IXL | Compare and contrast in informational texts

Use the text to compare and contrast Cantonese and Mandarin.

If you want to learn Chinese, you have a decision to make: Mandarin or Cantonese? Mandarin is a dialect of Chinese that is used by most schools and universities in China. Cantonese is another dialect of Chinese. Both varieties use the same written characters, but they pronounce words differently. Cantonese is often seen as more difficult than Mandarin. This is because Mandarin uses just four tones to change the meaning of words, while language experts usually consider Cantonese to be a six-tone language. Mandarin is the official language in China and Taiwan, as well as in the United Nations. However, Cantonese is the official language of Hong Kong and Macau. You could choose one language for a specific destination, or you could learn both and chat with even more people!

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question

Use the text to compare and contrast Cajun cuisine and Creole cuisine.

Thanks to Cajun and Creole cuisines, no other state in America has such distinctive food as Louisiana does. The word Cajun describes French settlers who were forced out of Canada and settled in south Louisiana. In their new rural surroundings, these poor settlers developed their own type of food. Creole cuisine is different from Cajun in that it reflects a blend of many cultures. African, Caribbean, Native American, Spanish, and Italian influences can all be found in Creole food. Unlike Cajun cuisine, Creole cuisine was born in the kitchens of New Orleans's upper class, who had access to ingredients like tomatoes, butter, and oysters. For this reason, Creole cuisine tends to have more variety.

	Cajun cuisine	Creole cuisine
Is found in Louisiana
Reflects a wide mix of cultures
Developed in the kitchens of the wealthy

key idea

Authors often use a compare-contrast text structure to discuss ideas, events, people, or things.

When authors compare, they often use signal words such as in the same way, both, and similarly. These signal words help to show how two subjects or topics are similar.

When authors contrast, they often use signal words such as unlike, on the other hand, or however. These signal words help to show how two subjects or topics are different.

solution

Look at the signal words and the surrounding details in the text.

Thanks to Cajun and Creole cuisines, no other state in America has such distinctive food as Louisiana does. The word Cajun describes French settlers who were forced out of Canada and settled in south Louisiana. In their new rural surroundings, these poor settlers developed their own type of food. Creole cuisine is different from Cajun in that it reflects a blend of many cultures. African, Caribbean, Native American, Spanish, and Italian influences can all be found in Creole food. Unlike Cajun cuisine, Creole cuisine was born in the kitchens of New Orleans's upper class, who had access to ingredients like tomatoes, butter, and oysters. For this reason, Creole cuisine tends to have more variety.

These signal words help show the differences and similarities between Cajun cuisine and Creole cuisine:

	Cajun cuisine	Creole cuisine
Is found in Louisiana
Reflects a wide mix of cultures
Developed in the kitchens of the wealthy

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R.1Transitions with conjunctive adverbs

E.1Compare and contrast in informational texts

	Cantonese	Mandarin
Is a dialect of Chinese
Has four tones
Is an official language in the United Nations

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