Continue reading after the paragraph for hints.  

Earth and Mars share several striking similarities that make the Red Planet a focus of scientific exploration. Both planets have a 24-hour day, with Mars’ day, called a sol, lasting just over 24 hours, making their daily cycles remarkably alike. Similarly, both planets experience seasons due to the tilt of their axes, although Mars’ seasons are longer because it takes nearly twice as long to orbit the Sun. Mars and Earth have polar ice caps in common, composed of frozen water and, in Mars’ case, frozen carbon dioxide. These similarities suggest that studying Mars could provide insights into Earth’s past and its potential for sustaining life beyond our planet.

In this paragraph, the author uses several words as clues to how the ideas are related. Can you find those transition words?

• Similarities

• Both

• Alike

• Similarly 

• In common

This paragraph shows you don't necessarily have to begin the sentence with the transition. The ideas can be connected anywhere in the sentence by including a word or phrase that explicitly connects the ideas. 

This time, see if you can understand the idea presented with each transition word. These ideas are called the details. In a comparison pattern paragraph, each detail is presented in the order of the author's preference.  

Despite cultural differences, many Christmas traditions share common elements worldwide. Decorating a tree is a beloved practice shared by several cultures, from Germany’s original Tannenbaum tradition to the brightly adorned Christmas trees in the United States and Japan. Similarly, gift-giving is a universal feature of Christmas, symbolizing generosity and love, whether it’s exchanging presents on Christmas Eve in many European countries or on Christmas morning in North America. Festive meals bring families together across cultures, with dishes varying from roasted meats in England to tamales in Mexico, but equally emphasizing togetherness and celebration. These shared customs highlight how Christmas fosters joy and unity, regardless of cultural differences. 

Focus on understanding each detail of the comparison. After you've read the paragraph, complete the practice below.  

Honeybees and ants share many fascinating similarities due to their social structures and behaviors. Both insects live in highly organized colonies with a clear division of labor, including workers, queens, and specialized roles to maintain the community. Communication is another shared trait; honeybees use a waggle dance to convey the location of food, while ants rely on chemical pheromones to guide others to a food source or alert them to danger. Similarly, these species work collaboratively to store food for future use, ensuring their colonies' survival during times of scarcity. These parallels highlight the remarkable efficiency and adaptability of these tiny yet complex creatures.