IXL | Compare and contrast in informational texts

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.

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question

Use the text to compare and contrast 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

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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