1. 18.1 Comparing two people/things
18.2 Comparing three or more people/things
18.3 Other structures
18.4 Comparative and superlative forms
Grammar Practice
Part A
Part B
Part C
Part D
Part E
Language Practice
Part F
Part G
Part H

2. Comparing two people/things
18.1
Comparing two people/things
When we compare two people or things, we use:
• as ... as
We use as … as to compare two people or things that are equal.
John is as tall as his father.
Paul works as hard as his sister, Sandy.
P.176

3. 1. We can modify a comparison using as…as with
1 We can modify a comparison using as…as with expressions such as almost, nearly, not quite, etc.
It’s nearly as difficult as last week’s test.
It’s not quite as difficult as last week’s test.
2 For negative structures, we use not and as…as or
so…as.
Peter does not draw as well as James.
Peter does not draw so well as James.
P.176

4. P.176 3 When we want to point out similarities, we say the same as.
John’s habits are the same as his father’s.
Jane is the same height as her sister.
4 We can also use twice as as, three times
as as, etc.
Jill’s sister earns twice as much as she
does.
P.176

5. P.176 • comparative adjective/adverb + than
We can use a comparative adjective/adverb + than to
make comparisons.
John is taller than his mother.
John runs faster than Sandy.
P.176

6. 1. Before a comparative adjective or adverb, we
1 Before a comparative adjective or adverb, we can use a bit, a little, (very) much, a lot, far (= very much), etc.
It’s a bit colder today than yesterday.
P.176

7. P.176 2 Sometimes the verb after as/than is left out.
I was faster than you (were).
Lucy arrived earlier than you (did).
However, there are cases when the verb cannot be left out because doing so may change the meaning.
Compare: She performed better than I
(did).
She performed better than I
expected.
P.176

8. Comparing three or more people/things
18.2
Comparing three or more people/things
When we compare three or more people or things, we use:
• the + superlative adjective/adverb + in/of
This is the oldest temple in the territory.
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year.
Of all the books I’ve read, this is the best.
• the + superlative + relative clause
It is the best film that I’ve ever seen.
P.177

9. P.177 1 We can use by far before a superlative.
It is by far the longest river in the country.
2 We use most (without the) + adjective to mean
very.
Yesterday’s meeting was most important.
(= Yesterday’s meeting was very important.)
3 We usually use most with adjectives of two or more syllables.
The match was most exciting. 
P.177

10. 18.3 Other structures P.177 We use
• comparative + and + comparative to describe
increases and decreases.
The weather is getting colder and colder.
She felt more and more frightened.
Flats on Hong Kong Island have become less and less affordable.
P.177

11. P.177 • the + comparative + the + comparative to explain
the relationship between two actions.
The harder you work, the more you can earn.
• more/most, less/fewer/least to compare quantities.
My brother has more friends than me.
Which team has won the most games?
P.177

12. Comparative and superlative forms
18.4
Comparative and superlative forms
comparative
superlative
• one-syllable adjectives
We use -er for the comparative and -est for the
superlative of most one-syllable adjectives.
small smaller smallest
P.177

13. P.177 Note how -er and -est combine with these adjectives.
nice nicer nicest
hot hotter hottest
clean cleaner cleanest
low lower lowest
P.177

14. P.178 • two-syllable adjectives
We usually put more/most before two-syllable
adjectives.
serious more serious most serious
But we add -er/-est if the adjective ends in -er or -y.
easy easier easiest
clever cleverer cleverest
P.178

15. P.178 We can use either -er/-est or more/most with some
two-syllable adjectives.
clever cleverer cleverest
more clever most clever
quiet quieter quietest
more quiet most quiet
P.178

16. P.178 • adjectives of three or more syllables
We use more/most with adjectives of three or more syllables.
interesting more interesting most interesting
P.178

17. P.178 • adverbs Some adverbs take the same form as some adjectives.*
fast faster fastest
However, most adverbs are formed by adding -ly to their corresponding adjectives. These adverbs take more and most to form the comparative and superlative.
quickly more quickly most quickly
* The comparative and superlative forms of these adverbs are created by using -er/-est.
P.178

18. • irregular forms
Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative
forms.
e.g. }
best
better
good well
most
more
many much
worst
worse
bad
least
less
little
P.178

19. Some adjectives and adverbs have both regular and irregular forms.
farthest
furthest
farther
further
far
oldest eldest
older
elder
old
P.178

20. P.178 1 We also use further to mean more/additional.
If you need further information, please let me know.
We also say: He studied hard to further his
career.
2 We usually use elder/eldest when discussing family members.
Sue’s my eldest sister.
P.178

21. Grammar Practice
Read the first sentence, then complete the second sentence using the given words. The first one has been done for you as an example.
P.179

22. 1 fast/ever before
The new express train goes up to 160 kilometres an hour.
From today, rail passengers will be able to reach
Guangzhou ______________________________________
________________________________________________
2 important/money
Don’t work too hard, Steve. Good health is _____________
faster than ever before.
more
important than money.
P.179

23. 3 easy/previous one
I think I’ve passed the test. It was much ________________
________________________________________________
4 safe to cross the road/it was before
The government has built a footbridge. It’s now _________
easier than
the previous one.
safer to
cross the road than it was before.
P.179

24. 5 comfortable/bus
If you aren’t in a hurry, I suggest you take the ferry. It’s ___
________________________________________________
6 noisy/ours
Sue’s flat is larger than the one we’re living in, but I prefer
ours. Hers is on the ground floor, so it’s ________________
more comfortable than the bus.
noisier
than ours.
P.179

25. P.179 7 long/I If you want to know more about Tony, ask Mary. She’s
known him ______________________________________
8 good/tennis player/Carmen
Ben’s been playing for years; that’s why he is a _________
________________________________________________
longer than I have/me.
better tennis player than Carmen (is).
P.179

26. P.179 Rewrite the sentences using (not) as . . . as, while
keeping the meaning of the original sentences. The first one
has been done for you as an example.
P.179

27. P.179 1 She is younger than she looks.
________________________________________________
2 Your watch is more expensive than mine.
My watch _______________________________________
isn’t/is not as old as she looks.
isn’t/is not as expensive as yours.
P.179

28. P.180 3 The station was nearer than I thought.
________________________________________________
4 She speaks English better than I do.
I _______________________________________________
wasn’t/was not as far away as I thought.
don’t/do not speak English as well as she
does.
P.180

29. P.180 5 I used to play football more often.
I don’t play ______________________________________
________________________________________________
6 The dress she was wearing cost more than mine.
My dress ________________________________________
football as often as I used to.
did not cost as much as the one she
was wearing/was not as expensive as hers.
P.180

30. (Note: accept all reasonable answers)
7 The offices on the lower floors of this building are
smaller than those on the upper floors.
The offices on the upper floors of ____________________
________________________________________________
8 There were fewer people at the beach than we expected.
There were ______________________________________
_______________________________________
this building
aren’t/are not as small as those on the lower floors.
not as many people at the beach as
we expected.
(Note: accept all reasonable answers)
P.180

31. Complete the sentences using the given words and the structure comparative + and + comparative. The first one has been done for you as an example.
P.180

32. P.180 1 hard Now that it’s winter, it’s _________________________ to
get out of bed in the morning.
2 high
The cost of living is getting ________________________ .
harder and harder
higher and higher
P.180

33. P.180 3 large The population of the world is growing ________________
_____________________ .
4 nervous
As Ms Lee waited for her interview, she became _________
________________________ .
larger
and larger
more
and more nervous
P.180

34. P.180 5 hot The weather is getting _________________________ .
6 serious
Noise pollution is becoming _________________________ .
hotter and hotter
more and more serious
P.180

35. P.181 7 bad Her behaviour is getting ____________________________
___________________ .
8 excited
As Jason spoke, he became _________________________ .
worse and worse
more and more excited
P.181

36. Use the structure the + comparative + the + comparative to join the beginnings of the sentences in Column A with the endings in Column B. Each ending can be used ONCE only. The first one has been done for you as an example.
P.181

37. P.181 Column A 1 The longer he waited 2 The more excuses he gave
3 The older she gets
4 The less you exercise
5 The more you practise
6 The better the quality
7 The more I get to know her
P.181

38. P.181 Column B the worse it is for your health
the more desirable the product
the better I like her
the more she distrusted him
the more sensible she becomes
the better you can speak a new language
the more impatient he became
P.181

39. P.181 1 ________________________________________________
1 ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2 ________________________________________________
3 ________________________________________________
4 ________________________________________________
The longer he waited, the more impatient he
became.
The more excuses he gave, the more she
distrusted him.
The older she gets, the more sensible she
becomes.
The less you exercise, the worse it is for your
health.
COLUMN A
COLUMN B
P.181

40. P.181 5 ________________________________________________
5 ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
6 ________________________________________________
7 ________________________________________________
The more you practise, the better you can speak
a new language.
The better the quality, the more desirable the
product.
The more I get to know her, the better I like her.
COLUMN A
COLUMN B
P.181

41. Respond to your friend using the given words
Respond to your friend using the given words. The first one has been done for you as an example.
P.182

42. P.182 1 good/hotel Your friend Is this hotel comfortable?
You Oh, yes! This is ____________________
____________ I’ve ever stayed in.
the best hotel
P.182

43. 2 delicious/meal
Your friend I enjoyed our dinner. What about you?
You I did, too. In fact, it was ______________
_____________________ I’ve had for a long
time.
the most
delicious meal
P.182

44. 3 difficult/decision
Your friend Is it true you’re leaving the company?
You Yes, and frankly, it’s ________________
______________________________ I’ve
ever had to make.
the most
difficult decision
P.182

45. 4 supportive/teacher
Your friend Everybody in your class seems to like
Ms Tsui.
You I’m not surprised. She’s ______________
__________________________________
I’ve ever known.
the most
supportive teacher
P.182

46. P.182 5 popular/singer/territory
Your friend Does Jacky Cheung still have a lot of fans?
You I think so. He used to be ______________
_________________________________ .
the most
popular singer in the territory
P.182

47. P.182 6 difficult/question/all
Your friend I couldn’t answer the last question in the
test.
You Neither could I. It was _______________
_________________________________ .
the most
difficult question of (them) all
P.182

48. P.182 7 famous/buildings/the world
Your friend Did you visit the Sydney Opera House
when you were in Australia?
You How could I have missed it? It’s one of
the _______________________________
_________________________________ !
most famous buildings
in the world
P.182

49. Language Practice
Complete the conversation by choosing appropriate adjectives/adverbs from the box. Use the comparative/ superlative forms when necessary. Each of the given words can be used ONCE only. The first two have been done for you as an example.
P.183

50. P.183 Shop assistant Good morning. Can I help you?
Customer Yes, I like this dress, but I’m
worried it may be too (1) for
me.
Shop assistant Yes, I think you need a (2)
size, but I’m afraid we only
have this smaller size in
stock.
(1) ____________
(2) ____________
small
larger
OPTIONS
P.183

51. P.183 Shop assistant Why don’t you try on this
dress instead? It’s just as (3) .
Customer Okay, but I’d prefer a (4)
colour.
Shop assistant This dress comes in three
colours: red, yellow and
black. Here they are. I think
the black suits you the (5) .
(3) ____________
(4) ____________
(5) ____________
pretty
darker
best
OPTIONS
P.183

52. P.183 Customer Yes, it’s (6) for me. How perfect much does it cost?
Shop assistant HK$3 400.
Customer HK$3 400? That’s (7) than I
can afford, I’m afraid. Do you
have a (8) one, say, for about
HK$1 500?
(6) ____________
(7) ____________
(8) ____________
perfect
more
cheaper
OPTIONS
P.183

53. P.183-184 Shop assistant Certainly. Please follow me.
These dresses cost less than
the one I just showed you.
The (9) one only costs
HK$1 250.
Customer Hmm ... the price is all right,
but I think they’d look better
on someone a little younger.
(9) ____________
most expensive
OPTIONS P

54. P.184 Customer Do you have any for women with (10) tastes?
Shop assistant The red one maybe, but I
think the black one would
look better on you. In fact,
it’s such a classic style that I
think it’s (11) for women of
all ages. Besides, you don’t
look (12) to me at all.
(10) ____________
(11) ____________
(12) ____________
more mature
suitable
old
OPTIONS
P.184

55. P.184 Customer I think you’re just flattering
me but I’ll try it on anyway!
Where’s the fitting room?
Shop assistant At the (13) end of the shop.
I’ll show you.
(A few minutes later.)
Customer What do you think?
(13) ____________
far
OPTIONS
P.184

56. P.184 Shop assistant You look (14) ! great Customer I’ll take it!
(14) ____________
great
OPTIONS
P.184

57. Each line in the passage contains one mistake
Each line in the passage contains one mistake. Underline the mistake and write the correct answer in the space provided on the right-hand side. The first one has been done for you as an example.
P.184

58. P.184 many latest show older twice much caused lower (1) ____________
(1) Like much other cities in the world, Hong Kong is facing the
(2) challenge of an ageing population. The late projections by the
(3) Census and Statistics Department shows that the number of
(4) people aged 65 or oldest will rise to 2.6 million by 2041, more
(5) than two as many as the current number. The median age will
(6) also rise to 52, more higher than the current median. This is
(7) believed to be cause by an increase in life expectancy in combination
(8) with a fertility rate that has continued to become low each year.
(1) ____________
(2) ____________
(3) ____________
(4) ____________
(5) ____________
(6) ____________
(7) ____________
(8) ____________
many
latest
show
older
twice
much
caused
lower
P.184

59. P.184-185 main shrinking inevitably Equally medical higher for aimed
(9) The mainly concern about the ageing population is that it will
(10) result in a shrink labour force that will lead to lower
(11) economic growth, which will inevitable threaten the city’s
(12) fiscal sustainability. Equal worrying is the question of how to
(13) finance the medicine needs of the ageing population. The
(14) more elderly people there are, the highest our costs of health care.
(15) It is in these reasons that the government proposed the Voluntary
(16) Health Insurance Scheme. The Scheme, aiming at offsetting medical
(9) ____________
(10) ____________
(11) ____________
(12) ____________
(13) ____________
(14) ____________
(15) ____________
(16) ____________
main
shrinking
inevitably
Equally
medical
higher
for
aimed P

60. P.185 put of shorter whether attract (17) ____________
(17) cost in the public sector, has been putting forth for public consultation.
(18) According to government officials, the by-product in the Scheme
(19) will be shortest queues in the public health care sector. However,
(20) critics have questioned that the Scheme can truly achieve its goals,
(21) or even attracting enough people to participate in it.
(17) ____________
(18) ____________
(19) ____________
(20) ____________
(21) ____________
put of
shorter
whether
attract
P.185

61. Read the fact files about four restaurants and complete the report that follows using the words given in brackets. The first one has been done for you as an example.
FACT FILES P

62. P.186 Survey Report on Potential Restaurant Partner
The purpose of this report is to present the results of a
survey of four different restaurants, in order to find
(1) _______________________________________
(suitable/restaurant partner) for our company’s
forthcoming promotional campaign.
the most suitable restaurant partner
Survey Report on Potential Restaurant Partner
FACT FILES
P.186

63. P.186 All four restaurants surveyed are award-winning restaurants.
Among them, Peggy’s Kitchen has (2) _________________
___________________________ (receive/high/number of
awards). Red Pepper and Golden House have also received
prestigious awards, but (3) ___________________________
__________________ (not/quite/Peggy’s Kitchen). It is
worth noting that Peggy’s Kitchen received its awards
(4) ______________________________________________
(recent/the four restaurants).
received the
highest number of awards
not quite as many as
Peggy’s Kitchen
the most recently of the four restaurants
FACT FILES
P.186

64. P.186-187 In terms of customers’ ratings, Red Pepper fares (5)
___________________________________ (a bit/good/
Peggy’s Kitchen), scoring four out of five ‘Likes’ overall.
Pho House and Golden House’s ratings are not so
satisfactory with the latter scoring (6) __________________
___________ (even/low/the former). However, since
‘traditions’ is a major theme of our campaign, Golden
House has its advantages.
a bit better than Peggy’s Kitchen
even lower than
the former
FACT FILES P

65. P.187 Not only does it have (7) ____________________________
______________________ (long/history/the four
restaurants), it is also, naturally, (8) ___________________
____________________________________ (early/receive/
the Golden Fork Award).
The restaurants’ price range is also a major consideration, as
our campaign targets diners willing to pay more than $200
for a quality meal.
the longest history among/of
the four restaurants
the earliest to
have received the Golden Fork Award
FACT FILES
P.187

66. P.187 In this aspect, only Golden House meets our target as its
standard meals are (9) ___________________________
(expensive/that). Among the three other restaurants,
standard meals at Red Pepper and Pho House both
(10) ________________________ (cost/little/$100).
more expensive than that
cost less than $100
FACT FILES
P.187

67. P.187 However, Golden House has also received (11)
________________________________________________
(many/complaints/the other three) in the past 12 months,
(12) _____________________________________________
(five times/many/Pho House), which received the second
highest number of complaints among the restaurants. On the
other hand, of the restaurants receiving complaints, Red
Pepper has got (13) _______________________________
(few/complaints) while Peggy’s Kitchen’s record is flawless.
(many) more complaints than the other three
five times as many as Pho House
the fewest complaints
FACT FILES
P.187

68. P.187 This survey also covered the opening hours of the four
restaurants. (14) __________________________________
_____________ (Golden House/open/early/the rest) while
(15) ____________________________________________
(Peggy’s Kitchen/close/late/them). Since our campaign’s
events are mostly held at night and run late, (16)
_______________________________________________
(Peggy’s Kitchen/be/good/choice) than Golden House.
Golden House opens earlier
than the rest
Peggy’s Kitchen closes latest among them
Peggy’s Kitchen is/would be a better choice
FACT FILES
P.187

69. P.187 After considering all of the different features and ratings,
(17) _____________________________________________
__________________ (Peggy’s Kitchen/be/good/choice/the
four restaurants) to be our restaurant partner for the
campaign.
Peggy’s Kitchen is the best choice among the
four restaurants
You may have to use information given in the Data File to make comparisons while doing Paper 3 tasks.
FACT FILES
P.187