Comparing Brands American English Teacher

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BUSINESS ENGLISH · GRAMMAR PRACTICE · PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2-B1)
COMPARING
BRANDS
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1 Warm up
Which brand makes your favorite...
• computers
• phones
• clothes
• food
1. Why do you like them?

2. Why do you prefer that brand to other brands?
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PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2-B1)
COMPARING BRANDS
2 Focus on vocabulary
Part A: Match the adjectives to the definitions.
1. reliable a. having the basic things needed to work, but not anything
more
2. helpful b. knowing that the person or object will do what you expect
them/it to do
3. affordable c. not being too expensive
4. practical d. being able to make a situation better
5. pricey e. looking good and in fashion
6. functional f. costing a lot of money
7. stylish g. being attractive with a beautiful design
8. elegant h. works in a real situation, not just in a possible situation
Part B: Underline the stressed syllable for each of the adjectives in Part A.
1. re/li/a/ble
2. help/ful
3. af/for/da/ble
4. prac/tic/al
5. pri/cey
6. func/tion/al
7. styl/ish
8. el/e/gant
Part C: Complete the following descriptions with the adjectives from Part A.
1. If I buy jeans, I usually buy Go jeans. They are always designed in the latest fashion and they don’t
cost too much money. They’re both and .
2. On my trip to Asia next month, I’m definitely going to be staying in Honey Hotels when I’m in
Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur. I’ve used them several times before and the staff are always there
when I need them and they can always find an answer to my problems. They are so
and .
3. I bought this watch in Switzerland. It’s absolutely beautiful. Whoever made it was a real artist and
designed it really well. But I can tell you – it was not cheap! It is really , but also
quite .
4. I’m not interested in smart phones. They’re so expensive. I’ve got this one which does exactly
what I need it to do. I can make phone calls, I can text, and that’s it. I don’t need anything else. It
does what I need it to do, it never breaks and I don’t have to worry about Wi-fi all the time. I love
it because it’s and .
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COMPARING BRANDS
3 Listening
Part A: Listen to the speaker talk about cars. Which was his favorite car, the Toyota or the Mercedes?
Toyota Mercedes
Part B: Now, complete the table by putting a tick in the correct box to show which of the descriptions
the speaker used about each brand.
Toyota Mercedes
1. more reliable
2. pricier
3. more affordable
4. more functional
5. more practical
6. more stylish
7. more elegant
8. more helpful

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COMPARING BRANDS
4 Comparatives: creating basic comparatives
Part A: Read the following information and complete the examples.
We use comparative adjectives to compare one thing to another thing.

• I think the new iPhone is more elegant than the Google Plus phone.
• The new iPhone is pricier than the Nokia phone.
To create the comparative adjective, you need to look at the number of syllables of the adjective.
Look at the following rules:
1. If it is one syllable or two syllables, we add -er
e.g., small →
However, be careful with the spelling as it can change.
2. If the adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, then we double the consonant.
e.g., big → bigger
✷ fat →
✷ thin →
3. If the adjective ends in a -y then we change the -y to an -i and add -er
✷ easy → easier
✷ pretty →
✷ pricey →
4. If the adjective ends in -e, just add -r to the end.
✷ close → closer
✷ safe →
✷ simple →
5. If the adjective has three or more syllables, just add ‘more’ to the adjective.

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COMPARING BRANDS
✷ interesting → more interesting

✷ affordable →
6. Check when using two-syllable adjectives.
Sometimes we add -er

✷ pricey – pricier
Sometimes we have to add more:

✷ boring → more boring (note: we do not say boringer)
Sometimes we can use both:

✷ likely → likelier
✷ likely → more likely
7. Remember that there are irregular adjectives

✷ good → better
✷ bad → worse
✷ well → better
✷ far → farther/further
Part B: Complete the following sentences with the comparative form of the adjective in brackets.
1. I prefer Timberland shoes to Gucci as they are and . (strong/affordable)
2. I like how this iPad Air is than the regular iPad, although the screen is .
(slim/small)
3. I think Body Shop products are than Jo Malone, but I like Jo Malone because it is
. (cheap/stylish)
4. In my opinion, Microsoft computers are than Dell, but they are also .
(fast/pricey)
5. I love staying in Ritz-Carlton hotels on business trips because they are than
Mandarin Oriental hotels, but I do find the design of Mandarin Oriental hotels .
(comfortable/interesting)
6. I think Apple products are generally than Microsoft products, but Microsoft
computers are for work. (safe/practical)
7. I think most of the dresses you find in H&M are than those in Primark, and I think
that the quality is . (pretty/good)
8. I think we should offer Andrew the job, not Ian because Andrew is qualified and
a worker. (well/hard)

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COMPARING BRANDS
5 Comparatives: creating advanced comparatives
Part A: Read the following information. Then, for each of the sentences, write a sentence that means
the same thing and use the word in brackets.
1. We can also compare adjectives by using less or not as... as.
I think the Google Plus phone is less elegant than the new iPhone.
The Nokia phone is not as pricey as the iPhone.
2. We can add emphasis to the big difference between two things by using
much/far/significantly/ a lot + - er or more/less
Their products are significantly bigger than ours.
Our products are a lot less expensive than theirs.
3. We can say two things are the same using (just) as + adjective + as
I think the new Samsung phone is just as good as the iPhone.
1. I think Sony computers are much worse than Dell computers. (better)
2. In my opinion, the pizza at Pizza Express is far tastier than what they make at Pizza Hut. (less)
3. Personally, I find Stephen King’s books a lot scarier than Dean Koontz’s books. (much)
4. I don’t think the furniture at DFS is as stylish as IKEA furniture. (more)
5. I think the sandwiches at O’Neill’s bakery are significantly tastier than at Evan’s sandwich shop. (a
lot)
6. I think the subject of Politics is a lot more interesting than Finance. (boring)

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COMPARING BRANDS
Part B: Read the following information and do the task below.
Ellipsis
Remember, if it is clear what you are talking about, you do not always have to repeat the
comparison. When we leave words out that we don’t need, it is called ellipsis. For
example:
I think Nike sneakers aren’t as good as Adidas sneakers and they’re also a
lot more expensive than Adidas sneakers.
In this example, we don’t need to repeat ‘sneakers’ or ‘than Adidas sneakers’ because it’s
already clear what we are talking about.
Read the following paragraph. Cross out any words which you think are not needed.
I think Dell laptops are better than Microsoft laptops. They’re easier to use than Microsoft
laptops and lighter to carry than Microsoft laptops. The Dell laptop I bought was more
expensive than the Microsoft version, but it’s faster than the Microsoft laptop and more
efficient than the Microsoft laptop
6 Talking point
In pairs, discuss the following questions.
1. What products you have bought would you describe as reliable? Do you work with anyone who
you would describe like this? What did they do which makes you think this?
2. What experiences have you had with a company when they have been particularly helpful? What
happened?
3. Which products do you think are quite affordable? Do you think your company’s products are
affordable? Why/ why not?
4. What was the last thing you bought that you thought was pricey? Was it worth the money?
Why/why not?
5. What is the most elegant thing you own? Is design important to you when buying a product?
Why/why not?
6. Do you think it’s more important for a product to be functional or stylish? Why?

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COMPARING BRANDS
7 Extended activity/Homework
Write about a product or service that you provide in your company and compare it to the product or
service of the competition.
Consider the following questions:
• What features does your product or service have that will be important to the customer?
• What does your company do really well?
• What could be improved?
• What does the competition do really well?
• What could they improve?
You should:
• Write at least 150 words

• Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation
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TEACHER MATERIALS · PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2-B1)
COMPARING BRANDS
Transcripts
3. Listening
Speaker: I’ve owned a few different cars in the past. I had a Mercedes for a few years as well as
a Toyota. Obviously, there was a difference in price between the two with the Mercedes
being much more expensive than the Toyota. Out of the two, I found the Toyota to be
much more reliable as I never had a problem with it.
Speaker: The Mercedes on the other hand, gave me several problems and when it did, it was usually
a lot pricier. So as a result, the Toyota was a lot more affordable, both in terms of price and
the cost of running it. But the Toyota was also a lot more functional which was good for
day-to-day use as it was a lot more practical than the Mercedes, but to be honest it was
also a lot less exciting.
Speaker: You could really feel the power in the Mercedes, and the design? Wow, It was much more
stylish and so much more elegant to look at than the Toyota. It was like a piece of art, inside
and out. Their customer service was more helpful than any other I’ve used. Very quick to
help with any issues that I had and very polite.
Speaker: So overall, I have to say that I liked the Mercedes more, even though it cost me a lot more
time and money than the Toyota.
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COMPARING BRANDS
Key
1. Warm up
5 mins.
This introduces the idea of a brand and gets students to think about their preferences and compare them. At this
point, don’t worry too much about accuracy in the student’s answers as they will have the opportunity to improve
this as they progress through the lesson.
2. Focus on vocabulary
15 mins.
Part A
This introduces some useful adjectives to the students which will be recycled later. Ask the students to complete
Part A unaided in the first instance, but allow them to use a reference later if needed. Then ask them to consider
syllable stress and ask them to complete the descriptions with the appropriate vocabulary.
1. → b. 2. → d. 3. → c. 4. → h. 5. → f. 6. → a. 7. → e. 8. → g.
Part B
1. re/li/a/ble 2. help/ful 3. af/for/da/ble 4. prac/tic/al

5. pri/cey 6. func/tion/al 7. styl/ish 8. el/e/gant
Part C
1. stylish ≀ affordable
2. reliable ≀ helpful
3. elegant ≀ pricey
4. functional ≀ practical
3. Listening
Part A
5 mins.
This gives students an opportunity to listen to the person speaking and get the overall sense of what they are
talking about before listening in greater detail.
Answer: Mercedes
Part B
5 mins.
This goes into more detail and introduces some comparatives which will be recycled later in the lesson.
Answers to the table:
Toyota → 1, 3, 4, 5; Mercedes → 2, 6, 7, 8
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COMPARING BRANDS
4. Comparatives: creating basic comparatives
10 mins.
Part A
This covers the basic rules and spelling conventions of comparative adjectives. Allow the students to read and
complete the examples before checking their answers with them. You may want to ask them to work in pairs.
e.g., small → smaller
e.g., big → bigger

✷ fat → fatter
✷ thin → thinner
✷ easy → easier
✷ pretty → prettier
✷ pricey → pricier
✷ close → closer
✷ safe → safer
✷ simple → simpler
✷ interesting → more interesting
✷ affordable → more affordable
Part B
1. stronger ≀ more affordable

2. slimmer ≀ smaller
3. cheaper ≀ more stylish
4. faster ≀ pricier
5. more comfortable ≀ more interesting
6. safer ≀ more practical
7. prettier ≀ better
8. better ≀ harder
5. Comparatives: creating advanced comparatives
5 mins.
Part A
This does more advanced work with comparatives giving students greater flexibility in their use of comparatives
and asks them to rewrite sentences which helps them begin to play with the language. The ellipsis section
underlines that repetition is not always needed and asks students to think about what is needed to help them
edit their own work later.
1. I think Dell computers are much/far/significantly/a lot better than Sony computers.
2. In my opinion, what they make at Pizza Hut is far much /significantly/a lot less tasty than the pizza at Pizza
Express.
3. Personally, I find Dean Koontz’s books much less scary than Stephen King’s books.
4. I think IKEA furniture is more stylish than DFS furniture.
5. I think the sandwiches at Evan’s sandwich shop are a lot less tasty than at O’Neill’s bakery.
6. I think the subject of Finance is much more boring than Politics.
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COMPARING BRANDS
Part B
Answer:
I think Dell laptops are better than Microsoft laptops. They’re easier to use than Microsoft laptops and lighter
to carry than Microsoft laptops. The Dell laptop I bought was more expensive than the Microsoft version, but
it’s faster than the Microsoft laptop and more efficient than the Microsoft laptop/ The Dell laptop I bought was
more expensive than the Microsoft version, but it’s faster than the Microsoft laptop and more efficient than the
Microsoft laptop.
6. Talking point
10 mins.
Ask students to discuss the questions in pairs or small groups. Circulate and hep as needed.
7. Extended activity/Homework
30 mins+.
Ask students to think carefully about what their company offers and the competition before planning, writing and
editing their comparison. Ask them to think about which adjectives they can apply to each company and carefully
check how to make the comparative forms of those adjectives. Be sure to provide feedback on their work.
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HEAAADERLOGORIGHT

BUSINESS ENGLISH · GRAMMAR PRACTICE · PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2-B1)

QrrkoD Scan to review worksheet

1. Why do you like them?

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 1/8

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 2/8

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 3/8

4 Comparatives: creating basic comparatives

Part A: Read the following information and complete the examples.

We use comparative adjectives to compare one thing to another thing.

1. If it is one syllable or two syllables, we add -er

However, be careful with the spelling as it can change.

e.g., big → bigger

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 4/8

✷ interesting → more interesting

Sometimes we add -er

Sometimes we have to add more:

Sometimes we can use both:

7. Remember that there are irregular adjectives

1. I prefer Timberland shoes to Gucci as they are and . (strong/aﬀordable)

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 5/8

5 Comparatives: creating advanced comparatives

1. We can also compare adjectives by using less or not as... as.

The Nokia phone is not as pricey as the iPhone.

much/far/signiﬁcantly/ a lot + - er or more/less

Their products are signiﬁcantly bigger than ours.

Our products are a lot less expensive than theirs.

I think the new Samsung phone is just as good as the iPhone.

4. I don’t think the furniture at DFS is as stylish as IKEA furniture. (more)

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 6/8

Part B: Read the following information and do the task below.

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 7/8

Consider the following questions:

• Write at least 150 words

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 8/8

1. re/li/a/ble 2. help/ful 3. af/for/da/ble 4. prac/tic/al

4. Comparatives: creating basic comparatives

e.g., small → smaller

e.g., big → bigger

1. stronger ≀ more aﬀordable

5. Comparatives: creating advanced comparatives

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