comparatives and superlatives (Less / The least)

This book is ______ interesting than the one I read last week.

• less

• the least

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'less' because the sentence compares the book's interest level to another book. 'Less' indicates a lower degree of interest, which fits the context, while 'the least' implies the lowest possible interest, which is incorrect.

Of all the students in the class, Jack is ______ noisy.

• less

• the least

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'the least' because it indicates that Jack is the quietest among all students, while 'less' would imply a comparison that is not complete. 'The least' is the superlative form needed here.

This test was ______ difficult than the one we had yesterday.

• less

• the least

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'less' because it compares the difficulty of the current test to yesterday's test, indicating it is not as difficult. 'The least' would imply it is the lowest in difficulty, which is not the intended meaning.

That was ______ exciting movie I have ever watched. It was so boring!

• less

• the least

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'the least' because it indicates that the movie was the least exciting among all movies watched, aligning with the statement that it was boring.

This road is ______ crowded than the one downtown.

• less

• the least

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'less' because the sentence compares the level of crowding between two roads. 'Less' indicates a smaller degree of crowding, while 'the least' is used for the lowest degree among three or more options.

This jacket is ________ expensive than the other one.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'less' because the sentence compares the expense of two jackets. 'Less expensive' indicates that this jacket costs a smaller amount than the other one, fitting the context of the comparison.

Of all my subjects, history is ________ interesting.

Answer explanation

The phrase 'the least interesting' indicates that history is the least engaging subject compared to others. Thus, the correct choice to fill in the blank is 'the least'.

Today is ________ cold than yesterday, so we don’t need a jacket.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'less' because the sentence compares today's coldness to yesterday's. 'Less cold' indicates a decrease in temperature, justifying the statement that a jacket is not needed.

That was ________ funny joke of the night. Nobody laughed!

Answer explanation

The phrase 'the least funny joke' indicates that it was the least amusing among all jokes told, which aligns with the fact that nobody laughed. Therefore, 'the least' is the correct choice.

This homework is ________ difficult than the math assignment.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'less' because the sentence compares the difficulty of two assignments. 'Less' indicates that this homework is not as difficult as the math assignment, which fits the context.