IB command term
Contrast in IB exams: what the command term means
By Michael Thompson - Head of Teaching Excellence; 15 years as an IB Coordinator
In an IB exam, contrast asks you to set out the differences between two or more items or situations. You must refer to each of them throughout your answer, so every point you make should involve both sides.
Paraphrased from the command-term definitions in the IB Diploma Programme subject guides (International Baccalaureate Organization).
At a glance
Accounts and analysis
Answer shape: Linked paragraphs that connect parts, causes or differences
What contrast asks you to do
Contrast is about differences. You take two or more items or situations and set out where they diverge. The key phrase is 'referring to each of them throughout': a paragraph that describes only one item is not a contrast, however accurate it is. Every point has to hold both sides.
Structure by point of difference, not by item
The safest plan is to organise your answer around the points of difference. Take one point, say what is true of the first item, then say what is true of the second. Then move to the next point. This keeps both items present in every paragraph. Describing item A in full and then item B in full leaves the reader to work out the differences, and that is your job.
Use 'whereas' and choose differences of substance
The sentence shape that does most of the work is 'X does this, whereas Y does that'. It forces both items into one sentence. Choose differences that matter: mechanism, scale, direction and consequence are stronger than surface detail. A difference in how something works or what it leads to tells the examiner more than a difference in a minor feature.
Give both sides balanced attention
Give both items similar depth. If one side gets a full explanation and the other a passing remark, the answer reads as an account of one item with asides. Before you write, check that each point of difference has something specific to say about each side.
Where it appears
History
When a history question uses contrast, set out how two events, states, leaders or policies differ. Organise by point of difference, such as cause, method or consequence, and address both cases in each paragraph.
History tutoringBiology
In biology, contrast might involve two structures, processes or organisms. State what differs in how each works or what it does, using 'whereas' so that both items appear in the same sentence.
Biology tutoringGeography
In geography, contrast might involve two places, systems or approaches. Prefer differences of substance such as scale, direction or consequence, and keep both places in view in every point.
Geography tutoringEconomics
In economics, contrast might involve two policies, market situations or models. Take one point of difference at a time, such as mechanism or effect, and explain it for both items with equal depth.
Economics tutoringCommon mistakes
- Describing only one item in a paragraph, so that nothing is actually contrasted.
- Writing all about item A and then all about item B, leaving the differences unstated.
- Listing surface details instead of differences of mechanism, scale, direction or consequence.
- Giving one side much more depth than the other, so the answer is lopsided.
- Treating contrast as interchangeable with other command terms such as compare, distinguish or evaluate.
Frequently asked questions
- What does contrast mean in IB exams?
- It means setting out the differences between two or more items or situations, referring to each of them throughout your answer. Every point you make should involve both sides.
- How should I structure a contrast answer?
- Structure it by point of difference, not by item. Take one difference, say what is true of each item, then move to the next difference. This keeps both items present throughout.
- Which sentence shape works best?
- 'Whereas' is the workhorse: X does this, whereas Y does that. It puts both items in one sentence, so you cannot drift into describing only one of them.
- Which differences should I choose?
- Choose differences of substance, such as mechanism, scale, direction or consequence, rather than surface detail. Give both sides balanced attention and depth.
Related command terms
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