Activity 4.4
Use the comparatives and superlatives to complete the sentences below.
Task: The following diagrams show how goods were transported in a European country, in three different periods.
*canal: a straight, artificial river.
- Until 1900, canals were more popular than roads for transporting goods.
- The use of railways showed the greatest change over the period.
- Roads experienced change in usage over the period.
- In 1800, canals were widespread method of transportation, but after that they became
- Railways were prevalent mode of transportation for goods in 1800, but mode in the other periods.
- change was seen in the use of railways, between 1800 and 1850.
- In 1800, goods were usually transported by canals, but by 1900 this method was one of
More language for comparing
W hen you compare things, you sometimes need to say that they are the same. Look at the task above. In 1900, canals and roads have the same share ofthe pie chart (around 15 per cent each).
We can say:
In 1900, roads were as popular as canals for transporting goods.
By 1900, railways were as common as canals had been in 1800.
You may also want to highlight that things are not the same. You can do this with ['not as ... as'].For example:
The use of roads and canals declined over the period, but it was not as
dramatic for roads as for canals.
By 1850, canal transportation was not as widespread as it had been, because
railway transportation became more common.
Notice that you can use the ['as ... as'] structure to focus on different parts of the sentence.
Comparing the subject of the sentence:
Japan produced as many smartphones as Korea.
Women didn't earn as much money as men.
Natural materials don't last as long as artificial materials.
Comparing the object of the sentence:
Japan produced as many smartphones as laptops.
By 2050, the company will produce as many motorbikes as cars.
Comparing the verb of the sentence:
Japan imported as many smartphones as it exported.
The country burned as much rubbish as it recycled.
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