Degrees of comparison of adjectives

	Adjective	Comparative	Superlative
One-syllable adjective	old safe big hot	older safer bigger* hotter*	the oldest the safest the biggest* the hottest*
Adjectives ending in - y	noisy dirty	noisier dirtier	the noisiest the dirtiest
Adjectives with two or more syllables	boring beautiful	more boring more beautiful	the most boring the most beautiful
Irregular adjectives	good bad far	better worse further	the best the worst the furthest

 

* Adjectives which end in one vowel and one consonant double the consonant.

e.g.: You’re older than me.

New York is dirtier than Paris.

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

1. Give the comparative and superlative degree of the following adjectives:

a) long, short, large, big, fine, straight, new, old, few, young, easy, busy, light, clean, small, thin, thick, high, poor

b) good, much, bad, little, many

c) interesting, difficult, comfortable, important.

2. Translate the following adjectives and give their degree of comparison:

narrow,dirty,wide,important,little,thin,hungry,beautiful,bad,good,happy, strange,comfartable,angry,loud,low,high,straight,young,expensive,cheap,big, small, thick, clever.

3. Compare according to the model:

e.g: Moscow is larger than our city.

1. Moscow, Kiev (smaller). 2. English grammar, Russian grammar (easy). 3. Mr.Petrov, Ivanov (young). 4. My suitcase, yours (large). 5. These coats, those (good). 6. Sugar in my tea, in yours (there is much, little). This exercise is (simple), than that one 7. New districts of Moscow are (beautiful), than the old ones.8. He is (clever), than his brother. 9. Motor- cycles are (noisy) than cars, aren’t they? 10. Sparrows are (common) than any other birds.

e.g: Our flat is more(less) comfortable than yours.

1 The English language, the Russian language (difficult).

2. Your old flat, your new flat in Moscow (comfortable).

3. Central Park, Sokolniki Park (beautiful).

4. This work, that work (important).

5. Lesson Eleven, Lesson Fourteen (interesting).

 

4. Answer these questions, pay attention to degree of comparison:

1. Is Astana larger than Almaty or smaller? 2. Which is the largest city in Kazakhstan? 3. Which is the most beautiful place that you know in our country? 4. Which is the longest river in Kazakhstan? 5. Which is the most beautiful street in Astana? 6. Which is the newest hotel in Astana? 7. Which is the oldest building in Astana? 8. Which is the highest building in Astana? 9. Are the streets in Astana cleaner now than they were a few years ago? 10. Which is the most beautiful place in our young capital?

5. Translate:

1. Peter is the highest boy in the class. 2. My flat is less comfortable. 3. Days are shorter in winter, than in summer. 4. What month is the shortest in the year? 5. Your daughter is older than mine. My daughter is six only and your is seven, isn’t she? 6. It’s less important question, let’s discuss it tomorrow. 7. The new flat of my sister is more comfortable and lighter than yours. 8. Astana’s streets are more beautiful now than they were some years ago. 9.Are you older than your sister? – No. 10.You say that that book difficult for you. Will you take this one? It is easier.

 

5. Write the comparative and superlative of these adjectives:

e.g.: interesting – more interesting – the most interesting

thick

friendly

fine

thin

difficult

warm

wise

easy

wonderful

sunny

fat

long

old

important

comfortable

happy

8. a) Complete questions, putting the adjectives in brackets in the comparative or superlative

b) Answer the questions with a partner

1. Which is … (high) mountain in the world? 2. Which is … (big) island in the world? 3. Which elephant has … (big) ears, the African or the Indian elephant? 4. Which country has … (large) population in the world? 5. Which animal is … (fast), a cheetah or a lion? 6. Which is … (ancient) monument in the world? 7. Which is … (intelligent) animal in the world

 

9. Give the superlative form of the adjectives in brackets:

1. The Pan-American Highway is (long) in the world. 2. The Beatles were (successful) pop group. 3. Japan has (crowded) railways in the world. 4. This is our (old) national airline. 5. The Chrysler Building was once (tall) in the world. 6. Is English (useful) language to learn? 7. This is one of (expensive) stores in the city. 8. The Queen must be (rich) woman in the world. 9. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard (late) news. 10. Is the Mona Lisa (valuable) painting in the world?

 

10. Write the correct comparative for these sentences:

1. The Mississippi’s longer than the Thames (long) 2. This hotel’s more comfortable than the other one. (comfortable) 3. I think this shop is … that one (good) 4.The restaurant is … the cafe. (expensive) 5. Simon’s … Mark. (old) 6. I think Scotland is … England. (beautiful) 7. My brother’s … I am.(young) 8. I like this school because it’s … the other one. (big) 9. Accommodation here is … in my country. (expensive) 10. The weather here is … at home. (cold)