Active Skills for Reading 1 (Unit 7: Great Structures)


CHAPTER 2 - Modern Engineering Wonders

Vocabulary Skill - Superlatives

When we want to compare one thing or person to all the others in a group, we use the superlative form of an adjective. For example, the tallest building in the world or the youngest person in this class. Superlatives can be formed in different ways. Many often have the in front of them.

A. There are a few rules to follow when forming superlatives. Look at the examples below.

When an adjective... You... Examples
a. has one syllable add -est tall ➔ tallest
neat ➔ neatest
b. ends in -e add -st nice ➔ nicest
large ➔ largest
c. has one syllable and has consonant- vowel-consonant pattern double the last consonant and add -est big ➔ biggest
thin ➔ thinnest
d. has two or more syllables and ends in -y change the -y to i and add -est pretty ➔ prettiest
easy ➔ easiest
e. has two or more syllables and does not end in -y put the most before it curious ➔ the most curious
expensive ➔ the most expensive
f. Note that some common adjectives have irregular superlative forms. good ➔ the best
bad ➔ the worst
far ➔ the farthest

B. Look at the adjectives below. Write the letter (a to f) of the rule you would follow to form the superlative next to each word.

1. delicious
2. funny
3. large
4. messy
5. important
6. useful
7. angry
8. simple
9. exciting
10. valuable
11. long
12. bad
13. rude
14. convenient
15. hot
16. high

C. Write three sentences using superlatives. Then read them to a partner.

⇦ | ⇨ ⟳ ⌂  www.greatengineering.heinle.com/wonders

Modern Engineering wonders

Great Engineering has selected five wonders of 21st century engineering for our Excellence Prize. Now we're asking you to vote for one and tell us why!

Falkirk Wheel (Falkirk, Scotland, 2001)

The Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boat lift. Its steel arms each hold a water-filled tank into which boats can sail. As the wheel rotates, so do the arms, raising and lowering the boats a distance of 25 meters. The wheel is very energy efficient, using about two kilowatt-hours to make a full rotation . That's about the same amount of energy needed to power a microwave for three minutes.

Millau Viaduct (Millau, France, 2005)

15 The 2.46-kilometer-long Millau Viaduct over the River Tam in the south of France is 270 meters high-the highest bridge in the world. It was built in just three years! It is an amazing bridge that adds to the natural beauty of the river valley.

Langeled Pipeline (The North Sea, 2007)

This pipeline1 under the ocean carries natural gas across the 1,200 kilometers of · 20 rocky sea bed from Norway to Britain. It is the longest pipeline of its kind, and it helps supply 20 percent of Britain's gas.

Three Gorges Dam (Yichang, China, 2008)

Three Gorges Dam is the largest dam for electric power in the world. Its 1.6-kilometer-long wall across the Yangtze River rises 183 meters above the valley 25 floor. It can hold back 39 million cubic meters of water.

Venice Tide Barrier (Venice, Italy, estimated 2014)

In 1966, the city of Venice was flooded in two meters of ocean water. To prevent this from happening again, the Italian government is building 78 walls, each about 600 square meters. When the water level of the Adriatic Sea reaches to a dangerous 30 level and threatens to flood the city, the walls will rise to protect it.


1 A pipeline is a long pipe that carries oil, gas, etc. a long distance.


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