Question

Compare & Contrast Paragraphs

Students write two short paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 — How the Layers Are Alike

Explain two similarities among Earth’s atmospheric layers.
(Example: They are all part of Earth’s atmosphere; each has a specific altitude and function.)





Paragraph 2 — How the Layers Differ

Explain two differences between any two layers.
(Example: Different temperatures, different altitudes

Answer 1

Paragraph 1 — How the Layers Are Alike
All of Earth’s atmospheric layers are made of gases (mainly nitrogen and oxygen) and are held around the planet by gravity, so each layer contains air even though the density changes with height. Also, every layer occupies a specific altitude range and has a particular role or effect (for example, some layers help protect us from solar radiation while others contain the weather).

Paragraph 2 — How the Layers Differ
Compare the troposphere and the stratosphere: in the troposphere temperature generally falls as you go higher, which causes rising and sinking air and produces weather and clouds; in the stratosphere temperature rises with altitude because the ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet light, so it is much more stable and has little weather. The troposphere is denser and contains most of Earth’s air and water vapor, while the stratosphere is thinner and contains the ozone that shields life from harmful UV rays.