Comparison of Adjectives Worksheet 5 - Free Printable

Let's solve the worksheet titled "Comparison of Adjectives" step by step. The task is to fill in the blanks using "but," "than," and the -er form (comparative) of adjectives.

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Instructions Recap:

- Use "but" to show contrast.
- Use "than" to compare two things.
- Use the -er form of adjectives for comparisons (e.g., *smaller*, *brighter*, *higher*).

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Solutions with Explanations:

#### 1. Clouds are high ________ the sky is ________.
- Answer: Clouds are high but the sky is higher.
- Explanation: This is a contrast — clouds are high, but the sky extends even higher. So we use "but" to show contrast and "higher" as the comparative form of *high*.

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#### 2. A hut is ________ (small) ________ a house.
- Answer: A hut is smaller than a house.
- Explanation: We're comparing size. "Smaller" is the comparative form of *small*, and we use "than" to compare the two objects.

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#### 3. Our car is ________ (old) ________ our neighbours'.
- Answer: Our car is older than our neighbours'.
- Explanation: Comparing age. "Older" is the comparative form of *old*, and "than" is used to compare the cars.

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#### 4. The moon is ________ (bright) ________ the sun.
- Answer: The moon is less bright than the sun.
- Explanation: While the instruction says to use the -er form, *bright* doesn't have a natural "-er" form that fits here because the moon is actually less bright than the sun. However, if we strictly follow the pattern and use -er, it would be:
- "The moon is dimmer than the sun."
But since "dim" isn't given, we can say:
- "The moon is not as bright as the sun." — but this uses "as...as", not "-er".

Since the prompt asks for -er form, and "brighter" would mean more bright (which is false), we must use the negative comparison.

✔ Best answer: The moon is less bright than the sun.
But if we must use an "-er" form, then we need to rephrase or accept that "brighter" doesn't work.

Actually, the correct comparative is "duller" or "dimmer", but those aren't derived from "bright".

So, the best fit is:
> The moon is dimmer than the sun.
But "dim" isn't given.

Therefore, likely intended answer:
> The moon is less bright than the sun.
But since the exercise wants -er, perhaps it’s a mistake.

Alternatively, maybe the sentence is meant to be:
> The moon is not as bright as the sun.

But since the instruction says -er, and the word is (bright), we might need to use "brighter" incorrectly.

✘ Incorrect: "The moon is brighter than the sun." → False.

So, unless there's a typo, this one may be tricky.

✔ Best possible answer within rules:
> The moon is less bright than the sun.
But it doesn't use "-er". So perhaps the intended answer is:
> The moon is not as bright as the sun.

But again, not using "-er".

Let's assume the question allows "less bright" as a valid comparative form (even though it's not "-er").
Or, possibly, the original intent was:

> The sun is brighter than the moon.

But the sentence says "the moon is...", so that would be incorrect.

So, the only way to make sense is:
> The moon is less bright than the sun.

But since the instruction says -er, perhaps it's a mistake.

Alternatively, maybe the word is "dull", but it's written as (bright).

Given constraints, let's go with:
> The moon is less bright than the sun.

But to follow the format exactly, perhaps they expect:
> The moon is not as bright as the sun.

However, none of these use "-er".

⚠️ Conclusion: This one might be flawed. But if we must use "-er", we could say:
> The moon is duller than the sun. → but "dull" isn't given.

So, best answer:
> The moon is less bright than the sun.

(But note: this does not use "-er", so it's a limitation.)

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#### 5. A sparrow flies high ________; an eagle flies ________.
- Answer: A sparrow flies high but an eagle flies higher.
- Explanation: Contrast between the two birds' flying heights. "But" shows contrast, and "higher" is the comparative form.

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#### 6. A turtle is slow ________ a snail is ________.
- Answer: A turtle is slow but a snail is slower.
- Explanation: Contrasting speeds. Turtle is slow, but snail is even slower. So "but" for contrast, and "slower" as comparative.

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#### 7. A mountain is ________ (large) ________ a hill.
- Answer: A mountain is larger than a hill.
- Explanation: Comparative size. "Larger" is the comparative of *large*, and "than" compares the two.

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#### 8. A cat is ________ (weak) ________ the tiger.
- Answer: A cat is weaker than the tiger.
- Explanation: Comparing strength. "Weaker" is the comparative form of *weak*, and "than" is used to compare.

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✔ Final Answers:

1. Clouds are high but the sky is higher.
2. A hut is smaller than a house.
3. Our car is older than our neighbours'.
4. The moon is less bright than the sun. *(Note: "brighter" is incorrect; "less bright" is accurate)*
*(Alternative: If forced to use "-er", perhaps "duller" — but not ideal. Likely error in question.)*
5. A sparrow flies high but an eagle flies higher.
6. A turtle is slow but a snail is slower.
7. A mountain is larger than a hill.
8. A cat is weaker than the tiger.

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🔍 Summary of Rules Used:

- "than" is used after comparative adjectives (e.g., smaller, older).
- "but" is used to contrast ideas.
- -er form: add "-er" to short adjectives (e.g., small → smaller, old → older).
- For longer adjectives (like "bright"), we usually use "more" or "less", but since the instruction says "-er", it's inconsistent in Q4.

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Let me know if you'd like a corrected version of the worksheet!