Comparing Adjectives and Adverbs

Which word is a superlative adjective, used to compare three or more things?

• small

• smaller

• smallest

• more small

Answer explanation

The word 'smallest' is the superlative form, used to show that something has a quality to the greatest degree out of a group of three or more. 'Small' is positive, 'smaller' is comparative, and 'more small' is an incorrect form.

What is the correct comparative form of the adverb 'well'?

• weller

• more well

• gooder

• better

Answer explanation

'Well' is an irregular adverb, and its comparative form is 'better.' The words 'weller' and 'gooder' are incorrect, and 'more well' is not the standard form.

Fill in the blank: My new phone is ______ than my old one.

• fast

• faster

• fastest

• more fast

Answer explanation

The word 'than' indicates a comparison between two things, so the comparative form 'faster' is needed. 'Fastest' is for three or more items, and 'more fast' is incorrect for a one-syllable adjective.

Which sentence shows the correct spelling for a comparative adjective?

• My backpack is heavyer than yours.

• This video game is easyer to play.

• The sun is biger than the moon.

• Your dog is friendlier than mine.

Answer explanation

When an adjective ends in 'y' preceded by a consonant, you change the 'y' to 'i' before adding '-er' (friendly → friendlier). The other options show incorrect spelling changes.

Fill in the blank: Of all the players on the team, Sarah listens ______ to the coach's instructions.

• carefully

• more carefully

• most carefully

• carefullest

Answer explanation

The phrase 'of all the players' indicates a comparison of three or more, requiring the superlative form. For adverbs ending in '-ly' like 'carefully,' the superlative is formed with 'most.'

Fill in the blank: The final exam was the ______ test we took all year.

• difficultest

• most difficult

• more difficult

• difficult

Answer explanation

For longer adjectives with multiple syllables like 'difficult,' the superlative is formed using 'most.' 'Difficultest' is incorrect, and 'more difficult' is the comparative form.

Identify the sentence that contains a grammatical error in comparison.

• He runs faster than anyone on the track team.

• This is the most interesting book I've ever read.

• My new headphones are much more better than my old ones.

• She is the tallest person in our class.

Answer explanation

This sentence contains a double comparative ('more better'). Since 'better' is already the comparative form of 'good,' you should not add 'more.'

Fill in the blank: After trying all three flavors of ice cream, I decided the chocolate was the ______.

• goodest

• best

• better

• most good

Answer explanation

When comparing three or more items, the superlative form is needed. The adjective 'good' has an irregular superlative form, which is 'best.'

Which sentence correctly uses a comparative adverb?

• She explained the project more clear than he did.

• Of the two, he drives more cautiously.

• I finished my homework quicker than you.

• They played the game badder than we did.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly uses 'more cautiously' to compare the actions of two people. Option A needs the adverb 'clearly,' C needs 'more quickly,' and D needs the correct irregular form 'worse.'

To say that Leo is the top student in his entire grade, which sentence is constructed most accurately?

• Leo is the smartest of all the students in his grade.

• Leo is smarter than any student in his grade.

• Leo is more smart than the other students in his grade.

• Leo is the smarter student in his grade.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly uses the superlative form 'smartest' with 'the' and a group reference ('of all the students') to compare one person to the entire group. The other options use comparative forms.