ACT English › Comparative and Superlative Adjective and Adverb Errors
Adapted from “The Fear of the Past” in What’s Wrong with the World by G.K. Chesterton (1910)
The last few decades have marked by a special cultivation of the romance of the future. We seem to have made up our minds to misunderstand what has happened; and we turn, with a sort of relief, to stating what will happen—which is (apparently) more easy. The modern man no longer presents the memoirs of his great grandfather; but is engaged in writing a detailed and authoritative biography of his great-grandson. Instead of trembling before the specters of the dead, we shudder abject under the shadow of the babe unborn. This spirit is apparent everywhere, even to the creation of a form of futurist romance. Sir Walter Scott stands at the dawn of the nineteenth century for the novel of the past; Mr. H. G. Wells stands at the beginning of the twentieth century for the novel of the future. The old story, we know, was supposed to begin: "Late on a winter's evening two horsemen might have been seen . . ." The new story has to begin: "Late on a winter's evening two aviators will be seen . . ." The movement is not without its elements of charm; theres something spirited, if eccentric, in the sight of so many people fighting over again the fights that have not yet happened; of people still aglow with the memory of tomorrow morning. A man in advance of the age is a familiar phrase enough. An age in advance of the age is really rather odd.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded portion of the passage. If the bolded portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
easier
NO CHANGE
easiest
the easiest
the easy
Two things must be considered here. First, the passage incorrectly forms the comparative degree of the adjective "easy." The correct form is "easier." Now, it is more appropriate to choose "easier" than "the easiest" because the author is here making a comparison. We cannot guarantee that he really wishes to make the superlative claim that statements about the future are the easiest to make.
Travelling can be both fun stressful. If you leaves the country, you should always keep your passport with you. A domestic trip may be more palatable to the xenophobic. However, even a short road trip can be scary than staying at home. People would be wise to simply treat them to a movie.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
However, even a short road trip can be scarier than staying at home.
However, even a short road trip can be more scarier than staying at home.
However, even a short road trip can be scaryer than staying at home.
However, even a short road trip can be more scarier than staying at home.
NO CHANGE
"Scarier" is the correct way to turn "scary" into a comparative adjective. Adjectives ending in "y" drop the "y" and add "ier" to become comparative.
Josh suffered from a fear of dogs ever since he is a little boy. He would shiver in his boots thinking of a dog barking at him, biting him, or that could chase him. He had never met a single dog he liked. The scarier dog he had ever seen was Mr. Green’s dog, whom he had to pass every day. On his way to school. This dog barked so loudly it made Josh’s hairs stand on end.
She said that there was no need to be afraid. Josh’s mom told him that dogs only barked because they were excited to see him. She told him that he just needed to be confident and not act afraid of this dogs’ barking, and speak in a reassuring tone. Then the dog would quiet down and act more friendly.
Josh felt that neither confidence or a reassuring tone would make any difference. He didn’t think he would ever get over his fear. However, one day he had enough. Barking for hours, he realized the dog was bored and just needed a friend. He wasn’t sure if his mother’s advice would prove true? Hiding his fear, he approached the dog and spoke to it in a reassuring tone. To his surprise, the dog wagged it’s tail and quieted down right away.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
scariest
NO CHANGE
scary
most scary
more scary
This question asks you to select the correct comparative or superlative form of an adjective. Mr. Green's dog is not being compared to any other dogs, but is being singled out as the worst. Therefore, the context of this passage calls for a superlative adjective, not a comparative adjective like "scarier." The correct superlative form of the adjective "scary" is "scariest."
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Betty won first prize for having the more delicious pie at the state fair.
most delicious
NO CHANGE
delicious
deliciouser
deliciousest
This question asks you about the correct form of a superlative adjective. The sentence states that "Betty won first prize," so we know from this context that we need to use a superlative adjective, not a comparative adjective like "more delicious." The correct superlative form of the adjective "delicious" is "most delicious."
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
After considering several possible solutions to the Calculus problem, Jennifer chose the one that she considered more efficient.
most efficient.
more efficiently.
the more efficient solution.
NO CHANGE
mostly efficient.
Since we can assume that there are more than two possible solutions to the problem, the superlative form "st" or "est" would be necessary. The example sentence uses the comparative, which would require two specific items of comparison to be correct in this instance.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Abraham Lincoln was taller than any United States President.
any other United States President.
all of the United States Presidents.
anyone who has ever served as United States President.
the men who have been United States Presidents.
NO CHANGE
Abraham Lincoln was a United States President, thus, he cannot be taller than himself. All of the incorrect answer choices involve comparing Lincoln to groups to which he belonged.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Between my younger sister, my older sister, and me, my older sister walks most fast.
most quickly
most fast
faster
more quickly
more quick
In the sentence as it is written, "fast," an adjective, is being used to modify "walks." This is incorrect; only adverbs can modify verbs. So, we need to pick out an answer choice which uses the adverbial form of "fast," which is "quickly." This lets us eliminate the answer choice "most fast." "Faster" cannot be correct because more than two subjects are being compared in the sentence, and "faster" is a comparative adjective that is used to compare two subjects. "More quick," "more fast," and "more quickly" can each be eliminated for this same reason, in addition to the fact that "more quick" isn't grammatically correct at all—one would say "quicker," not "more quick." This leaves us with the correct answer, "most quickly."
During the final months of 2007, the prices of basic grains nearly doubled in Northern Africa, Latin America, and much of Asia, the high prices caused a global food crisis. The catastrophe sparked and incited an international debate regarding the licensing of new technologies to developing nations. One economist warned that because of the risk of unforeseen price shocks, officials should proceed very cautiously. The construction of private farms pose a serious financial threat to farmers in the United States; nevertheless, of the five most industrialized nations, the United States exports more crops.
How do some countries cope with food crises better than others. It is technology that accounts for the majority of the difference. The rate at which countries adopt innovations depends significantly on environmental factors. These environmental factors include climate, soil and elevation. The variability in environment inhibits new technologies from gaining worldwide popularity that are suited for one particular region over another. For example, the pesticides used in Europe are much more acidic than North America. Without the different levels of acidity, pests would prevent the crops to grow.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
the most crops
NO CHANGE
the greater number of
a greater number of
that great number
When comparing two items, use the comparative form of an adjective such as "better," "softer," or "more transparent."
When comparing three or more items, use the superlative form of an adjective, such as "best," "softest," or "most transparent."
We know from context that there are five countries being compared, so we must use the superlative form. In this case, the superlative is "most." The correct way to express the phrase is therefore "Of the five most industrialized nations, the United States exports the most crops."
Adapted from The Autobiography of John Adams (ed. 1856)
Not long after this, the three greatest measures of all were carried. Three committees were appointed, one for preparing a declaration of independence, another for reporting a plan of a treaty to be proposed to France, and a third to digest a system of articles of confederation to be proposed to the States. I was appointed on the committee of independence and on that for preparing the form of a treaty with France. On the committee of confederation Mr. Samuel Adams was appointed. The committee of independence were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. Mr. Jefferson had been now about a year a member of Congress, but had attended his duty in the house a very small part of the time, and, when there, had never spoken in public. During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together. It will naturally be inquired how it happened that he was appointed on a committee of such importance. There were more reasons than one. Mr. Jefferson had the reputation of a masterly pen; he had been chosen a delegate in Virginia, in consequence of a very handsome public paper which he had written for the House of Burgesses, which had given him the character of a fine writer. Another reason was, that Mr. Richard Henry Lee was not beloved by the most of his colleagues from Virginia, and Mr. Jefferson was set up to rival and supplant him. This could be done only by the pen, for Mr. Jefferson could stand no competition with him or any one else in elocution and public debate.
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Another reason was that Mr. Richard Henry Lee was not beloved by most of his colleagues from Virginia
Another reason was that Mr. Richard Henry Lee was not beloved by the most of his colleagues from Virginia
NO CHANGE
Additionally, Mr. Richard Henry Lee was not beloved by the most of his colleagues from Virginia
Therefore Mr. Richard Henry Lee was not beloved by most of his colleagues from Virginia
The main issue in the sentence is the use of the superlative "most." As it is used here, it should not have the definite article "the." The sentence simply is stating that Mr. Lee was not beloved by most (the majority) of his colleagues. The additional "the" only makes the sentence more opaque and difficult to understand.
Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
He was the ________ of all the performers.
funniest
funnier
funny
more funny
most funniest
Because the sentence implies that there were more than two performers, you need a superlative, not a comparative, adjective. Thus, "funnier" and "more funny" are both incorrect, because they are comparative forms of adjectives. "More" and "most" are used to modify the original adjective (in this case, "funny"), so "most funniest" is also incorrect. "Funny" by itself is neither a comparative nor a superlative adjective. Since it implies no comparison, "funny" cannot be the correct answer either. "Funniest" is the correct answer.