Taking a break

Choosing a holiday can be an ... (EXCITE) EXCITING and ... ENJOY experience. Imagining all the places you might visit can add a ... MAGIC touch to the ... REPEAT routine of everyday life. Long, ... SUN beaches and a hotel room with a ... SPECTACLE view is what many of us expect of an ... ENJOY holiday. Some people prefer a calm, ... RELAX time, while to others a more active, ... ADVENTURE holiday is more … APPEAL. Whatever you choose, if you plan carefully, you’re bound to have an ... FORGET time.

Some adjectives can be used with the as nouns to talk about groups of people in general. These are: the blind, the deaf, the disabled, the elderly, the homeless, the hungry, the living, the middle-aged, the old, the poor, the rich, the sick, the strong, the unemployed, the weak etc. Disabled people need help. The disabled need help and understanding. (Refers to disabled people in general.) The disabled people over there are training for the “Paraplegic Olympics.” (Refers to a specific group of disabled people.)

Exercise 108. Fill in “the” where necessary.

1. He takes ...the... disabled children in his area riding on Friday afternoons. 2. When the government decided to raise taxes … rich people were unhappy and … poor were devastated. 3. Christmas can be a very sad time for … lonely people and … homeless. 4. We were relieved to hear that all … injured were recovered from the wreckage before the plane exploded. 5. … survivors carried … injured people to the ambulances. 6. … deaf communicate by using sign language.

The comparison of Adjectives Most one-syllable adjectives form their comparatives with the help of -er and -est which are added to their basic forms.

Example: clean – cleaner – the cleanest; cold – colder – the coldest; big – bigger – the biggest; nice – nicer – the nicest; tidy – tidier – the tidiest; grey – greyer – the greyest; simple – simpler – the simplest.

Some adjectives form their comparatives and superlatives irregularly: good – better – the best; bad – worse – the worst; far – farther – the farthest (about distance); far – further – the furthest (about time and distance); old – older – the oldest (about age); old – elder – the eldest (for seniority); near – nearer – the nearest (about distance); near – nearer – the next (about order); late – later – the latest (about time); late – latter – the last (about order).

Quantifiers: much – more – the most; many – more – the most; little – less – the least. The following sentence means – очень, весьма: This is a most interesting book.

Exercise 109. Choose the correct answer:

1. I haven’t heard the (latest, last) news. 2. It is the (eldest, oldest) house in our street. 3. We have no (further, farther) information. 4. Our house is (less, smaller) than yours. 5. Where is the (nearest, next) bus stop? 6. Tamara’s (older, elder) sister is a nurse. 7. The girl used to faint at the (least, last) sign of blood. 8. This cottage is (further, farther) than we thought. 9. He is (older, elder) than all of us. 10. It is the (latest, last) time I help you! 11. She lives in the (nearest, next) flat. 12. My dear, you are the (best, worst) person I’ve ever met! 13. Please, tell me the (next, nearest) way to the post-office. 14. The exercise is on the (next, nearest) page. 15. We must wait for some (farther, further) instructions. 16. Who is that boy in the (farthest, furthest) corner of the room? 17. He is the (oldest, eldest) son of my father’s friend. 18. This is the (oldest, eldest) edition of the book. 19. Lucy is my (oldest, eldest) pen-friend. 20. I am (older, elder) than you. 21. Jim is the (oldest, eldest) son in the family. He is two years (older, elder) than Mary. 22. Eleven o’clock is the (last, latest) time when my daughter goes to bed.

Most long adjectives (i.e. of two or more syllables) combine with the quantifiers more/less to form their comparatives and most/least to form their superlatives. These include all adjectives ending in -ful or -less (careful, careless), then (un)certain, (in)correct, etc. Less can be used with one-syllable adjectives (less big) but more, most and least are not used in this way: careful – more careful – the most careful; careful – less careful – the least careful.

Adjectives ending in -ed and -ing such as amused/amusing; annoyed/annoying require more/less and most/least to form their comparatives and superlatives.

Compounds with good, well and bad: Good-looking – better-looking (or more good-looking); Bad-tempered – worse-tempered (or more bad-tempered).

Exercise 110. Form the comparatives and the superlatives:

Brave, hot, difficult, deep, wide, dirty, long, beautiful, clean, dry, green, light, heavy, strong, weak, high, narrow, tall, small, merry, pleasant, well-built, bored, nice, warm, cold, handsome, fat, thick, thin, white, silly, black, great, red, short, clever, interesting, good, cool, sad, new, expensive, far, boring, simple, old, busy, funny, important, little, early, young, deep-blue, lazy, joyful, wide-spread, cozy, thoughtful, healthy late, pretty, dear, gay, cheap, happy, sweet, quick, wonderful, easy.

Exercise 111. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

1. As the day went on, the weather got badder/worse. 2. That was the most memorable/the more memorable day in my life. 3. She makes dresses more good/better than me. 4. He is the most good/the best player in the team. 5. Ann’s younger/the younger sister is still at school. 6. That was the little/the least interesting film I’ve ever seen. 7. Is he younger/more young than Jim? 8. He is older/elder than me. 9. Your car is moderner/more modern than mine. 10. In my opinion, it’s the better/the best watch in the shop.

Exercise 112. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

1. This is … dog in the world. (a) smallest; b) the smallest) 2. I like the countryside. It is … to live there than in a town. (a) more healthy; b) healthier) 3. It is … car on our market. (a) the more expensive; b) the most expensive) 4. Your clock is 10 minutes … than mine. (a) faster; b) more fast) 5. It is … restaurant in the town. (a) the cheapest; b) the most cheap) 6. It was … day in my life. (a) the baddest; b) the worst) 7. It was … film I’ve ever seen. (a) the most exciting; b) more exciting) 8. Nick, what is … month of the year? (a) shorter; b) the shortest) 9. She is … in the family. (a) the most practical; b) more practical) 10. There were three girls and two boys in the family. My Granny was … child. (a) the oldest; b) the eldest) 11. The grass is always … on the other side. (a) greener; b) more green) 12. Dad often says that Mom is his … half. (a) better; b) the better)

Exercise 113. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. It is the oldest/the eldest building in the city. 2. His illness was more serious/the most serious than we thought. 3. She is more intelligent/the most intelligent student in the class. 4. My older/elder sister is a nurse. 5. What is the most large/the largest city in your country? 6. My toothache is even more painful/the most painful than it was before I went to the dentist’s. 7. Last year it was most popular/the most popular song. 8. She looks much younger/more young than she is. 9. It was the hotter/the hottest day of the year. 10. Sorry I am late. It took me long/longer to get there than I had expected.

Exercise 114. Use the required form of the adjective in the sentences:

1. He was (amusing) lad I had ever met. 2. Uncle John was (old) son of the family. 3. He’s a far (intelligent) person than your husband. 4. Olga was (practical) of the family. 5. When I saw my daughter-in-law, I can tell you I was (afraid) than glad. 6. They are (amusing) in a small company. 7. He is (tall) of the two. 8. (Near) item on the program is a new film. 9. He waited until his silence became (noticeable) thing in the room. 10. She was (late) person to come. 11. Of the two evils let us choose (little). 12. (Near) village is five miles away. 13. I don’t think it matters in (little) which seat you choose. 14. John is (handsome) of the three brothers. 15. This cake is (good) I’ve ever tasted. 16. Today you are no (wise) than yesterday. 17. She turned out to be (angry) than we had expected. 18. She is (talkative) than her brother. She’ll talk you to death. 19. The English Channel is (wide) than the Strait of Gibraltar. 20. Which is (large): the United States or Canada?

The construction “as … as” can combine with one-syllable and longer adjectives to show that two people, things, etc. are similar: John is as tall as Jack (is). This story is as interesting as that one. She is not so old as he is.

A number of expressions with “as … as” are commonly in use: as blind as a bat, as bold as brass, as bright as button (= intelligent), as cheap as dirt, as clear as a bell, as clear as crystal, as cold as ice, as cool as a cucumber, as deaf as a post, as dry as dust (boring), as easy as a pie, as fat as a pig, as free as a bird, as good as gold, as hard as nails, as keen as mustard, as large as life, as light as a feather, as mad as a hatter, as old as the hills, as pleased as Punch, as pretty as a picture, as quick as lightning, as safe as houses, as white as snow.

Exercise 115. Choose the right variant.

1. He was a natural singer and his voice was as clear as … .

a) a bell b) a lake c) a mirror d) a waterfall

2. After a good night’s sleep she woke up as fresh as … .

a) a kitten b) fruit c) a daisy d) morning

3. He might look kind but actually he is as hard as … .

a) mountains b) an iceberg c) steel d) nails

4. Kate can’t have emigrated to America, I saw her yesterday as … as life.

a) large b) good c) real d) true

5. It’s no use arguing with him. He is as stubborn as … .

а) a spoilt child b) a mule c) a donkey d) an ox

6. Am I nervous? Of course not. I’m as steady as … .

a) a bridge b) steel bars c) a rock d) a ladder

7. Whenever I feel embarrassed I always go as red as … .

a) lipstick b) beetroot c) a rose d) a strawberry

8. Whenever he is worried or nervous he smokes like … .

a) a steam engine b) a forest fire c) a chimney d) a shoemaker

9. News of John and Helen’s wedding spread like … throughout the village.

a) a plague b) a flood c) wildfire d) a storm

10. James never remembers anything. He has got a memory like … .

a) a sieve b) a bucket c) a maiden d) an elephant

11. Buying shares in this company is as safe as … . She’ll never lose her money.

a) a bank b) gold bars c) the guard d) houses

12. As students David and Kevin were as thick as … .

a) boy scouts b) thieves c) a team d) brothers.

Exercise116. Compare the objects according to the given model.

Model: A lemon – an apple (sour).

A lemon is sourer than an apple. An apple is not so sour as a lemon.

1. The Black Sea – the White Sea (warm). 2. Meat – vegetables (expensive). 3. Oil – water (light). 4. Milk – butter (cheap). 5. Stone – wood (heavy). 6. Carrots – cucumbers (useful). 7. India – Japan (large). 8. Bulgaria – Russia (small). 9. Japanese – Spanish (difficult). 10. The Indian Ocean – the Arctic Ocean (warm).

Exercise117. Choose the word that best complete the sentence.

1. The examination was … than we had expected. (a) more easy; b) easier) 2. This coat is … than the one I tried on yesterday. I’ll buy this. (a) nicer; b) more nice) 3. Of course this hotel is … than that we last stayed at. But I can’t afford it. (a) more comfortable; b) comfortabler) 4. It’s as … today as yesterday. (a) warmer; b) warm) 5. It’s … street in the city. (a) the most busy; b) the busiest) 6. Yesterday Phillip came back home … than he had promised. (a) latest; b) later) 7. The new theatre was … than I had expected. (a) farther; b) further) 8. His new book isn’t as … as the previous one. (a) interesting; b) more interesting) 9. You should be … when you cross the street. (a) most careful; b) more careful) 10. Today’s test is … than the one we had last week. (a) the most difficult; b) more difficult)

Exercise118. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. That used to be … place in the world. (a) the more peaceful; b) the most peaceful) 2. This test was as … as the previous one. (a) difficult; b) more difficult) 3. I think the test is … one of those we have written so far. (a) most difficult; b) the most difficult) 4. It’s … room in the hotel. (a) the better; b) the best) 5. The Pacific is … of all the oceans. (a) largest; b) the largest) 6. Which planet in the Solar System is … from the Earth? (a) the farthest; b) the furthest) 7. These were … hours in all my life. (a) happier; b) the happiest) 8. It’s … task I’ve ever done. (a) the most simple; b) the simplest) 9. A Ford is … than a Volkswagen. (a) more expensive; b) the most expensive) 10. The plane is … means of transport. (a) more comfortable; b) the most comfortable)

Exercise 119. Translate into English.

А. Старый, старше, самый старый, самый старший, мой старший брат, мой самый старший брат, мой старый друг, дальше, самый дальний, дальнейшая информация, самый длинный, короче, счастливый, счастливее, самый счастливый, самый лучший, самый чёрный, длиннее, хуже, лучше, теплее, её лучший друг, её младший сын, самый трудный, самый плохой, интереснее, глупее, самый слабый, глубже, умнее, симпатичнее.

В. 1. Это были самые счастливые дни в её жизни. 2. Это более тёплый свитер. 3. Твоя блузка, конечно, очень красивая, но моя блузка красивее. 4. В декабре дни самые короткие. 5. Он более талантливый из двух братьев. 6. Это крайне важный вопрос. 7. Сегодня она чувствует себя лучше, чем вчера. Лучшие врачи лечат её. 8. Эта статья чрезвычайно интересна. 9. Это самая интересная книга, которую я прочла по-английски в подлиннике. 10. Сейчас в парке меньше людей, чем обычно. Он менее красив, чем летом. 11. Её старшему сыну уже двадцать. 12. Мери всего на два года старше меня, а у неё уже трое детей. 13. Джон – мой давний знакомый. 14. Вы сможете купить эту газету в ближайшем киоске. Следующий поворот направо, рядом с метро. 15. Не ждите дальнейших более подробных инструкций.

Exercise 120. Use the correct form of the adjectives in brackets:

1. If the girl gets (bad) send for a doctor. 2. The boy’s behaviour is (good) today than it was two days ago. 3. Eugene is (old) in the family. 4. Could you tell me the way to (near) telephone booth? 5. It’s (bad) weather we’ve had for a long time. 6. You’ll get (far) instructions tomorrow. 7. The car was parked in (far) corner of the yard. 8. His (old) brother is a well-known artist. 9. Kate is four years (old) than her husband. 10. Have you heard (late) news? 11. (Near) train for London leaves in five minutes. 12. Who was (late) person to leave the house yesterday? 13. The island of Great Britain is (small) than Greenland. 14. What is the name of (high) mountain in the world?

Exercise 121. Use the required form of the adjective given in brackets.

1. My sister is much (old) than myself. 2. This is (warm) room in the house. 3. Her daughter is a little (tall) than I but much (thin). 4. It was (early) than I thought, only six o’clock. 5. Where is (near) shop? 6. He is (old) son in the family. 7. What’s (late) news? 8. Only when (late) guest left the room she sighed freely. 9. Cardiff is (large) town in Wales. 10. She is much (useful) at home than here. 11. She is (beautiful) girl we have ever seen. 12. He is one of (good) engineers at the plant. 13. Today your answer is (bad) than last week. 14. John is my (old) friend in this place. 15. This is (funny) story in the whole collection. 16. I didn’t like (late) chapter in this book. 17. Your composition must be as (short) as possible. 18. He was not so (talented) as we had expected. 19. They always choose (easy) way. 20. Which is (high) mountain in the world? 21. What can be (sweet) than honey?

Exercise 122. Use the correct form of the adjectives in brackets:

1. She is (famous) singer in the country. 2. It’s too noisy here. Let’s go somewhere (quiet). 3. This dress is too expensive for me. I’d like to buy a (cheap) dress. 4. It’s (funny) story I’ve ever heard. 5. Her illness was (serious) than we at first thought. 6. The post-office wasn’t as (near) as I had expected. 7. This coat is too small for me. I need a (big) size. 8. He is a very intelligent pupil. He is (intelligent) pupil in our school. 9. The umbrella was surprisingly cheap. I expected it to be much (expensive). 10. Health and happiness are (important) than money. 11. I prefer this chair. It’s (comfortable) than the other one. 12. My salary is as (high) as yours. 13. He is much (rich) than Peter. 14. He was (bad), I was certain, and much (weak). 15. Things are a bit (easy) now but I told him to wait for some time. 16. The London underground is (old) in the world. 17. What is the name of (big) port in the USA?

Exercise 123. A – right, B – wrong (correct the sentence, please).

1. I’m busier than my little sister. 2. London is more old than New York. 3. It’s the most sharp pencil I have. 4. Do you know the shortest way to the station? 5. This exercise is more difficult than that one. 6. Be activer at your lessons, please. 7. She is the most pretty girl I’ve ever known. 8. The boy is as taller as his father. 9. He makes more mistakes than you do. 10. Baseball is the popularest summer sport in America. 11. Yesterday he started to feel more bad. 12. Soon it began to get more darker and it was time to go back home. 13. He said that money was the most important to him. 14. I’ve got a headache. Be quieter, please. 15. Mary’s answer is correcter than yours is. 16. Can you come more early next time? 17. You should be carefuler.

Exercise 124. Translate into English:

1. Они еще не пришли. Становится всё темнее и темнее. 2. Он еще не знает, какова будет дальнейшая информация. 3. Где находится ближайшая аптека? 4. Что рассказала вам моя сестра о дальнейших событиях? 5. Снег все еще идет. Сугробы становятся всё больше и больше. 6. Она купила немного больше хлеба, чем нам надо. 7. Какие страны посетит ваша сестра в ближайшем будущем? 8. На гитаре легче научиться играть, чем на скрипке. 9. Хотя эти туфли лучше тех, я их не возьму. 10. Узнай, могут ли они дать нам другую, более тёплую, комнату. 11. Кто знает о том, что случилось с последним мужем Мэри? 12. Через час мы доберемся до более приятного места. 13. Я знаю больше иностранных языков, чем вы. 14. Где ты был раньше? 15. Последние слова были лишними. 16. Он говорит, что эта комната удобнее той. Я думаю, это одна из лучших комнат в нашей квартире. 17. Эти книги не такие интересные, как те. 18. У нее сейчас интересная работа. Я думаю, она интереснее той, которая была у нее в прошлом году.

Exercise 125. Translate into English:

1. Какой язык труднее, английский или немецкий? 2. Волга – самый длинный водный путь в Европе, не так ли? 3. Каковы последние новости? 4. Сегодня погода хуже, чем вчера. 5. Февраль – самый короткий месяц года. 6. Лондон больше Парижа? 7. Мой словарь лучше твоего. 8. Какой материк самый большой? 9. Он не такой высокий, как его старший брат, 10. Какой путь самый короткий? 11. Джим – мой самый старый и самый лучший друг. 12. Это самая грубая ошибка. 13. Она ниже ростом, чем ее муж. 14. Эти яблоки слаще груш. 15. Альпы – самые высокие горы в Европе. 16. Последний рассказ в этой книге – самый интересный. 17. В воскресенье мы встаем позже, чем обычно. 18. Байкал – самое глубокое озеро в мире. 19. Хотя мальчику всего 14 лет, но он уже выше своего отца. 20. У вас произношение хуже, чем у других студентов вашей группы. Вам надо больше заниматься. 21. Прямая линия – кратчайшее расстояние между двумя точками. 22. Моя сестра на 6 лет моложе меня.

The construction “the + comparative + the” can be used with adjectives or adverbs to cause the effect: when one change is made another follows: The more money you make, the more you spend. The better is the car, the higher is the speed.

Exercise 126. Translate from Russian into English:

1. Посмотрите! Это Эрика, своей собственной персоной! 2. Она казалась лёгкой как пёрышко, как мотылек, танцующий в луче света. 3. Кувшин упал, но мальчик, быстрый как молния, успел его поймать. 4. Чем интереснее книга, тем труднее прекратить её читать. 5. Её руки были холодны как лёд, и Расс попытался согреть их. 6. Джон такой же высокий как Том, но полнее его. 7. Скатерть была белая как снег, а посуда сверкала как горный хрусталь. 8. Это проще простого. Достаточно только спросить у Тома. 9. Чем умнее ты кажешься себе, тем труднее тебе становится жить. 10. Чем старше человек, тем меньше интересов в его жизни. 11. Она конечно красива как картинка, но скучна ужасно. 12. Я не верю, что они поссорились. Они всегда были закадычными друзьями. 13. Не слушай его, он просто чокнутый.

Exercise 127. Choose the word or phrase to complete the sentence.

1. I met my … friend yesterday. A: goodest, B: better, C: best. 2. Dorothy is … in her family. A: the youngest, B: the younger, C: young. 3. Henry is not … his elder brother Bob. A: so strong as, B: strong as, C: stronger. 4. – It isn’t very warm today, is it? – No, it was … yesterday. A: more warm, B: warmer, C: the warmest. 5. Your friend looked upset yesterday. I’m glad he looks … today. A: more happy, B: happier, C: happy as. 6. Where is … post-office, please? A: the nearest, B: the next, C: nearer. 7. That’s … film I’ve ever seen. A: a good, B: the goodest, C: the best. 8. Public transport in London is … in Europe. A: the expensivest, B: the most expensive, C: more expensive. 9. Do you think Americans are … English people? A: nicer than, B: the nicest, C: nice than. 10. The 22^nd of December is … day in the year. A: the short, B: the shortest, C: the shorter. 11. This is … theatre in London. A: an older, B: the oldest, C: the eldest. 12. Pluto is … of all the planets. A: the coldest, B: a coldest, C: a colder. 13. My … sister doesn’t live with us. A: older, B: elder, C: oldest. 14. This house is … of all the houses in the street. A: as old as, B: older, C: the oldest. 15. Go to the library if you need … information. A: farther, B: further, C: farer. 16. Life is … it used to be. A: so easy as, B: more easy than, C: easier than. 17. I’m getting … and … . A: the fattest and the fattest, B: fatter and fatter, C: fat and fat. 18. The problem was … we expected. A: seriouser than, B: more serious than, C: the most serious expected. 19. Moscow is … city in Russia. A: the largest, B: largest, C: larger. 20. Let’s go by train. It’s much … . A: cheap, B: cheaper, C: the cheapest. 21. Is Allan … than Jim. A: taller, B: tall, C: as tall as. 22. I earn … money than he does. A: littler, B: more little, C: less. 23. He has … time than me. A: bigger, B: much, C: more. 24. Your cottage isn’t … I thought. A: farther, B: so far as, C: as farther as. 25. ... I get, … I am. A: The oldest, the happiest; B: Older, happier; C: The older, the happier.

We can use either as or so after not to compare two people, things, etc.: He is not as/not so tall as his brother.

Not such a/an (+ adjective) + noun is also possible: He’s not such a hard worker as his brother.

More than, less than and worse than can be used in front of a number of adjectives in the following way: I was more than pleased with my pay rise.

The same as, different from can be used in the following way: He is angry because my marks are the same as his. But note: Butterflies come from caterpillars. It’s the same with moths. (I.e. moths do the same thing.)

We use too in the meaning of «слишком» before adjectives and adverbs: He is too young to understand it.

Note: My son is five kilos heavier than hers is. But: He is half as strong as his brother. She is ten times as clever as he is. The lake is twice as deep as the river. This road is twice longer.

Exercise 128. Translate from Russian into English:

1. Это здание такое же высокое, как и то. 2. Он такой же способный, как и его братья. 3. Она не так способна, как её старшая сестра. 4. Я более чем уверен, что он прав. 5. Она такая же стройная, как её сестра. 6. Это самые дешёвые туфли. 7. Ты слышала последние новости? 8. Ты такой же рассеянный, как и твой отец. 9. Ещё слишком рано думать об этом. 10. Дела шли всё хуже и хуже. 11. Книга достаточно интересная, а фильм ещё интереснее. 12. Я не помню, когда в последний раз была в кино. 13. Это интереснейший роман. 14. Она ещё слишком молода, чтобы выходить замуж. 15. Очередь становилась всё длиннее и длиннее.

Exercise 129. Translate from Russian into English:

1. Он выше меня на пять сантиметров. 2. Этот сыр на несколько рублей дороже того. 3. Эта дорога в два раза длиннее той. 4. Она во много раз умнее своего брата. 5. Тамарины волосы на десять сантиметров длиннее. 6. Она выглядит сейчас во много раз лучше, чем до поездки на юг. 7. Мой чемодан вдвое легче твоего. 8. Казбек на 586 метров ниже Эльбруса. 9. Это окно в полтора раза уже того. 10. Сегодня температура воды на два градуса выше, чем вчера. 11. Эта ткань в пять раз дешевле, чем та. 12. В этом месте Волга стала вдвое уже, чем была когда-то. 13. Его сочинение в пять раз короче моего. 14. Их комната в полтора раза меньше столовой. 15. Вскоре лес стал в двa раза реже. 16. Сегодня у него температура на градус ниже, чем была вчера. 17. Эта дорога на двенадцать километров длиннее, чем та. 18. Температура воздуха нынче в три раза ниже, чем вчера. 19. Его доклад наполовину короче моего. 20. Не бери этот чемодан – он тяжелее того на несколько килограммов. 21. Она, вероятно, на несколько лет младше мужа. 22. Ты знаешь, что у человека правая нога слегка длиннее левой? 23. Бабушкины гуси в два раза больше соседских! 24. Жаль, что у них кактусов в три раза больше, чем у нас! 25. Смотри! У них в два раза больше cумок, чем у нас!

Exercise 130. Complete the sentences using the words in bold.

1. As he gets older, he seems to become more sensible.

the The older he becomes, ...the more sensible... he seems.

2. The students would rather start early than finish late.

than The students would prefer … finish late.

3. Wouldn’t you rather have juice than water?

to Wouldn’t you … water?

4. I spent half as much money as my brother.

twice My brother spent … I did.

5. Riding a bike is easier than riding a horse.

as Riding a horse is … a bike

6. Wouldn’t you prefer to come out instead of staying at home alone?

rather Wouldn’t you … at home alone?

7. I didn’t think it would be so difficult.

more It was … I thought.

8. This building is older than the church.

so The church … this building.

9. His job is getting more hectic all the time.

and His job is … all the time.

10. David and I have sent the same number of Christmas cards.

many I have sent … David.

11. I’d weigh a ton if I ate all you do.

as If I … , I’d weigh a ton.

12. The post office was nearer than we thought.

far The post office … we thought.

13. If you work hard, the exam will be easy.

the The harder you work, … will be.

14. The party will be better if many people come.

more The … , the better the party will be.

15. I would rather eat chocolate than apples.

eating I prefer … apples.

16. My husband likes a cooked breakfast but I prefer just toast.

whereas I … my husband likes a cooked breakfast.

17. Today I feel happier than ever.

as I’ve never felt … today.

18. That dress is a third of the cost of the blue one.

much The blue dress costs … that one.

19. Chris finds mathematics easier than physics.

not Physics is … for Chris.

20. I’m sorry but this is the fastest I can go.

any I’m sorry but I … than this.