Ratings

Purpose: A way for intermediate and advanced level learners to practice the comparative.

Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes

Materials: Whiteboard, markers

Preparation: Create a chart on the board. Choose a topic, such as timepieces, things we drink out of, writing implements, types of transport, hats, etc. Make a list of five or six things which fit in the category and write those down the left hand side of the chart. Complete the chart with categories across the top, like the one here.

Procedure:

1) Review the formation of the comparative and superlative forms to prepare students for this activity. Provide as many examples as needed.

2) The class now must agree on a rating of 1-5 for each item under each heading. For example, an item which the class thinks is very fashionable, but also very comfortable, practical and economical, will receive a 5 under each heading, for a total of 20 points.

3) As students decide the ratings, encourage them to justify their scores using the comparative form. Try to make sure that as many students as possible participate in the decision making. Ideally, everyone in class should agree on each number given, but in a large class, this may be impractical.

4) Add up the totals for each item and put them in order. Ask the class if they agree with the order they’ve produced. If not, where did the analysis go wrong?

Variations:

• Do the initial rating part of the exercise in groups, then compare the results of the different groups. Discuss and try to agree on a set of class ratings.