An easy way to practice comparatives with simple yet meaningful content is to provide each group of 3-4 students with ten basic shapes (circles, half- and quarter-circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, lines) in different colors. Provide these or similar comparative patterns:

1. A [BE] [ADJ]er than B / A [BE] more [ADJ] than B

2. A and B [BE] the same [NOUN]

[HAVE]

3. A +/- [BE] the same [NOUN] as B

[HAVE]

4. A +/- as [ADJ] as B

5. A or A’s [NOUN] [BE] similar to B or B’s [NOUN]

different from

Have each group make sentences for each pattern using the colored shapes as content. These can be written on an overhead transparency or on the board for all to compare with the shapes on which the group has based its sentences. It is amazing to watch students from beginning level to advanced immediately become seriously engaged in this task.