Adult ESL/ELL Intermediate Quiz: Comparatives And Superlatives
10 questions · exam conditions
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Comparatives And SuperlativesQuestion 1 of 10

A student writes: 'This exam is more harder than the last one.' What is the error, and what is the corrected sentence?

The error is using 'more' with a one-syllable adjective; the correct sentence is 'This exam is harder than the last one.'
The error is using 'harder' instead of 'hardest'; the correct sentence is 'This exam is more hardest than the last one.'
The error is using 'than' instead of 'then'; the correct sentence is 'This exam is more harder then the last one.'
The error is omitting the article; the correct sentence is 'This exam is more harder than the last one ever.'
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Adult ESL/ELL Intermediate Quiz

Adult ESL/ELL Intermediate Quiz: Comparatives And Superlatives

Practice Comparatives And Superlatives in Adult ESL/ELL Intermediate with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Comparatives And Superlatives, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult ESL/ELL Intermediate.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A student writes: 'This exam is more harder than the last one.' What is the error, and what is the corrected sentence?

  1. The error is using 'more' with a one-syllable adjective; the correct sentence is 'This exam is harder than the last one.' (correct answer)
  2. The error is using 'harder' instead of 'hardest'; the correct sentence is 'This exam is more hardest than the last one.'
  3. The error is using 'than' instead of 'then'; the correct sentence is 'This exam is more harder then the last one.'
  4. The error is omitting the article; the correct sentence is 'This exam is more harder than the last one ever.'
Explanation: When comparing two things in English, you use the comparative form of an adjective — but the key rule is that you form the comparative in one way only, never both at once. For short adjectives (one syllable, like "hard"), you add -er. For longer adjectives (two or more syllables, like "difficult"), you use more. Combining both — saying "more harder" — is called a double comparative, and it's always an error. That's exactly what's happening in the student's sentence. "Hard" is a one-syllable adjective, so the correct comparative is simply "harder." Adding "more" in front creates an illegal double comparative. The corrected sentence is "This exam is harder than the last one," which is why A is correct. Looking at the distractors: B makes the error worse by replacing "harder" with "hardest" — but "hardest" is the superlative (used for three or more things), not the comparative. "More hardest" would be a double superlative, an even bigger mistake. C confuses "than" and "then," which is a spelling trap unrelated to the actual grammatical error — and keeping "more harder" means the original mistake remains. D suggests the problem is a missing article, but no article is needed there, and the sentence still contains the uncorrected double comparative. A helpful tip: whenever you see an adjective with -er already attached, that's your signal that "more" is not needed. Watch for words like "more faster," "more easier," or "more taller" — these double comparatives are a very common error on grammar questions.

Question 2

Read the following product review: 'I bought three blenders last year. The first one broke after a month. The second one worked fine, but it was loud. The third one, the ProBlend 3000, is quieter, more durable, and   of all. It is also slightly   than the other two, but it is worth every penny.'

Which pair of forms correctly completes the review, given that the ProBlend 3000 is the easiest to clean and costs a little more than the others?

  1. the most easy to clean / more expensive
  2. easier to clean / more expensive
  3. the easiest to clean / the most expensive
  4. the easiest to clean / more expensive (correct answer)
Explanation: When comparing things in English, you need to choose between two types of comparative forms: the comparative (for comparing two things) and the superlative (for comparing three or more things, identifying the best/most). The passage compares three blenders, so pay close attention to which form fits each blank. For the first blank, the ProBlend 3000 is being ranked among all three blenders as the easiest to clean — that calls for a superlative. The correct superlative of "easy" is the easiest, not most easy. English uses -est endings for short adjectives, not most + adjective. For the second blank, the ProBlend 3000 costs "a little more" than the other two — this is a direct comparison signaled by the word "than," which always requires the comparative form: more expensive, not the most expensive. Looking at the wrong choices: A uses the most easy, which is grammatically incorrect — "easy" takes -est, giving you the easiest. B uses easier to clean, which is a comparative form, but the passage is ranking the ProBlend among three options, so you need a superlative. C gets the first blank right (the easiest to clean) but uses the most expensive for the second blank — a superlative. Since the sentence says it costs only "slightly" more than the others and uses "than," the comparative more expensive is correct, not the superlative. That makes D the correct answer. A useful tip: whenever you see "than" in a sentence, you need a comparative form; whenever something is ranked among three or more, reach for the superlative.

Question 3

A teacher writes the following feedback on a student's essay: 'Your second paragraph is by far   developed section in the essay, but your conclusion is   organized than your introduction.'

Which pair of forms correctly completes the teacher's feedback?

  1. the most well / less
  2. the best / less (correct answer)
  3. the most well / lesser
  4. the better / less
Explanation: When comparing things in English, you need to choose between superlative forms (for comparing one thing against all others in a group) and comparative forms (for comparing two things). This question tests both in the same sentence. In the first blank, the teacher is identifying the most developed section among all sections of the essay — that's a superlative. The correct superlative of "well" is "the best," not "the most well." "Well" is an irregular adverb/adjective whose comparative is better and superlative is best. For the second blank, the teacher is comparing only two things — the conclusion versus the introduction — so you need the comparative form "less" (meaning not as organized). This makes B) the best / less the correct answer. Looking at the wrong choices: A) the most well / less uses "the most well," which is a common mistake — since "well" is irregular, you cannot simply add "most" before it. C) the most well / lesser makes the same error with "the most well," and "lesser" is a formal/archaic word meaning "of lower importance," not used for straightforward comparisons like this. D) the better / less uses "the better," which is a comparative, not a superlative — it would only work if you were comparing two sections, but the sentence refers to the best among all sections of the essay. A handy tip: memorize the irregular adjectives and adverbs — good/well → better → best — because they appear frequently on ESL exams and cannot follow the regular "more/most" pattern.

Question 4

Maria is comparing three job offers. The first job pays $18 an hour and is 5 miles from her home. The second job pays $22 an hour and is 25 miles away. The third job pays $20 an hour and is 10 miles away.

Maria tells her friend: 'The second job pays   of all three, but it is also   from my house.' Which pair of words correctly completes her sentence?

  1. the most / the farthest (correct answer)
  2. the most / the most far
  3. more / the farthest
  4. the most / farther
Explanation: When comparing three or more things in English, you must use the superlative form of an adjective. Superlatives typically add -est or use the most before the adjective. When comparing only two things, you use the comparative form (-er or more). Recognizing how many items are being compared is your first step here. Maria is comparing three jobs, so both blanks require superlative forms. The second job pays $22/hour — the highest of all three — so you need the most (superlative of much/many). It is also 25 miles away — the greatest distance — so you need the superlative of far, which is the farthest. Choice A — the most / the farthest — correctly uses two superlatives for a three-way comparison, making it the right answer. Choice B — the most / the most far — gets the first blank right but fails on the second. "The most far" is not standard English; the correct superlative of far is the farthest, not the most far. Choice C — more / the farthest — uses the comparative more in the first blank, which would only be correct when comparing two jobs. Since there are three jobs, you need the superlative the most. Choice D — the most / farther — uses farther, which is the comparative form of far (used for two items), not the superlative needed when comparing three. A quick memory trick: count the items being compared — two items = comparative (-er / more), three or more = superlative (-est / the most). Always check that number before choosing your adjective form.

Question 5

Read the following conversation: Kevin: 'My new apartment is not as big as my old one, but the rent is much lower.' Sandra: 'Really? My apartment is even   than yours, but I pay nearly the same amount.'

Which word correctly completes Sandra's sentence, given that Sandra is saying her apartment is smaller than Kevin's?

  1. smallest
  2. more small
  3. smaller (correct answer)
  4. less big
Explanation: When comparing two things in English, you need a comparative adjective — a special form used to show that one thing has more or less of a quality than another. The key signal here is the word "than," which almost always tells you a comparative form is needed. The adjective in question is small. For short adjectives (usually one syllable), English forms the comparative by adding -er to the end: small → smaller. Sandra is telling Kevin that her apartment is even more small than his, so smaller is exactly the right form. Answer C is correct. Now let's look at why the other choices fail. A) smallest is the superlative form, used when comparing three or more things to identify the one at the extreme end (e.g., "the smallest apartment in the building"). Sandra is only comparing two apartments, so this form doesn't fit. B) more small is a common learner mistake — this pattern (more + adjective) is used for longer adjectives, typically two or more syllables, like more comfortable or more expensive. Using it with a short one-syllable adjective like small is grammatically incorrect in standard English. D) less big is a creative attempt, but while it's technically understandable, it sounds unnatural and awkward; native speakers would not say this. A handy rule to remember: short adjectives (1 syllable) → add -er; longer adjectives (2+ syllables) → use "more." Watch for the word than as your signal that a comparative, not a superlative, is needed.

Question 6

Tomás is writing a report comparing public transportation in three cities: Millbrook, Grantville, and Laketon. He writes: 'Millbrook's bus system is reliable, but Grantville's system is   reliable than Millbrook's. Laketon, however, has   public transportation system of the three cities.'

Which pair of forms correctly completes Tomás's report, given that Grantville ranks second and Laketon ranks third in reliability?

  1. less / less reliable
  2. less / the worst reliable
  3. lesser / the least reliable
  4. less / the least reliable (correct answer)
Explanation: When comparing things in English, you need to choose between comparative forms (comparing two things) and superlative forms (ranking within a group of three or more). Tomás is ranking three cities, so you'll need both forms in the same sentence. For the first blank, Grantville ranks below Millbrook, so you need a comparative form showing lower quality. The correct word is less — "less reliable than Millbrook's." This gives you a direct comparison between two systems. The second blank requires a superlative because Laketon ranks last among all three cities. The correct superlative is the least reliable, using "the" plus "least" to signal the bottom of a ranked group. That makes D — less / the least reliable — the correct answer. Here's why the other choices fail: A (less / less reliable) uses a comparative in the second blank, but comparing two things when three are in play doesn't give you a true ranking across the whole group — "less reliable" just means lower than one other city, not lowest of all. B (less / the worst reliable) correctly starts with "less," but "worst reliable" is grammatically wrong — "worst" modifies nouns (the worst system), not adjectives like "reliable." You need "least" to modify adjectives. C (lesser / the least reliable) gets the superlative right but uses "lesser" in the first blank — "lesser" is an old-fashioned adjective used before a noun (a lesser known city), not a comparative adverb before an adjective like "reliable." A useful tip: pair less/more with adjectives for comparisons between two things, and least/most when ranking three or more.

Question 7

Which of the following sentences contains a correctly formed comparative or superlative structure that is also logically consistent with its context?

  1. The taller of the three basketball players scored the most points in last night's game.
  2. The tallest of the two basketball players scored more points than anyone on the court last night.
  3. The taller of the two basketball players scored more points than the other player in last night's game. (correct answer)
  4. The most tall of the two basketball players scored the most points than anyone in last night's game.
Explanation: When comparing people or things, English has specific rules about which comparative form to use based on how many items are being compared. "Taller" and "more" are comparative forms used for two items; "tallest" and "most" are superlative forms reserved for three or more. Mixing these up — or pairing them with the wrong number of items — creates a logical error even if the grammar looks close to correct. Choice C is correct because it follows both rules perfectly. "The taller of the two" correctly uses the comparative form for exactly two players, and "more points than the other player" logically completes the comparison between those same two players. The grammar and logic align. Choice A fails because it uses "the taller" (comparative, for two) but then refers to "three basketball players." With three people, you need the superlative: "the tallest of the three." Choice B makes the opposite mistake — it says "the tallest of the two," but superlatives require three or more items. With two players, you must say "the taller of the two." Choice D has two problems: "most tall" is incorrectly formed (the correct superlative is "tallest," not "most tall"), and it again misuses a superlative form ("the most tall of the two") when only two players are being compared. A quick tip to remember: two = comparative (-er / more), three or more = superlative (-est / most). On exam questions, always count how many items are in the comparison and match your form to that number — that's the most common trap in these questions.

Question 8

A student wants to say that Option A and Option B are equal in difficulty. Which sentence expresses this meaning correctly using a comparative structure?

  1. Option A is as difficult as Option B, so neither one is harder than the other. (correct answer)
  2. Option A is more difficult than Option B, so they are about the same level of challenge.
  3. Option A is not more difficult than Option B is not difficult, making them equally hard.
  4. Option A is the most difficult of Option B, meaning they share the same level of challenge.
Explanation: When comparing two things that are equal, English uses the structure "as + adjective + as" — not comparatives like "more...than" or superlatives like "the most." Recognizing which comparison structure fits the meaning is key to answering this question correctly. Choice A uses "as difficult as," which is the correct equality comparison. It signals that both options sit at the same level of difficulty. The second clause — "so neither one is harder than the other" — reinforces and clarifies that equal meaning, making this a logically consistent and grammatically correct sentence. Choice B is a trap because it uses "more difficult than," which actually claims Option A is harder — the opposite of equality. Then it contradicts itself by saying they're "about the same level." A sentence cannot logically state one thing is greater and simultaneously equal. Choice C is grammatically broken. The structure "Option A is not more difficult than Option B is not difficult" doubles up negatives in a way that creates nonsense. You cannot chain two negatives like this and produce a meaningful comparison. Choice D uses a superlative form — "the most difficult of" — which is used to compare three or more things and identify the one at the top. It cannot express equality between just two options, and using it here creates a meaning that directly contradicts the goal. A helpful tip: when you want to say two things are equal, always reach for "as   as." When you want to say one is greater, use "more   than." These two structures signal very different relationships, so matching the structure to your meaning is essential.

Question 9

Which sentence uses comparative and superlative forms correctly?

  1. Of the two sisters, Elena is the most organized, and she always arrives the earliest to work.
  2. Of the two sisters, Elena is more organized, and she always arrives the earliest to work. (correct answer)
  3. Of the two sisters, Elena is more organized, and she always arrives earlier to work.
  4. Of the two sisters, Elena is more organized, and she always arrives more early to work.
Explanation: When comparing two things, use the comparative form (more / -er). When comparing three or more things, use the superlative form (most / -est). This question tests whether you can apply both rules correctly within a single sentence — a tricky combination. The sentence compares two sisters, so Elena's organization level needs the comparative: more organized. Then it refers to when Elena arrives at work compared to everyone (an open-ended, general group), which calls for the superlative: the earliest. Answer B correctly uses more organized (comparative, two people) and the earliest (superlative, general "always" comparison among all coworkers) — making it the correct choice. Answer A fails on the first comparison. Saying Elena is the most organized of the two sisters uses the superlative where only two people are being compared — that's a classic grammar error. Answer C gets the first part right (more organized) but then uses earlier for the work arrival, which is comparative. Since the sentence implies she consistently arrives before everyone at work (a group), the superlative the earliest is needed. Answer D also gets the first part right but then uses more early, which is never correct — early forms its comparative with the suffix -er (earlier), not with more. A helpful tip: always count how many things are being compared. Two things → comparative (more or -er). Three or more (or a general group) → superlative (most or -est). Also remember that more early is never used — early is always earlier or earliest.

Question 10

Choose the sentence that uses the adverb of degree correctly to modify a comparative or superlative form.

  1. She is very more experienced than her colleague, which is why she got the promotion.
  2. He is by far the most dedicated employee in the department, arriving early every single day. (correct answer)
  3. This road is much the longest of the two routes we could take to the airport.
  4. The new software is fairly the best option available, so we should consider it carefully.
Explanation: When working with comparatives and superlatives, pay close attention to which adverbs of degree are allowed with each form. Not every intensifier works with every type of comparison — this is one of the trickiest areas of English grammar. Option B is correct because "by far" is a standard adverb phrase used specifically to strengthen superlatives. Saying "by far the most dedicated" follows natural, grammatically correct English and adds emphasis appropriately. The rest of the sentence supports the claim with a concrete detail, making it feel complete and natural. The other three choices each mix the wrong adverb with the wrong form. Option A uses "very" before a comparative ("more experienced"), which is the classic mistake to watch for. You cannot say "very more" — instead, you'd use "much" or "far" (e.g., "much more experienced"). Option C uses "much" before a superlative with only two items being compared, which creates two problems: "much the longest" is unnatural phrasing, and when comparing only two things, you should use a comparative ("longer"), not a superlative ("longest"). Option D uses "fairly" before a superlative, which doesn't work — "fairly" softens meaning and contradicts the absolute nature of "the best." You wouldn't say something is only "fairly the best." A useful rule to remember: use much, far, or by far to intensify superlatives and comparatives; never use "very" before "more/less," and never use softening adverbs like "fairly" or "rather" before superlatives. Keeping a short chart of these pairings in your study notes will help you eliminate wrong answers quickly on exam day.