COMPARISONS

PRACTICE
1. Put one suitable word in each space.

a) My brother is two years older than me.

b) The train takes just ……………. long as the bus.
c) I thought the second hotel we stayed in was ……………. more friendly.
d) Unfortunately we are ……………. well-off than we used to be.
e) Do you think you could make a ……………. less noise?
f) These exercises seem to be getting harder and …………….
g) Jean doesn't need as much help as Harry …………….
h) David didn't enjoy the match as much as I …………….

2. Rewrite each sentence beginning as shown. Do not change the meaning.

a) Jill can run faster than Peter.

Peter can't run as fast as Jill (can).
b) I thought this journey would last longer than it did.
This journey didn't ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c) I didn't arrive as early as I expected.
I arrived ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
d) You are working too slowly.
You'll have to ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
e) I have a brother who is older than me.
I have an ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
f) Martin thought the second part of the film was more interesting.
Martin didn't think the first ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
g) Paula's work is less careful than before.
Paula has been working ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
h) There aren't any trains earlier than this one.
This is ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
i) All other cafes are further away.
This cafe ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
j) Is this the best price you can offer?
Can't you ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Complete each sentence with the most suitable word or phrase.

a) I really think that apologising is …C... you can do.

A) not as much as B) a little C) the least D) as far as

b) I can't stand this weather. It's getting ……………

A) more and more B) worse and worse C) coldest and coldest D) further and further

c) Although Brenda came last, everyone agreed she had ……………her best.
A) done B) made C) had D) got
 d) I wish Charles worked as hard as Mary ……………
A) did B) can C) will D) does

e) The more you water this plant, the…………… it will grow.

A) best B) tall C) wetter D) faster

f) From now on, we won't be able to go out as much as we ……………

A) were B) had C) used to D) will

g) I've never owned ……………independent cat as this one!

A) a more than B) such an C) a so D) as much an

h) Brian has been working ……………since he was promoted.

A) much harder B) as harder C) just as hardly D) more hardly

i) I've been feeling ……………tired lately, doctor.

A) such a B) the most C) more and more D) much

j) This exercise will give ……………you practice.

A) farther B) much more C) as better D) a lot

4. Idioms. Put one suitable word in each space, beginning with the letter given.
a) Is William feeling any better. today?
b) Everyone ate a lot, but Chris ate the m……………
c) What's the l…………… news about the situation in India?
d) I'd feel a lot b…………… if you let me help.
e) It's 35 degrees today! It must be the h…………… day so far this year.
f) Only £45? Is that all? Oh well, it's b…………… than nothing.
g) Ruth wore her b…………… dress to her sister's wedding.
h) Harry has got over the w…………… of his cold

5. Rewrite each sentence, beginning as shown. Do not change the meaning.

a) That's the best meal I've ever eaten.

I've never eaten a ...better meal…

b) Fish and meat are the same price in some countries.

Fish costs just ………………………………………………………………………………

c) I've never enjoyed myself so much.

I've never had ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) If you run a lot, you will get fitter.

The more …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) The doctor can't see you earlier than Wednesday, I'm afraid.
Wednesday is
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
f) I must have a rest. I can't walk any more.
I must have a rest. I can't go …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) Home computers used to be much more expensive.

Home computers aren't ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) I don't know as much Italian as Sue does.

Sue knows ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
i) I thought that learning to drive would be difficult, but it isn't.
Learning to drive is …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

j) Barbara can skate just as well as John can.

John isn't …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6. EXAM TASK - Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use
between two and five words, including the word given.

a) Your car was cheaper than mine.

cost
Your car cost less than mine did.

b) I'm not as good at maths as you are.

better
You …………………………………………………………………………………………………………I am.

c) Keith is slightly taller than Nigel.

little
Keith …………………………………………………………………………………………………………Nigel.

d) Bill was growing angrier all the time.

and
Bill ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………angrier.

e) Sally tried as hard as she could.

did
Sally …………………………………………………………………………………………………………best.

f) I thought this film would be better.

as
This film …………………………………………………………………………………………………………I expected.

g) This is the bumpiest road I've ever driven along!

such
I've never………………………………………………………………………………………………………… road.

h) When you eat a lot, you get fat.

more
The ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………you get.

i) George said he couldn't do any better.

could
George said it …………………………………………………………………………………………… do.

j) This year's exam and last year's exam were equally difficult.
just
This year's exam ……………………………………………………………………………………………last year's exam.

Key points
1. Check spelling rules for comparative and superlative adjectives. In one syllable adjectives
ending with one consonant, double the final consonant: big bigger the biggest
In one/two syllable adjectives ending with -y, change y to i. happy happier the happiest

2. Adverbs form comparatives and superlatives like adjectives. Fast- faster- the fastest
3. Auxiliaries are often used at the end of a comparative clause to avoid repeating the verb.
Wendy works twice as hard as I do. (NOT ... as I work)