Year 6 English: Using Adjectives to Compare Effectively

📚 Detailed Explanation of Using Adjectives to Compare

When we use adjectives to compare two or more things, we usually use comparatives and superlatives. These help us show differences or the highest degree of a quality.

🔍 What are Comparatives and Superlatives?

• Comparative adjectives compare two people, places, or things. They often end in -er or use the word more before the adjective.
• Superlative adjectives show the highest or lowest degree of a quality among three or more things. They often end in -est or use the word most.

✏️ How Adjectives Change When Comparing

1. One-syllable adjectives:
   Add -er for comparatives:
   Example: small → smaller
   “My dog is smaller than yours.”
   
   Add -est for superlatives:
   Example: small → smallest
   “That is the smallest cake in the shop.”
2. Adjectives ending in “e”:
   Just add -r or -st.
   Example: nice → nicer → nicest
3. Adjectives with one vowel and one consonant at the end:
   Double the last consonant before adding -er or -est.
   Example: big → bigger → biggest
4. Two-syllable adjectives ending in “y”:
   Change the “y” to i and add -er or -est.
   Example: happy → happier → happiest
5. Long adjectives (usually with two or more syllables):
   Use more for comparatives and most for superlatives.
   Example: beautiful → more beautiful → most beautiful

📏 Spelling Rules for Comparatives and Superlatives

📚 Clear Examples for Year 6

Remember, using comparatives and superlatives helps your writing become clearer and more interesting because it shows exactly how things are different or special. Keep practising these rules, and soon you’ll be very confident at using adjectives to compare! 🌟

📝 10 Examination-Style 1-Mark Questions on Adjective Comparison

1. What is the comparative form of the adjective “fast”?
2. What is the superlative form of the adjective “small”?
3. Fill in the blank: “Tom is ______ (tall) than Jim.”
4. What is the comparative form of the adjective “happy”?
5. What is the superlative form of the adjective “big”?
6. Fill in the blank: “This is the ______ (cold) day of the year.”
7. What is the comparative form of the adjective “bright”?
8. What is the superlative form of the adjective “strong”?
9. Fill in the blank: “My house is ______ (near) than yours.”
10. What is the superlative form of the adjective “good”?

📝 10 Examination-Style 2-Mark Questions on Adjective Comparison

1. What is the rule for making most one-syllable adjectives into comparatives? Give an example.
2. How do you form the superlative of a two-syllable adjective ending in -y? Write a sentence using this superlative.
3. Explain when you use “more” before an adjective. Provide a sentence using “more” with a comparative adjective.
4. Write the comparative and superlative forms of the adjective “fast.” Use each in a sentence.
5. How do you change an adjective ending in -e to form the comparative and superlative? Give examples.
6. What is the difference between the comparative and the superlative form of an adjective? Write a short sentence to show each.
7. Write a sentence using the superlative form of “beautiful.” Explain the rule you used to form it.
8. Explain how to form comparatives for adjectives with more than two syllables, such as “interesting.”
9. Write a sentence using the comparative form of “good.” What is special about this adjective?
10. How do you form the superlative of “happy”? Use it in a sentence and explain why you change the ending.

📝 10 Examination-Style 4-Mark Questions on Adjective Comparison for Year 6 English

1. Explain the difference between the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives. Give two examples of each and use them correctly in sentences.
2. Write sentences using the adjectives “bright” and “good” in their comparative and superlative forms. Explain when and why we use each form.
3. How do you change a one-syllable adjective into its comparative and superlative forms? Provide three examples and use them in sentences.
4. Some adjectives don’t follow the normal rules for comparison. Choose two irregular adjectives and explain how to form their comparative and superlative versions with examples.
5. Describe the rule for making comparatives and superlatives for adjectives ending with -y. Write four sentences using adjectives such as “happy” or “easy.”
6. Why do we sometimes use “more” or “most” before adjectives? Give three adjectives where this rule applies and explain with examples.
7. Write a paragraph comparing two places you have visited using at least four adjectives in their comparative form. Explain your use of adjectives.
8. Explain how to use both “less” and comparatives like “-er” to compare adjectives. Give examples and sentences to show the differences in meaning.
9. Using the adjective “comfortable,” write sentences that show the positive, comparative, and superlative forms. Explain any changes you make to the word.
10. Imagine you are describing your school and a nearby school. Write a short explanation comparing the two schools using adjectives in the comparative and superlative forms. Include examples and explain which form you chose and why.

📝 10 Examination-Style 6-Mark Questions on Using Adjectives to Compare

1. Explain the difference between the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives. Provide examples of how to form each and use them in sentences. Why is it important to use the correct form when comparing things?
2. Write about the rules for forming comparatives and superlatives for short adjectives. Include at least three examples for each form and put them in sentences. How do these rules help you write clearly?
3. Describe how to compare using adjectives that have more than two syllables. What special words do you need to add? Give examples with sentences to show correct usage.
4. Sometimes adjectives do not follow the usual rules to form comparatives and superlatives. Pick three irregular adjectives and explain their comparative and superlative forms with example sentences.
5. Explain how to compare two things using “as…as” with adjectives. Give three examples and explain when it is better to use “as…as” instead of comparative forms.
6. When should you not add “more” or “most” to adjectives? Describe the difference between one-syllable adjectives and longer adjectives and give examples that show correct and incorrect comparisons.
7. Write about the importance of adjective order when using multiple adjectives to compare things. How can the wrong order change the meaning? Use examples with at least two adjectives in one sentence.
8. Compare the use of “less” and “least” versus “more” and “most.” Explain the meaning difference and how to choose the right comparison word. Provide sentences to support your explanation.
9. Imagine you are describing animals in a zoo. Use comparative and superlative adjectives to describe three animals in detail. Explain why you chose each adjective and how it helps the reader understand your comparison.
10. Discuss how conjunctions like “than” are used with comparative adjectives. What happens if “than” is missing? Create sentences that show correct and incorrect uses, explaining the effect on meaning.