There are a number of systems for determining gearing ratios but I still prefer the old fashioned gear inch calculation, and gear math is fun.

Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Gear Calculator

Comparing your Novara to the Trek the respective gear ranges are 30-110 and 25-117 gear inches.

For reference, a mountain bike or touring bike will usually have a range between 16 (very low) and 110 gear inches as they need very low gears more than they need really high ones.