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Exploring Grammar (Units 25-27)
vi
Past simple (irregular verbs)
Read the text below. Circle all the verbs in
the
past simple
. Which are
regular
? Which
are
irregular
? List them under the headings.
1
Regular
Irregular
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
.....................................
Troodons were amazing creatures that
became extinct 65 million years ago.
Troodon was a small bird-like dinosaur
only 2.4 metres long and weighed up to 50
kgs. It was shorter than humans! Troodon was a meat-
eating dinosaur that used its sharp claws and teeth to kill
other animals. It had strong legs and ran very fast. Troodon
had the best vision of all other dinosaurs. It had large eyes
and it could spot its prey more easily than any other
dinosaur. It also had a big brain for its size and was one of
the smartest dinosaurs.
Like most dinosaurs, Troodons laid eggs and sat on them to
keep them warm, just like birds do today. However, the
young Troodon left the nest very quickly like crocodiles.
Troodons were very dangerous dinosaurs and excellent
hunters. The reason they disappeared is still a mystery.
a) How do we form the interrogative and
negative forms of the past
simple
? How do
we form short answers?
b) Read the text. Use the words to form
questions. Then answer them using short
answers.
1
Troodons/weigh/up to 50 kgs
................................................................
................................................................
2
they/have/strong legs
................................................................
................................................................
3
they/have/small eyes
................................................................
................................................................
4
they/be/dangerous dinosaurs
................................................................
................................................................
2
Comparatives – Superlatives
a) Underline the
comparative and
superlative adjectives
in the text and write
them in the appropriate column below.
Complete the missing forms.
4
Adjective Comparative Superlative
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
.......................
b) Find a comparative form of an adverb.
How do we form
comparative
and
superlative
forms of adverbs?
c) Put the adjectives/adverbs in brackets
into the
comparative
and
superlative
.
1
Hippos are ................................
(big)
than
sheep.
2
Sarah dances ............................
(beautifully)
of all.
3
A lion is ................................
(dangerous)
than a cat.
4
Giraffes have got ................................
(long)
necks of all animals.
5
My mum talks ...............................
(politely)
than anyone I know.
6
The cheetah is ................................
(fast)
animal in the world.
d) Complete the sentences using
as ... as
,
very
or
much
.
1
Helen can’t speak French .........................
(well)
Elizabeth.
2
England is ........................
(cold)
in winter.
3
It’s .........................
(hot)
in here.
4
Jack isn’t ........................
(strong)
as I am.
5
London is ........................
(big)
than York.
Adverbs
a) Highlight the
adverbs
in the text in Ex. 1.
How are
adverbs
formed? What do
adverbs
and
adjectives
describe?
3
b) Choose the correct item.
1
He is a
slow/slowly
runner.
2
Helen is very
happily/happy
today.
3
Cross the road
carefully/careful
.
4
Get ready for work
quickly/quick
.
5
Laura sings
bad/badly
.
6
The maths test was very
easy/easily
.
