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/

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

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
• shorts
• necklace
• shirt
• rucksack
• boots

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/

5 Choose four of the adjectives in the box and write two comparative and two superlative sentences. Then say your sentences. Remember to use the correct pronunciation for the weak forms. Speak for no longer than one minute.

1.  Select Record Audio to record yourself.
2.  If you want to add a note to your teacher, write it in the Comments box.
3.  Select Submit to dropbox to send the recording to your teacher.