Series ID: EDKS-BASIC-ZH-0041 · Lesson No.041 · A2 Comparison and Choice
Making Comparisons and Choices | 比较与选择
This one is cheaper, but that one is better quality. The train is faster than the bus, so I prefer the train.
这个更便宜，但那个质量更好。火车比公交快，所以我更喜欢火车。
Comparison becomes useful when it helps you choose. A2 learners need more than bigger and cheaper; they need to compare several criteria, explain trade-offs and reach a clear decision.
这一课把比较级升级成“选择系统”：先找比较标准，再比较，再说明利弊，最后做决定。
Chinese Edition Hub · 中文版入口 · ← Lesson No.040 · Writing Connected Paragraphs
The comparison map | 比较路线
- same / different
- comparative adjectives
- more / less
- irregular comparatives
- than
- as…as
- not as…as
- superlatives
- too / enough
- better for / worse for
- advantages / disadvantages
- criteria
- trade-offs
- preference and recommendation
1. Same | 相同
- These two shirts are the same size.
- The price is the same.
2. Different | 不同
- The colours are different.
- This route is different from the other one.
Common pattern: different from.
3. Basic comparative | 基本比较级
- small → smaller
- fast → faster
- cheap → cheaper
- old → older
4. Than | 比……
- The train is faster than the bus.
- This shirt is cheaper than that one.
5. Spelling changes | 拼写变化
- big → bigger
- hot → hotter
- easy → easier
- happy → happier
Learn common forms as whole words.
6. More + long adjective | more + 长形容词
- more expensive
- more comfortable
- more convenient
- more reliable
7. Less + adjective | 更不…… / 较少……
- less expensive
- less crowded
- less convenient
less is useful when the opposite adjective is awkward or changes meaning.
8. Irregular comparatives | 不规则比较级
- good → better
- bad → worse
- far → farther/further
Usage of farther/further varies by variety and meaning.
9. Do not double the comparative | 不要重复比较标记
- more cheaper ✗
- cheaper ✓
- more easier ✗
- easier ✓
10. Much / a little + comparative | 程度比较
- much cheaper
- a little faster
- slightly more expensive — recognition
11. As…as | 一样……
- The bus is as cheap as the train.
- This room is as big as that one.
Use when two things are equal on one criterion.
12. Not as…as | 没有那么……
- The bus is not as fast as the train.
- This café isn’t as quiet as the other one.
13. Same meaning, different structure | 同义不同结构
- The train is faster than the bus.
- The bus isn’t as fast as the train.
14. Superlative | 最高级
- small → the smallest
- cheap → the cheapest
- fast → the fastest
Use when comparing one item with a group.
15. Most + adjective | most + 长形容词
- the most expensive
- the most convenient
- the most comfortable
16. Irregular superlatives | 不规则最高级
- good → the best
- bad → the worst
17. One of the… | “其中一个最……”
- one of the cheapest options
- one of the most popular cafés
This avoids claiming absolute rank when several items belong near the top.
18. Too + adjective | 太……
- too expensive
- too small
- too far
too usually means more than acceptable for the purpose.
19. Adjective + enough | 足够……
- big enough
- cheap enough
- fast enough
20. Enough + noun | 足够的名词
- enough time
- enough money
- enough seats
21. Too…to… | 太……而不能……
- It’s too expensive to buy.
- The bag is too heavy to carry comfortably.
22. Enough to… | 足够……可以……
- It’s cheap enough to buy.
- The room is big enough for six people.
23. Better for | 对……更好
- The train is better for long journeys.
- This size is better for me.
24. Worse for | 对……更差
- This route is worse for evening traffic.
25. Better at / better than | 擅长与比较
- I’m better at reading than listening.
- This app is better than the old one.
26. Criteria | 比较标准
Before comparing, choose the criteria:
- price
- time
- distance
- quality
- comfort
- reliability
- difficulty
27. Compare one criterion at a time | 一次比较一个标准
Example: bus vs train.
- Price: bus cheaper.
- Time: train faster.
- Comfort: depends on route/time.
28. Advantages | 优点
- One advantage is…
- The main advantage is…
29. Disadvantages | 缺点
- One disadvantage is…
- The main drawback is… — recognition
30. Trade-off | 取舍
A choice can improve one thing and worsen another.
The train is faster, but it is more expensive.
This is a trade-off between time and money.
31. On the one hand / on the other hand | 一方面/另一方面
Useful recognition and controlled use at A2.
- On the one hand, the flat is cheaper. On the other hand, it is farther from work.
32. Prefer | 更喜欢
- I prefer the train.
- I prefer this one because it’s lighter.
33. Prefer A to B | 更喜欢 A 而不是 B
- I prefer tea to coffee.
- I prefer travelling by train to driving.
34. Would rather | 宁愿
- I’d rather take the train.
- I’d rather stay home tonight.
Useful A2 recognition and speaking chunk.
35. Which is better? | 哪个更好？
- Which is better for you?
- Which option is cheaper?
- Which route is faster?
36. Recommendation | 推荐
- I think the train is the better option.
- I’d choose the blue one.
- For this situation, I’d recommend the cheaper plan.
37. Recommendation needs a criterion | 推荐要说明标准
Weak:
This is better.
Clearer:
This is better if price is your main concern.
38. If… then choice | 如果……就选……
- If you want the fastest route, take the train.
- If price matters most, choose the bus.
39. Comparing products | 比较商品
| Feature | Phone A | Phone B |
|---|---|---|
| price | cheaper | more expensive |
| battery | shorter | longer |
| weight | lighter | heavier |
Possible conclusion: Phone A is cheaper and lighter, but Phone B has better battery life.
40. Comparing study methods | 比较学习方法
- daily short practice
- one long weekly session
Compare consistency, memory, convenience and total time.
41. Comparing places | 比较地点
- nearer/farther
- quieter/noisier
- more crowded
- more convenient
42. Comparing jobs/schedules | 比较工作安排
- earlier/later
- more flexible
- busier
- less stressful — recognition/useful
43. Comparing travel | 比较出行
- cheaper
- faster
- more direct
- more comfortable
- more reliable
44. Mandarin transfer: 比 | than structure
- 火车比公交快。 → The train is faster than the bus.
English marks comparison on the adjective and uses than.
45. Mandarin transfer: 更 | comparative form
English may use -er or more, not a single universal word equivalent to 更.
46. Mandarin transfer: 最 | the + superlative
- 最便宜的 → the cheapest
- 最方便的 → the most convenient
47. Mandarin transfer: 一样 | as…as
- 这两个一样贵。 → These two are equally expensive. / This one is as expensive as that one.
48. Reading practice A: transport choice | 阅读 A
Mei can travel to work by bus or train. The bus is cheaper and stops closer to her home, but it takes about fifty minutes in heavy traffic. The train is more expensive, but the journey usually takes only thirty minutes and is more reliable. When Mei has an early meeting, she chooses the train. On quiet days, she sometimes takes the bus to save money.
- Which is cheaper?
- Which is faster?
- Which is closer to home?
- Which is more reliable?
- Why does Mei choose differently on different days?
49. Reading practice B: two cafés | 阅读 B
Green Café is quieter and has better food, but it is more expensive. Blue Café is cheaper and closer to the station, although it can be crowded at lunchtime. David chooses Green Café when he needs to work, but Blue Café when he is meeting friends before a train.
- Which café is quieter?
- Which is cheaper?
- Which is nearer the station?
- What is the trade-off?
50. Writing practice: three criteria | 写作
Choose two options and compare:
- price
- time
- quality/convenience
End with a recommendation.
51. Speaking practice: choose and defend | 选择并说明理由
Prompt: Bus or train?
Use:
- I prefer…
- It’s … than…
- One advantage is…
- However…
- So I’d choose…
52. Error clinic | 常见错误
| Error | Better English | What broke? |
|---|---|---|
| more cheaper ✗ | cheaper ✓ | double comparative |
| expensiver ✗ | more expensive ✓ | long adjective |
| better than from ✗ | better than ✓ | comparison marker |
| as cheaper as ✗ | as cheap as ✓ | base adjective in as…as |
| the most cheapest ✗ | the cheapest ✓ | double superlative |
53. First weak link diagnosis | 第一个卡点诊断
- I know adjectives but form comparisons wrongly → comparative morphology.
- I compare but don’t say criterion → decision structure.
- I give only advantages → trade-off thinking.
- I know differences but cannot recommend → preference language.
- I use one “better” for everything → precise comparison vocabulary.
54. Retrieval lab | 提取练习
- 火车比公交快。 → ______
- 这个更便宜。 → ______
- 那个更方便。 → ______
- 这两个一样大。 → ______
- 这个没有那个安静。 → ______
- 这是最便宜的。 → ______
- 太贵了。 → ______
- 足够大。 → ______
- 我更喜欢火车。 → ______
- 如果价格最重要，就选公交。 → ______
Suggested answers: The train is faster than the bus. / This is cheaper. / That one is more convenient. / These two are the same size / This is as big as that. / This isn’t as quiet as that one. / This is the cheapest. / It’s too expensive. / It’s big enough. / I prefer the train. / If price matters most, choose the bus.
55. Ten-minute daily practice | 每天十分钟
| 2 min | -er/more | 比较级 |
| 2 min | as…as/superlative | 同级最高级 |
| 2 min | too/enough | 适合度 |
| 2 min | advantages/trade-offs | 利弊 |
| 2 min | recommendation | 选择 |
56. Seven-day training cycle | 七天训练
| Day 1 | short comparatives | -er |
| Day 2 | more/less | 长形容词 |
| Day 3 | as…as/superlative | 结构 |
| Day 4 | too/enough | 适合度 |
| Day 5 | criteria | 比较标准 |
| Day 6 | trade-offs/preferences | 取舍偏好 |
| Day 7 | five-choice decision tasks | 综合 |
57. Self-test: 30 questions | 30 题自测
- Comparative of cheap?
- Comparative of big?
- Comparative of easy?
- Comparative of expensive?
- Comparative of good?
- Comparative of bad?
- Use than.
- Use much + comparative.
- Use as…as.
- Use not as…as.
- Superlative of cheap?
- Superlative of convenient?
- Superlative of good?
- Use too.
- Use enough.
- Use enough + noun.
- Give three comparison criteria.
- State one advantage.
- State one disadvantage.
- Explain trade-off.
- Use prefer.
- Use prefer A to B.
- Use would rather.
- Ask which option is better.
- Give one conditional recommendation.
- Correct: more cheaper.
- Correct: expensiver.
- Correct: as cheaper as.
- Compare two travel options in four sentences.
- Recommend one option with a clear criterion.
Answer key | 答案
1 cheaper; 2 bigger; 3 easier; 4 more expensive; 5 better; 6 worse; 7–25 answers vary; 26 cheaper; 27 more expensive; 28 as cheap as; 29–30 performance tasks.
58. For parents and teachers | 给家长和老师
Do not teach comparisons as morphology only. Give learners real choices with competing criteria.
Ask “better for what?” This prevents empty use of better and develops reasoning.
For Mandarin speakers, map 比/更/最 to English comparative structures while emphasising that English marks adjective form differently.
Use tables, menus, routes and study options so comparison leads to a decision.
59. Final real-world challenge | 最终真实任务
- Compare two products.
- Compare two travel routes.
- Compare two places.
- Use five comparatives.
- Use two superlatives.
- Use as…as twice.
- Use too/enough.
- State advantages and disadvantages.
- Explain one trade-off.
- Make a recommendation based on clear criteria.
Next: Lesson No.042 | 下一课
Comparisons help you choose. The next lesson adds the language needed to explain why you think something, give a simple opinion, support it with reasons and examples, and offer advice without sounding too strong.
Lesson No.042 · Giving Reasons, Opinions and Advice · 原因、观点与建议
Reference floor: British Council A2 Pre-intermediate · British Council A1–A2 Grammar.
