Casa ESL · A1 Beginner · Unit 19 of 20 · Step 2

Making Comparisons

Comparing People & Things

✓Use comparative adjectives to compare two things
✓Talk about preferences and choices
✓Make simple comparisons in everyday conversations

Name

Date

Vocabulary

bigger

adjective

Larger in size than something else.

"London is bigger than my home town."

smaller

adjective

Less large in size than something else.

"My new flat is smaller than my old one."

better

adjective

Of a higher quality than something else.

"This restaurant is better than the last one."

worse

adjective

Of a lower quality than something else.

"The weather today is worse than yesterday."

faster

adjective

Moving or happening more quickly than something else.

"The train is faster than the bus."

cheaper

adjective

Costing less money than something else.

"This shop is cheaper than the one near the station."

quieter

adjective

Making less noise than something else.

"The countryside is quieter than the city."

popular

adjective

Liked or enjoyed by many people.

"Football is very popular in this country."

Grammar Focus

Comparative adjectives (bigger, faster, more expensive)

Add -er to short adjectives. Use 'more' before long adjectives. 'Good' and 'bad' are irregular: better and worse.

The bus is slower than the train.

This hotel is more expensive than the last one.

My English is better now than last year.

Today's weather is worse than yesterday.

Exercises

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank with the comparative form of the adjective in brackets.

1. The train is (fast) than the bus.

2. This restaurant is (good) than the one near the park.

3. My new flat is (big) than my old one.

4. The countryside is (quiet) than the city.

5. Coffee is (expensive) in this café.

Exercise 2

Choose the correct comparative form.

1. Summer is ___ winter in my country.

2. This book is ___ the last one I read.

3. My laptop is ___ my old one — it breaks all the time.

4. The blue dress is ___ the red one.

Reading

City or Countryside?

Some people love living in the city. The city is bigger and more exciting than the countryside. There are more shops, restaurants, and activities. But city life is also more expensive and noisier. The countryside is quieter and cheaper. The air is cleaner and it is more relaxing. Some people think country life is better for families. Others prefer the city. What do you think is better for you?

1. What is one advantage of the city?

2. What is one advantage of the countryside?

Speaking

Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.

1Compare your city to another city you know. Which is bigger? Which is more interesting?
2Which is better for you — living in a city or the countryside? Why?

Writing

Write 3–5 sentences comparing two things you know — two cities, two restaurants, two jobs, or two phones.

Example: My new phone is better than my old one. It is faster and the screen is bigger. It is also more expensive, but it is worth it.

Answer Key — For Teacher Use

Exercise 1

1. faster · 2. better · 3. bigger · 4. quieter · 5. more expensive

Exercise 2

1. hotter than · 2. more interesting than · 3. worse than · 4. cheaper than

Reading Comprehension

1. The city is bigger and more exciting, with more shops and activities. · 2. The countryside is quieter, cheaper, and more relaxing.

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