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Comparisons Exercises
Comparisons Exercises
These exercises are based on the Reading and Use of English paper where you may be tested on this grammar point.
Open close - write one word to complete the sentence.
Key word transformation - complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
Key word transformation
This computer isn’t nearly as fast as the one in the office.
FAR
The computer in the office is ____________________ this one.
far/way/much faster than
far/much/way + than makes the difference stronger.
Key word transformation
I don’t think his second novel was nearly as good as his first.
HALF
His second novel wasn’t ____________________ his first one.
half as good as
not half as + adjective + as makes the comparison much weaker.
Key word transformation
The more time you spend practising, the easier it gets to speak fluently.
LONGER
The ____________________ practising, the easier it gets to speak fluently.
longer you spend
the + comparative + the + comparative shows cause and effect.
Key word transformation
Few cities are as crowded as Tokyo.
ONE
Tokyo is ____________________ crowded cities in the world.
one of the most
one of the most + adjective + plural noun expresses that something is among the top examples.
Key word transformation
Venice is more beautiful than any other city in Italy.
MOST
Venice is ____________________ city in Italy.
the most beautiful
the most + adjective expresses the superlative degree among a group.
Key word transformation
My new phone is far better than my old one.
LOT
My new phone is ____________________ my old one.
a lot/far/much better than
a lot/far/much make a comparative stronger.
Key word transformation
He drives more carefully now than he did when he was younger.
AS
He didn’t use to drive ____________________ he does now.
as carefully as
as + adverb + as shows equality in manner or degree.
Key word transformation
I’ve never met anyone more talented than Maria.
MOST
Maria is ____________________ I’ve ever met.
the most talented person
the + superlative + noun expresses the highest degree.
Key word transformation
This year the company’s profits are significantly higher than last year’s.
CONSIDERABLY
The company’s profits have increased ____________________ last year.
considerably compared with/since
considerably/significantly/dramatically are strong modifiers for comparatives.
Key word transformation
The train journey took longer than I expected.
QUITE
The train journey was ____________________ short as I expected.
not quite as
not quite as + adjective + as means a little less than.
Key word transformation
I’ve never tasted a pizza as delicious as this one.
THE
This is ____________________ I’ve ever tasted.
the most delicious pizza
the most + adjective forms the superlative, which expresses the highest degree.
Key word transformation
Today’s weather is slightly warmer than it was yesterday.
BIT
It’s ____________________ it was yesterday.
a bit/a little/slightly warmer than
a bit/a little/slightly + comparative makes a comparison weaker.
Key word transformation
The film was so boring that we almost fell asleep.
NOWHERE
That film was ____________________ interesting as we expected.
nowhere near as
nowhere near as + adjective + as means much less than expected.
Key word transformation
This restaurant is much more expensive than the one we went to last week.
AS
The restaurant we went to last week ____________________ this one.
was not as expensive as
not as + adjective + as expresses a weaker degree of comparison.