Na m e : _______________________________________ _____________________Directions:Date:Read the paragraph and then compare and contrast the boys.When you read this story, imagine how both
boys are the same (compare) and different
(contrast).Tad Potter and Brent Potter are cousins. Both of them are redheads. They are also
both fourth graders and on the same soccer team. But when it comes to math, they
are different kids. Why? Because Brent is a math whiz. He does truly amazing
things with numbers. For example, he walks up to the checkout counter at the
music store with his purchases already totaled in his head, including tax. Brent can
do all the problems in the eighth-grade math book and get them correct. On the
other hand, Tad knows he will never be able to brag about his ability with numbers
the way Brent can. He is fairly good at math, but only because he works at it. In
class, he pays attention, asks questions, and keeps trying.Compare.Check (✔)the ways they are the same.
____ They are members of the same family.
____ They both have freckles.
____ Tad and Brent are cousins.
____ They are both fourth graders.
____ They both wear the same size soccer shoes.
Contrast.Check (✔)how the boys are different.
____ Brent is a math whiz, but Tad is not.
____ Tad works hard in math class, but Brent does not
need to do so.
____ Tad can do any kind of mental math well, but
Brent cannot.
____ Brent can truly brag about his math skills, but Tad
cannot.
____ Brent can work at a higher grade level in math
than Tad can.