Comparatives and Superlatives for IELTS Band 6: A Complete Guide for Speaking and Writing

Comparatives and Superlatives for IELTS Band 6: A Complete Guide for Speaking and Writing

What Are Comparatives and Superlatives?

Comparatives and superlatives are adjectives and adverbs used to compare two or more things, people, or situations.

• Comparatives compare two things or people.
  Example: “My house is bigger than yours.”
• Superlatives show the extreme or highest degree of a quality among three or more things or people.
  Example: “This is the best book I have read.”

Learning how to use comparatives and superlatives correctly helps you express preferences, describe differences, and give opinions—all crucial for IELTS.

Why Are Comparatives and Superlatives Important for IELTS Band 6?

IELTS Band 6 candidates are expected to:

• Compare experiences, places, and objects accurately.
• Express preferences and opinions clearly.
• Support answers with reasons and examples.
• Show a range of grammatical structures, including comparatives and superlatives, especially in Speaking Parts 1, 2, 3 and Writing Tasks 1 and 2.

Key Grammar Rules, Forms, and Patterns

Forming Comparatives

• Short Adjectives (One Syllable)
  Add “-er” + “than.”
  • big → bigger than
  • fast → faster than
  • tall → taller than
  Example: “My brother is taller than me.”
• Adjectives Ending in “-e”
  Add “-r” + “than.”
  • large → larger than
  • nice → nicer than
• Adjectives Ending with One Vowel + One Consonant
  Double the final consonant and add “-er.”
  • hot → hotter than
  • fat → fatter than
• Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in “-y”
  Change “y” to “i” and add “-er.”
  • happy → happier than
  • busy → busier than
• Other Two Syllables or More
  Use “more” before the adjective.
  • beautiful → more beautiful than
  • comfortable → more comfortable than
  • interesting → more interesting than

Forming Superlatives

• Short Adjectives (One Syllable)
  Add “the” + “-est.”
  • small → the smallest
  • old → the oldest
• Adjectives Ending in “-e”
  Add “-st.”
  • nice → the nicest
• Adjectives Ending with One Vowel + One Consonant
  Double the final consonant and add “-est.”
  • big → the biggest
• Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in “-y”
  Change “y” to “i” and add “-est.”
  • happy → the happiest
• Other Two Syllables or More
  Use “the most” before the adjective.
  • expensive → the most expensive
  • comfortable → the most comfortable
  • difficult → the most difficult

Using “Less” and “Least”

To show a lower degree or amount:

• less expensive than (comparative)
• the least expensive (superlative)

Double Comparatives and Superlatives (Advanced Band 6+ Structure)

• The more you practice, the better you become.
• This room is getting colder and colder.

Comparative Structures with “As…As”

• To say two things are the same:
  He is as tall as his father.
• Negative:
  This exam is not as difficult as the last one.

Superlatives with “One Of The…”

Summary Table: Common Comparative and Superlative Forms

20+ Real-Life and IELTS Usage Situations: Sentences and Model Paragraphs

1. Comparing Family Members
   “My brother is taller than me, but I am more patient than him.”
2. Describing the Best or Worst
   “This is the best movie I have seen this year.”
3. Comparing Cities
   “London is bigger and more expensive than my city.”
4. Talking About Preferences
   “I think tea is better than coffee because it is healthier.”
5. Describing Yourself
   “I am more organized than my sister, but she is more creative.”
6. Explaining Choices
   “This chair is more comfortable than the others.”
7. Comparing Experiences
   “This exam was easier than the last one.”
8. Describing Changes
   “Life is getting more expensive every year.”
9. Talking About School Subjects
   “Maths is more difficult than English for me.”
10. Comparing Past and Present
    “I am happier now than I was five years ago.”
11. Describing Superlative Experiences
    “That was the most exciting day of my life.”
12. Making Recommendations
    “This restaurant is the best in town.”
13. Describing Travel
    “This is the farthest I have ever traveled from home.”
14. Talking About Sports
    “Football is more popular than basketball in my country.”
15. Explaining Opinions
    “This idea is less interesting than the previous one.”
16. Comparing Products (Writing Task 2)
    “Electric cars are more environmentally friendly than petrol cars.”
17. Describing Graph Trends (Academic Writing Task 1)
    “In 2020, Company A’s sales were higher than Company B’s sales.”
18. Part 2 Speaking Sample (Describing a Person)
    “My best friend is the funniest and most generous person I know. He is also taller than most of my classmates.”
19. Part 3 Speaking (Comparing Education Systems)
    “The education system in my country is stricter than in Western countries, but it is less flexible.”
20. Expressing Progress
    “My English is better now than it was last year.”
21. IELTS Speaking Part 1 Model Paragraph
    Q: Who is the most intelligent person in your family?
    A: My mother is the most intelligent person in my family. She always knows the answer to every question and gives the best advice. Compared to my father, she is also more hardworking.
22. IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Paragraph
    Some people think shopping online is better than shopping in stores. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
    Sample: Online shopping is more convenient than traditional shopping because it saves time and allows people to compare prices easily. However, shopping in stores is sometimes safer and offers the best customer service. In my opinion, online shopping is the best option for busy people.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Tips, Strategies, and Practical Exercises

Practical Exercises

10 Advanced Practice Questions with Answers & Explanations

Self-Assessment Checklist

Actionable Study Plan

Motivational Tips & Final Encouragement

References & Further Reading

Comprehensive Review Exercise