UNIT

8 Consumer
Society
Comparatives and
Superlatives

Cars in a scrap
yard in Canada.

204 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Review the Grammar
page 206
page 213 page 220 page 227
Comparative Comparisons with Superlative
Adjectives and (Not ) As . . . As Adjectives and Connect the
Adverbs and Less Adverbs Grammar to Writing
page 230
205
LESSON 1 Comparative Adjectives and Adverbs

EXPLORE

CD2-28
1 READ the article about consumer societies. Notice the words in bold.

What is a Consumer
Society?
A consumer is a person who buys things, and a consumer society is a society that
encourages people to buy and use goods. 1 Some people think that a consumer society
provides people with better lives. People in consumer societies tend to live more
comfortably. They eat a wider variety of food. They go to restaurants more often.
They also buy a lot of products, maybe more than they need.

Products such as TVs, cell phones, and computers used to be luxuries.2 Today
people can buy these things more easily than ever before. The market for these goods
is growing faster all the time. Consumer societies encourage people to buy bigger and
better products. For example, “smarter” phones come out every year. In a consumer
society, people are often buying newer and more advanced products. This creates a
lot of waste. Nowadays, many people are thinking more seriously about the effects
of consumer societies on the environment, and they are trying to become more
responsible consumers.

1
goods: items that can be bought or sold
2
luxury: something that is expensive but not necessary
206
2 CHECK. Read each statement. Circle T for true and F for false.

1. Everyone agrees that consumer products improve their lives. T F

2. These days, consumer goods are hard to find. T F

3. Many people want luxury products these days. T F

4. Consumer societies help the environment. T F

3 DISCOVER. Complete the exercises to learn about the grammar in this lesson.

A Find these sentences in the article from exercise 1. Write the missing words.

1. They eat a variety of food.

2., and they are trying to become consumers.

B Look at the words you wrote in exercise A. Then circle the correct word to complete each rule.

1. For long / short adjectives, put more before the adjective to form the comparative.

2. For long / short adjectives, add -er to the end of the adjective to form the comparative.

UNIT 8 LESSON 1 207

 LEARN
8.1 Comparative Adjectives
Comparative
Than
Adjective
newer
The blue car is than the gray car.
more expensive

1. Use a comparative adjective + than to Lydia is taller than Alex.

compare two people, places, or things. Gorillas are more intelligent than cows.

You can use a comparative adjective The bigger house is mine.

+ noun when the comparison is clear The more interesting shows are on cable TV.
from context.

2. Add -er to the end of most one-syllable small smaller low lower
adjectives to form the comparative.* If large larger nice nicer
the adjective ends in -e, add -r.

3. Use more before most long adjectives Jack is more serious than Nikki.
(adjectives that have two or more Do you think math is more important than music?
syllables).

4. Some two-syllable adjectives are used quiet quieter / more quiet

with either -er or more to form the simple simpler / more simple
comparative.

5. Some adjectives have an irregular good better bad worse

comparative form. far farther, further

REAL ENGLISH
*See page A3 for more information on speling rules for comparative adjectives.
Words such as a little, a lot, much,
and not much, are often used to
quantify comparative adjectives.
4 Complete each sentence with the correct
comparative form of the adjective in parentheses. Tina is a little taller than Nick.
Add than when necessary.

1. New cars are much more quiet than / quieter than (quiet) old cars.

2. Do you think money is (important) good health?

3. This coat is (nice) that one.

4. My old laptop was a lot (big) my new one.

5. Gas is so expensive! I want a (efficient) car.

6. Many people think modern life is (good) life in the past.

7. Communication is a lot (easy) it was 50 years ago.

8. The pollution in my city is much (bad) it used to be.

9. I prefer (hot) temperatures. That’s why I love summer.

10. My new school is a little (far) my old one.

208 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

8.2 Comparative Adverbs
Comparative
AdverbThan
faster
Gas prices are rising more rapidly thanfood prices.

1. Use a comparative adverb + than to Mark works harder than Jeff.

compare two actions. Carol drives more carefully than Peter.

2. Add -er to the end of one-syllable fast faster hard harder

adverbs to form the comparative. long longer high higher

3. Use more before adverbs that end quickly more quickly

with -ly. frequently more frequently

4. Some adverbs have an irregular well better far farther, further

comparative form. badly worse

5 Complete the sentences with the comparative form of the adverbs in parentheses + than.

1. My new oven works a lot better than (good) my old oven. It heats up
much (quick) my old oven, but it also burns food
(often) my old one!

2. Now that he’s a manager, Gerry works a lot (hard) he used to.
He also travels (frequent) he did before, and his trips
last (long) they used to.

3. People are creating garbage (rapid) they

used to. They are throwing away their old things because they can buy new goods
(easy) before. In the past, people treated their belongings
(careful) they do now.

6 Use the words in parentheses to complete each sentence. Use the comparative form of the
adverb and the correct form of the verb.

1. This computer works more efciently than (work / efficiently) that computer.

2. My new watch (keep time / accurately)

my old watch.

3. My sister (call / often) my brother.

4. My phone (ring / loudly) your phone.

5. Tara (shop / frequently) Lori.

6. Brad (type / quickly) Lynn.

7. Kate (sing / badly) Deb.

8. Lila (study / hard) Nora.

UNIT 8 LESSON 1 209

 8.3 Completing Comparisons

1. You can use an object pronoun to complete a Ed is six feet tall. Bob is taller than him.
comparison. But in more formal speaking and Object Pronoun
writing, use a subject pronoun + an auxiliary Ed is six feet tall. Bob is taller than he is.
verb. Subject Pronoun + Aux. Verb

2. Use an auxiliary verb after than. Do not repeat ✓ Ana runs faster than Pat does.
the main verb. ✗ Ana runs faster than Pat runs.
3. A possessive noun or possessive pronoun can My car was more expensive than Ellen’s.
be used after than. My car was more expensive than hers.

4. If the comparison is clear, than and the second Nowadays, smart phones are cheaper.
part of the comparison are not necessary.

5. Be careful! Use than, not then, in a comparison. ✓ I work harder than I used to.
✗ I work harder then I used to.

7 Circle the correct word(s) to complete each sentence.

1. My computer is more efficient than your / than yours.

2. The white coat is warmer then / than the gray one.

3. Ellen buys nicer clothes than I do / than I am.

4. Cars are expensive, but houses are more expensive / more expensive than.

5. Does your new stereo play music more loudly than your old one was / did?

6. Harry’s motorcycle is newer than my / mine.

7. Cho’s package arrived more quickly than Kelly’s did / than Kelly’s was.

8. Dave is 27 years old. His sister is older than he is / than he does.

8 Complete each comparison using the information in parentheses. Do not repeat

the same noun.

1. Irina’s car is bigger than mine (is) (my car).

2. Tom takes better photos (his father).

3. Miguel’s suit is more fashionable (Chad’s suit).

4. You finished your shopping more quickly (she).

5. Jeff’s kitchen is larger (our kitchen).

6. This printer prints more quickly (your printer).

7. My apartment is more comfortable (their apartment).

8. Alison studies harder (her sister).

210 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

PRACTICE
9 Use the words in parentheses to complete the conversation with comparative adjectives or
adverbs. Add than where necessary. In some cases, more than one answer is possible.

Matt: My phone is working (1) worse than (badly) ever! And it’s
(2) (old) all the other phones I see, too.
I want a (3) (modern) phone.
Lara: Take a look at my phone. It was (4) (cheap) my
last phone, and I’m much (5) (happy) with it. When I’m
traveling, I listen to music (6) (often) I do when I’m at
home, so I wanted a phone with a (7) (big) memory card.
Matt: Wow, it’s much (8) (nice) mine! The screen is a lot
(9) (large), too. I want one like that!

Lara: Yeah, you need a big screen, because you watch videos on your phone
(10) (frequently) I do.

10 Look at the charts comparing three laptop computers. Then complete the sentences
with the comparative form of the adjectives and adverbs in parentheses.

Product Details T400 XJ7 A- 50

Screen size 15 inches 17 inches 14 inches
Weight 5.5 pounds 6 pounds 6.5 pounds
Amount of time on the market 18 months 3 months 9 months
Cost $565 $650 $499

Customer Ratings T400 XJ7 A- 50

Starts quickly ★★★ ★★ ★★★★
Runs reliably ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★
Operates quietly ★★★★ ★★★ ★★★★★
Displays pictures well ★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★

1. (large / small) The screen of the T400 is larger than the A-50’s, but it is
smaller than the XJ7’s.

2. (light / heavy) The XJ7 is the A-50, but it is

the T400.

3. (new / old) The A-50 is the T400, but it is

the XJ7.

4. (cheap / expensive) The T400 is the XJ7, but it is

the A-50.

5. (quickly / slowly) The T400 starts the XJ7, but

the A-50.

UNIT 8 LESSON 1 211

 6. (reliably) The T400 runs the XJ7 or the A-50.

7. (quietly) The A-50 operates the T400 or the XJ7.

8. (well) The XJ7 displays pictures the T400 or the A-50.

CD2-29
11 LISTEN to six people deciding what to buy. Circle the choice each speaker makes. Then
write the reason for each decision. Use comparative adjectives or adverbs.

Speaker’s Choice Reason for Decision

Speaker 1 blue coat / green coat It is more comfortable.

Speaker 2 sports car / family car

Speaker 3 yellow roses / red roses

Speaker 4 downtown / suburbs

Speaker 5 brown boots / black boots

Speaker 6 big TV / small TV

12 APPLY.

A Imagine that you are going on vacation soon. Brainstorm a list of vacation ideas, for
example, a camping vacation, a resort vacation, a safari, etc. Write your list of ideas in your
notebook.

B Choose two of your vacation ideas from exercise A to compare. In your notebook,
make a chart like the one below. Write notes about your vacation ideas in your chart.

A Camping Vacation A Resort Vacation

cheap expensive
sleep on the ground comfortable bed
fun relaxing
simple food good food
close to nature gym, pool

C In your notebook, write five sentences comparing your two vacation choices. Use the
information from your chart from exercise B and comparative adjectives and adverbs.

A camping vacation is cheaper than a resort vacation. Your

sleep will be more comfortable at a resort.
Camping is more fun than a resort.

D Choose one of your vacation ideas from exercise C. In your notebook, write two or three
sentences to explain why you prefer it.

I want to go on a camping vacation. It’s cheaper than a resort vacation, and it’s closer to
nature. . . .

E Work with a partner. Share your ideas from exercise C and explain your decision from
exercise D. Did your partner make a good choice? Why, or why not?

212 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

 Comparisons with (Not) As . . . As and LessLESSON 2

EXPLORE

CD2-30
1 READ the excerpt from a discussion between the professor of a business class and a guest
speaker. Notice the words in bold.

Online Reviews: ★ or ★★★★?

Professor: So, Dennis, what changes have you seen in marketing recently?
Dennis: Well, as you know, customers love to post online reviews of
products these days. These reviews are now just as important as
traditional advertising. Maybe even more important. TV advertising
is as useful as it was before, of course. On the other hand,
newspaper ads1 are much less effective than they used to be.
Professor: Hmm. That’s interesting...........I’ve spoken to some marketing people
who aren’t as positive as you are about online reviews.
Dennis: Really? I’m surprised. There are certainly some concerns with
online reviews. For example, satisfied customers are less likely to
write reviews than people who have had a problem. This means
there might be more negative reviews than positive ones. But online
shoppers are wiser now. A few negative opinions are not as harmful
as they used to be. Also, the positive reviews can be as valuable as
A billboard, a ads. If a customer loves a product, he or she will endorse2 it just as
traditional form enthusiastically 3 as a TV ad does!
of advertising
1
ad: short for advertisement
2
endorse: to say that you support or approve of someone or something
3
enthusiastically: to do something in a way that shows a lot of interest and excitement

UNIT 8 LESSON 2 213

 2 CHECK. Read each statement. Circle T for true or F for false.

1. Dennis thinks that online reviews are not very important in marketing. T F

2. Newspaper ads used to be more effective. T F

3. Some marketing people have a negative opinion of online reviews. T F

4. Customers with problems are more likely to write online reviews. T F

5. Online shoppers won’t buy a product if they see a negative review. T F

6. Positive online reviews aren’t very valuable. T F

3 DISCOVER. Complete the exercises to learn about the grammar in this lesson.

A Look at each phrase from the discussion in exercise 1 on page 213. Does the phrase mean
equal or not equal ? Circle the correct answer.

1. as useful as equal / not equal

2. less effective than equal / not equal
3. aren’t as positive as equal / not equal
4. not as harmful as equal / not equal
5. as valuable as equal / not equal
6. as enthusiastically as equal / not equal

B Look at the phrases from exercise A. Then answer the questions.

1. What word follows comparisons beginning with as + adjective?

2. What word follows comparisons beginning with less + adverb?

Neon signs in Nanjing Lu, Shanghai’s

shopping street, China

214
LEARN
8.4 Comparisons with As . . . As
As Adjective As As Adverb As
big comfortable well carefully
My car isas as your car. I drive as as you do.

1. Use as + adjective/adverb + as to compare two people, Adjective: Your car is as old as mine.
places, or things that are the same or equal in some way. Adverb: I can run a mile as fast as you
can.
2.To complete a comparison with as . . . as, you can use
a. a noun (+ verb) a. I dance as well as my brother (dances).
b. a subject pronoun + verb or an auxiliary verb b. I dance as well as he dances.
I dance as well as he does.
c. a possessive noun or possessive pronoun c. My computer is as old as Rita’s.
My computer is as old as
hers.
3. In informal speaking, object pronouns are often used Formal: He’s as tall as I
to complete comparisons with as..as. am. Informal: He’s as tall
as me.

4 Complete each sentence with as . . . as and the adjective or adverb in parentheses.

1. Magazine ads are as efective as (effective) newspaper ads.

2. Mark plays the guitar (well) Nancy does.

3. Online reviews are (useful) asking friends about products.

4. I read online reviews (carefully) he does.

5. The coat was just (warm) it looked.

6. Your sofa is just (comfortable) Diane’s.

7. My computer is (fast) the newer models.

8. He shops online (frequently) I do.

5 Use the words to make comparisons with as . . . as.

1. Desktop computers / be / popular / laptops

Desktop computers are as popular as laptops (are).

2. Microwave ovens / work / well / regular ovens

3. Motorcycles / go / fast / cars

4. This hotel room / be / big / my apartment

UNIT 8 LESSON 3
216 COMPARATIVES AND
 5. A smartphone / send messages / quickly / a laptop

6. My mother / speak English / well / my father

7. Gabi / go shopping / often / Linda

8. Trains / be / comfortable / airplanes

8.5 Comparison with Less and Not As . . . As

Less + Adjective or Adverb + Than
Less Adjective/Adverb Than
This phone is less expensive than that one.
This old fan works less efficiently than the new fan.

Not As + Adjective or Adverb + As

Not As Adjective/Adverb As
expensive
This phone is not as as that one.
good
efficiently
This old fan does not work as as the new fan.
well

1. The opposite of more is less. Not as . . . as and My old car was less efficient than my new car.
less have the same meaning. My old car was not as efficient as my new car.

2. Use not as . . . as with one-syllable adjectives or My apartment is not as big as yours.

adverbs. Tom doesn’t run as fast as Steven.

3. Use less . . . than or not as . . . as with adjectives My son visits less frequently than my daughter.
or adverbs that have two or more syllables. The My son doesn’t visit as frequently as my daughter.
meaning is the same.

4. Remember: If the comparison is clear, The food at Joe’s cafe isn’t as good as the food
the second part of the comparison is at Chez Claude, but it’s less expensive.
not necessary.
The food at Joe’s cafe is less expensive than
the food at Chez Clause, but it isn’t as good.

See Chart 8.3 for more information completing comparisons.

6 Complete the conversations with less or not as . . . as and the words in parentheses. Do not
use not unless it is included in the parentheses. Use than and the second as only where
necessary.

1. Anita: The clothes in this store (1) aren’t as nice as (not be / nice) they
used to be. Look at this coat! It’s much (2) (fashionable)
the coat I bought here last year.

UNIT 8 LESSON 3
 Jackie: Well, that’s true. It (3) (not be / stylish), but it’s also
(4) (expensive).
2. Chris: Check out this new coffee machine! It looks great! Ours
(5) (not be / fancy) this new one.
Mike: Well, it’s definitely fancier than ours, but it (6)
(not be / efficient). It (7)
(not make coffee / quickly), and the coffee (8)
(not taste / good).

7 Rewrite each sentence with the word(s) in parentheses.

1. My watch is less attractive than yours. (not as . . . as)

My watch isn’t as attractive as yours.

2. Sally’s shoes aren’t as fancy as Jill’s. (less)

3. Adam exercises less frequently than he used to. (not as . . . as)

4. This supermarket isn’t as expensive as the one across the street. (less)

5. The actor’s new movie isn’t as exciting as his last one. (less)

6. This gym is less convenient than the one near my house. (not as . . . as)

7. This review is less positive than that one. (not as . . . as)

8. The new tablet doesn’t start up as quickly as the old one. (less)

PRACTICE
8 Complete the conversation with less or (not) as . . . as and the words in parentheses.
Make the verbs negative only when not is given. Use than and the second as only
where necessary.

Tina: Your new camera (1) isn’t as big as (not be / big) your old one.

Dawn: I know. It (2) (not be / heavy) my old X-2000, and it was

(3) (expensive), too.

218 COMPARATIVES AND

 Tina: But you took great photos with your old one! Why did you decide to change?

Dawn: Well, my old camera was really difficult to use, so I

(4) (not take photos / often)
I wanted to. This new camera is (5) (not be / complicated)
my old one, so it’s much (6) (difficult) to use.
Tina: And what about your photos? Are they (7) (nice) the
ones from your old camera?
Dawn: Oh yes, they’re just (8) (good) my old ones.

9 EDIT. Read the online reviews of a play house for children. Find and correct seven more
errors with comparisons with less and (not ) as . . . as.

THE JOLLY ROGER PIRATE SHIP

than

eally an important point: it wasn’t as safe as. –Maria

ard building a real pirate ship! It’s true that I probably don’t build things as quickly as a lot of other people do. And maybe I’m not as good with to

e ship! He plays in it as often as he can, but my six-year-old daughter isn’t as enthusiastic as he is about it. I’m a little disappointed because she us

UNIT 8 LESSON 3
 10 Look at the chart comparing three Internet movie services. Then complete each sentence
with the words in parentheses. Use less and (not) as . . . as. For some sentences, more
than one answer is possible.

C- Movie MyScreen FAB

Membership fee $9.95 $5.00 $5.00

Monthly rate $7.95 $8.50 $9.95

New movies every month every two weeks every week

Easy to use ★★★ ★★★ ★★★★

Customer service ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★

1. FAB’s membership fee is as cheap as (be / cheap) MyScreen’s.

2. Becoming a member of MyScreen (be / expensive)

joining C-Movie.

3. C-Movie’s monthly rate (be / high) the others’.

4. C-Movie
(add new movies / frequently) FAB.

5. Using FAB (be / difficult) using the others.

6. On C-Movie, you can (find movies / easily)

on MyScreen. They are both pretty easy to use.

7. MyScreen’s customer service (be / good) FAB’s.

8. C-Movie’s customer service (be / helpful) the

other two services.

11 APPLY.

A Use the chart below to compare two or three similar products or services you have used.
For example, transportation services, restaurants, shopping websites, etc. Choose five
categories to compare. Use the chart from exercise 10 as a model.

1: 2: 3:

B In your notebook, write five sentences comparing the products or services from your chart in
exercise A. Use less and (not) as . . . as. Use the sentences in exercise 10 as models.

The TRIMET bus is less expensive than the subway or a taxi. It’s not as comfortable as
a taxi. . . .

C Work with a partner. Talk about how the products or services you chose compare with each
other. Use less and (not) as.....as. Does your partner agree with you?

220 COMPARATIVES AND

LESSON 3Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs

EXPLORE

CD2-31
1 READ the article about a problem on Mount Everest. Notice the words
in

Mount Everest:
The Highest Garbage Dump in the World?
world.
orld.
Most people know that Mount Everest is the highest mountain in
the
However, there is another fact that many people don’t know: it has becomeone
one ofthe
the
dirtiest mountains in the world. of

Mount Everest is one of the toughest and most exciting mountains to climb on
Earth. It is not the coldest or the windiest place on Earth, but it comes close! These
challenges make it one of the most attractive mountains for serious climbers. Since
1952, over 3500 climbers have reached the top. Unfortunately, most of them have left
equipment and trash on the mountain.

In fact, trash is now one of the biggest threats to the environment on Mount Everest.
Local organizations have brought tons of trash down from the mountain. One of the
most interesting projects handed over more than a ton of tin cans, glass bottles, and old
climbing tools to artists in Nepal. The artists used the trash to create works of art. Then,
they sold the art to raise money for local charities.1 The least expensive work of art cost
$17, and the most expensive one cost $2400.

1
charity: an organization that raises money to help people

The consumer society produces a lot of waste, even

in the Himalayas. Here, a climber collects trash on
Mount Everest.

UNIT 8 LESSON 3
220 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
2 CHECK. Circle the correct word to complete each statement.

1. According to the reading, Mount Everest is very clean / dirty.

2. Climbing Mount Everest is very difficult / easy.

3. Mount Everest is an unusual / a popular mountain for serious climbers.

4. Climbers rarely / often leave trash on Mount Everest.

5. People create art / charities from the trash on Mount Everest.

3 DISCOVER. Complete the exercises to learn about the grammar in this lesson.

A Look at the bold phrases in the reading from exercise 1. Then write three more examples in
each column of the chart.

Adjectives with - est Adjectives with most

tall exciting

B Which adjectives add most? Circle the correct answer. a. long ones b. short ones

A sculpture of a yak made from Mount

Everest trash.

UNIT 8 LESSON 3
 LEARN

8.6 Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs

Superlative
Adjective

The red car is the nicest

car in the parking lot.
the most expensive

Superlative
Adverb
the fastest
She runs of all the players on the team.
the most slowly

1. Use a superlative adjective to Ali is the tallest student in our class.

compare three or more people, Prague is the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen.
places, or things. What’s the most interesting book you’ve ever read?

2. Use a superlative adverb to compare Of all my friends, Alicia calls the most frequently.
the action of three or more people My red shoes fit the most comfortably of all my shoes.
or things.

3. Add -est to the end of most one- Adjective: I bought the longest couch in the store.
syllable adjectives or adverbs to Adverb: Steve works hardest of all the students.
form the superlative.* Use the
before superlative adjectives. It is
not as common before adverbs.

4. Use the most before most Maria is the most careful climber of the group.
adjectives that have two or more The Grand Canyon is the most amazing sight I’ve ever seen.
syllables and adverbs ending in -ly. Of all the girls, Brenda sings the most beautifully.

5. For some two-syllable adjectives and stupid the stupidest/the most stupid
adverbs, either -est or the most can cruel the cruelest/the most cruel
be used to form the superlative.

6. Some superlatives are irregular. good/well the best bad/badly the worst

*See page A3 for more information on spelling superlative adjectives and adverbs.

4 Complete the sentences with the superlative form of the adjective or adverb in parentheses.

1. The biggest (big) piles of trash on Mount Everest are on the lower areas.

2. Trash is one of (bad) problems on Mount Everest now.

3. Many climbers consider K2, a mountain between Pakistan and China, to be

(difficult) mountain to climb, not Mount Everest.

4. Ted was (experienced) climber on the expedition.

5. Which climber is (far) from the top?

222 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

 6. That was (easy) mountain I’ve ever climbed.

7. Danny climbs (quickly) of all of us.

8. Mount Everest is (high) mountain on Earth.

9. That company has (good) guides.

10. Climbing Mount Everest in a snowstorm is one of (stupid)

thing you can do. It’s extremely dangerous!

5 LISTEN & SPEAK.

CD2-32
A Listen and complete each question with the superlative form of the adjective or adverb you
hear.

1. At what time of day do you work most efciently ?

2. Who is person in the world?

3. What is movie you’ve ever seen?

4. What kind of books do you read ?

5. What is thing to do in a storm?

6. What is to watch?

7. What is place to have lunch in this area?

8. Who is person in your family?

B Work with a partner. Take turns asking and answering the questions from exercise A.

A: At what time of day do you work most efficiently? REAL ENGLISH

A possessive adjective can replace
B: In the afternoon. the in a superlative comparison.
Zara is the best friend I have. Zara is my best fr

8.7 More on Superlative Adjectives and Adverbs

1. The opposite of the most is the least. This is the least expensive phone in the store. All
the other phones cost a lot more.
She drives the least carefully of all my friends. All
my other friends drive much more carefully.

2. A prepositional phrase with in or of is often The Nile is the longest river in the world.
used to complete a superlative. This hat is the prettiest of the three.

3. Remember: If the comparison is clear, it is not This sentence is the longest.

necessary to complete it. She won because she ran the fastest.

4. One of the often comes before a superlative China is one of the biggest countries in the
adjective. The superlative adjective is followed world.
by a plural noun.

UNIT 8 LESSON 3
 6 Use the words in parentheses to write superlative sentences. Use least when not is included in
the parentheses. Make the nouns plural if necessary.

1. This is a state park. (not popular / in California)

This is the least popular state park in California.

2. Canada is a country. (large / in North America)

3. Tokyo has a population. (big / in Japan)

4. This is an apartment. (not expensive / in the building)

5. Alan drives. (fast / of my three brothers)

6. Jane is a student. (one of the / intelligent / in her class)

7. That was a class. (one of the / not interesting / I’ve ever taken)

8. Mel works. (not efficiently / all the people in this office)

9. This is a computer. (cheap / in the store)

10. That’s a street. (one of the / pretty / in this city)

7 SPEAK. Work with a partner. Talk about people, places, and things you know about.
Use the superlative form of the adjectives and adverbs from the box or your own
ideas.

carefully fast hard large popular

crowded good interesting old well

My grandmother is the oldest person in my family. She’s 91.

224 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

PRACTICE
8 Complete the sentences with the superlative form of the adjectives and adverbs in
parentheses. Use least if not is included in the parentheses.

1. Kelly: I think people are too concerned about having (1) the most modern
(modern) cell phones. Cell phones contain some of (2)
(rare) minerals on Earth, but
many people just throw their old cell phones away
when they buy a new one. This is (3)
(one of the / bad / thing) you can do! But if you recycle your old cell phones,
it’s (4) (one of the / good / thing) you can do.

2. Amir: My cell phone is (5) (important / thing) I own. It’s

(6) (convenient / place) I have to keep information.

3. Brad: My new cell phone is a piece of junk! It was (7)

(not expensive) phone in the store. What a mistake! Also, the salesperson in that
store was one of (8) (not helpful /
salesperson) I’ve ever spoken to.

9 EDIT. Read the article about trash in the desert. Find and correct eight more errors
with superlatives.

Cameron’s Camels
hottest
The Arabian Desert in the Middle East is one of the most hot environments on Earth, and it has
the less amount of rainfall. But to the camel, it is home. The camel is one of the most strong

animals in the world. Camels can go for many days with only a little food and water. When they do
find water, they probably drink the most quick of any land animal. Adult camels can drink about 25

to 30 gallons (95–114 liters) in ten minutes. Unfortunately, finding water is not the seriousest
problem camels face.

Most dangerous threat to camels comes from humans. Tourists in the desert leave trash behind. Camels
think the trash is food and eat it. This is very dangerous for the camels, because it can kill them.

One of the most polluted part of the desert is outside the city of Abu Dhabi. Each year, many
camels die there from eating trash. Cameron Oliver has been trying to change this. Since he was

eight years old, Cameron has been telling people that trash is very dangerous for camels. Of all
the young people in Abu Dhabi, Cameron has worked most hard to help the camels. When he was

12, Cameron became the

most young person to

win an Abu Dhabi award

for community service.

UNIT 8 LESSON 3
 10 APPLY.

A Work with a partner. Use the words in parentheses to write superlatives. Then choose the
correct answer to complete each fact on the quiz.

General Knowledge Quiz

1. is the highest mountain (high / mountain) on Earth.

a. Mount Kilimanjaro b. Mount Everest c. K2

2. is (fast / animal) in the world.

a. the camel b. the zebra c. the cheetah

3. is (long / river) in the world.

a. The Nile River b. The Amazon River c. The Yangtze River

4. is (wide / ocean) on Earth.

a. The Pacific Ocean b. The Atlantic Ocean c. The Indian Ocean

5. is (small / continent).

a. Africa b. Antarctica c. Australia

6. is (large / animal) on Earth.

a. the elephant b. the blue whale c. the giraffe

7. is (cold / place) on Earth.

a. Antarctica b. Alaska c. Canada

8. is (close / planet) to the sun.

a. Mars b. Venus c. Mercury

B Check your answers at the bottom of this page. How many of your answers were correct?

C With your partner, write six more general knowledge facts like the ones from the quiz
in exercise A. Use superlative adjectives and adverbs.

1. The Nile River is the longest river in the world.

D Use the facts from exercise C and quiz your classmates.

A: This is the largest country in South America.

B: Is it Argentina?

A: No.

C: Is it Brazil?

A: Yes, it is!

226 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

UNIT 8Review the Grammar

Charts 1 READ & WRITE.

8.1, 8.3–8.7
A Read the information about the Greendex survey, and look at the chart. Then complete each
sentence according to the information in the chart. Use the comparative or superlative form of
the adjective or adverb in parentheses. For some sentences, more than one answer is possible.

TM

The Greendex is a survey of 1000 consumers in several countries. It asks consumers how they spend their money. Ea

Greendex: Rankings
Overall Housing Transportation Food Goods

Americans 44.7 31.5 54.9 57.0 44.2

Brazilians 55.5 48.9 67.1 57.5 53.8

British 49.4 35.9 62.7 62.2 47.1

Canadians 47.9 35.1 57.8 60.9 45.7

Chinese 57.8 48.2 69.0 63.7 56.8

Germans 51.5 40.3 61.9 61.9 47.1

Indians 58.9 51.4 67.3 71.1 57.3

Japanese 48.5 35.3 65.9 54.7 52.7

Mexicans 53.9 48.0 62.2 53.6 54.5

Russians 53.1 44.1 66.4 60.4 47.9

Transportation

1. The Chinese make the greenest (green) choices.

2. Americans are (green) consumers.

3. British consumers make (green) choices than Canadian

consumers.

4. Mexican consumers are (green) Japanese consumers.

Food

5. The British are (concerned) the Chinese.

6. Indians are (concerned) consumers.

7. Russians are (concerned) Brazilians.

8. Americans are (concerned) Canadians.

UNIT 8 REVIEW THE GRAMMAR 227

Review the GrammarUNIT 8

Goods

9. Canadians don’t buy goods (responsibly) Mexicans do.

10. Indians buy goods (responsibly).

11. Germans buy goods (responsibly) Brazilians.

12. Americans buy goods (responsibly).

B In your notebook, write four or five sentences based on the housing data from the Greendex
chart in exercise A on page 227. Use comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs.
Use the sentences from exercise A to help you.

Mexicans make greener housing choices than Canadians.

Indian consumers are more concerned about green housing than German consumers are.

Charts 2 EDIT. Read the article about the results of the Greendex survey. Find and correct eight more
8.1–8.7
errors with comparatives and superlatives.

The Greendex Survey: Some Overall Conclusions

According to a recent Greendex survey, people in India were the most green consumers in the world. They scor
Mexicans were more concerned about green transportation as green food or
goods. For them, the low score of all was in the housing category.

Germans scored highly in the transportation category than they did in the food
category. However, they were least concerned about housing than goods.

The Japanese were one of the least concerned nationality overall. They had one
of the most bad scores in the housing category.

Americans had the lowest overall score of all the nationalities in the survey. Food was the only category in which A

228 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Charts 8.1–
8.4, 8.6
3 LISTEN & SPEAK.

A Listen to a professor discussing the Greendex survey with her students. Then complete the
students’ opinions about the survey.
CD2-33

Martin:

1. Most people think that their country is the results show.

2. Many people think they buy goods they really do.

3. We like to think we’re trying we can to be green.

Karin:

4. Life in the United States is much without a car.

5. Cars that use less gas are becoming in the United States.

6. Attitudes about the environment aren’t changing people think.

Andrew:

7. Most people want to make life for themselves and their families.

8. Everyone wants an life.

CD2-33 B Look at the sentences from exercise A. Then listen again. Do you agree or disagree with the
students’ ideas and opinions? Why, or why not? Write notes on your own ideas and opinions
in your notebook.

C Work with a partner. Share your ideas and opinions from exercise B. Use comparatives and
superlatives.

I agree with Martin’s opinion about goods. People don’t shop as carefully as they think they do.

Charts
8.1–8.7
4 WRITE & SPEAK.

A Look at the items in the box. Then rank the items from 1 to 8, with (1 = the least important
and 8 = the most important).

a. a big car d. a smart phone g. plastic bags

b. stylish clothing e. meals in restaurants h. a gold watch
c. a computer f. a TV

B In your notebook, write six sentences about the items from exercise A. Use comparatives and
superlatives and your own ideas and opinions.

I think a computer is less important than a smart phone.

C Work with a partner. Share your rankings from exercise A and your opinions from exercise B.

UNIT 8 REVIEW THE GRAMMAR 229

Connect the Grammar to Writing

1 READ & NOTICE THE GRAMMAR.

A Before you buy something, do you compare it with similar products? Discuss your shopping
habits with a partner. Then read the text.

The Best Sleeping Bag

I needed to buy a new sleeping bag for a winter
camping trip. So, I went to a camping store and compared
three different brands1 of sleeping bags: Ultra Comfort,
Snowy Down, and Northern Trek. I wanted to look at
each sleeping bag very carefully. For winter camping, the
Snowy Down had the highest rating. But in some ways,
the other two sleeping bags were better. Of the three
sleeping bags, the Snowy Down was the warmest, but it
was also the most expensive. The Northern Trek cost less
than the Snowy Down, but it was just as expensive as the
Ultra Comfort. The Ultra Comfort was warmer than the
Northern Trek. Finally, the Ultra Comfort was lighter than
the other sleeping bags, so it was easier to carry.
I decided not to get the Northern Trek for camping
outside. It wasn’t as warm as the other sleeping bags. But
we were having a mild winter, so I didn’t need the warmest
kind of sleeping bag. So I looked more closely at the lightest
sleeping bag, the Ultra Comfort. That’s the one I chose.

1
brand: the commercial name for a product

GRAMMAR FOCUS
In exercise A, the writer uses comparatives and superlatives to discuss three sleeping bags.
The Ultra Comfort was warmer than the Northern Trek.
. . . it was just as expensive as the Ultra Comfort.
Of the three sleeping bags, the Snowy Down was the warmest and most expensive.

B Read the text in exercise A again. Underline the comparatives and circle the superlatives.
Then work with a partner and compare your answers.

C Work with a partner. Complete the chart with information from the text in exercise A.

Product Details Ultra Comfort Snowy Down Northern Trek

Cost as expensive as the

Northern Trek

Warmth the warmest

Weight

230 COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Write a Product Review

2 BEFORE YOU WRITE. Think of a product that you plan to buy. Compare three different
brands of this product. Complete the chart with information about each brand. Use the chart
from exercise 1C as a model.

Product #1 Product #2 Product #3

Product Details

Cost

3 WRITE a review comparing the three different brands of the product you chose. Write two
paragraphs. Use the information from your chart in exercise 2 and the article in exercise 1A
to help you.

WRITING FOCUS Correcting Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence is an error that happens when two independent clauses are connected without a connec
✗ I enjoyed my winter camping trip next year, I’ll invite a few friends to join me.
To correct a run-on sentence, you can divide the run-on sentence into separate sentences.
I enjoyed my winter camping trip. Next year, I’ll invite a few friends to join me.
You can also use a comma and a conjunction (and, but, or) between the two independent clauses.
I enjoyed my winter camping trip, but next year I’ll invite a few friends to join me.

4 SELF ASSESS. Read your review and underline the comparatives and superlatives. Then use
the checklist to assess your work.

I used comparative adjectives and adverbs correctly. [8.1, 8.2,

8.3] I used comparisons with less and (not) as . . . as correctly. [8.4,
8.5] I used superlative adjectives and adverbs correctly. [8.6, 8.7]

I checked for and corrected run-on sentences. [WRITING FOCUS]

UNIT 8 CONNECT THE GRAMMAR TO WRITING 231