Exercises - Comparative and superlative adjectives

Exercise 1. Comparing things we buy and services we use

Change the underlined words into comparative adjectives. Fareed is buying a new laptop. Woman: These two, the Helix 400 and the VKC 28, are very popular at the moment, sir. The VKC 28 is a little               new __ , but the Helix is cheap ___ Fareed:   Can I touch them? Which one is heavy __? Woman: The VKC is light __ than the Helix, but it’s also wide __ Fareed:   Yes, you’re right. The VKC is big __ , but much thin __ And I suppose it’s powerful __ too, if it’s newer. Woman: It’s fast __, yes. But the Helix is still a good computer. We sell hundreds every week. Fareed:   You said the VKC was expensive ____. What’s the difference in price? Woman: The Helix is £400 and the VKC is £600. Fareed:   Thanks. I think the VKC is a little good ___, but I’ll take the Helix!

Answer key Exercise 1. Comparing things we buy and services we use 1. newer        7.   thinner 2. cheaper      8.   more powerful 3. heavier       9.   faster 4. lighter        10.  more expensive 5. wider         11.  better 6. bigger

Exercise 2. Comparing places

‘Visit England’ is a magazine in English for Polish students. In this article, the writer is comparing study holidays in Liverpool, a big city in Lancashire, and in Beverley, a small town in Yorkshire. Circle the correct comparative adjectives. Of course, Liverpool is much bigger/biger than Beverley. It’s also famouser/more famous, much noisier/noisyer, and, when I was there, weter/wetter! (It rained every day!) I spent two weeks in the Lancashire city last March, and I loved it. I stayed in the more old/older, busier/busyer part of the city, near the river Mersey. I went on the Beatles tour, and I watched Liverpool FC play against Newcastle. (Newcastle won.) It was a good game, but football matches in England are much more expensive than/as in Poland – I had to pay £45 for a ticket. Then I spent a week in Beverley at a smaller/more small language school. Beverley is beautifuller/more beautiful than Liverpool, and the people were more friendlier/friendlier to me. It’s a richer/more rich and cleaner/cleanner place too, – but perhaps Liverpool is more interesting/interestinger in the end.

Answer key Exercise 2. Comparing places 1. bigger 2. more famous     8.   smaller 3. noisier               9.  more beautiful 4. wetter               10. friendlier 5. older                 11. richer 6. busier                12. cleaner 7. than                  13. more interesting

Exercise 3. Comparing people

Dan is having breakfast with his 10 year-old daughter Amy and his 4 year-old son, Josh. Use the words in brackets to make phrases with comparative adjectives. Use short forms of the verb to be.

Dan: ___________________________ (You/be/early/for breakfast) today, Amy. Is it a normal day for you? Amy: No. Mr Brown is teaching us today and tomorrow.____________ (He/be/bad/than) Mr Samson.          __________ (He/be/fat), too. Dan: I’m sure Mr Brown isn’t fat, Amy. Amy: _____________ (Mr Samson/be/nice and funny), and _______________ (he/be/intelligent). Dan: All your teachers are intelligent, Amy. I’m sure it’s a very difficult job for Mr Brown, with a class of 10 year-         old kids. Josh: ______________ (Be/it/difficult/than) your job, Daddy? Dan: I don’t know. _____________ (I think/I/be/lucky), because I can work at home. Amy: Daddy, _____________________ (be/I/pretty/than) the girl on ‘Top TV’? Josh: _____________________ (You/be/silly/than) her! Dan: You’re both pretty, Amy. Are you ready for school? Josh: Yes, but I want some more toast, please. Dan: ___________________ (You/be/hungry/than) usual this morning, Amy. Amy: Because _______________ (it/be/cold) today. Daddy, do you think Mr Brown eats a lot because he’s cold?

Answer key Exercise 3. Comparing people 1.  He’s worse than 2.  He’s fatter 3.  Mr Samson’s / Mr Samson is nicer and funnier 4.  he’s more intelligent 5.  Is it more difficult than 6.  I think I’m luckier 7.  am I prettier than 8.  You’re sillier than 9.  You’re hungrier than 10. it’s colder

Exercise 4. Talking about the best things about the Seychelles

Change the underlined words into superlative adjectives. The Republic of Seychelles is the small _____African country, and it’s the good _______ place in the world for your holiday! The big ________ of the hundred and fifty five islands is Mahé, with an international airport. The Seychelles Islands have the beautiful _______ beaches you’ve ever seen, and the warm _______ seas. The sunny _______ times of year are December and January (but they’re also the expensive _______ times to visit). The peaceful ________ island is La Digue - it’s like a journey into the past! The nice _________ restaurant in the Seychelles is ‘André’s’ in Anse Lazio. The best Creole music is by the famous _________ Seychelles musician, the wonderful Jean-Marc Volcy!

Answer key Exercise 4. Talking about the best things about the Seychelles 1.  smallest             7.  most expensive 2.  best                   8.  most peaceful 3.  biggest               9.  nicest 4.  most beautiful    10. most famous 5.  warmest 6.  sunniest

Exercise 5. Choosing a flat in London

We use comparatives to compare things we buy; services we use; places; and people. We use superlatives to talk about the best, worst or most interesting places, people and things.

Sean and Thierry want to share a flat in London. They’ve looked at three flats, and now they’re in a café. Add these words to the conversation: ever, in, most of the, than, dirtier, expensive, friendlier, nearer Sean: What did you think about the two flats in Camden? Thierry: The first one was big________, but it was dirty __________ too. Sean: You can clean a flat though, can’t you? Thierry: Sure, but the second one was nice_______, and the landlord was _______. Sean: Perhaps, but it was also noisy ___ the first one, because it was ____ to the road. Sean: They weren’t the best flats we’ve _______seen, were they? What about the one in Crouch End? Thierry: It was the __________ comfortable _________ the three flats. Sean: I agree. But it was also the most ___________. We haven’t got enough money, have we? Thierry Shall we have another coffee? They make _________ best cappuccino ____________ north London here. We can look at some more flats this afternoon.

Answer key Exercise 5. Choosing a flat in London 1.  bigger        7. nearer 2.  dirtier        8. ever 3.  nicer          9. most 4. friendlier     10. of 5. noisier         11. expensive 6. than            12. the                       13. in

Exercise 6. Choosing a singer for a musical

Desmond and Jilly are trying to find a singer for a new musical. They saw three singers this morning. Change the underlined adjectives into comparatives or superlatives.

Hi Jilly, It was difficult ________ today with the guys than yesterday with the girls. Luke is the young __________, isn’t he? He was also the good _________ dancer this morning, but I don’t think he’s ready. It’s hard to sing every night for six weeks, isn’t it? Matt is old ________ than Luke, and he’s got the right face, but he’s also got the bad __________ voice of the three, I’m afraid. In my view, Charlie is the good _______ of the guys. We can teach him to dance later! Hi Desmond, What did you think about the guys this morning? Charlie was the loud _________ singer I’ve ever heard! My ears are still hurting. He’s probably got the strong __________ voice in London. I liked him, but Luke was a good ________ dancer than him, and his voice was good too. But Luke hasn’t sung in a big show before. Matt, the tall ________ guy today, looked great, but his voice was weak __________ than Charlie’s. We’ve got to decide soon, but we could see them again tomorrow. What do you think?

Answer key Exercise 6. Choosing a singer for a musical 1.  more difficult 2.  youngest. 3.  best 4.  older 5.  worst 1.  loudest 2.  strongest 3.  better 4.  tallest 5.  weaker

Basic Grammar - Comparative and superlative adjectives

Basic Grammar - Index

Home