Comparision of Adjectives, Absolute Adjectives: Excellent, Superior, Total English Grammar JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Grammar JSS 1 First Term Lesson Notes

Subject: English Grammar
Class: JSS 1
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 10-12 years
Topic: Comparison of Adjectives – Absolute Adjectives
Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioural Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define absolute adjectives and comparison of adjectives.
2. Differentiate between positive, comparative, and superlative forms of adjectives.
3. Identify and use absolute adjectives like “excellent,” “superior,” and “total” in sentences.

Keywords:

• Absolute adjectives
• Positive
• Comparative
• Superlative

Set Induction:

The teacher will show students a list of adjectives and ask them to compare them using positive, comparative, and superlative forms. For example: “good,” “better,” and “best.”

Entry Behaviour:

Students are familiar with basic adjectives and their usage in sentences.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Flashcards with adjectives and their comparative forms
• Whiteboard and markers
• Worksheets with sentences to practice comparison of adjectives

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students have learned about adjectives in previous lessons. This lesson will extend their understanding by introducing the concept of comparison.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Sentence construction
• Comparison skills

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• JSS 1 English Grammar Textbook

Instructional Materials:

• Charts displaying forms of adjectives
• Example sentences comparing adjectives

Content:

Comparison of Adjectives

Adjectives can describe the qualities of a noun, and we use them to compare different things. There are three forms of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative.

1. Positive Degree: This is the base form of an adjective, used when no comparison is made.
   • Example: This car is fast.
2. Comparative Degree: This form is used to compare two things or people. It often ends in “-er” or uses “more” before the adjective.
   • Example: This car is faster than that car.
3. Superlative Degree: This form is used to compare three or more things or people, indicating the highest degree. It often ends in “-est” or uses “most” before the adjective.
   • Example: This car is the fastest of all.

Absolute Adjectives

Absolute adjectives are adjectives that express qualities in their fullest degree without the need for comparison. These adjectives cannot be modified into comparative or superlative forms because their meanings are already complete.

Examples of absolute adjectives include:

1. Excellent: The highest level of quality; nothing can be better.
   • Example: Her performance was excellent.
2. Superior: Better than average; often used to describe something or someone that is of a higher rank or quality.
   • Example: This brand is superior to the others.
3. Total: Refers to something as a whole, complete, or entire.
   • Example: We achieved total success.

Absolute adjectives cannot have comparative or superlative forms. You would not say “more excellent” or “most excellent.”

Evaluation:

1. The positive degree of “better” is __________.
   a) Good
   b) Best
   c) Excellent
   d) Total
2. The superlative form of “fast” is __________.
   a) Faster
   b) Fastest
   c) Most fast
   d) More fast
3. The adjective “excellent” is an example of an __________ adjective.
   a) Absolute
   b) Comparative
   c) Superlative
   d) Positive
4. The comparative form of “happy” is __________.
   a) Happier
   b) Happiest
   c) More happy
   d) Most happy
5. “Superior” is an adjective that cannot be __________.
   a) Described
   b) Compared
   c) Used
   d) Defined
6. The positive form of “greatest” is __________.
   a) Greater
   b) Great
   c) Best
   d) Excellent
7. Total success means __________ success.
   a) Some
   b) Partial
   c) Complete
   d) Better
8. The comparative form of “big” is __________.
   a) Bigger
   b) Big
   c) Biggest
   d) Great
9. The superlative form of “superior” is __________.
   a) More superior
   b) Most superior
   c) Superior
   d) Superiorest
10. The word “excellent” means __________.
    a) Good
    b) Very good
    c) The best
    d) Better
11. The positive degree of “better” is __________.
    a) Best
    b) Good
    c) Great
    d) Excellent
12. The superlative form of “high” is __________.
    a) Higher
    b) Highest
    c) Most high
    d) More high
13. The word “total” means __________.
    a) Partial
    b) Complete
    c) Half
    d) Little
14. The comparative form of “bad” is __________.
    a) Badder
    b) Worse
    c) Worst
    d) Baddest
15. “Total” is an example of an __________ adjective.
    a) Absolute
    b) Comparative
    c) Positive
    d) Superlative

Comparison of Adjectives

There are three forms of comparison:

• Positive
• Comparative
• Superlative

1. Comparison with -er / -est

Example:

• clean → cleaner → (the) cleanest

We use -er/-est with the following adjectives:

1.1. Adjectives with One Syllable

1.2. Adjectives with Two Syllables and the Following Endings

1.2.1. Adjectives Ending in -y

1.2.2. Adjectives Ending in -er

1.2.3. Adjectives Ending in -le

2. Special Adjectives: Adjectives with Two Possible Forms of Comparison (-er/-est and more/most)

Class Activity Discussion :

1. What are absolute adjectives?
   Absolute adjectives are adjectives that cannot be compared because they express a complete quality.
2. Can “excellent” be made into a comparative form?
   No, “excellent” is an absolute adjective and cannot be compared.
3. What are the three forms of comparison for adjectives?
   Positive, comparative, and superlative.
4. What is the positive degree of an adjective?
   The base form of the adjective, with no comparison.
5. How do we form the comparative degree of adjectives?
   By adding “-er” to the adjective or using “more” before the adjective.
6. What is the superlative degree of adjectives?
   It is the form that shows the highest degree, usually ending in “-est” or using “most.”
7. Can we compare the adjective “superior”?
   No, “superior” is already a comparison and cannot be modified further.
8. What is the difference between positive and superlative adjectives?
   Positive is the base form, while superlative shows the highest degree.
9. Give an example of a superlative adjective.
   “Tallest” is a superlative adjective.
10. Why can’t we say “more excellent”?
    “Excellent” is already an absolute adjective, so it cannot be modified.
11. What is the comparative form of “good”?
    “Better” is the comparative form of “good.”
12. Can we compare the adjective “total”?
    No, “total” is an absolute adjective.
13. What is the superlative form of “happy”?
    The superlative form is “happiest.”
14. Is “best” an example of a comparative adjective?
    No, “best” is a superlative adjective.
15. What does “total” mean?
    It means complete or entire.

Write the comparative and superlative forms of the adjectives:

1. fast ____________
2. heavy ____________
3. dangerous ____________
4. small ____________
5. large ____________
6. light ____________
7. rare ____________
8. common __________
9. beautiful_________
10. swift__________

1B. Explain what you understand by the word “drama”.

Weekend Assignment:

Put the adjectives between brackets in the correct form

1. My brother has a (tidy)room than me.
2. Australia is (big)than England.
3. I’m (good)now than yesterday.
4. She’s got (little) money than you, but she doesn’t care.
5. He thinks Chinese is (difficult) language in the world
6. Valencia played (bad) than Real Madrid yesterday
7. Cats are not (intelligent) as dogs.
8. Show me (good) restaurant down town.
9. (hot)desert of all is the Sahara and it’s in Africa.
10. Who is (talkative) person in your family?

Presentation:

Step 1: Explain the three forms of comparison for adjectives: positive, comparative, and superlative. Use examples and visual aids to illustrate each form.

Step 2: Introduce absolute adjectives and explain that they cannot be compared. Provide examples like “excellent,” “superior,” and “total.”

Step 3: Engage students in a practice activity where they identify and use absolute adjectives and their forms in sentences. Provide worksheets with examples and exercises.

Teacher’s Activities:

1. Introduction: Begin with a brief review of adjectives and their comparison forms.
2. Explanation: Define absolute adjectives and their characteristics. Use examples to clarify.
3. Practice: Distribute worksheets and guide students as they complete exercises on absolute adjectives and comparison forms.
4. Feedback: Review answers with the class and correct any misunderstandings.

Learners’ Activities:

1. Discussion: Participate in a class discussion about the different forms of adjectives.
2. Worksheet: Complete worksheets on comparing adjectives and identifying absolute adjectives.
3. Practice Sentences: Use absolute adjectives in sentences and share with the class.

Assessment:

1. Worksheet Review: Assess students’ understanding through completed worksheets.
2. Class Participation: Observe students’ participation during discussions and practice activities.
3. Quiz: Conduct a short quiz to evaluate their grasp of absolute adjectives and comparison forms.

4. Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives:

   1. fast → faster, fastest
   2. heavy → heavier, heaviest
   3. dangerous → more dangerous, most dangerous
   4. small → smaller, smallest
   5. large → larger, largest
   6. light → lighter, lightest
   7. rare → rarer, rarest
   8. common → more common, most common
   9. beautiful → more beautiful, most beautiful
   10. swift → swifter, swiftest

   ---

   Explanation of “Drama”:

   Drama is a type of performance or storytelling that is meant to be acted out on stage or screen. It involves characters, dialogue, and actions that portray real or imagined events. In literature, drama is one of the main genres and includes plays, such as comedies or tragedies, which are written to be performed.

   ---

   Weekend Assignment:

   Put the adjectives between brackets in the correct form:

   1. My brother has a tidier room than me.
   2. Australia is bigger than England.
   3. I’m better now than yesterday.
   4. She’s got less money than you, but she doesn’t care.
   5. He thinks Chinese is the most difficult language in the world.
   6. Valencia played worse than Real Madrid yesterday.
   7. Cats are not as intelligent as dogs.
   8. Show me the best restaurant downtown.
   9. The hottest desert of all is the Sahara, and it’s in Africa.
   10. Who is the most talkative person in your family?

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is the positive degree of “better”?
2. How do you form the comparative degree of “big”?
3. What is an absolute adjective?
4. Can “superior” be used in a comparative sentence?
5. What is the superlative form of “happy”?
6. Provide an example of a sentence using the adjective “total.”
7. How does “excellent” differ from “better”?
8. Which form of adjective is used to compare three or more items?
9. What is the comparative form of “bad”?
10. Can “total” be compared?

Conclusion:

The teacher will move around to mark students’ worksheets, provide individual feedback, and answer any further questions the students may have.