Adverbs

She ______ accepted the award, knowing others had worked just as conscientiously as her.

• graciously

• reluctantly

• eagerly

• boastfully

The plane had ______ taken off when the storm began.

• still

• just

• yet

• already

He speaks so ______ that even the back row can hear him.

• vociferously

• clearly

• firmly

• distinctly

They ______ visit their grandparents during the summer holidays.

• always

• occasionally

• seldom

• never

The results were ______ better than we expected.

• dramatically

• slightly

• mildly

• rarely

He had ______ finished eating when the doorbell rang.

• nearly

• rarely

• certainly

• occasionally

Identify which of the sentences below display the incorrect usage of a comparative adverb.

• He works more efficiently under pressure.

• She danced more gracefully than before.

• They left more sooner than expected.

• I responded more politely this time.

______ had he stepped outside when the rain started pouring.

• Barely

• Just

• Hardly

• Scarcely

The detective stared at the clue ______, as if piecing the puzzle together.

• pensively

• absent-mindedly

• carelessly

• joyfully

She ______ denied the accusations despite mounting evidence.

• flatly

• casually

• shyly

• promptly