2.5 Comparing the two texts
2.5.1 What are the similarities and differences? (1)
In the next activity you ask questions about Texts 4 and 5 to get a critical overview of their similarities and differences.
Activity 14 Part 1
Task 1
Critically read Texts 4 and 5 again (using skim reading, scan reading or close reading). Then consider the statements below. Decide if the statement applies to the text and write down some examples to support your decision.
Text 4 [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]
a.
Text 4
b.
Text 5
c.
Both texts
The correct answer is c.
Answer
Both texts refer to facts. However, some of them are more ‘factual’ than others. You cannot argue about there being greed and violence in the world (Text 4). Many people might say patriarchal domination is also a fact, but not everyone agrees. In the same way, many people regard evolution as a fact (Text 5). However, there are also people who do not accept some aspects of evolution. This does show that even some facts can be questioned.
a.
Text 4
b.
Text 5
c.
Both texts
The correct answer is a.
Answer
Text 4 refers to the opinions of other writers: for example, Taylor (2005).
a.
Text 4
b.
Text 5
c.
Both texts
The correct answer is a.
Answer
Text 4, for example, refers to the opinions of those who may want to play up the positive aspects of human beings and deny that we are so destructive, or wish to underline the idea that only some individuals, groups or eras are evil.
a.
Text 4
b.
Text 5
c.
Both texts
The correct answer is c.
Answer
It is difficult to answer this question. Many people would think that Text 5 provides more arguments that cannot be challenged because it is all about the science of evolution. However, some people do challenge the ‘science of evolution’.
a.
Text 4
b.
Text 5
c.
Both texts
The correct answer is a.
Answer
Text 4 contains more opinions: for example, Anthropathology might be regarded as inevitably pessimistic.
a.
Text 4
b.
Text 5
c.
Both texts
The correct answer is c.
Answer
Both texts are academic in style in that they are well organised and contain academic language. Noun groups such as humanity’s undoubted resourcefulness (Text 4) and impressive technological achievement (Text 5) are examples of formal language. However, Text 4 contains more references to other writers and is more formal than Text 5 (for example, see the use of questions and the use of ‘and’ to start a paragraph in Text 5).
a.
Text 4
b.
Text 5
c.
Both texts
The correct answer is a.
Answer
Text 4 contains more examples of hedging. For example: One possibility might be entropy; Many may want to play up the positive aspects of human beings. This is because anthropathology is not yet an accepted subject like evolution and the text is presenting opinions about it. Evolution, on the other hand, is regarded as a fact by many people so the author does not think they need to hedge what they are writing.