Structure and Comparative

Fakhrizan Darma Admaja

23213189

3EB26

SKILL 24 USE PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COMPARISONS

When you make a comparison, you point out the similarities or differences between two things, and those similarities or differences must be in parallel form. You can recognize a comparison showing how two things are different from the -er... than or the more ... than.

My school is farther than your school. To be rich is better than to be poor.

What is written is more easily understood than what is spoken.

A comparison showing how two things are the same might contain as ... as or expressions such as the same as or similar to.

Their car is as big as a small house.

Renting those apartments costs about the same as leasing them. The work that I did is similar to the work that you did.

The following chart outlines the use of parallel structures with comparisons:

	PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COMPARISONS
		More...than
		-er...than
(same structure)		less..,than	(same structure)
		as...as
		the same...as
		similar..to

Look at the following examples:

Example I

Geysers have often been compared to volcanoes _______ they both emit hot liquids from below the Earth's surface.

1. due to
2. because
3. in spite of
4. regardless of

The sentence should read, "Geysers have often been compared to volcanoes because they both emit hot liquids from below the Earth's surface." Therefore, you should choose answer B.

Example II

During the early period of ocean navigation, ________ any need for sophisticated instruments and techniques.

1. so that hardly
2. where there hardly was
3. hardly was
4. there was hardly

The sentence should read, "During the early period of ocean navigation, there was hardly any need for sophisticated instruments and techniques." Therefore, you should choose answer D.

EXERCISE

1. The anticipation ---- biological and chemical weapons would be used caused unprecedented stress for the troops.

A) which

B) that

C) where

D) why

E) when

2. The illness we call a "cold" is not related to ---- appropriately you dress for the outside temperature.

A)  what

B) when

C) how

D) which

E) why

3. In ancient times, thieves were punished severely by cutting the hand ---- was used while stealing from the wrist.

A) whose

B) which

C) who

D) when

E) where

4. Everyone needs ---- down by having a family because it is important for civilization to continue.

A) to settle

B) setting

C) being settled

D) to setting

E) having settled

5. It is not right to burden a friend with a problem ---- you can solve yourself.

A) whom

B) why

C) who

D) that

E) whose

6. Mother Theresa dedicated her life for those ---- were iii, poor and lived on the streets of Calcutta.

A) where

B) who

C) when

D) whom

E) which

7. The television and motion picture industries fail ---- the dangers of drug abuse accurately.

A) to be pottrayed

B) having portrayed

C) to portray

D) being portrayed

E) to have been portrayed

8. I seem to remember that the last time we met I did most of talking, so perhaps I should let you ---- the talking this time.

A) to have done

B) do

C) to do

D) doing

E) having done

9. Archaeologists are planning ---- the mummy of Tutankhamen to solve the mystery of his death.

A) removing

B) to be removed

C) having removed

D) to remove

E) being removed

10. Plan to study your most difficult or challenging classes during the time of the day ---- you are most alert.

A) which

B) whose

C) when

D) whom

E) who

SKILL 25   FORM COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES CORRECTLY

The problem with some of the comparative and superlative sentences on the TOEFL test is that the comparative or superlative is formed incorrectly. You should therefore understand how to form the comparative and superlative to answer such questions correctly.

The comparative is formed with either -er or more and than. In the comparative, -er is used with short adjectives such as tall, and more is used with longer adjectives such as beautiful.

Bob is taller than Ron.

Sally is more beautifull than Sharon.

The superlative is formed with the, either -est or most, and sometimes in, of, or a that-clause. In the superlative, - est is used with short adjectives such as tall, and most is usedwith longer adjectives such as beautiful.

Bob is the tallest man in the room.

Sally is the most beautiful of all the women at the party.

The spider over there is the largest one that I have ever seen.

The fastest runner wins the race,  (no in, of, or that)

The following chart outlines the possible forms of comparatives and superlatives:

THE FORM OF COMPARTIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

	more	(long adjective)
COMPARTIVE		than
	(short	adjective) + er
		most (long adjective)
SUPERLATIVE	the	maybe in, of,that
		(short adjective)+est

EXERCISE Circle the word or words that indicate that the sentence should have parallelparts. Underline the parts that should be parallel. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

____	1.	After retirement he plans on traveling to exotic locations, dine in the finest
		restaurants, and playing a lot of golf.
____	2.	She was both surprised by and pleased with the seminar.
____	3.	What came after the break was even more boring than had come before.
____	4.	He would find the missing keys neither under the bed or behind the sofa.
____	5.	Depending on the perspective of the viewer, the film was considered laudable,
		mediocrity, or horrendous.
____	6.	He exercised not only in the morning, but he also exercised every afternoon.
____	7.	Working four days per week is much more relaxing dian working five days per
		week.
____	8.	Sam is always good-natured, generous, and helps you.
____	9.	Either you have to finish the project, or the contract will be canceled.
____	10.	The courses that you are required to take are more important than the courses
		that you choose.