Comparing Structure in Information Texts · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Comparing How Two Texts Are Organised

English · Reading Comprehension · ages 10-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A text about birds says: 'Both the robin and the sparrow build nests in spring. But the robin lays blue eggs, while the sparrow lays brown ones.' What structure is this?

    • Time order
    • Problem/solution
    • Comparison

  2. A text about a pond says: 'The nights turned cold, so the pond froze. Because of the ice, the ducks flew south.' What structure is this?

    • Time order
    • Cause/effect
    • Problem/solution

  3. A text about hurricanes says: 'First, the storm forms. Next, it grows stronger. Then it hits land.' What structure is this?

    • Comparison
    • Chronology (time order)
    • Problem/solution

  4. Two texts on the same topic must always use the same structure.

    Circle one:   True   False

  5. Text B explains why bee numbers are dropping and what happens to crops as a result. Which structure does Text B use?

    • Problem/solution
    • Cause/effect
    • Chronology

  6. Two texts are both about rain. Text A says: 'First, the sun warms the puddle. Next, the water rises into the air. Then the puddle is gone.' Text B says rain falls because clouds grow heavy. Which structure does Text A use?

    • Time order
    • Cause/effect
    • Comparison

  7. Two texts are about trains. Text A tells how steam trains and electric trains are alike and different. Text B tells the story of the very first train trip in the order it happened. Which text uses a comparison structure?

    • Text A
    • Text B
    • Both texts

  8. Which sentence most likely comes from a text that uses a comparison structure?

    • In contrast, solar panels make no noise while they work.
    • First, the seeds are planted in neat rows.
    • As a result, the river flooded the town.

  9. A writer wants readers to understand how a volcano erupts, from the first rumble to the final ash cloud. Which structure fits that purpose best?

    • Chronology (time order)
    • Comparison
    • Problem/solution

  10. A writer wants readers to see how city life and farm life are alike and different. Which structure fits that purpose best?

    • Problem/solution
    • Chronology
    • Comparison
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Comparing How Two Texts Are Organised W1-mt_-1okUh0Jdv-s1

  1. Comparison · Words like both and while set two things side by side, which signals a comparison.
  2. Cause/effect · Words like so and because show one thing making another thing happen, which is cause and effect.
  3. Chronology (time order) · Words like first, next, and then show the events happening in time order.
  4. False · Authors can choose different structures even when writing about the same topic.
  5. Cause/effect · Text B explains causes, why bees are dropping, and effects, the impact on crops.
  6. Time order · First, next, and then in Text A show the drying happening step by step in time order.
  7. Text A · Text A sets steam and electric trains side by side, which is comparison. Text B uses time order.
  8. In contrast, solar panels make no noise while they work. · The words in contrast signal comparison. First signals time order, and as a result signals cause/effect.
  9. Chronology (time order) · The eruption happens in stages, so time order lets readers follow it as it unfolds.
  10. Comparison · Showing how two things are alike and different is exactly what a comparison structure does.
Worksheet · LightMySky