Adjectives and Adverbs worksheet for English language learners, designed to practice choosing correct adjective and adverb forms in context.
Adjectives and adverbs worksheet with multiple-choice questions for language learners, featuring a cartoon farmer with chickens and eggs.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Adjectives vs adverbs worksheet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Adjectives vs adverbs worksheet
Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The goal is to choose the correct answer between an adjective and an adverb, based on grammar rules.
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- Adjectives describe nouns (e.g., *a beautiful girl*).
- Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (e.g., *she sings beautifully*, *very fast*).
Many adverbs end in "-ly", but not all (e.g., *fast*, *hard*, *well*).
---
Now let’s go through each question:
---
1. Martha is always ...... when he talks to you
a) polite ✔
b) politely
→ "polite" describes Martha (noun), so it's an adjective.
✔️ Answer: a) polite
2. She put the glasses on the table ......
a) carefully ✔
b) careful
→ "put" is a verb; we need an adverb to describe how she did it.
✔️ Answer: a) carefully
3. Your granny walks ......
a) slow
b) slowly ✔
→ "walks" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) slowly
4. That’s a ........ work for him.
a) easy ✔
b) difficult
→ "work" is a noun, so we need an adjective. Both are possible, but only one option fits grammatically.
Actually, both "easy" and "difficult" are adjectives — but the sentence says "a ______ work".
→ "Work" is uncountable, so we say "a difficult job", not "work". But if we accept "work" here as countable (rare), then both could fit.
However, since both are adjectives and the blank is before a noun ("work"), both are valid adjectives. But we must pick one.
Let’s assume the intended meaning is something like "a hard task", so either could be acceptable. But since both options are given, and only one can be chosen, likely the expected answer is:
✔️ Answer: b) difficult *(as "easy work" sounds more natural)*
Wait — actually, both are grammatically correct. But since it's a multiple-choice with two options, perhaps it's testing which one fits best.
→ But note: the word "difficult" is more common in this context than "easy" with "work"? Not really.
Actually, both are fine. But let's look at the options:
a) easy ✔
b) difficult
Since the sentence doesn't give context, both could work. But the test likely wants "difficult" as the contrast to "easy" — but that's not helpful.
Actually, the correct choice depends on context. But since no context is given, and both are adjectives, perhaps the sentence is meant to be:
“That’s a difficult work” → but “work” is usually uncountable. So better: “That’s difficult work.”
But here it says “a ______ work”, which is ungrammatical.
So probably a typo — maybe “job”?
Assuming it's “a difficult job” or “a piece of work”, then "difficult" is more typical.
But since both are adjectives and the sentence structure is odd, let’s assume it's just asking for the adjective form.
→ Both are adjectives. But only one can be selected.
Given the options, "difficult" is more commonly used in such contexts.
But wait — "easy work" is also valid.
So perhaps the sentence is meant to be neutral.
Let's move on and come back.
Actually, both are adjectives, so either could be correct. But since the test gives two options, likely it wants us to choose the one that makes sense.
Without context, it's ambiguous. But perhaps the intended answer is b) difficult because "easy work" is less common than "difficult work".
Alternatively, maybe the sentence is: “That’s a ____ job”, and "work" is a typo.
But assuming it's correct, and both are adjectives, then either could be correct, but since only one answer is allowed, and "difficult" is more likely in negative contexts, but again, no clue.
Let’s skip and return.
Actually, looking at the pattern, likely the intended answer is b) difficult, as "easy" would make the sentence too positive without context. But this is weak.
Better approach: “work” is uncountable, so “a work” is wrong. It should be “a piece of work” or just “work”. So likely, the sentence should be: “That’s a difficult job.”
So the adjective is needed, and "difficult" is more likely the intended answer.
✔️ Answer: b) difficult
5. She’s been working .......
a) hard ✔
b) hardly
→ "working" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
"Hard" = with effort (adverb).
"Hardly" = almost not (meaning "not at all").
So "She's been working hard" = with effort.
✔️ Answer: a) hard
6. There’s a ....... man in the street.
a) homeless ✔
b) homelessly
→ "man" is a noun, so we need an adjective.
"homeless" = adjective.
"homelessly" = adverb (doesn’t modify a noun).
✔️ Answer: a) homeless
7. They ran ......... to the police station.
a) quick
b) quickly ✔
→ "ran" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) quickly
8. I know your job is ....... and badly paid.
a) hard ✔
b) hardly
→ "job" is a noun, so we need an adjective.
"hard" = difficult (adjective).
"hardly" = almost not (adverb).
✔️ Answer: a) hard
9. He cleaned his flat ........... two days ago.
a) complete
b) completely ✔
→ "cleaned" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) completely
10. Of course, he was ............ right.
a) absolutely ✔
b) absolute
→ "was" + adjective "right" → needs adverb to modify "right".
"absolutely" modifies "right" → adverb.
"absolute" is an adjective, not used here.
✔️ Answer: a) absolutely
11. Their baby girl was really .....
a) beauty
b) beautiful ✔
→ "girl" is a noun, so we need an adjective.
"beautiful" = adjective.
"beauty" = noun.
✔️ Answer: b) beautiful
12. Sarah is a very ........ woman.
a) tall ✔
b) happily
→ "woman" is a noun → needs adjective.
"tall" = adjective.
"happily" = adverb.
✔️ Answer: a) tall
13. I don’t like his portraits, he paints ......
a) awful
b) awfully ✔
→ "paints" is a verb → needs adverb.
"awfully" = very badly (adverb).
"awful" = adjective.
✔️ Answer: b) awfully
14. The teacher was angry and talked ......
a) angry
b) angrily ✔
→ "talked" is a verb → needs adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) angrily
15. Harry’s English is ........ than Sam’s.
a) good
b) better ✔
→ "is" + comparative → "better" is comparative form of "good".
✔️ Answer: b) better
16. It isn’t difficult. You have to read it ......
a) slowly ✔
b) slow
→ "read" is a verb → needs adverb.
"slowly" = adverb.
"slow" = adjective (can sometimes be used as adverb informally, but not standard).
✔️ Answer: a) slowly
17. Spain is a ........ country.
a) greatly
b) great ✔
→ "country" is a noun → needs adjective.
"great" = adjective.
"greatly" = adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) great
18. Johnny always answers me.......
a) patient
b) patiently ✔
→ "answers" is a verb → needs adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) patiently
19. The house wasn’t ........ but I love it.
a) cheap ✔
b) cheaply
→ "house" is a noun → needs adjective.
"cheap" = adjective.
"cheaply" = adverb.
✔️ Answer: a) cheap
20. He broke two glasses ..............
a) accident
b) accidentally ✔
→ "broke" is a verb → needs adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) accidentally
21. My friend had an ...... hair.
a) incredible ✔
b) incredibly
→ "hair" is a noun → needs adjective.
"incredible" = adjective.
"incredibly" = adverb.
✔️ Answer: a) incredible
22. We were laughing........ while watching TV.
a) happy
b) happily ✔
→ "laughing" is a verb → needs adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) happily
---
| Q | Answer |
|---|--------|
| 1 | a) polite |
| 2 | a) carefully |
| 3 | b) slowly |
| 4 | b) difficult |
| 5 | a) hard |
| 6 | a) homeless |
| 7 | b) quickly |
| 8 | a) hard |
| 9 | b) completely |
|10 | a) absolutely |
|11 | b) beautiful |
|12 | a) tall |
|13 | b) awfully |
|14 | b) angrily |
|15 | b) better |
|16 | a) slowly |
|17 | b) great |
|18 | b) patiently |
|19 | a) cheap |
|20 | b) accidentally |
|21 | a) incredible |
|22 | b) happily |
---
- Use adjectives to describe nouns.
- Use adverbs to describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
- Most adverbs end in -ly, but some (like *hard*, *fast*, *well*) do not.
- Be careful with words like "hard" vs "hardly", "good" vs "well", etc.
Let me know if you'd like this as a printable answer key!
---
🔹 Key Rule Reminder:
- Adjectives describe nouns (e.g., *a beautiful girl*).
- Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (e.g., *she sings beautifully*, *very fast*).
Many adverbs end in "-ly", but not all (e.g., *fast*, *hard*, *well*).
---
Now let’s go through each question:
---
1. Martha is always ...... when he talks to you
a) polite ✔
b) politely
→ "polite" describes Martha (noun), so it's an adjective.
✔️ Answer: a) polite
2. She put the glasses on the table ......
a) carefully ✔
b) careful
→ "put" is a verb; we need an adverb to describe how she did it.
✔️ Answer: a) carefully
3. Your granny walks ......
a) slow
b) slowly ✔
→ "walks" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) slowly
4. That’s a ........ work for him.
a) easy ✔
b) difficult
→ "work" is a noun, so we need an adjective. Both are possible, but only one option fits grammatically.
Actually, both "easy" and "difficult" are adjectives — but the sentence says "a ______ work".
→ "Work" is uncountable, so we say "a difficult job", not "work". But if we accept "work" here as countable (rare), then both could fit.
However, since both are adjectives and the blank is before a noun ("work"), both are valid adjectives. But we must pick one.
Let’s assume the intended meaning is something like "a hard task", so either could be acceptable. But since both options are given, and only one can be chosen, likely the expected answer is:
✔️ Answer: b) difficult *(as "easy work" sounds more natural)*
Wait — actually, both are grammatically correct. But since it's a multiple-choice with two options, perhaps it's testing which one fits best.
→ But note: the word "difficult" is more common in this context than "easy" with "work"? Not really.
Actually, both are fine. But let's look at the options:
a) easy ✔
b) difficult
Since the sentence doesn't give context, both could work. But the test likely wants "difficult" as the contrast to "easy" — but that's not helpful.
Actually, the correct choice depends on context. But since no context is given, and both are adjectives, perhaps the sentence is meant to be:
“That’s a difficult work” → but “work” is usually uncountable. So better: “That’s difficult work.”
But here it says “a ______ work”, which is ungrammatical.
So probably a typo — maybe “job”?
Assuming it's “a difficult job” or “a piece of work”, then "difficult" is more typical.
But since both are adjectives and the sentence structure is odd, let’s assume it's just asking for the adjective form.
→ Both are adjectives. But only one can be selected.
Given the options, "difficult" is more commonly used in such contexts.
But wait — "easy work" is also valid.
So perhaps the sentence is meant to be neutral.
Let's move on and come back.
Actually, both are adjectives, so either could be correct. But since the test gives two options, likely it wants us to choose the one that makes sense.
Without context, it's ambiguous. But perhaps the intended answer is b) difficult because "easy work" is less common than "difficult work".
Alternatively, maybe the sentence is: “That’s a ____ job”, and "work" is a typo.
But assuming it's correct, and both are adjectives, then either could be correct, but since only one answer is allowed, and "difficult" is more likely in negative contexts, but again, no clue.
Let’s skip and return.
Actually, looking at the pattern, likely the intended answer is b) difficult, as "easy" would make the sentence too positive without context. But this is weak.
Better approach: “work” is uncountable, so “a work” is wrong. It should be “a piece of work” or just “work”. So likely, the sentence should be: “That’s a difficult job.”
So the adjective is needed, and "difficult" is more likely the intended answer.
✔️ Answer: b) difficult
5. She’s been working .......
a) hard ✔
b) hardly
→ "working" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
"Hard" = with effort (adverb).
"Hardly" = almost not (meaning "not at all").
So "She's been working hard" = with effort.
✔️ Answer: a) hard
6. There’s a ....... man in the street.
a) homeless ✔
b) homelessly
→ "man" is a noun, so we need an adjective.
"homeless" = adjective.
"homelessly" = adverb (doesn’t modify a noun).
✔️ Answer: a) homeless
7. They ran ......... to the police station.
a) quick
b) quickly ✔
→ "ran" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) quickly
8. I know your job is ....... and badly paid.
a) hard ✔
b) hardly
→ "job" is a noun, so we need an adjective.
"hard" = difficult (adjective).
"hardly" = almost not (adverb).
✔️ Answer: a) hard
9. He cleaned his flat ........... two days ago.
a) complete
b) completely ✔
→ "cleaned" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) completely
10. Of course, he was ............ right.
a) absolutely ✔
b) absolute
→ "was" + adjective "right" → needs adverb to modify "right".
"absolutely" modifies "right" → adverb.
"absolute" is an adjective, not used here.
✔️ Answer: a) absolutely
11. Their baby girl was really .....
a) beauty
b) beautiful ✔
→ "girl" is a noun, so we need an adjective.
"beautiful" = adjective.
"beauty" = noun.
✔️ Answer: b) beautiful
12. Sarah is a very ........ woman.
a) tall ✔
b) happily
→ "woman" is a noun → needs adjective.
"tall" = adjective.
"happily" = adverb.
✔️ Answer: a) tall
13. I don’t like his portraits, he paints ......
a) awful
b) awfully ✔
→ "paints" is a verb → needs adverb.
"awfully" = very badly (adverb).
"awful" = adjective.
✔️ Answer: b) awfully
14. The teacher was angry and talked ......
a) angry
b) angrily ✔
→ "talked" is a verb → needs adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) angrily
15. Harry’s English is ........ than Sam’s.
a) good
b) better ✔
→ "is" + comparative → "better" is comparative form of "good".
✔️ Answer: b) better
16. It isn’t difficult. You have to read it ......
a) slowly ✔
b) slow
→ "read" is a verb → needs adverb.
"slowly" = adverb.
"slow" = adjective (can sometimes be used as adverb informally, but not standard).
✔️ Answer: a) slowly
17. Spain is a ........ country.
a) greatly
b) great ✔
→ "country" is a noun → needs adjective.
"great" = adjective.
"greatly" = adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) great
18. Johnny always answers me.......
a) patient
b) patiently ✔
→ "answers" is a verb → needs adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) patiently
19. The house wasn’t ........ but I love it.
a) cheap ✔
b) cheaply
→ "house" is a noun → needs adjective.
"cheap" = adjective.
"cheaply" = adverb.
✔️ Answer: a) cheap
20. He broke two glasses ..............
a) accident
b) accidentally ✔
→ "broke" is a verb → needs adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) accidentally
21. My friend had an ...... hair.
a) incredible ✔
b) incredibly
→ "hair" is a noun → needs adjective.
"incredible" = adjective.
"incredibly" = adverb.
✔️ Answer: a) incredible
22. We were laughing........ while watching TV.
a) happy
b) happily ✔
→ "laughing" is a verb → needs adverb.
✔️ Answer: b) happily
---
✔ Final Answers:
| Q | Answer |
|---|--------|
| 1 | a) polite |
| 2 | a) carefully |
| 3 | b) slowly |
| 4 | b) difficult |
| 5 | a) hard |
| 6 | a) homeless |
| 7 | b) quickly |
| 8 | a) hard |
| 9 | b) completely |
|10 | a) absolutely |
|11 | b) beautiful |
|12 | a) tall |
|13 | b) awfully |
|14 | b) angrily |
|15 | b) better |
|16 | a) slowly |
|17 | b) great |
|18 | b) patiently |
|19 | a) cheap |
|20 | b) accidentally |
|21 | a) incredible |
|22 | b) happily |
---
📝 Summary of Key Concepts:
- Use adjectives to describe nouns.
- Use adverbs to describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
- Most adverbs end in -ly, but some (like *hard*, *fast*, *well*) do not.
- Be careful with words like "hard" vs "hardly", "good" vs "well", etc.
Let me know if you'd like this as a printable answer key!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of adverb adjective worksheet.
