Internet Activity ESCO English Week 2 Grammar Comparative Adjectives When we talk about two things, we can "compare" them. We can see if they are the same or different. Perhaps they are the same in some ways and different in other ways. We can use comparative adjectives to describe the differences. (We can use comparative adjectives when talking about two things (not three or more things). Formation of Comparative Adjectives There are two ways to make or form a comparative adjective: short adjectives: add "-er" long adjectives: use "more" Short adjectives 1-syllable adjectives old, fast 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y Normal rule: add "-er" Variation: if the adjective ends in -e, just add -r happy, easy old older late later
Variation: if the adjective ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last consonant Variation: if the adjective ends in -y, change the y to i big bigger happy happier Long adjectives 2-syllable adjectives not ending in -y modern, pleasant all adjectives of 3 or more syllables expensive, intellectual Normal rule: use "more" modern more modern expensive more expensive With some 2-syllable adjectives, we can use '-er' or 'more': quiet quieter/more quiet clever cleverer/more clever narrow narrower/more narrow simple simpler/more simple Exception The following adjectives have irregular forms: good better well (healthy) better bad worse far farther/further Use of Comparative Adjectives We use comparative adjectives when talking about 2 things (not 3 or 10 or 1,000,000 things, only 2 things). Often, the comparative adjective is followed by "than". Look at these examples: John is 1m80. He is tall. But Chris is 1m85. He is taller than John. America is big. But Russia is bigger. I want to have a more powerful computer. Is French more difficult than English?
If we talk about the two planets Earth and Mars, we can compare them as shown in the table below: Earth Mars Diameter (km) 12,760 6,790 Mars is smaller than Earth. Distance from Sun (million km) 150 228 Mars is more distant from the Sun. Length of day (hours) 24 25 A day on Mars is slightly longer than a day on Earth. Moons 1 2 Mars has more moons than Earth. Surface temperature (degrees Celsius) 22-23 Mars is colder than Earth. Although we use comparative adjectives when talking about two things (not three or more things), in fact one or both of the things may be a group of things. Mt Everest is higher than all other mountains. Here, we are talking about hundreds of mountains, but we are still comparing one thing (Mt Everest) to one other thing (all other mountains).
Story The Most Important Things in Life A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous Yes. Now, said the professor, I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things your family, your partner, your health, your children things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
Vocabulary & Expressions ESCO English
Reading Apartment Last month, I decided to move out of my parents' place and start living on my own. I searched in the newspaper for apartment listings and found a place not too far from my work. The landlord showed me around the apartment, and because it suited my needs, I signed the rental agreement and paid a deposit, some of which I might get back when I move out. The apartment has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, and kitchen. It also has a small utility room where I keep my washer and dryer. Right before I moved in, the landlord put in new carpet and had the walls painted, so it looks like a new place. The rent is $650 a month, not including utilities. I pay about $100 for gas, electricity, water, sewage, and Internet service. Unfortunately, the apartment complex doesn't allow pets, so my dog has to stay with my parents for now. I might get a roommate at some point to share expenses, but I haven't decided on that yet. The place looks a little empty because it isn't furnished, but for the time being, I only have the basics: a bed, a table, a small sofa in the living room, and a TV. It's not as liveable and cozy as my parents' place, but it will have to do for now.
Writing Compare living in a house to living in an apartment.