Extreme Adjectives
1. Over using the word ‘very’ can be boring in a written work or conversation.
Example:
Yesterday, it was very hot, so I went to the park, but it was very crowded. There was a very big dog in
the park and was very scared when it ran by me. I started to feel very hungry so I decided to buy an
ice-cream. The ice-cream I bought was very cold, but it tasted very bad. I think it was very old. I tried to
complain but the seller didn’t care. I was very angry! Unfortunately, I was very tired and I didn’t feel
like arguing. On the way back home, I stopped in a café and drank a cold glass of lemonade. It was very
good!
To avoid the overusing of ‘very’ we can use ‘extreme adjectives’ (= very + adjective). These extreme
adjectives have strong meaning, so instead of saying ‘very beautiful’ we can say ‘gorgeous’ which
provides the same meaning as ‘very beautiful’.
2. Re-read the short story above and replace the words bold Normal Extreme
in red with the extreme adjectives. Adjectives Adjective
Yesterday, it was ________boiling____, so I went to the park, cold freezing
but it was ______packed_____. There was a very big dog in
the park and was __________terrified___ when it ran by me. I hot boiling
was _________starving_____ so I decided to buy an ice-
dirty filthy
cream. The ice-cream I bought was ____freezing_______, but
it tasted ____awful______. I think it was old. I tried to hungry starving
complain but the seller didn’t care. I was ___furious________!
Unfortunately, I was _______exhausted_____ and I didn’t feel crowded packed
like arguing. On the way back home, I stopped in a café and
drank a cold glass of lemonade. It was _____wonderful_____! bad awful
good wonderful
3. Complete the E-mail with the list of Extreme Adjectives. Greetings from Tokyo!
This city is _______huge_______. I can definitely see why it’s the biggest metropolitan area in the
world. I’ve spent most of my travelling on the subway, and I’m completely
___________exhausted_____. The train are so ______packed________especially during rush hour.
There are even special employees who push passengers in so that the doors can close! People say
that the city’s high population adds to the summer heat. Additionally, I can tell you that it was
______boiling______ today. However, unlike other large cities I have visited, which can be
________freezing_____, Tokyo’s streets are extremely clean. Now, I am back at the hotel. I am
staying at one of Tokyo’s high-rise hotel. The view of the city from my window is simply
_____wonderful____. Anyway, I must go now. I have not eaten all day and I am absolutely
__starving__________. I am going to have sushi at this small restaurant across the street. I have
heard the food there is _____wonderful__________. See you!
