Casa ESL · B1 Intermediate · Unit 6 of 20 · Step 1
Comparative and Superlative Structures
Name
Date
Vocabulary
significantly
adverbTo a great extent; in a way that is important.
"Prices have risen significantly this year."
superior
adjectiveBetter in quality or higher in rank than something else.
"This material is superior to the cheaper alternative."
inferior
adjectiveLower in quality or status.
"The copy was clearly inferior to the original."
gradually
adverbSlowly, over a period of time.
"The weather is gradually getting warmer."
slight
adjectiveSmall in degree; not very important.
"There is a slight difference between the two colours."
vast
adjectiveExtremely large in area, size, or amount.
"There is a vast difference between the two proposals."
whereas
phraseUsed to compare two things that are different.
"She likes coffee, whereas her sister prefers tea."
identical
adjectiveExactly the same in every detail.
"The twins wore identical outfits."
Grammar Focus
Complex comparative and superlative structures
Use 'as + adjective + as' for equal comparisons (e.g., 'as tall as'). Use 'not as + adjective + as' for unequal comparisons (e.g., 'not as expensive as'). Use 'the + comparative, the + comparative' for parallel changes (e.g., 'The more you practise, the better you get'). Use 'much/far/significantly + comparative' for emphasis (e.g., 'much cheaper').
This restaurant is not as expensive as I expected.
Her English is as fluent as a native speaker's.
The more you read, the more vocabulary you learn.
Living in the city is far more convenient than living in the countryside.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete each sentence with the correct comparative or superlative structure.
1. This exam was not difficult the last one.
2. The you study, the your results will be.
3. Tokyo is (far / expensive) than most other cities.
4. My new flat is (big) my old one — they're the same size.
5. This is (good) coffee I have ever tasted.
Exercise 2
Match each sentence beginning to its correct ending.
Reading
City Life vs Country Life
Many people debate whether city life is better than country life. Cities are generally far more convenient than rural areas — shops, hospitals, and public transport are much more accessible. However, the countryside is not as polluted as urban centres, and life there tends to be significantly quieter. Some people say that city life is as stressful as it is exciting, whereas country life is as peaceful as it is slow. The more time I spend in the countryside, the more I appreciate its beauty. But the longer I stay away from the city, the more I miss the energy and variety it offers. In the end, neither option is clearly superior — it depends on what matters most to you.
1. According to the text, what are two advantages of city life?
2. What does the writer say about the countryside and pollution?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write 6–8 sentences comparing two things you know well (e.g., two cities, two sports, two jobs). Use at least three different comparative structures from this unit.
Example: Swimming is not as exciting as football for spectators, but it is far better for your joints. The more you swim, the stronger your whole body becomes. Football is as popular as cricket in some countries, whereas swimming is often seen as an individual sport. However, competitive swimming is significantly more demanding than most people realise.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. as / as · 2. more / better · 3. far more expensive · 4. as big as · 5. the best
Exercise 2
1. The longer you wait, → the harder it becomes. · 2. This phone is not as fast → as the latest model. · 3. The film was far more interesting → than I thought it would be. · 4. Her presentation was just as good → as his — maybe even better. · 5. The more coffee I drink, → the less I sleep at night.
Reading Comprehension
1. Cities are more convenient, and shops, hospitals, and public transport are much more accessible. · 2. The countryside is not as polluted as urban centres.