B2 First Speaking Part 2: Compare and Contrast

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B2 First Speaking Part 2 is a tricky part of the speaking test. It seems easy because you are given photos to contrast and compare, but you only have a minute to do it. To do it well takes practice so when you are in your test you know exactly what you should do and exactly what to do. There are practice pictures and sample answers to help, but you should also think about what the examiners want from this part.

According to the teacher’s handbook:

Candidates are expected to point out similarities and differences between the photographs and then move on to deal with the question, answering it with reference to both photographs.

To point out these similarities or differences, candidates need to use words and phrases. Preparing these in advance will make this tricky part of the test much easier.

There aren’t too many, so learn them all, but choose your favourite ones so that you have some that you can use them easily. Here are some examples.

To Compare Similarities	To Contrast Differences
Likewise	However
Also	Whereas
Similarly	On the other hand
Equally	Conversely
In the same way	But
As with	On the contrary
Like	Unlike

Likewise – I think it is incredibly important for the two young women to cooperate, likewise for the people in the meeting.

Also – Working in a friendly way will make it easier for the group, and also for the women.

Similarly – Tutors have to help their students each day. Similarly, workers sometimes need to help their colleagues.

Equally – Even though the women and the group are in different kinds of places, they will probably find it equally as satisfying.

In the same way – The four people in the second picture need to feel free to express themselves in the same way as the two women do.

As with – As with the two women, the four people in the second picture need to feel free to express themselves.

Like – Like the two women, the four people in the second picture need to feel free to express themselves.

However – The people in the second picture are working as a group, however, the two women are working as a pair.

Whereas – The two women are in what looks like a library, whereas the group seem to be working in a meeting room.

On the other hand – One of the two women seems to be explaining something, on the other hand, the group of four people look as if they are discussing something.

Conversely – The chefs are under constant pressure to create, while conversely, the little girl won’t care about anything.

On the contrary – Only three people in the second picture seem to be concentrating on what they are doing, but on the contrary, the two women look as if they are completely absorbed.

Unlike – Unlike the group, the two women are in what looks like a library.

When you do B2 First Speaking Part 2, you should try not to repeat yourself (it’s not the end of the world if you do) and so try to practice using different ways to compare and contrast.

I can’t emphasise how much practice will help you become more confident for your speaking test. the more confident you are, the more fluently you speak and so the higher your score will be. Good Luck!