Superlatives: Top of the Group
I can identify the highest or lowest example within a stated group.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Start with the contrast
Three rooms are available. Room A is small, B is larger and C is the largest. C is also the most expensive. It is the largest of these three rooms, not necessarily the largest room anywhere.
Read the situation transcript
Three rooms are available. Room A is small, B is larger and C is the largest. C is also the most expensive. It is the largest of these three rooms, not necessarily the largest room anywhere.
Why does the comparison group matter?
Compare your idea
The largest claim is limited to the rooms being compared.
How it works
Use a superlative to identify the top example in a group: the smallest, the most useful, the best. Common forms include big → biggest and good → best.
Name or understand the group: the tallest person in our class. Usually use the before the superlative, but a possessive can replace it: my best friend, not my the best friend.
The + adjective-est / most + adjective. In our group; of these options. Good → best.
Notice this
This is the smallest room.
It is smaller than the other rooms in the group.
Compare this
That is the most expensive option.
It has the highest price in the comparison.
Hear the examples
This is the smallest room.
It is smaller than the other rooms in the group.
That is the most expensive option.
It has the highest price in the comparison.
Eva is the tallest person in our class.
The group is the class.
This is my best photo.
My replaces the before best.
One mistake worth avoiding
Instead of: This is the most cheapest option.
Say: This is the cheapest option.
Use cheapest, not most cheapest.
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
Name a favourite item using best.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
This is my best photo.
Check yourself: Do not add the after my.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 2
Compare three imagined rooms.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
Room C is the largest.
Check yourself: Make the comparison group clear.
Retry with one detail of your own. Other wording is welcome when it meets this check.
Your turn 3
Say which option has the lowest price.
Compare a possible model
Reveal the model text
The bus is the cheapest of these three options.
Check yourself: Limit the claim to the stated options.
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: big.
Compare a model and explanation
The biggest.
Double g before -est.
Self-check 2
Complete: This is ___ most useful tool in the box.
Compare a model and explanation
This is the most useful tool in the box.
Use the before most useful here.
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 these three bags, this is the ___. Use small.
smallest: Use the superlative to identify the smallest in the stated group.
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This is the ___ expensive of the four rooms.
most: Most forms the superlative with expensive.
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The superlative of good is ___.
best: Best is the superlative; better is comparative.
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Choose the correct phrase.
My best friend: The possessive my replaces the.
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Which sentence states its comparison group clearly?
This is the tallest tree in our garden.: In our garden limits the superlative claim.
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Correct “It is the most cheapest ticket.”
It is the cheapest ticket.: Do not double-mark cheapest with most.
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A costs ten, B twenty, C thirty. Which is the most expensive?
C: Thirty is the highest of the three stated prices.
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Which room is the quietest?
Room B: The recording names B as the quietest of the three.
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Choose the correct contrast.
B is larger than A; C is the largest.: Comparative larger takes than; superlative largest selects the top of a group.
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Does “the best in our class” mean the best in the world?
No: The claim is limited to the named comparison group.
Take it with you
I can identify the highest or lowest example within a stated group.