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Degree of Comparison Rules: How to Use Degree of Comparison in IELTS

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By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Jun 18,2024 05:28 PM IST

The Degree of Comparison in IELTS can provide the leverage to score high bands and get good scores.
It enhances your proficiency in grammar by comparing attributes of people, things, and actions.
It consists of three levels: positive, comparative, and superlative comparison.
Read on to learn more about the degree of contrast and how it is used in various situations.

Understanding the degree of comparisons in the IELTS is significant if you want to score high on the test. However, good command over grammar is essential for good language skills. In the same way, a strong command of the English language depends on the extent of one’s grammar. Therefore, it becomes necessary to understand how an adjective changes in English.

Moreover, the degree of comparison in IELTS allows one to express the quality or intensity of something. It helps to compare and contrast various entities in size, quantity, or quality. Understanding its rules and application is essential to making grammatically accurate sentences, especially for those pursuing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This article aims to provide the required information on rules with examples and practice questions to explain how to use the Degree of Comparison effectively.

Degree of Comparison Levels in IELTS

There are three types of Degrees of comparison in IELTS:

Positive degree of comparison
Comparative degree of comparison
Superlative degree of comparison

Let's explore these three levels of degree of comparison in IELTS and how they are used in different situations.

Positive Degree of Comparison

When an adjective is in its original form, it is referred to as a positive degree of comparison. Understanding the characteristics of a noun only helps when the adjective is in its original form.

Examples

The sky is clear.
The pen is light.
It is cold here.
Mango is sweet.

The Comparative Degree of Comparison

The comparative degree comes into play when two entities are being compared. Most of the time, the adjectives and adverbs follow the pattern by adding "-er" or the word "more" before the adjective and adverb. Here are a few examples of comparative degrees:

Positive	She is tall
Comparative	She is taller than her sister
Positive	He runs fast
Comparative	He runs faster than his friend

Irregular Comparative Form

Some adjectives and adverbs have an irregular comparative form and do not typically end with "-er" or more." Here are some examples:

Positive	Good
Comparative	Better
Positive	Bad
Comparative	Worse

Also read: IELTS Exam eligibility

Superlative Degree of Comparison

It is used when three or more entities are being compared. In this case, the adjectives and adverbs often add "-est" or use "most" before the adjective or adverb. Here are some examples for better understanding:

Positive	She is Intelligent
Superlative	She is the most intelligent student in the class.
Positive	It rains heavily.
Superlative	It rains the heaviest in this region.

Irregularities & Exceptions in Superlative Forms

Similar to the comparative degree of comparison, some anomalies exist in adjectives and adverbs in excellent forms. For example:

Positive	Good
Superlative	Best
Positive	Bad
Superlative	Worst
Positive	Far
Superlative	Farthest

Role of Adjectives & Adverbs in the Degree of Comparison

Adjectives and adverbs are used in the degree of contrast to modify nouns and verbs, respectively, or other adverbs. It is essential to note that some adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms, so use the proper forms based on the number of entities being compared. It is also important to carefully use the Degree of Comparison in IELTS.

Five Rules of the Degree of Comparison

Some rules and criteria for the degree of comparison are essential to remember. The rules are as follows:

The degree of comparison is used to compare adjectives and adverbs.
In a positive degree of comparison, the adjectives and adverbs are in their first form, allowing no comparison.
According to the comparative degree of comparison, two nouns can only be compared if they have similar or lack the same features. The primary indicator will be the suffix "-er".
After the comparative adjective, "then" is always used to indicate the relative degree of comparison.
The superlative degree of comparison determines the strength and intensity of nouns.

Also read: IELTS exam registration

Degrees of Comparison: Exercise

Jane is ________________ (tall) than her sister.
This book is the ________________ (interesting) one I have ever read.
John sings ________________ (well) than his friend.
The weather is ________________ (hot) it has been all summer.
She runs ________________ (fast) than her brother.
The movie was ________________ (good) I've seen in a long time.
This car is ________________ (expensive) than the one I saw yesterday.
The test was the ________________ (easy) one we have had so far.
The dog barks ________________ (loud) than any other dog in the neighbourhood.
It rains ________________ (heavy) during the monsoon season.

Answers

Jane is taller than her sister.
This book is the most interesting one I have ever read.
John sings better than his friend.
The weather is the hottest it has been all summer.
She runs faster than her brother.
The movie was the best I've seen in a long time.
This car is more expensive than the one I saw yesterday.
The test was the easiest one we have had so far.
The dog barks louder than any other dog in the neighbourhood.
It rains the heaviest during the monsoon season.

Conclusion

This blog discussed the degree of comparison in IELTS, an essential aspect of English because it allows us to compare or contrast entities. Mastering these rules and using them appropriately can boost your scores exponentially, which is crucial for those who seek to excel in their IELTS exams. Understanding the practices of positive, comparative, and superlative degrees, along with their exceptions, can help to improve both writing and speaking tasks, which leads to more effective and impressive performance.

Also read: IELTS Exam pattern

FAQ

What is the degree of comparison?

A degree of comparison is like a formula that categorises adjectives and adverbs into positive, comparative, and superlative forms, which helps to express intensity.

How do adjectives and adverbs form comparative degrees?

Most adjectives and adverbs add "-er" or use "more" before the word to form a comparative degree. However, some adjectives and adverbs can have exceptions to them.

What is the use of the superlative degree?

The superlative degree is used when three or more entities are to be compared. It also helps to indicate the highest or lowest degree of the described quality.

How can I use a degree of comparison more effectively in IELTS?

To use a degree of comparison more effectively, one can practise variety or structure, understand the context, and use adjectives and adverbs correctly in their comparative and superlative forms.

What are the irregularities in comparison?

Sometimes, certain adjectives and adverbs can have irregular comparative and superlative forms, such as "good" (better, best) and "far" (farther, farthest).

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Degree of Comparison Rules: How to Use Degree of Comparison in IELTS

Table of Contents

Degree of Comparison Levels in IELTS

Positive Degree of Comparison

Examples

The Comparative Degree of Comparison

Irregular Comparative Form

Superlative Degree of Comparison

Irregularities & Exceptions in Superlative Forms

Role of Adjectives & Adverbs in the Degree of Comparison

Five Rules of the Degree of Comparison

Degrees of Comparison: Exercise

Conclusion

FAQ

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