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I can use superlatives while distinguishing a measurable ranking from a personal favourite.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Your situation
A class chooses a room for a club meeting. Room A has twelve seats, B has twenty and C has thirty. C is the largest. B is the cheapest to hire. Lea says, “B is the best option for us because we only need twenty seats.”
Read the situation transcript
A class chooses a room for a club meeting. Room A has twelve seats, B has twenty and C has thirty. C is the largest. B is the cheapest to hire. Lea says, “B is the best option for us because we only need twenty seats.”
Is the largest room automatically the best for this group?
Compare your idea
No. Their need is twenty seats, and B has that number at the lowest price.
How it works
Use superlatives to rank a stated group: the largest, the cheapest, the most comfortable. Be clear about the quality and the options being compared.
Best can be a judgement rather than a measurement. Add for us or explain why. A favourite choice does not become a fact about everyone’s needs.
The + superlative + in/of the group. The best option for + person/purpose.
Notice this
C is the largest room.
It has the most seats in this set.
Compare this
B is the cheapest room to hire.
It has the lowest price in the scenario.
Hear the examples
C is the largest room.
It has the most seats in this set.
B is the cheapest room to hire.
It has the lowest price in the scenario.
B is the best option for us.
This is a purpose-based judgement.
This is my favourite choice.
My replaces the; favourite expresses preference.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: This is my the best option.
Say: This is my best option.
A possessive such as my normally replaces the before best.
You say
Hear the prompt, answer aloud, then deliberately reveal or hear one possible model. Check it and retry with a changed detail.
Your turn 1
Rank three familiar or invented objects by one quality.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
This bag is the smallest of the three.
Check yourself: State the comparison group.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Choose the best option for a clear need.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
Room B is the best for us because it has twenty seats.
Check yourself: Explain the purpose.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Separate a fact from a preference.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
C is the largest, but B is my favourite.
Check yourself: Use the two statements for different kinds of judgement.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Two guided self-checks
Say or write your answer before opening a model.
Self-check 1
Make superlative: comfortable.
Compare a model and explanation
The most comfortable.
Use most before this longer adjective.
Self-check 2
Complete: This is the best option ___ our group.
Compare a model and explanation
This is the best option for our group.
For limits the judgement to the group’s needs.
Check your understanding
Choose one answer to each question, then check your answers. One of the ten questions is listening.
Automatic scoring needs JavaScript. Use the answer key after attempting all ten questions.
Answer key with explanations
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Of three rooms, C has the most seats. It is the ___.
largest: A superlative identifies the top of the stated group.
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This is the ___ comfortable chair in the room.
most: Use most with comfortable in this superlative.
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Choose the correct phrase.
My best option: My replaces the before best.
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Which room fits twenty people at the lowest stated price?
B: A is too small; B has twenty seats and is the cheapest.
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Does largest automatically mean best for every group?
No: Best depends on the purpose; largest measures one quality.
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Correct “This is the most cheapest room.”
This is the cheapest room.: Do not use most with cheapest.
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Which sentence clearly limits the ranking?
It’s the quietest of these three rooms.: Of these three rooms identifies the comparison set.
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Which option does the speaker prefer?
B: The speaker calls B the best option for the group.
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Choose a valid contrast.
C is the largest, but B is the cheapest.: Both superlative forms are standard.
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What should you explain when you call an option best?
Best for whom or for what purpose: A clear purpose makes a preference or evaluation more useful.
Take it with you
I can use superlatives while distinguishing a measurable ranking from a personal favourite.