Comparatives and Superlatives - ESL Activities, Worksheets and Games

In this comparatives and superlatives activity, students play a game where they race to find as many people as they can who fit comparative and superlative descriptions. Each student draws a slip from a box. The students read the comparative or superlative description on their slip and think about the question they need to ask to find people who fit that description. For example, if the slip read 'Find people who are the oldest children in their families', the student might ask 'Are you the oldest child in your family?' When the students have their questions prepared, they race to find as many people as they can who fit their description. When a student finds someone who matches the description, they write down their name on the back of the slip. When a time limit has been reached, the students say how many people they found who matched their description. Students score one point for each person they find. Students then draw another slip from the box and continue as before. The student with the most points at the end of the game wins.

This free comparatives and superlatives game helps to teach students how to make comparative and superlative sentences using a range of adjectives. Give each group of three or four a set of topic cards and a set of adjective cards. Students place the topic cards face up on the desk and shuffle the adjective cards and put them face down in a pile. Students then take it in turns to choose a topic and then take an adjective card from the top of the pile. The student then has to make a comparative and superlative sentence using the adjective on the card. The two sentences must be related to the topic. If a student manages to do this, they receive two points. If a student cannot make two sentences, or one or both sentences are grammatically incorrect, the adjective card goes to the next player and they try to make two sentences about the topic for four points and so on. The game continues until all the adjective cards have been used. The student with the highest score at the end of the game is the winner.

In this comparatives and superlatives teaching activity, students complete a questionnaire about preferences and then discuss their preferences with a partner using comparatives and superlatives. Give each student a copy of the worksheet. The students read each question on the worksheet and order the items, according to their preferences. Students mark number 1 for what they prefer the most and number 3 for what they prefer the least. When the students have finished, divide them into pairs. The students then discuss their preferences with their partner using comparatives and superlatives. Afterwards, the students give feedback to the class by explaining their preferences.

This comparatives and superlatives worksheet helps students review a variety of comparative and superlative structures. Give each student a copy of the two-page worksheet. Students begin by reading a chart that contains information about four large dog breeds. The students then use the information in the chart to complete the exercises on the worksheet. In the first exercise, students read comparative and superlative true or false statements about the dogs and then write their answers in the spaces. The students then correct false sentences to make them true. They can do this by changing the names of the dogs or by making the sentences negative, e.g. 1. The Great Dane is taller than the Akita. / The Akita isn't taller than the Great Dane. Next, students complete sentences with the comparative or superlative form of the adjectives or phrases in brackets. Finally, students answer questions by writing complete comparative or superlative sentences.

In this comparatives and superlatives activity, students complete questions with various comparative and superlative adjectives and structures. The students then ask and answer the questions with a partner. Divide the students into two groups and give each student a copy of the worksheet. The students work together with the other people in their group to complete the questions with their own ideas. Students must write a different comparative or superlative adjective in each question. When the students have finished, check their questions. The students then cut their questions into cards. After that, students pair up with someone from the other group. The students shuffle their own question cards and place them in a pile, face down in front of them. Students then take it in turns to pick up one of their question cards and ask the question to their partner. The students should try to give detailed answers and keep the conversation going by asking follow-up questions. This continues until all the questions have been asked and answered. Afterwards, students give feedback to the class on what they found out about their partner.