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Unit 26:
Comparative and superlative adjectives
Oxford Living Grammar explains how grammar works and when to use it. The
exercises use real-life situations to practise grammar in context. This lesson
consolidates your students knowledge of comparative and superlative adjectives in the
context of comparing things we buy, services we use, and places we live.
Lesson length: 60 mins
Aim: 1. to review the form and general use of comparative and superlative adjectives (comparing two, or two
or more people, things or places)
2. to review and extend vocabulary for talking about your home
Preparation:
n Find two pictures of computers to use as flashcards. They should be different enough from each other to
encourage the use of comparative adjectives.
n You will need a copy of the following for each student/pair of students:
Handout 1: Comparative adjectives
Activity worksheet: True or false? (cut in half)
Handout 2: Superlative adjectives
Handout 3: Oxford Word Skills Unit 38 - I can talk about my home
1. Grammar Review:
n Show the class the pictures of the two computers and write the prices on the board.
A Ł100 B Ł350
n Ask the students to call out some different adjectives to describe the two computers, and write them on
the board. [Try to elicit: expensive, cheap, big, small, old, modern]
n Say aloud:
Let s compare the price, size and age of the two computers.
n Write on the board:
Price: Computer A is & & & & & & .. computer B.
Size: Computer A is & & & & & & .. computer B.
Age: Computer A is & & & & & & .. computer B.
n Ask the students to complete the sentences correctly.
[Price: cheaper than; Size: bigger than; Age: older than]
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n Referring to the sentences on the board, ask students How many things are we comparing in these
sentences? [Two.] Focus on the form of the comparative structure:
noun + is/are + comparative adjective + than + noun
Direct students to the form and spelling of comparative adjectives on Handout 1.
1. Review Activity
n Ask students to form three more sentences about the two computers, starting with computer B. [more
expensive; smaller; more modern].
n Students complete exercise A in pairs.
2. Review Activity
n Divide the class into Student As and Student Bs. Give a copy of the Student A True or false? worksheet to
each Student A and a Student B worksheet to each Student B.
n Students complete their worksheet in pairs (two Student As or two Student Bs), with the comparative
form of the adjective given.
n Then divide the class into AB pairs. Tell students they are going to give each other a quiz and they have
to decide whether the sentences are true or false. The winner is the student in each pair who guesses
the most true/false answers correctly.
n A reads their first sentence to B. B says if it s true or false, then reads their first sentence to A.
n Check the answers as a class.
GRAMMAR REVIEW 2
n Write on the board:
The pizzas at Paolo s are bigger than the ones at Mario s.
But the pizzas at Luigi s are the biggest in town.
n Ask students to identify the comparative adjective [bigger]. Focus on the second sentence and elicit the
meaning of the biggest. [bigger than all the others]. You could ask Are Luigi s pizzas bigger than Paolo s
and bigger than Mario s? [Yes.]
n Check that students are clear about the difference between comparatives and superlatives; ask How
many things are we comparing in the first sentence? [Two = comparative.] How many things are we
comparing in the second sentence? [All the pizzas in town i.e. more than two = superlative.]
n Direct students to the form and spelling of superlative adjectives on Handout 2.
3. Review Activity
n Using the following adjectives, drill students on superlative forms:
small > the smallest; good > the best; beautiful > the most beautiful; warm > the warmest;
sunny > the sunniest; expensive > the most expensive; peaceful > the most peaceful;
nice > the nicest; famous > the most famous.
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CONTEXTUALIZED ACTIVITY (from  review to  free use )
Explain to the class that you are going to compare different places to live. Ask students what things they
might consider. Aim to elicit:
How big it is / size How many rooms there are How expensive it is
Where it is / location How clean it is A garden
Task Instructions:
A. Ask each pair to do exercise E  Choosing a flat in London together, completing the sentences.
Correct this together.
THEN:-
B. Ask one pair to read out the dialogue in full.
C. Distribute Oxford Word Skills handout. Ask students to work in different pairs to identify the adjectives in
the Bathford description: modern, large, good-sized, further, lovely
D. Ask students to write a similar dialogue by changing the adjectives: e.g. The first one was bigger more
modern, but it was dirtier smaller too. (using words from Oxford Wordskills Unit 38: I can talk about my
home)
E. Ask for volunteers to read out their dialogues.
HOMEWORK/EXPANSION
1 If you want your students to revise comparative adjectives, ask the class to do
Over to you task 1.
2 If you want your students to revise superlative adjectives, ask the class to do
Over to you task 2.
3 Ask students to write an email telling a friend about the places to live from the task. The note must start
with:
I ve been to see lots of flats today. The first one was &
EXTRA HELP
Did your students remember the topic: form and usage of comparative and superlative adjectives?
(if not, revisit the presentation sections of Oxford Living Grammar Elementary Unit 26)
Do your students need more practise?: Try the exercises B, C and E to teach typical contexts; try the
exercise F to go further and focus on a specific situation where grammar points are mixed.
Have you got the right books to develop and extend vocabulary?: use units from Oxford Word Skills for
 I can&  confidence.
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Handout 1:
Comparative and superlative adjectives
Comparative adjectives
26 Comparative adjectives
1 Look at this conversation: 3 We often use than with comparative adjectives:
Where do you want to eat tonight? At the hotel or Scotland is wetter than England.
in town? ~ It ll be cheaper and more interesting in
but it s not necessary:
town. Have you been to Paulo s? ~ No. Is it good? ~
It s colder today, isn t it? (= it s colder than yesterday)
Well, it s noisier than the hotel, but it s better fun.
4 We use comparatives to compare two things:
2 The words cheaper, more interesting, noisier and
England is bigger than Scotland.
better are comparative adjectives. To form them:
We sometimes use a lot/much or a bit/a little:
For short adjectives (one syllable), add -er:
You can lift it. You re a lot stronger than me!
small smaller short shorter
The exam today was a bit easier, wasn t it?
tall taller old older
new newer slow slower
or, if the adjective ends in -e, add -r:
Grammar in action
nice nicer wide wider late later
1 We use comparative adjectives to
For short adjectives, ending in one vowel and

compare things that we buy, and
one consonant, we double the consonant before
services that we use:
adding -er:
I like this jumper better, but it s
more expensive.
big bigger sad sadder
Don t drive. It s faster by train.
hot hotter fat fatter
thin thinner wet wetter
2 We use comparative adjectives to compare places:
Her new flat is nicer than her old one. It s much bigger.
These short adjectives are irregular:
Spain will be sunnier than France at Easter.
good better bad worse far farther
3 We use comparative adjectives to compare people.
We might talk about how a friend
For most long adjectives (two syllables or more), we

has changed:
put more first:
Tom is much friendlier than he
important more important
was when we were at school. He
expensive more expensive
looks different too: he s taller than
me now, his hair is longer and he
For long adjectives ending in -y, we use -ier:
seems happier.
happy happier early earlier
A Comparing things we buy and services we use
A Comparing things we buy and services we use
Fareed is buying a new laptop. Change the underlined words into comparative adjectives.
Fareed is buying a new laptop. Change the underlined words into comparative
adjectives.
WOMAN These two, the Helix 400 and the VKC 28, are very popular at the moment, sir. The VKC 28 is a
1
little new newer 0WOMAN These two, the Helix 400 and the VKC 28, are very popular at the moment,
, but the Helix is cheap , but the Helix is cheap
sir. The VKC 28 is a little new newer 0
1
2
.
FAREED Can I touch them? Which one is heavy ?
2
FAREED Can I touch them? Which one is heavy ?
3 4
WOMAN The VKC is light WOMAN The VKC is light 3
than the Helix, but it s also wide
than the Helix, but it s also wide
4
.
5 6
FAREED Yes, you re right. The VKC is big , but much thin . And I
5
FAREED Yes, you re right. The VKC is big , but much thin
7
suppose it s powerful too, if it s newer.
6 7
. And I suppose it s powerful too,
if it s newer.
8
WOMAN It s fast , yes. But the Helix is still a good computer. We sell hundreds every week.
102 | Adjectives and adverbs
9
FAREED You said the VKC was expensive . What s the difference in price?
WOMAN The Helix is Ł400 and the VKC is Ł600.
10
FAREED Thanks. I think the VKC is a little good , but I ll take the Helix! 11/12/08 15:38:05
LivGram Elem SB.indb 102
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Activity Worksheet:
True or false?
Student A
1 China is & & & & & & .. than Russia. (big) False.
2 Gold is & & & & & & .. than silver. (expensive) True.
3 Buckingham Palace is & & & & & & .. than Windsor Castle. (old) False.
4 Black coffee is & & & & & & .. for you than white coffee. (bad) False.
5 Tokyo is a & & & & & & .. capital city than Rome. (noisy) True.
6 Sunset is & & & & & & .. than sunrise. (late) True.
!
Student B
1 Scotland is & & & & & & .. than England. (wet) True.
2 Tennis is & & & & & & .. than football. (popular) False.
3 Germany & & & & & & .. than France. (small) True.
4 Red wine is & & & & & & .. for you than white wine. (good) True.
5 1kg of feathers is & & & & & & .. than 1kg of wood. (heavy) False.
6 Oslo is a & & & & & & .. capital city than Copenhagen. (safe) True.
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Handout 2:
Superlative adjectives
Comparatives and superlatives
26 Superlative adjectives
After superlative adjectives, we sometimes use of:
5 Look at this example:
Sunday is the best day of the week!
 Paulo s is the best restaurant in town. Their pizzas
It s the smallest of the three hotels.
are the biggest and the most delicious!
but we use in for places and groups of people:
6 The best, the biggest and the most delicious are
She s the richest woman in Britain. (NOT of Britain)
superlative forms. To make superlative adjectives:
Dave is the funniest student in the class.
For short adjectives and long adjectives ending in -y,

8 We use superlatives when we re comparing more
take away the final r of the comparative form, and
than two things:
add -st:
There are four countries in the UK. England is the
small smaller the smallest
biggest.
nice nicer the nicest
big bigger the biggest
We sometimes use the present perfect with
happy happier the happiest
ever after the superlative form:
What is the worst meal you ve ever eaten?
For long adjectives, change more to most:

This is the most beautiful park I ve ever seen!
important more important
the most important
Grammar in action
Irregular forms:

4 We use superlative adjectives to talk about the best,
good better the best
worst or most interesting places, people and things:
bad worse the worst
Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe.
far farther the farthest
This is the most comfortable room in the house.
It s the fastest family car in the UK.
7 Before superlative adjectives, we usually use the:
It s the saddest film we ve ever seen.
Picasso is the most famous Spanish painter.
E Choosing a flat in London
D Talking about the best things about the Seychelles
We use comparatives to compare things we buy; services we use; places; and people.
Look at the home page of the website for  Seychelles Holidays . Change the underlined
If you rent a flat, your
We use superlatives to talk about the best, worst or most interesting places, people
words into superlative adjectives.
landlord or landlady
and things. Sean and Thierry want to share a flat in London. They ve looked at three
is the person you pay
flats, and now they re in a caf�. Add these words to the conversation: every month.
Seychelles Facts (and Opinions!):
ever in most of the than dirtier expensive friendlier nearer
0
smallest
" The Republic of Seychelles is the small African country, and it s the
1
SEAN What did you think about the two flats in Camden?
good place in the world for your holiday!
THIERRY The first one was bigger, but it was dirtier 0 too.
2
" The big of the hundred and fifty five islands is Mah�, with an
SEAN You can clean a flat though, can t you?
international airport.
1
THIERRY Sure, but the second one was nicer, and the landlord was .
3
" The Seychelles Islands have the beautiful beaches you ve ever seen,
2
4
SEAN Perhaps, but it was also noisier the first one, because it
and the warm seas.
3
was to the road.
5
" The sunny times of year are December and January (but they re
4
SEAN They weren t the best flats we ve seen, were they? What
6
also the expensive times to visit).
about the one in Crouch End?
7
" The peaceful island is La Digue - it s like a journey into the past!
5 6
THIERRY It was the comfortable the three flats.
8
7
" The nice restaurant in the Seychelles is  Andr� s in Anse Lazio.
SEAN I agree. But it was also the most . We haven t got enough
(Another free meal, please, Andr�!)
money, have we?
9
8
THIERRY Shall we have another coffee? They make best cappuccino
" The best Creole music is by the famous Seychelles musician, the
9
wonderful Jean-Marc Volcy!
north London here. We can look at some more flats this
afternoon.
104 | Adjectives and adverbs
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F 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.
LivGram Elem SB.indb 104 11/12/08 15:38:06
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38 I can talk about my home
A Flats
B Houses
B Houses Glossary
I live in a block of
Glossaryof the present time OPP old
modern
flats near the town
modern what you see from the house
of the present time OPP old
centre, in an area
view
13
3 4
called Montpellier. view what you see from the house
3 4 utility room a room where you do the
12
I really like the flat,
utility room a room where you do the
washing, ironing, etc.
and my neighbour,
1 washing, ironing, etc.
Miki
upstairs
Simon, is very friendly. 2 1
1
Ferdy
upstairs
2
11
1 (on) the top
floor
5 6
2
5 6
2 (on) the Helen
OPP downstairs
10
OPP downstairs
Simon
second floor
5
outside not in a house or other
5
outside
3 (on) the first
buildinot in a house or other
ng OPP inside
building OPP inside
floor
garage a building where you park
3 John
garage a building where you park
4 (on) the
your car
5
Lucy
ground floor your car
5 5
parking U a place where you can park
5
5 garden parking U a place where you can park
BATHFORD
(leave) your car
BATHFORD 9
6 steps (leave) your car
Anna
Modern family house in this quiet village with lovely views
4
Modern family house in this quiet village with lovely views
7 (in) the
Rob
of the countryside. Large living room1, dining room2, study3,
8
basement
of the countryside. Large living room1, dining room2, study3,
modern kitchen4 and utility room. Upstairs there are four 6
spotlight flat, house and home
8 rubbish U
modern kitchen4 and utility room. Upstairs there are four
spotlight flat, house and home
7
good-sized bedrooms5 and a family bathroom6. Outside there
9 front door
good-sized bedrooms5 and a family bathroom6. Outside there
5 A flat is a number of rooms on one
is a large garden, a garage, and further parking for two cars.
A flat is a number of rooms on one
is a large garden, a garage, and further parking for two cars.
10 stairs
floor of a bui
floor of a buildilding.
ng.
11 lift
A house is a bui
A house is a buildilding with rooms on
ng with rooms on
4
4
Find the end of each word.
12 flat
4
4
Find the end of each word.
two or more floors.
two or more floors.
13 balcony
studyviewmodernlivingroomtoiletkitchenhomeparking-
studyviewmodernlivingroomtoiletkitchenhomeparking- Home is where you live (in a flat or a
Home is where you live (in a flat or a
diningroomupstairsbedroomutilityroombathroom
house).
diningroomupstairsbedroomutilityroombathroom
1
1
house).
True or false? Write T or F.


Helen lives on the second floor. 5 Simon lives in the basement.
5
5
Complete the text.
5
5
Complete the text.

1 John and Lucy live on the ground floor. 6 Ferdy s flat has got a balcony.


I live in a house  it s only four years old. It s got a ( room, dining

2 Miki lives on the top floor. 7 Rob s flat has got a garden. room, dining
I live in a house  it s only four years old. It s got a (1) 1)


3 Anna lives on the first floor. 8 The steps are at the front door.
room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a (2) . It s in the town centre, and from the living
room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a (2) . It s in the town centre, and from the living


4 They put their rubbish in the lift. 9 Ferdy needs to use the stairs or lift.
Over to you:

room I ve only got a (3) of the railway station, which isn t very nice. I leave my car on
room I ve only got a (3) of the railway station, which isn t very nice. I leave my car on


the street because I don t have a (4) , but it s got a small (5) , so I can eat
the street because I don t have a (4) , but it s got a small (5) , so I can eat
Comparative and superlative adjectives
2
2
Complete the words.


((6) when it s warm.
6) when it swarm.


l t 6 g n


1 b t 7 s s
My brother s got a house in a village near me, and from the house he s got fantastic
My brother s got a house in a village near me, and from the house he s got fantastic

2 8 n r


(7) b k of f s
of the countryside. Downstairs there s a living room, dining room, large
(7) of the countryside. Downstairs there s a living room, dining room, large
1 Write a very short text (two or three sentences),9 b 2 Write a second very short text about a great

3 g d f r y


((8) and a (9) where my brother works. (10) there are four
8) and a (9) where my brother works. (10) there are four
comparing two towns/cities in your country. Use holiday place in your country. Use two or three

4 f t d r 10 t n c e


((11) and two (112) , so there s lots of space when I visit with friends.
11) and two (2) , so there s lots of space when I visit with friends.
three or four comparative adjectives. Exercise B* superlative adjectives. Exercise D* may be

5 s s


There s also (13) for two cars, and a large garden. In the summer they eat
There s also (13) for two cars, and a large garden. In the summer they eat
may be helpful. helpful.

3 ((14) Test yourself. Cover the words and name the things in the picture.
3
all the time.
14) all the time.
* Exercises available in downloadable lesson
6
6
ABOUT YOU Write your answers or ask another student.
6
6
ABOUT YOU Write your answers or ask another student.
PLACES
98
� Oxford University Press 2010 PHOTOCOPIABLE page 7

1 Do you live in a house or a flat?

1 Do you live in a house or a flat?

2 If it s a flat, which floor are you on?

2 If it s a flat, which floor are you on?
13 OWS(B) U34-41 FP.indd 98 29/11/07 15:04:21

3 Have you got a garden? If so, how big is it? ?

3 Have you got a garden? If so, how big is it