Question

Read this passage from chapter 5 of The Prince.

There are, for example, the Spartans and the Romans. The Spartans held Athens and Thebes, establishing there an oligarchy: nevertheless they lost them. The Romans, in order to hold Capua, Carthage, and Numantia, dismantled them, and did not lose them. They wished to hold Greece as the Spartans held it, making it free and permitting its laws, and did not succeed.

Which features of the passage are typical of a compare/contrast structure? Select three options.

It identifies two groups that will be discussed.
It explains the reasons invading forces did not succeed.
It uses the signal word nevertheless to indicate a difference.
It uses the signal phrase for example to introduce evidence.
It describes similar and different outcomes to similar actions.

Answer 1

- It identifies two groups that will be discussed.
- It uses the signal word nevertheless to indicate a difference.
- It describes similar and different outcomes to similar actions.

Each highlights elements of compare/contrast: naming the subjects, using contrast signal language, and showing comparable actions with different results.