Here's the completed worksheet with explanations for each answer:
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1. A bird has two legs but an insect has six.
✔ Contrast
*Explanation:* The word “but” signals a difference — birds and insects have different numbers of legs. This highlights a contrast.
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2. I have big feet just like my father.
✔ Compare
*Explanation:* “Just like” shows similarity — the speaker is comparing their feet to their father’s.
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3. Unlike Megan, Jamie does her homework every night.
✔ Contrast
*Explanation:* “Unlike” directly signals a difference — Jamie’s behavior contrasts with Megan’s.
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4. Adam’s bike is blue while Amy’s bike is pink.
✔ Contrast
*Explanation:* “While” is used here to show a difference in color between the two bikes.
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5. Vanilla and chocolate ice cream are both delicious.
✔ Compare
*Explanation:* “Both” indicates similarity — they share the quality of being delicious.
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6. My purple sweater is too small but the polka dot one is just the right fit.
✔ Contrast
*Explanation:* “But” shows a difference — one sweater doesn’t fit, the other does.
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7. Ms. Gierszewski and Ms. Whymns are both teachers.
✔ Compare
*Explanation:* “Both” tells us they share the same profession — this is a comparison.
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8. Chantell has the same beautiful hair as her mother.
✔ Compare
*Explanation:* “The same... as” explicitly shows similarity — Chantell’s hair is like her mother’s.
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9. Yesterday was cold but today the weather is perfect.
✔ Contrast
*Explanation:* “But” introduces a change or difference — yesterday’s weather vs. today’s.
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10. Frogs, toads and salamanders are all amphibians.
✔ Compare
*Explanation:* “All” shows they share a common category — they are alike in being amphibians.
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Final Answers:
1. Contrast
2. Compare
3. Contrast
4. Contrast
5. Compare
6. Contrast
7. Compare
8. Compare
9. Contrast
10. Compare
This worksheet helps students recognize signal words (like “but,” “unlike,” “both,” “same as”) that indicate whether two things are being compared (similarities) or contrasted (differences).
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 3rd grade compare and contrast worksheet.
