Pronunciation insight 6

Comparatives and superlatives

Comparative adjectives and than are weak. They have the vowel sound /ə/.
The choice of music online is better than in music shops.

The is also weak when it's used in superlative sentences. However, the superlative adjective isn't weak.
I go to town by bus – it's the easiest way to travel. (easiest = /ɪ/)

1Play the recording and listen to the comparative and superlative forms. Choose the correct sound for the underlined parts of the words. 

• 1bigger    /ə//ɪ/

• 2biggest    /ə//ɪ/

• 3oldest    /ə//ɪ/

• 4better    /ə//ɪ/

• 5easier    /ə//ɪ/

• 6furthest    /ə//ɪ/

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Comparatives and superlatives

Comparative adjectives and than are weak. They have the vowel sound /ə/.
The choice of music online is better than in music shops.

The is also weak when it's used in superlative sentences. However, the superlative adjective isn't weak.
I go to town by bus – it's the easiest way to travel. (easiest = /ɪ/)

2Mark where the sounds /ə/ and /ɪ/ are in the sentences. Say the sentences. Then play the recording, listen and check your pronunciation. 

• 1My cat is thinner than your cat.

• 2Berlin is the most exciting city I know.

• 3Rosa is better at dancing than me.

• 4This dress is the cheapest in the shop.

• 5Jasmine's skirt is prettier than Claire's.

• 6My bedroom is the smallest room in the house.

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Vowel sounds: /ʊ/ /ʌ/ /ɜ:/ /u:/ /ɔ:/ /e/

3Match the words with corresponding sounds. Play the recording, listen, check and repeat. 

/ʊ/ bookshop

/ʌ/ jumper

/ɜ:/ skirt

/u:/ shoes

/ɔ:/ sports shop

/e/ dress

• cook
• rucksack
• shirt
• boots
• shorts
• necklace

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Vowel sounds: /ʊ/ /ʌ/ /ɜ:/ /u:/ /ɔ:/ /e/

4Choose the correct sounds. Play the recording, listen, check and repeat. 

• 1short/ʊ//ɔ://u:/

• 2good/ʌ//u://ʊ/

• 3small/ɔ://ɜ://e/

• 4hungry/u://ʌ//ʊ/

• 5worse/ɔ://u://ɜ:/

• 6friendly/ɜ://e//ʌ/

• 7further/e//ɜ://ɔ:/

• 8lucky/ʊ//u://ʌ/

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