Superlative/Ungradeable Quiz

Circle the correct option. I think your cat is very male / cute.

• male

• cute

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'cute' because it describes a positive attribute of the cat, while 'male' refers to gender, which is not relevant in this context.

Circle the correct option. It seems like the worst place for birds building / to build their nests.

• building

• to build

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'to build' because it indicates the purpose of the action. 'Building' suggests an ongoing action, which doesn't fit the context of discussing the worst place for birds to construct their nests.

Circle the correct option. My friends were absolutely furious / interesting.

• furious

• interesting

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'furious' because it describes a strong emotion that friends can feel. 'Interesting' does not fit the context of how friends might feel in a situation.

Circle the correct option. The weather is a little cold / freezing right now.

• cold

• freezing

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'cold' because the phrase 'a little cold' suggests a mild temperature, while 'freezing' indicates extreme cold, which does not match the context of the statement.

Circle the correct option. For many of us, snakes are probably the less / least lovable species.

• less

• least

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'least' because it indicates the lowest degree of lovability among species. 'Less' is used for comparison between two, while 'least' is used for three or more, making it the appropriate choice here.

Circle the correct option. The lion and the elephant are two most / of the most popular animals at the zoo.

• most

• of the most

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'of the most' because it emphasizes that the lion and the elephant are among the most popular animals at the zoo, indicating a comparison within a larger group.

Select either the gradable or ungradable adjective. Russia is a very enormous / big country.

• enormous

• big

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'big' because it is a gradable adjective, allowing for degrees of comparison (e.g., bigger, biggest). 'Enormous' is ungradable, indicating a fixed size without degrees.

Select either the gradable or ungradable adjective. Jiaoying Summers is an absolutely funny / hilarious comedian.

• funny

• hilarious

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'hilarious' because it is an ungradable adjective, indicating an extreme level of funniness. 'Funny' is gradable and can vary in intensity, while 'hilarious' conveys a stronger, absolute quality.

Select either the gradable or ungradable adjective. Her skits are very funny / hilarious.

• funny

• hilarious

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'funny' because it is a gradable adjective, allowing for varying degrees of humor. 'Hilarious' is ungradable, indicating an absolute level of funniness, which does not fit the context of 'very'.

Select either the gradable or ungradable adjective. The teacher was pretty furious / angry because we didn’t finish the assignment.

• furious

• angry

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'angry' because it is a gradable adjective, meaning it can vary in intensity. 'Furious' is ungradable, indicating a fixed level of anger. Thus, 'angry' fits better in this context.