ComparingPlaces and Things
Comparatives & superlatives · everyday A2 Key skills
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Recycles Speaking 4 and Listening 2 from Lesson 02.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Think of two towns or cities you know. Which one is bigger? Which one is more expensive?
Look at 'cheap, cheaper, the cheapest'. Can you do the same with 'big' and 'expensive'?
In small groups, decide who has the longest journey to class today.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minComparatives and superlatives
Short adjectives: add -er/-est (cheap → cheaper → the cheapest). Long adjectives: use more/most (expensive → more expensive → the most expensive). Use than with comparatives.
- 1We use comparative adjectives to compare two things and superlative adjectives to compare three or more things (or say something is the best/worst of a group).
- 2Short adjectives (one syllable, or two ending in -y) add -er/-est: cheap → cheaper → the cheapest, big → bigger → the biggest, easy → easier → the easiest.
- 3Longer adjectives use more/most: expensive → more expensive → the most expensive, comfortable → more comfortable → the most comfortable.
- 4Some adjectives are irregular: good → better → the best, bad → worse → the worst, far → further → the furthest.
- 5Comparatives are followed by than: This shop is cheaper than that one.
- 6Superlatives usually come with the: This is the cheapest shop in town.
The new supermarket is cheaper than the old one.
This is the most comfortable sofa in the shop.
My flat is smaller than my sister's, but it's closer to the station.
That was the worst film I've seen this year.
Check the spelling rule that matches the adjective's length.
- 100%
one syllable (+er/+est)
cheap → cheaper → the cheapest
- 80%
ends in -y (change y→i)
easy → easier → the easiest
- 60%
one vowel+consonant (double)
big → bigger → the biggest
- 40%
two+ syllables (more/most)
expensive → more expensive → the most expensive
- 15%
irregular
good → better → the best
Question 1.This café is ____ than the one near the station.
Question 2.That's ____ hotel in the whole city!
Question 3.My new job is ____ than my old one.
Question 4.This is ____ shop I've ever visited.
Question 5.The bus is usually ____ than the train.
Question 6.Which sentence is correct?
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Build a comparative sentence
2.Build a superlative sentence
3.Build a sentence with an irregular form
Quick check 1.Which spelling is correct for the comparative of 'big'?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
a fair, not-too-high price
Describe something you bought at a reasonable price.
irregular comparative/superlative of 'far'
Say the furthest place you have travelled to.
What to do
Match each adjective with its opposite.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use the comparing vocabulary about real places you know.
Ask your partner
- Which shop near you is the most convenient?
- Is your town centre usually crowded at the weekend?
- Where can you find the most reasonable prices?
Rank these places from most to least peaceful.
- 1a shopping centre
- 2a park
- 3a train station
- 4a library
Then compare with a partner — justify your top choice.
Write about which is better for shopping — your town centre or online. Use at least two comparatives.
Tell your partner about the best value-for-money shop or restaurant you know.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minWord stress in comparatives and superlatives
Stress stays on the same syllable as the adjective: EXpensive → more exPENSive stays on -PEN-. Superlative the is unstressed.
- • CHEAPer /ˈtʃiːpə/
- • the CHEApest
- • more exPENSive
- • the most comFORTable
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minTwo supermarkets, one town
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
In my town there are two big supermarkets, and people often argue about which one is better. Fresh & Fast is the older of the two — it's been here for over twenty years. It's smaller than the newer supermarket, and the car park is often more crowded, but many people say the fruit and vegetables are fresher.
Greenway Market opened only two years ago. It's much bigger than Fresh & Fast, with wider aisles and a bigger car park, so it feels less crowded, especially on Saturdays. The prices at Greenway are usually a little higher, though — my weekly shop there costs about £5 more than at Fresh & Fast.
For me, the most important thing is convenience. Greenway is closer to my flat, so even though it's slightly more expensive, I go there most weeks. But when I want the freshest vegetables, or the best prices on basic things like rice and pasta, I still walk the extra ten minutes to Fresh & Fast.
In the end, neither supermarket is perfect — but together they give the town the best of both worlds.
Question 1.Which supermarket has been open longer?
Question 2.Why does Greenway Market usually feel less crowded?
Question 3.How much more does the writer's weekly shop cost at Greenway?
Question 4.Why does the writer usually shop at Greenway?
Question 5.What is the writer's final opinion?
Q1.Greenway Market is bigger than Fresh & Fast.
Q2.Fresh & Fast is more expensive than Greenway.
Q3.The writer never shops at Fresh & Fast anymore.
What to do
- 1.Read each short text.
- 2.Choose A, B or C.
Riverside Gym
NEW GYM OPEN NOW! Cheaper than City Fitness, and only 5 minutes from the station — the most convenient gym in town.
1.What does the advert say about the new gym?
2.What is the friend's advice?
Parking information
Car park B is quieter and closer to the lifts than car park A. We recommend car park B for shoppers with children.
3.Why does the sign recommend car park B?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minChoosing a flat to rent
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Sam:So I saw two flats yesterday. The first one, on Mill Road, is bigger than this one, but it's further from the centre.
Priya:How much further?
Sam:About a twenty-minute walk, so it's less convenient for work. But it's also cheaper — £650 a month instead of £780.
Priya:That's a big difference. What about the second flat?
Sam:The second one is smaller, but it's the most modern of the three I've seen — new kitchen, new bathroom, everything.
Priya:And the price?
Sam:£800, so it's the most expensive option, but it's also the closest to my office — only ten minutes on foot.
Priya:If I were you, I'd choose based on convenience, not just price. Getting to work quickly every day matters a lot.
Sam:You're right. I think the modern flat is worth the extra money in the end.
Question 1.Which flat is furthest from the centre?
Question 2.How much cheaper is the Mill Road flat than the £780 flat?
Question 3.What is special about the second flat?
Question 4.How does Sam get to the office from the modern flat?
Question 5.What does Priya advise Sam to think about?
What to do
- 1.Listen again.
- 2.Tick ONLY the comparing phrases you actually hear.
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minListening for comparisons
Listen for than, -er, -est and more/most — these words signal exactly what is being compared.
Task
Follow a conversation where two or more options are compared, and identify which one wins on which point.
Example
It's cheaper — £650 instead of £780... but it's the most expensive option, and it's also the closest.' → Track price AND distance separately.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Type ONE word: 'This café is cheap____ than that one.'
Q2.Type ONE word: 'It's the ____ (good) restaurant in town.' (irregular)
Q3.Type ONE word: 'The new shop is ____ (far) from my house than the old one.'
Write a short message to a friend (25+ words). Compare two shops, cafés or places you know, saying which is better and why.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi Marta! I finally tried the new café on Green Street. It's smaller than the one near the station, but it's much cheaper and the coffee is better, in my opinion. I think it's more convenient too, because it's closer to the office. We should go together this week!
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Discuss with a partner: Which is better — shopping in a big supermarket or a small local shop? Compare price, convenience and friendliness.
What to do
Interview practice — answer each question with a full sentence and one comparison.
Phase 1 — short factual questions
1.Examiner: "Is your hometown bigger or smaller than the city you live in now?"
Tip: Use a comparative adjective.
2.Examiner: "What's cheaper where you live — eating out or cooking at home?"
Tip: Give a reason.
3.Examiner: "Which shop near you has the best prices?"
Tip: Use a superlative.
Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)
Examiner: "Tell me about the best place to go shopping near your home."
Tip: Use at least two comparatives or superlatives and one reason.
Show model extended answer
The best place to go shopping near my home is the market on Saturdays. It's cheaper than the supermarket, and I think the vegetables are fresher too. It's more crowded than the supermarket, but for me that's part of the fun — it's definitely the most sociable way to shop.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Extra practice comparing places and things. ~26 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Comparatives and superlatives gap-fill — complete the paragraph with the correct form of the adjective.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Text
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Write a short paragraph (35+ words) comparing two towns, cities or neighbourhoods you know.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listening review — read the Sam and Priya conversation again and write 3 true sentences comparing the two flats.
Your response
0 words SavedAttempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Comparatives compare two things; superlatives compare three or more (use 'the').
- Short adjectives: -er/-est. Longer adjectives: more/most.
- Irregular forms: good→better→the best, bad→worse→the worst, far→further→the furthest.
- Comparatives are usually followed by 'than'.
- Stress stays on the same syllable when you add -er/-est.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameFuture plans and conditions
Practise this exam skill
Word partners
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Building words
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