On the Way to Success. На пути к успеху

5.2.3. Study the comparative and superlative forms of the following adjectives.

Positive

Comparative

Superlative

good

better

the best

bad

worse

the worst

far

farther

the farthest (about distance)

far

further

the furthest (about time and

distance)

near

nearer

the nearest (about distance)

near

nearer

the next (about order)

late

later

the latest (about time)

late

latter

the last (about order)

old

older

the oldest (about age)

old

elder

the eldest (for seniority;

used only attributively)

The weather is getting worse instead of better.

His office is further/farther away than mine.

For further information contact Mr. Williams.

The nearest cafe is a five minutes' walk from here.

The next news bulletin comes in ten minutes.

Have you heard the latest news?

The last train leaves in half an hour.

Tim is the oldest of the three friends.

Ted is three years older than Ben.

My elder brother is a fireman.

The eldest of my brothers is twenty-seven.

5.2.4. Use the correct form of the adjectives in brackets.

1. Who was (late) person to leave the building yesterday? 2. (Near) train for Cardiff leaves in an hour. 3. They realized their plan without (far) difficulties. 4. Nell is three years (old) than her husband. 5. Her (old) brother is a well-known pianist. 6. The car was parked in (far) corner of the yard. 7. You will get (far) instructions in a few days. 8. It's (bad) weather we've had for a long time. 9. Can you tell me the way to (near) post office? 10. Hilda is (old) in the family. 11 What do you think of his (late) play? I like it much (good) than his (late) one. 12. I'm looking forward to his (near) letter. 13- Who's (good) footballer in the team? 14. She's actually a good deal (old) than she looks. 15. My (old) daughter does nearly all the housework. 16. Mercury is (near) to the sun and Pluto is (far). 17. You should get the patient to (near) doctor as soon as possible. 18. Your ability to remember things gets (bad) as the years go by. 19. Are there any (far) questions?

5.2.5. A. Complete using comparatives of the adjectives in brackets; add than when necessary.

«Oh, why is English such a difficult language! I think it is (difficult) French. Sometimes I feel that my English is getting (bad), not (good)! When you first start learning English, it seems (easy) other languages and the grammar looks (much/ simple). However, when you become (a little/advanced), it gets (a lot/complicated). There are also so many words in English! The dictionary I bought when I first came to Britain is far too simple. I'm already looking for something (big) and (comprehensive)».

B. Put the adjectives in brackets into the correct form. Add the or a, where necessary.

1. Two weeks ago I went down town to buy a birthday present for my (old) sister. You couldn't meet (wonderful) person than her. She is one of (charming) women I know. She is also (generous-hearted) person I've ever met. Mother says she could be a bit (tidy) than she is. Anyway, the present I wanted to buy her had to be (good) I could afford. Eventually, I came across (beautiful) scarf I had ever seen Imagine my disappointment when I discovered the next day that Mother had bought her exactly the same scarf.

2. One of (embarrassing) experiences that can happen to anyone is to meet old friends, and not recognize them. I once had to welcome a group of students at the airport. I knew (old) person, a Madame Dufort, would be in charge of them, and when the group appeared, this woman came towards me, smiling, and said: «Doctor, what a pleasant surprise!)) If I had been (quick) and (intelligent) I would have said brightly: «How nice to see you, my dear!' as if she were my (old) friend, but I just stood there, my face getting (red) and (red), trying to remember her. The (bad) thing about it was that she got even (embarrassed) than I was, and said: «You don't remember me,» still not giving me (slight) clue. Fortunately, my wife, who is (quick-thinking) and (well-ma