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adjectives that denote the quality of an object. Tell the degree of each.

1. We saw the people sitting together around the warm stove.

2. These are the ripest apples.

3. It was the proudest moment of my life.

4. Your new pony can run very fast.

5. The Alps are among the highest mountains in the world.

6. She did the hardest example by herself.

7. The youngest horse has been chosen to run the

race.

8. Having done the work the wrong way so long, we now have a hard task doing it right.

9. Bitter medicine is not easy to take.

10. The sun was declared the stronger of the two. c. Find the predicate verbs in the sentences above, and tell the time expressed by each.

d. In the sentences above, tell the part of speech and the use of each of the words in italics.

193. COMPARISON

Examine carefully the adjectives in the following sentences:

1. John is a studious boy. (positive)

2. Mary is more studious than John. (comparative) 3. Alice is the most studious of the three. (superlative)

Some adjectives of two syllables, and most adjectives of more than two syllables are compared by using more or most, as in the sentences above.

The method of comparison is largely determined

by taste, acquired from reading good books or hearing correct speech.

a. Compare these adjectives, wonderful, famous, beautiful, pleasant, careful, by prefixing more or

most.

b. Tell the degree of the adjectives (6) in italics in the following sentences, then write the other two degrees. Use the following form:

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1. The gardener, being honest, was asked to care for my house.

2. London is the largest city in the world.

3. The tramp eating in the kitchen is most ungrateful. 4. This is a cool, shady place to play.

5. She is the most beautiful of the sisters.

6. You were the shortest in the group.

c. In sentence 1, give the use of "being"; "honest"; "to care." Tell the part of speech of "my." d. In sentence 2, give the use of “city.”

e. In sentence 3, give the use of "eating"; "most"; "ungrateful."

f. In sentence 4, give the use of "to play."

194. COMPARISON

Study the following sentences:

1. Mary is a good girl.

2. Alice is a better girl.

3. May is the best girl of all.

The sentences just studied show a third way of comparing adjectives. As the comparison is irregular, it must be committed to memory.

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Some adjectives express qualities that do not change in degree; as, wrong, dead, superior, round, square, hence they should not be compared. However, convenience sometimes demands such forms as more perfect, straighter, roundest.

Some adverbs may be compared in the same way as adjectives; as, wisely, more wisely, most wisely; fast, faster, fastest.

a. From the sentences on the next page choose the adjectives (9) and the adverbs (8) that may be compared. Tell the degree of each, and write the other two degrees. Use the following form:

Positive
good

Comparative
better

Superlative

best

1. In the race George ran faster than his big brother. 2. The girl, being the youngest of the sisters, remained at home.

3. The decorations, having been provided by a florist, were very pretty.

4. The great man chose wisely.

5. The poor boys' clothes were much patched.
6. Good children step softly.

7. The little boy, badly frightened, ran away quickly.
8. The old flag, torn in many places, still flies from
the high pole.

9. Walking rapidly toward the river, John was quickly out of sight.

b. Diagram sentences 4-7.

195. A COMPOSITION

On October 12, 1492, when Columbus landed in America, he was greeted by half-naked, painted savages who at first ran away frightened into the woods. Afterward, when they came back, they fell upon their knees as if to worship the white men.

If Columbus could be brought back to-day he would be somewhat startled by the changes that have taken place. Finish the story by telling about these changes.

Tell about the great cities, the tall buildings, the telephone, the telegraph, the roaring trains, the whirling automobiles, the flying-machines.

Tell of the different dress and language.

Tell also how you think he would feel if taken tɔ a football or baseball game. Add anything you wish to make your account interesting.

First plan your composition by making a list of the changes you are best prepared to tell about. After each, write a list of appropriate adjectives from which to choose when writing about that topic. Do not forget to make each verb agree with its subject in form. Remember to finish telling about one change before you begin to tell about another.

When you have finished, read your composition and make the necessary corrections.

196. A LANGUAGE LESSON

Copy the following sentences, filling the blanks with the correct prepositions:

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Rewrite the following sentences, omitting the

unnecessary prepositions:

1. The jackal rolled off of the camel's back.

2. Where have you been to?

3. All of the girls are here.

4. I have n't enough of bread.

5. He was a man of about seventy years of

age.

6. Where are you going to?

7. Mary sits near to me.

8. I do not remember of looking at it.

Fill the blanks on the next page with pronouns. Remember that subject pronouns are used in the

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