Name:………………………………….

ADJECTIVES - ADVERBS - COMPARISON

ADJECTIVES & ADVERBS WITH SIMILAR FORMS
Some adjectives and adverbs have the same form. However, the meaning may differ. Examples:
back enough hourly left low upstairs
daily far ill little still well
early fast kindly long straight
I'm not very well today. I think I'll stay at home, (adj = healthy)
I really don't know Peter very well, (adv = to a great extent)
Some adverbs have one form similar to the adjective and another form ending in -ly. The meaning may differ. E.g.:
deep - deeply fine - finely high - highly near - nearly short - shortly
direct - directly flat - flatly just - justly pretty - prettily sure - surely
easy - easily free - freely late - lately right - rightly wide - widely
fair - fairly hard - hardly most - mostly sharp - sharply
I gave her a free hand in the interior design, (adj = without limits or controls)
Pensioners travel free on buses, (adv = without payment)
She spoke freely about her past, (adv = without inhibitions)
GRADABLE AND UNGRADABLE ADJECTIVES
Adjectives can be categorised as gradable or ungradable according to their meaning. Most adjectives are gradable,
which means that their meaning can be made weaker or stronger (e.g., cold, boring, difficult can be made weaker or
stronger with adverbs such as very, slightly, fairly, rather, a bit): very cold / rather difficult
Ungradable adjectives describe extreme or absolute qualities (e.g., freezing, dead, impossible, enormous, free).
These adjectives can only be modified with words which suggest extremes: absolutely free / necessary / freezing; utterly
exhausted / impossible / clear.
Note: The modifier quite has a different meaning depending on the kind of adjective it modifies.
The play was quite interesting, (with gradable adjectives = fairly, rather)
The play was quite fascinating, (with ungradable adjectives = absolutely)
COMPARISON
Comparatives can be modified with words like much, far, a lot, any, no, rather, a little, a bit, even, etc:
e.g.: far more dangerous, any greater, even better,. much more effectively
Superlatives can be modified with words like much, by far, quite, almost, easily, etc.
e.g.: by far the most complicated, almost the cheapest, easily the most talented
as + adjective + as (comparing similar qualities):
e.g.: Listening to her is about as interesting as watching an egg boil!; She looked as white as a sheet!
as ... as can be modified with just, every bit, nearly, almost, half, twice, three times, etc.
e.g.: In the end, going by ferry cost almost as much as it would to fly.
not as / so + adjective / adverb + as (to show a negative comparison):
e.g.: This computer is not as efficient as the other one. He didn't work as carefully as he should have.
not so much ... as: I’m not so much angry as disappointed. (I'm more disappointed than angry.)
not half / quite / nearly / anything + as + adjective + as // nothing like as + adjective + as:
e.g.: He's not half as energetic as you are. She's nothing like as tall as her brother.
negative verb + half / quite + as + / adjective / adverb + as // negative verb + anything like + as + adverb + as:
e.g.: You don’t seem quite as tired as you were yesterday. I didn't do anything like as badly as I expected.
like + noun / verb phrase:
e.g.: He runs like the wind. He lay there on the sand like a beached whale. It's hard to describe that feeling; it's a
bit like going to the dentist. The days are getting hotter and hotter. We work harder and harder as time goes by.

PRACTICE:

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the adjectives or adverbs below:
 cheap / far / straight / easy / silly / fine / highly paid / good-looking
1. I felt absolutely FINE after giving blood.
2. The library will be closed until ………………………. notice.
3. I completed the second assignment much more ………………………. than the first.
4. Who would you say is the ………………………. boy in your class?
5. Surely it's much …………………… to go on a package tour than to pay for your airline ticket and accommodation
separately.
6. After supper, the children went ………………………. to bed.
7. The first one was bad enough, but the second anecdote was even ………………………. .
8. Breakfast TV hosts are among the ………………………. people on television.
Fill in compound adjectives. Use the words in the sentences.
1. The plan covers the next five years. It's a FIVE-YEAR plan.
2. Rescue workers planned the operation carefully. It was a ……………………………… rescue operation.
3. As a child I had curly hair. I was a ……………………………… child.
4. Linda works really hard. Linda is very ……………………………… .
5. The charity appeal show will go on for 24 hours. It's a ……………………………… show.
6. The writing in the script is brilliant. It's a ……………………………… script.
7. The canteen here is subsidised in part. There is a ……………………………… canteen.
8. The sports centre was constructed last year so it's still new. There is a ……………………………… sports centre.
Complete the text using the phrases below:
well worth - just as - so large an - conveniently located - not so much - a bit less - infinitely superior - slightly more
Well, Mrs Griffiths, I've got a couple of splendid properties just on the market, which are (1) ……………………………
considering. There's 29 Grove Street, which is very reasonably priced and (2) ……………………………… . And
there's a more rural property, Daffodil Cottage, which is (3) ……………………………… expensive, but would require
(4) ……………………………… renovation work. Actually, it's (5) ……………………………… a cottage as a family
home. It's four-bedroomed, with a sizeable garden and a stunning view. But if it's convenience you're looking for, Grove
Street is (6) ……………………………… . A three-storey town house, it's (7) ……………………………… spacious
inside as the cottage, but the garden doesn't cover (8) ……………………………… area. If either of these properties
sounds as if it might interest you, I can arrange a viewing this week.
Circle the correct answer.
The number of cars in China is increasing by 25% a year, and billions are being invested in new roads. A (1) far / quite /
bit more worrying statistic is the number of road accidents, which is growing at an alarming rate - one person dies every
six minutes on Chinese roads. This is (2) hardly / almost / nearly surprising when one takes into account the fact that
many drivers have never had a driving lesson in their lives. The proper procedure for obtaining a driving licence
involves a six-week course but many drivers prefer a (3) very / much / many less time-consuming method - they arrange
to buy one. With so many inexperienced drivers bribing their way onto the road, accident rates seem likely to get (4)
bit / quite / even worse. Cars are becoming (5) more / as / just and more popular, particularly for weekend leisure trips,
even though (6) by far / most / rather the best course of action would seem to be to stay away from the roads altogether.
Despite the investment in the country's infrastructure, roads are primitive and (7) incredibly / utterly / partly hazardous,
jammed with everything from pedestrians and animals to bicycles and huge container trucks, which an expert driver
would find (8) just / like / every as impossible to negotiate safely. The pace of change has (9) absolutely / usually /
clearly caused problems, and the Chinese may well find that Westernisation is not (10) so / the / any much a blessing as
a curse.
Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
1. The new building will be …… than our present premises.
a. by far the most spacious b. far more spacious
c. much more spaciously d. not so much spacious
2. A …… business will rarely flourish.
a. poor managed b. managed poor c. poorly managed d. managed poorly
3. "Did you enjoy the roller coaster ride?" "No! It was …… experience of my life."
a. the most terrifying b. far more terrifying c. a more terrifying d. as terrifying as
4. Pauline was a ……
a. cinema critic, well-respecting b. respecting cinema critic
c. good-respected cinema critic d. well-respected cinema critic
5. The mountaineers felt their way …… up the sheer rock face.
a. more cautious b. cautiously c. cautious d. most cautious
6. "What did Carla wear to the reception?" "The most…… dress."
a. red, gorgeous, silk b. silk, red, gorgeous c. red, silk, gorgeous d. gorgeous, red, silk
7. A sandwich can be …… as a cooked meal.
a. as just nutritious b. a bit nutritious c. every bit as nutritious d. even more nutritious
8. Please write your …… on the form.
a. presently address b. address where you are present c. address presently d. present address
9. "When do you need the report?" “……”
a. The better the sooner b. The sooner the better c. The soonest the best d. Sooner, better
10. I didn't think the sequel was…… the first movie.
a. nothing as good as b. much good as c. half as good as d. far better as

COHESION AND COHERENCE: linking words

beforehand / afterwards: We use beforehand to mean before this / that and afterwards to mean after this / that.
If you've eaten a meal, you shouldn't go swimming for a couple of hours afterwards.
The minister dealt with the questions well because her advisors had briefed her beforehand.
otherwise / likewise: We use otherwise to show that if something doesn't happen or is not true, a different or opposite
result will follow. Likewise means in the same or similar way.
It is important to protect all plant species. Otherwise, sources of new drugs or food might be destroyed before they
are discovered.
When the moon passes in front of the sun, its shadow causes a solar eclipse. Likewise, when the earth's shadow falls
on the moon, we witness a lunar eclipse.
the former / latter: When two things are mentioned separately, we can use the former to refer to the first one and the
latter to refer to the second.
Only nine miles separate the islands of Sardinia and Corsica. The former belongs to Italy, while the latter is French.
thereby / therefore: We use thereby to mean by doing this. Therefore means as a result of a reason that has just been
mentioned.
Working conditions and work ethics vary from country to country thereby making it impossible to generalize.
Energy conservation cannot be achieved without the cooperation of ordinary citizens. It is therefore essential that
the public understands the need to reduce energy consumption.

PRACTICE:
Circle the correct word and explain what each correct answer refers to.
1. Surveillance cameras allow the police to keep constant watch, thereby / therefore reducing the need for so many
policeman on the streets.
2. You'd better keep these papers in a safe place. Otherwise / Likewise you'll end up losing them.
3. Given the choice of an exotic tropical holiday or a skiing trip, I'd choose the former / the latter, as I don't like hot
weather.
4. Most department stores are now open six days a week until late at night. Otherwise / Likewise, many smaller shops
have extended their opening hours.
5. The park is home to several animal species and even more birds. Of the latter / the former, the most impressive is
the golden eagle, whose wing span can reach two metres.
6. We made the journey very quickly, having worked out a route on the map beforehand / afterwards.
Complete the text with the words below.
otherwise - thereby - the latter - despite - likewise - therefore - in other words
As managers, we all face similar issues: budgets, deadlines and the pressure to perform. No matter what field you are in,
your job is to manage people. (1) ………………………………, our task is to help our staff do their jobs and to make
the boss look good. I believe that if you do the former, (2) ……………………………… will follow. We can do this by
sharing information and by attempting to ensure that our employees have job satisfaction (3) ……………………………
any difficulties they face. Determining what will motivate staff members requires good working relationships, and that
basically means good communication. Pass on news from higher levels (where appropriate) (4) …………………………
making staff feel involved in the big picture. (5) ………………………………, share magazine articles or emails that
may be of interest. Never forget that your employees are your colleagues and must (6) ……………………………… be
treated with respect. Basic courtesy is of the utmost importance when assigning tasks, so make requests rather than
barking orders. (7) ……………………………… staff will feel resentful and unwilling to cooperate.
OPEN CLOZE: Think of ONE word which best fits each gap.
A BIT OF DIRT DOESN'T HURT
Children from extremely clean homes may be more (1) ……………………… to develop asthma and hay fever than (2)
……………………… who grow up on farms or in families that allow a bit of dirt in the house. (3) ……………………
has been suggested that exposure to the bacteria present in dirt can make an infant more tolerant of irritants (4)
……………………… the environment by helping the child's immune system to mature. The evidence supports the
hypothesis that cleaner homes and technological advances, as well as a (5) ……………………… range of drug-based
treatments, (6) …………………… contributed to increases in allergies. The (7) …………………… recent study found
that children growing up on farms were less prone to allergies and asthma than other children and that the more the
children (8)…………………… exposed to a certain bacterial component, called endotoxin, the (9) ……………………
likely they were to have allergies. But allergies are not (10) ……………………… enough understood for scientists to
make (11) ……………………… useful recommendations yet. They cannot say, for example, that you should clean your
house less (12) ……………………… or buy a dog if you want to lower the risks, as genetic factors also play a role.
Given that the incidence of asthma rose (13) ……………………… 75% in America between 1980 and 1994, (14)
……………………… is an urgent need to develop treatment. Scientists are optimistic that the field is rapidly advancing
and that current research may make (15) ……………………… vaccine against allergies possible soon.
Rewrite, using the word given without changing it. Use between THREE and SIX words, incl. the word given.
1. She says she's rarely been as happy as she was on the day she graduated. DAYS
She describes her graduation day ……………………………………………………………………… of her life.
2. Julie seems to have slightly less confidence than she used to. QUITE
Julie doesn't ……………………………………………………………………… used to.
3. The storage room isn't very attractive but it's functional. NOT
The storage room ……………………………………………………………………… functional.
4. It hasn't snowed anywhere near as heavily this year as in previous years. MUCH
This year, there ……………………………………………………………………… in previous years.
5. The reporter wants to interview the person who is organizing the award ceremony. RESPONSIBLE
The reporter wants to interview ………………………………………………………………… the award ceremony.
6. Everest was a far greater challenge than any other mountain she's climbed. EASILY
Everest was ……………………………………………………………………… she's ever climbed.
7. Your coursework will probably increase in difficulty over time. AND
Your coursework is likely ……………………………………………………………………… over time.
8. Everyone involved in the current situation is under a great deal of stress. VERY
The current situation is ……………………………………………………………………… everyone concerned.