Much Better, a Bit Smaller
Explore product comments with much, a lot, a little, and a bit. Discover how these phrases describe big and small differences.
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Questions with solutions-
1. Escolha a resposta correta.
How much has the quality improved?
These headphones are much better than my old ones.
- By a small amount.
- By a large amount.
- It has not improved.
The customer is describing a strong improvement.
Show solution
- By a large amount.
Use 'much better' when the difference in quality is big.
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2. Escolha a resposta correta.
What does 'a lot lighter' mean here?
This camera is a lot lighter than my old one.
- Much less heavy.
- A little less heavy.
- Much heavier.
Think about the camera's weight, not its color.
Show solution
- Much less heavy.
In comparisons, 'a lot' has the same meaning as 'much.' Both describe a big difference.
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3. Escolha a resposta correta.
Which lunch box is bigger?
The new lunch box is a bit smaller than the old one.
- The new one, by a small amount.
- The old one, by a large amount.
- The old one, by a small amount.
The boxes are close in size.
Show solution
- The old one, by a small amount.
'A bit' describes a small difference. The new box can still be quite large.
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4. Escolha a resposta correta.
What happens when the customer prints a page?
My new printer is a little slower than my old printer.
- It takes a little less time.
- It takes a little more time.
- It takes much more time.
A slower machine needs more time for the same job.
Show solution
- It takes a little more time.
'A little slower' means a small drop in speed, so the wait is only slightly longer.
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5. Preencha a lacuna.
My new laptop is ___ faster than my old one.
- very
- many
- much
The missing word describes the size of the difference.
Show solution
My new laptop is much faster than my old one.
Say 'very fast,' but 'much faster' when comparing two things.
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6. Preencha a lacuna.
These earbuds are a ___ smaller, so they fit my ears better.
- bit
- much
- very
The word after 'a' completes a phrase for a small difference.
Show solution
These earbuds are a bit smaller, so they fit my ears better.
'A bit smaller' describes a small change that can still make a product more comfortable.
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7. Preencha a lacuna.
This blanket is ___ little warmer than my old one.
- an
- a
- the
The missing word belongs to a phrase meaning 'by a small amount.'
Show solution
This blanket is a little warmer than my old one.
Keep 'a little' together before a comparison: 'a little warmer.'
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8. Preencha a lacuna.
This travel bag is much ___ than my old one.
- strong
- strongest
- stronger
The sentence compares two bags.
Show solution
This travel bag is much stronger than my old one.
For a short adjective like 'strong,' add '-er' to compare: 'much stronger.'
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9. Preencha a lacuna.
This winter coat is a ___ heavier than my raincoat.
- lot
- lots
- lot of
The phrase goes directly before 'heavier.'
Show solution
This winter coat is a lot heavier than my raincoat.
Use 'a lot heavier,' without 'of.' Use 'a lot of' before a noun, as in 'a lot of clothes.'
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10. Preencha a lacuna.
The first photo was too dark. This one is a little ___, but it is still not great.
- gooder
- better
- best
'Good' has a special form for comparing two things.
Show solution
The first photo was too dark. This one is a little better, but it is still not great.
The comparison form of 'good' is 'better,' not 'gooder.' An improvement does not have to be perfect.
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11. Preencha a lacuna.
These shoes are ___ comfortable than my old pair.
- more a bit
- a bit most
- a bit more
Keep the small-difference phrase before 'more comfortable.'
Show solution
These shoes are a bit more comfortable than my old pair.
With a longer adjective, use 'more': 'a bit more comfortable.' The modifier comes before 'more.'
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12. Preencha a lacuna.
The new speaker costs a few dollars less than the old model.
It is a little ___ expensive than the old model.
- less
- more
- most
The price has gone down, not up.
Show solution
It is a little less expensive than the old model.
'A little less expensive' means 'a little cheaper.' Both describe a small drop in price.
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13. Escolha a resposta correta.
What does the customer say about the price difference?
The basic tablet is cheaper than the one with more space, but not much cheaper.
- The basic tablet costs much less.
- The price difference is small.
- The basic tablet costs more.
Notice 'not' before 'much.'
Show solution
- The price difference is small.
'Not much cheaper' still means cheaper, but the saving is small.
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14. Escolha a resposta correta.
What does the customer mean?
My old alarm was too quiet. This one is a bit louder, but it still doesn't wake me up.
- The new alarm is quieter than the old one.
- The new alarm is loud enough to wake the customer.
- The new alarm is louder, but not loud enough.
A small improvement may not solve the problem.
Show solution
- The new alarm is louder, but not loud enough.
'Louder' compares the alarms. It does not mean the new alarm is loud enough for the customer.
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15. Escolha a resposta correta.
What are the two changes?
This phone is much faster than my old phone, but the battery lasts a little less time.
- It works much faster and needs charging a little sooner.
- It works a little faster and needs charging much sooner.
- It works much faster and needs charging a little later.
The speed change is big. The battery-time change is small.
Show solution
- It works much faster and needs charging a little sooner.
'But' connects a good change with a bad one here. Each comparison has its own modifier.