Speaking · Free lesson
IELTS Speaking: compare then and now
Original discussion prompt: How has buying travel tickets changed for people you know?
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
For a past-present comparison, name one change: “People in my family used to buy tickets at the station, but now they usually book online.” Both halves concern buying tickets. Add a reason or detail that explains that change.
Compare the same action across two times.
Choose a scope you can support, such as your family or town. Describe the earlier pattern with used to + base verb or an appropriate past tense. Then use now and a present form for the current pattern. Do not switch from ticket buying to hotel prices halfway through: that gives two facts but no clear comparison.
Compare the examples
My parents used to buy tickets at the station.
Now they usually book tickets online.
They can compare departure times without making a separate trip.
Used to describes a former habit or state, not one isolated purchase. For one event, use a past form: “They bought tickets yesterday.”
Build the meaning step by step
Choose one dimension
how people buy tickets
Keep the people and action connected
my parents: station → online
Explain that change
compare times without a separate trip
Try it now
Keep the comparison connected
Read all answers and explanations
Complete the comparison about buying tickets: “My parents used to buy them at the station, but…”
now they usually book them online.Only the first continues the same action. The others change the dimension of comparison.
Which form describes the former habit?
They used to buy tickets there.Used to + base verb expresses the former habit. Are used to has a different structure and meaning.
Your evidence is your own family. Which scope is supported?
People in my family now book most tickets online.The family claim stays within the example. Nobody and every traveler go beyond it.
Put it into practice
Repair a broken comparison
The speaker is comparing how local families find recipes. Replace the second sentence with the same dimension and a relevant detail.
Families I know used to look up recipes in cookbooks. Now many kitchens have smaller tables.
See a model answer
Now they often use recipe websites because they can search by ingredient.
A relevant explanation develops the comparison; a different change distracts from it.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Must I always use used to?
No. An appropriate past tense can describe the earlier situation. Used to is useful when you want to emphasize a former habit or state.
Years ago, my parents bought tickets at the station.
Can I mention people who have not changed?
Yes, if relevant. A short exception can keep the claim accurate without replacing the main comparison.
Some relatives still prefer buying tickets in person.
Take it into your day
Same point, earlier pattern, current pattern, relevant explanation.
Your next step · Available on Udemy
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The English Grammar and English Speaking Master Course develops broader grammar, sentence-building, and communication foundations. Tense choices help you make time contrasts clear. The dedicated exam course is coming soon; the available main course is not a complete exam-preparation program.
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