Which animal is the fastest?
Comparatives and superlatives
Use the comparative (…-er / more …) to compare two things. Use the superlative (the …-est / the most …) for three or more.
Adjective Comparative (… than) Superlative (the …)
Short words
+ er / + est		 fast faster fastest
tall taller tallest
Spelling
changes		 big bigger biggest
heavy heavier heaviest
cute cuter cutest
Long words
more / most		 popular more popular most popular
dangerous more dangerous most dangerous
Look out!
irregular		 good better best
bad worse worst
many / much more most
little less least
big → bigger (double the last letter)
heavy → heavier (y becomes i)
cute → cuter (just add r / st)
the …-est in a place, of a group
A cheetah running
A cheetah is faster than a horse.
Cats are more popular than snakes as pets.
The cheetah is the fastest animal on land.
The blue whale is the biggest animal in the world.
1.
Practice
a. Write the comparative or superlative.
1. A tiger is than a house cat.  (big)
2. The cheetah is the land animal in the world.  (fast)
3. In Japan, dogs are than snakes as pets.  (popular)
4. A giraffe is than an elephant.  (tall)
5. I think this dog is the animal in the shop.  (cute)
6. For me, spiders are than snakes.  (scary)
1 dangerous scary a house cat a spider
b. Choose the correct word.
1. A lion is stronger a dog. a. thanb. thec. of
2. The blue whale is heaviest animal of all. a. thanb. thec. more
3. Pandas are popular than crocodiles. a. mostb. thec. more
4. My dog is the friendliest dog my town. a. inb. thanc. of
2.
Conversation
a. Look at the picture and read the questions. Can you imagine the answers? Listen to the conversation and check.
1.What is Mei’s favourite animal, and why?
2.Why does Ben like lions more than cheetahs?
3.Which animal does Mei think is the most dangerous?
4.What is the scariest animal for Ben?
MeiLook at the cheetah! It’s so cool. It’s my favourite animal.
BenReally? I like lions more. Lions are stronger than cheetahs.
MeiMaybe, but the cheetah is faster. It’s the fastest animal on land.
BenThat’s true. Which animal here is the most dangerous, do you think?
MeiThe crocodile, of course. It’s more dangerous than the lion.
BenI don’t know… For me, the scariest animal is the snake over there.
MeiHa ha. Snakes aren’t bad! They’re quieter than most animals.
BenOK, but the pandas are still the cutest. Let’s go and see them next!
2 a crocodile over there still
b. Choose words from the lists, or add your own ideas, and make a new conversation with a partner.
ALook at the [cheetah / dolphin / eagle/ ]! It’s my favourite animal.
BReally? I like [lions / dogs / sharks/ ] more. They’re [stronger / cuter / cooler/ ] than [].
AMaybe, but the [cheetah / dolphin / eagle/ ] is [faster / smarter / more beautiful/ ].
BThat’s true. Which animal is the [most dangerous / cutest / most popular/ ], do you think?
AThe [crocodile / panda / dog/ ], of course!
3.
Animal world records
Cheetah
Cheetah
Speed: about 110 km/h.
The fastest animal on land.
Blue whale
Blue whale
Weight: about 150,000 kg.
The biggest animal in the world.
Giraffe
Giraffe
Height: about 5.5 m.
The tallest animal on land.
African elephant
African elephant
Weight: about 6,000 kg.
The heaviest land animal.
Ostrich
Ostrich
Height: about 2.7 m.
The biggest bird in the world.
Giant tortoise
Giant tortoise
Age: more than 150 years.
It has the longest life.
a. Read the records. Circle True or False.
1. A blue whale is heavier than an African elephant. True / False
2. An ostrich is taller than a giraffe. True / False
3. A cheetah is faster than an ostrich. True / False
4. A giant tortoise lives longer than most animals. True / False
5. The blue whale is the biggest animal in the world. True / False
6. The cheetah is the slowest animal on land. True / False
3 a shark an eagle smart a record weight height a whale an ostrich a tortoise
b. Use the records on page 3 to finish the sentences.
1. A cheetah is than a giraffe.  (fast)
2. A blue whale is than an elephant.  (heavy)
3. The giraffe is than the ostrich.  (tall)
4. The giant tortoise has the life of all.  (long)
5. The ostrich is the bird in the world.  (big)
6. Write your own sentence about two of the animals.
4.
Questions: What do you think?
a. Ask and answer with a partner. Say why, and use a comparative or a superlative in your answer.
1.What is the coolest animal? Why?
2.Which is more popular in Japan, cats or dogs?
3.What is the most dangerous animal in the world?
4.Who is the tallest person in your family?
5.What is the most interesting subject at school? Why?
6.Which season do you like the best? Why?
7.Who is the funniest person in your class?
8.What is the best food in the world? Why?
b. Now write two or three sentences about your friends or your town.
4 life a subject