rong can be a bit rough.

Leakhena: Good point. In terms of cost, I think they are quite similar, right?

Samnang: Yes, I suppose so. The main thing is, one is a cultural trip and the other is a beach holiday. I think I prefer a relaxing beach trip this time.

Key Language for Comparing & Contrasting

👍 Phrases for Comparing (Similarities)

• ...is similar to...
• Both... and...
• ...is the same as...
• ...is as fast as...

👎 Phrases for Contrasting (Differences)

• ...is different from...
• ...is cheaper than...
• ...is more expensive than...
• However, ... / On the other hand, ...

Tips for Sounding Clear

🗣️ Stressing the Key Word

When you compare or contrast, stress the important words (usually the adjectives) to help your listener understand.

• "Siem Reap is more HISTORICAL than Koh Rong."
• When using "On the other hand," pause slightly after the phrase.
  "The temples are amazing. On the other hand, [pause] the beach is very relaxing."

Practice Your Skills 🎯

Activity: Compare Two Phones

Imagine you are comparing two mobile phones. How would you complete these sentences?

Phone A: $300, Big screen, 1-day battery
Phone B: $250, Small screen, 2-day battery

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1. Phone A is ______ expensive ______ Phone B.
→ Answer: more expensive than

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2. Phone B's battery is better ______ Phone A's.
→ Answer: than

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3. Phone A has a big screen. ______, Phone B has a better battery.
→ Answer: However / On the other hand

Vocabulary

• Compare / Contrast (Verbs) | ប្រៀបធៀប / ផ្ទុយ
  To see how things are similar / To see how things are different.
• Historical (Adjective) | មាន​លក្ខណៈ​ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ
  Connected with history or past events.
• Relaxing (Adjective) | ធ្វើ​ឱ្យ​ធូរ​ស្បើយ
  Making you feel calm and rested.
• Similar (Adjective) | ស្រដៀងគ្នា
  Almost the same, but not exactly.

Your Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to compare two real options in your life. It could be two cafes, two types of transportation, or two things you might buy.

1. Find someone to talk to (a friend, a colleague, etc.).
2. Compare two things using at least one "similarity" phrase and two "difference" phrases.
3. Example: "I'm thinking of going to Legend Cinema or Major Cineplex. Both are modern. However, Major is closer than Legend."