Degrees of comparison

As… as/ not as…as

Ex. 8. Open the brackets in the following sentences. Use the Comparative degree.

1. It’s ___________ (warm) today___ it was yesterday.

2. He isn’t ______________ (old) he looks.

3. She isn’t _________________ (young) she looks.

4. The traffic there isn’t ______________ (heavy) in the city centre.

5. This room’s _______________ (large) as that one.

6. Please send us an answer _____________ (soon) possible.

7. Her French is ______________ (good) her English.

8. This problem isn’t ______________ (simple) we thought.

9. This book is _______________ (interesting) that one.

10. That dress isn’t ________________ (expensive) that one.

Note:

As far as I know… – Насколько я знаю, насколько мне известно…

As far as I remember… – Насколько я помню…

as white as snow – белый как снег

as busy as a bee – занятый (трудолюбивый) как пчела

as black as coal – черный как уголь

Ex. 9. Work in pairs. Agree with your partner. Use degrees of comparison of the adjectives. Adjectives are given below.

Model: Helen: Kate, this skirt is very uncomfortable, I think.
Kate: It’s the most uncomfortable skirt I’ve ever bought.

Olga: Peter, this T-shirt is very dark, I think.

Peter: It’s the darkest T-shirt I’ve ever bought. Everything is very bright in my wardrobe.

Adjectives: uncomfortable, dark, expensive, beautiful, comfortable, light, loud, large.

Ex. 10. Compliment each other! Do as in the model.

Model: Helen: Kate, it’s the most beautiful black dress I’ve ever seen! You look wonderful! It fits you.

Kate: Yes, this dress is very beautiful. I fell in love with it at first sight. And it’s the most expensive dress I’ve ever bought! It cost a lot.

Helen: It was worth buying, I think.

Ex. 11. Answer the following questions. Use the comparative degree of the adjectives.

Model: – Which is more casual: a pair of jeans or a suit?

– A pair of jeans is more casual than a suit.

a. Which is warmer: a T-shirt or a cardigan?

b. Which is more comfortable: a skirt or a pair of jeans?

c. Which is more comfortable: shoes or trainers?

d. Which is more expensive: an Armani dress or a Benetton coat?

e. Which is brighter: a pair of pink sunglasses or a brown hat?

f. Which is bigger: a wardrobe or a suitcase?

g. Which is cheaper: a mobile phone or a car?

h. Which is heavier: a fur-coat or a coat?

Ex. 12. Work “in chain”, ask and answer questions. Change the words in italics.

Model I. A: What colour dress do you want?

B: Something not too loud. Show me something in blue.

B: What colour skirt do you want?

C: Something not too loud. Show me something in grey.

C: What colour hat do you want?

D: Something not too loud. Show me something in…

Model II. A: What size do you take in dresses?

B: My size is 40.

B: What size do you take in skirts?

C: My size is …

C: What size do you take in shirts?

D: My size is …

Ex. 13. Read the text? What is it about?

When an Interest Becomes an Obsession

Whether it’s collecting stamps, supporting your favourite football team, or just shopping, most people have some kind of interest. But what happens when that interest becomes the most important thing in your life? When does an interest become an obsession.

Take Bob Martin, for example. In 1988 he went to see the musical “Cats” at the New London Theatre. He enjoyed it so much that he went to see it again. And again… and again… and again… every week for fourteen years! He travelled 72, 000 miles and saw the show 798 times, spending a total of £ 20, 000. “I don’t drink or smoke, so I can afford it”, says the 74-year-old. But sadly Bob is now looking for a new hobby. The show was closed last year.

For some it’s musicals that keep them coming back for more, for others… fast food. Peter Holden, from NY, eats an average of two McDonald’s meals a day. He has eaten at more than 11, 000 McDonald’s (there are 13, 500 of them in the USA) and says, “I’m a collector of the McDonald’s dining experience.” He is 1, 8 m tall and and weights 80 kg – he says he doesn’t put on weight because he is lucky and because he doesn’t eat the fries.

And what about you? Have you got such a hobby that is the most important thing in your life? Are you a shopaholic or a workaholic?

Ex. 14. Translate the following sentences into Russian.

1. – Я собираюсь пройтись по магазинам в эти выходные.

– Правда? А я была там в прошлые.

2. – А что у нас сегодня на завтрак?

– Каша с фруктами.

3. – Привет, Маша. Что ты делаешь?

– Привет, Петя. Я составляю список покупок.

4. – Эти туфли очень модные.

– Но выглядят они не очень удобно.

5. – Какой у вас размер обуви?

– Я ношу 38 размер обуви.

6. Сколько стоит килограмм этих яблок?

7. – Как я могу пройти в кондитерский отдел?

– Прямо, затем поверните направо.

8. По дороге домой зайди в магазин и купи килограмм огурцов, 2 килограмма моркови, килограмм томатов, 4 килограмма картофеля и бутылку подсолнечного масла.

9. Она купила полкило печенья, килограмм шоколадных конфет, полтора килограмма леденцов и баночку варенья.

10. Ты собираешься в магазин? Купи мне, пожалуйста, 2 килограмма сахара.

11. Мне нужно шелковое черное платье.

12. – Вы ходили вчера в магазин?

– Да, я всегда захожу в магазин после работы.

13. Около моего дома есть хорошая булочная. Я всегда покупаю там что-нибудь к чаю.

14. – Я вчера видела Юлю в бакалейном отделе.

– Что она там делала?

– Она покупала макароны и спагетти.

15. – Где сейчас твоя сестра?

– Не знаю, думаю она сейчас идет в супермаркет, чтобы купить продукты. Она всегда ходит в супермаркет в это время.