Comparatives vs Superlatives

What is an example of comparative?

• Tallest

• Tall

• Taller

• Told

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Taller' because it is the comparative form of 'Tall', used to compare two entities. 'Tallest' is superlative, 'Tall' is positive, and 'Told' is unrelated.

What is an example of superlative?

• Tall

• Taller

• Tallest

• Tell

Answer explanation

The superlative form of an adjective expresses the highest degree. 'Tallest' is the superlative of 'tall', indicating the greatest height among a group. 'Taller' is a comparative form, while 'tall' is the base form.

Choose all comparatives

• more beautiful

• larger

• driest

• older

Answer explanation

Comparatives indicate a comparison between two or more items. 'More beautiful' uses 'more' for comparison, 'larger' is a simple comparative form, and 'older' is also a comparative. 'Driest' is a superlative, not a comparative.

Choose all superlatives

• widest

• highest

• higher

• deadliest

Answer explanation

Superlatives indicate the highest degree of a quality. 'Widest', 'highest', and 'deadliest' are superlatives, while 'higher' is a comparative form, not a superlative.

The northern lights are the most beautiful natural phenomena in the sky.

• Superlative

• Comparative

Answer explanation

The phrase 'the most beautiful' indicates a superlative form, which is used to express the highest degree of a quality. Therefore, the correct choice is 'Superlative'.

Amazon rain forest contain more varying species of trees compared to Borneo.

• comparative

• superlative

Answer explanation

The statement compares the number of tree species in the Amazon rainforest to those in Borneo, indicating a difference in quantity. This makes it a comparative statement, as it uses 'more' to highlight the difference.

Both Antarctica and the North Poles are the (a)   region on Earth.

Answer explanation

Both Antarctica and the North Poles are the coldest regions on Earth due to their extreme latitudes and ice coverage, making 'coldest' the correct choice to fill in the blank.

Niagara Falls at the border of Canada is (a)   than Telaga Tujuh Waterfall in Malaysia.

Answer explanation

Niagara Falls is known for its massive width, making it wider than Telaga Tujuh Waterfall. Therefore, the correct comparison is that Niagara Falls is wider than Telaga Tujuh Waterfall.

What is true about comparatives?

• used to compare exactly two things

• All comparative adjectives end in "-est."

• You never use "than" with comparatives

• used to compare three or more things.

Answer explanation

Comparatives are used to compare exactly two things, such as 'taller' or 'smarter.' The other options are incorrect: '-est' is for superlatives, 'than' is used with comparatives, and comparatives do not compare three or more things.

What is true about superlatives?

• Superlatives are used to compare three or more things

• Superlatives are only used to compare two things.

• All superlative adjectives end in "-er."

• Superlatives cannot be used with "the."

Answer explanation

Superlatives are used to indicate the highest degree of a quality among three or more items, such as 'the tallest building.' This distinguishes them from comparatives, which compare only two items.