English ACT Aspire Practice Test

What is the goal of comparing two items?

1. To classify them

2. To find similarities

3. To place them in proper order

4. To repeat their definitions

The correct answer is: To find similarities

The goal of comparing two items is primarily to find similarities between them. This process involves examining their characteristics, qualities, or features to highlight how they are alike. By identifying similarities, one can draw conclusions about their relationship, understand them more thoroughly, and articulate insights that might not be apparent when looking at each item in isolation. In contrast, classifying items focuses on categorizing them based on shared characteristics rather than examining their similarities directly. Placing items in proper order involves organization based on a specific criterion, which does not necessarily involve a direct comparison of their features. Repeating definitions refers to restating the meanings of terms rather than engaging in a comparative analysis that reveals interconnectedness or shared attributes. Thus, the act of comparison is fundamentally about uncovering what two items have in common.