TOEFL PREPARATION PART 4

COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE 
QUESTION AND EXPLANATION

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

Direction: Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.

1.      The speed of the light is ________ the speed of sound.

A.    faster

B.     much faster than

C.     the fastest

D.    as fast

The sentence is comparing two equal things the speed of the light and the speed of sound. The possible answer is A (faster) and B (much faster than). But the correct answer is B because comparative is formed with either -er/more and than. So we need to add than to complete the comparative form.

2.      The use of detail is ________ method of developing a controlling idea, and almost all students employ this method.

A.    more common

B.     common

C.     most common

D.    the most common

The sentence is used to compare the use of detail method with all other methods of developing a controlling idea. It means that the sentence use superlative to show which one of many things that is most outstanding in some way. The possible answer is C and D, but the correct answer is D (the most common) because superlative is formed with the preceding either -est of most.  

Choose the lletter of the underlined word or group of words that is nor correct.

3.      Certain types of snakes have been known to survive fasts more as a year.

        A                                       B                                  C            D

The sentence is comparing certain types of snake with other types of snake. It has problem with comparative form. The incorrect word is as because comparative is formed with either -er/ more and than. So, we should use than instead of as in that sentence.

4.      The widely  used natural  fiber of all is cottoon.

       A           B                   C             D

The sentence is using superlative form. It is comparing the used of cotton with all the others used of natural fiber. The incorrect words is A (the widely) because superlative is formed by adding the, either -est or most preceding adverb (widely). So correct words are the most widely.

5.      Climate, soil type, and availability of water are the most critical factor than selectin

                                                   A                        B                                         C

the best type of grass for a lawn.

     D

The sentence is used the incorrect form of superlative. The incorrect word is than because superlative is formed with the, either -est or most, and in/of/ that.  The appropriate word to change than is in.

6.      The leek, a member of the lily family, has a mildest taste than the onion. 

                       A                                                        B       C      D

The sentence is comparing two equal things (the leek and the onion), it means that the sentence is using comparative. The incorrect word is B (mildest). Because comparative is formed with either -er/more and than. So the appropriate word to change mildest is milder.

7.      The Monarch butterfly migrates from Canada and the northen U.S. to warmest areas

                                         
                                           A         B                                                             C         D

in California, Florida, and Mexico.

The sentence is using incorrect form of superlative because the word warmest (C) is not preceding by the. Superlative is formed with the, either -est/most, and in/of/that (clause). Thus the correct form is the warmest.

8.      Protein molecules are the most complex than the molecules of carbohydrates and lipids.

                                       A       B                        C                                                D

The sentence is using incorrect form of comparative.. The word the most is used in superlative form, but this sentence should be used comparative form since it is comparing protein molecules with the molecules of carbohydrates Thus, the answer should be ”... more complex than...”.

9.      The grizzly bear, which can grow up to eight feet all, has been called   a more

                                       A                                  B                             C              D

dangerous animal of North America.

The sentence is using incorrect form of superlative. The word “a more” is used in comparative form, but this sentence must be used superlative form because it is comparing the grizzly bear with each of all bear in North America. Thus, the answer should be “... has been called the most dangerous animal of...”.