Comparatives & Superlatives – English Grammar Exercises for A2
Alex is studying abroad and is sending updates to his family group chat about a record-breaking weather event occurring in his city. Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete Alex’s messages.
1 You won’t believe it! Today is officially __________ day of the year so far.
(a) the colder
(b) the coldest
(c) coldest
(d) most cold
2 The news says this is __________ summer in this country since 1950
(a) the hottest
(b) hotest
(c) the most hot
(d) hotter
3 My roommates say the wind today is __________ than it was during the storm last week.
(a) the strongest
(b) more strong
(c) stronger
(d) strongest
4 This is definitely __________ morning I have ever experienced! I can’t stop shivering.
(a) the baddest
(b) worst
(c) the worst
(d) worse
5 The weather here is much __________ than back home in Vietnam.
(a) most unpredictable
(b) the most unpredictable
(c) unpredictabler
(d) more unpredictable
6 Last night was __________ night of the month; the temperature dropped to -20°C.
(a) the dryest
(b) the driest
(c) drier
(d) most dry
7 Of all the seasons here, winter is definitely __________ for international students.
(a) the more difficult
(b) the most difficult
(c) difficultest
(d) most difficult
8 The snow is getting __________ and higher every hour. We can’t even see the road!
(a) deeper
(b) deepest
(c) the deepest
(d) more deep
9 This is __________ weather report I’ve seen all week; they are predicting a blizzard.
(a) the seriousest
(b) more serious
(c) the most serious
(d) most serious
10 Is it __________ to stay inside or try to walk to the supermarket?
(a) safe
(b) the safest
(c) safer
(d) more safe
11 My coat is warm, but I think I need __________ one for these temperatures.
(a) a thicker
(b) a thickest
(c) a more thick
(d) the thickest
12 The city center is __________ place to be during a heatwave because of all the concrete.
(a) the uncomfortablest
(b) more uncomfortable
(c) the most uncomfortable
(d) uncomfortabler
13 Drinking hot tea is __________ way to stay warm when the heater is broken.
(a) the better
(b) the best
(c) the most good
(d) best
14 This winter feels __________ than the one last year, according to the locals.
(a) much colder
(b) very colder
(c) the coldest
(d) more cold
15 The __________ part of the day is between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, so stay indoors!
(a) dangerouser
(b) most dangerous
(c) the most dangerous
(d) more dangerous
16 Even though it’s freezing, the sky is __________ blue I have ever seen.
(a) the clearest
(b) clearer
(c) the most clear
(d) clearest
17 Living in this climate is __________ than I thought it would be.
(a) the hardest
(b) harder
(c) hardier
(d) more hard
18 Of all the problems, the ice on the sidewalk is __________ thing to deal with.
(a) the more annoying
(b) the most annoying
(c) annoyingest
(d) most annoying
19 The sun is __________ today than yesterday, but it doesn’t feel warm at all.
(a) the brightest
(b) brighter
(c) more bright
(d) brightier
20 Stay safe, everyone! Sending you __________ wishes from this frozen city.
(a) the warmest
(b) warmer
(c) warmest
(d) the most warm
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (b) the coldest
- Why it’s correct: We use “the” + “-est” for the superlative of one-syllable adjectives.
- Analysis: (a) is a comparative with “the”; (c) is missing “the”; (d) is a structural error for a short adjective.
2 (a) the hottest
- Why it’s correct: Short adjective following the CVC rule (double the final consonant).
- Analysis: (b) spelling error; (c) common mistake (using “most” for short words); (d) is a comparative, but the context compares this summer to all others since 1950
3 (c) stronger
- Why it’s correct: We use the comparative form (-er) because we are comparing today’s wind to last week’s wind (two things).
- Analysis: (a) is a superlative; (b) structural error; (d) missing “-er”.
4 (c) the worst
- Why it’s correct: “Worst” is the irregular superlative of “bad.” “The” is required.
- Analysis: (a) common irregular error; (b) missing “the”; (d) is a comparative.
5 (d) more unpredictable
- Why it’s correct: “Unpredictable” is a long adjective (5 syllables), so we use “more” for the comparative.
- Analysis: (a) and (b) are superlatives; (c) is a structural error.
6 (b) the driest
- Why it’s correct: For adjectives ending in “-y,” change “y” to “i” before adding “-est.”
- Analysis: (a) spelling error; (c) comparative; (d) structural error.
7 (b) the most difficult
- Why it’s correct: Superlative for a long adjective (3 syllables).
- Analysis: (a) incorrect use of “more”; (c) structural error; (d) missing “the.”
8 (a) deeper
- Why it’s correct: Use comparative (-er) to show a continuing change or comparison with the previous hour.
- Analysis: (b) and (c) are superlatives; (d) structural error.
9 (c) the most serious
- Why it’s correct: Superlative for a long adjective.
- Analysis: (a) and (d) are structural errors; (b) is a comparative.
10 (c) safer
- Why it’s correct: Comparing two options (staying inside vs. walking).
- Analysis: (a) base form; (b) superlative; (d) common mistake for short words.
11 (a) a thicker
- Why it’s correct: Comparative to compare the new coat needed with the current coat.
- Analysis: (b) superlative; (c) structural error; (d) superlative.
12 (c) the most uncomfortable
- Why it’s correct: Superlative for a long adjective to describe the #1 spot for heat.
- Analysis: (a) structural error; (b) comparative; (d) structural error.
13 (b) the best
- Why it’s correct: Irregular superlative for “good.”
- Analysis: (a) comparative; (c) irregular error; (d) missing “the.”
14 (a) much colder
- Why it’s correct: “Much” is used to modify and emphasize a comparative.
- Analysis: (b) “very” cannot modify a comparative; (c) superlative; (d) common mistake.
15 (c) the most dangerous
- Why it’s correct: Superlative for a long adjective describing a specific period of the day.
- Analysis: (a) structural error; (b) missing “the”; (d) comparative.
16 (a) the clearest
- Why it’s correct: Superlative for a short adjective.
- Analysis: (b) comparative; (c) common mistake; (d) missing “the.”
17 (b) harder
- Why it’s correct: Comparative of “hard” (short adjective).
- Analysis: (a) superlative; (c) spelling error; (d) common mistake.
18 (b) the most annoying
- Why it’s correct: Superlative for a long adjective.
- Analysis: (a) comparative; (c) structural error; (d) missing “the.”
19 (b) brighter
- Why it’s correct: Comparative of “bright” comparing today to yesterday.
- Analysis: (a) superlative; (c) common mistake; (d) spelling error.
20 (a) the warmest
- Why it’s correct: Superlative of “warm” to express the highest degree of wishes.
- Analysis: (b) comparative; (c) missing “the”; (d) structural error.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Superlatives (The Best/The Worst): Use these to talk about records. In weather, we often use the superlative because we are comparing one day to the whole year or history.
- Example: “It was the windiest day in ten years.”
- Adjectives with “-y”: Always change the y to i before adding -er or -est.
- Example: Dry → Drier → The Driest.
- Irregular Forms: Weather often uses “good” and “bad.”
- Good → Better → The Best
- Bad → Worse → The Worst
- Short vs. Long: * Short (1 syllable): Add -er/-est (Cold, Hot, Big).
- Long (2+ syllables): Use more/the most (Dangerous, Beautiful, Unpredictable).
- “The” is Essential: For superlatives, never forget “the” (e.g., the hottest, not hottest).