Amazing facts / Datos asombrosos

In this third learning activity, you will learn about describing people, objects and
places and how to make comparisons using superlative and comparative forms. /
En esta tercera actividad de aprendizaje, aprenderá sobre describir personas,
objetos y lugares y sobre cómo hacer comparaciones usando comparativos y
superlativos.

Introductory material / Material introductorio

Dear learner, / Estimado aprendiz:

This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 3. / Este
material le permitirá estudiar los temas relacionados con la actividad de
aprendizaje 3.

You will learn about: / Los temas a tratar son:

1. Describing people and places. / Descripción de personas y lugares.

2. Comparative and superlative forms. / Formas de comparativos y

superlativos.

Let’s begin! / ¡Empecemos!

 1. Describing people and places / Descripción de personas y lugares

A. Johana wants to go on a date, so she decided to sign up for an online dating

website. Read her profile and physical description. / Johana quiere tener una
cita, para ello ha decidido inscribirse en una página web de citas, lea el perfil
de Johana y su descripción física.

Fuente: SENA

The following is a list of adjectives to describe people / La siguiente es

una lista de adjetivos para describir personas

a. Age: baby, toddler, child, a. Edad: bebé, niño de 2 – 4 años,

teenager, young adult, niño, adolescente, adulto joven,
middle-aged, elderly. edad mediana, adulto mayor.

b. Build: slim/thin, athletic, b. Contextura: delgado, atlético,

muscular, fat, overweight. musculoso, gordo, obeso.

c. Height: tall, medium, average c. Estatura: alto, mediano, estatura

height, short. promedio, bajo.

d. Eye color: black, brown, blue, d. Color de ojos: negro, café, azul,
grey, green, hazel. gris, verde, miel.
 e. Tipo de cabello: largo, corto, a la
e. Hair type: long, short, shoulder
altura de los hombros, liso, crespo,
length, straight, curly, wavy, bald.
ondulado, calvo.

f. Hair color: red, black, dark f. Color de cabello: rojizo, negro,

brown, light brown, blonde, white, café oscuro, café claro, rubio,
grey, highlights. blanco, gris, iluminaciones.

g. Facial hair: full beard, g. Vello facial: Barba completa,

moustache, thick eyebrows, bigote, cejas pobladas, sombra de
unshaven. barba.

h. Personalidad: alegre, sociable,

h. Personality: fun, easygoing, shy,
tímido/a, hablador/a, inteligente,
talkative, smart, nice.
agradable.

Read the following short conversations to see some useful expressions for
describing people. / Lea las siguientes conversaciones cortas para ver
algunas expresiones útiles acerca de descripción de personas.

A: What do you look like? A: ¿Cómo es su aspecto físico?

B: I am tall and thin. I B: Soy alta y delgada. Tengo

have short, red hair. cabello rojo corto.

To answer this question Para responder a esta pregunta

remember the formulas: recuerde las fórmulas:

I am + adjective. Soy + adjetivo.

I have + adjective + Tengo + adjetivo + parte del

body part. cuerpo.
Fuente: SENA
A: What does she look
A: ¿Cómo es el aspecto
like?
físico de ella?
B: She is short and fat.
B: Ella es baja y gorda. Ella
She has dark brown
tiene ojos cafés oscuros y
eyes and curly, blonde
cabello rubio y crespo.
hair.
Para responder a esta
To answer this question
pregunta recuerde las
remember the formulas:
fórmulas:
She is / He is +
Ella es / Él es + adjetivo.
adjective.
Fuente: SENA
Ella tiene / Él tiene +
She has / He has +
adjetivo + parte del cuerpo.
adjective + body part.

A: ¿Cómo es tu
A: What are you like?
personalidad?
B: I am nice and shy.
B: Soy agradable y tímida.
To answer this question
Para responder a esta
remember the formula:
pregunta recuerde la
fórmula:
She is / He is +
adjective. Fuente: SENA Ella es / Él es + adjetivo.
 A: ¿Cómo es su
A: What is she like?
personalidad?
B: She is fun and
B: Ella es divertida y
easygoing.
sociable.
To answer this
Para responder a esta
question remember
pregunta recuerde la
the formula:
fórmula:
She is / He is + Fuente: SENA Ella es / el es +
adjective.
adjetivo.

B. Nicole wants to know about touristic places in Colombia. She is planning a trip
with some friends. Read the following article that will help you learn how to
describe places: / Nicole quiere saber acerca de sitios turísticos en
Colombia. Ella está planeado un viaje con sus amigos. Lea el siguiente
artículo para aprender a describir lugares:
 Traveling across Colombia

This beautiful country has a wide variety of climates;

you can enjoy its lovely beaches or walk in the
mountains any time of the year.

Cartagena is a coastal city full of beaches and

comfortable hotels. You can practice water sports,
such as scuba diving, sailing or water skiing. It’s
sunny hot weather invites visitors to sunbathe and
relax near the sea.

Also, Cartagena is an old city with colonial

architecture and excellent restaurants which offer
international and traditional food.

Another place is Nevado del Ruiz. The Nevado is a

high snowcapped mountain where you can find
small hotels. You can play with the snow, enjoy the
landscape and go climbing. It’s a peaceful and
amazing natural place.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see fantastic places and

have fun. Colombia is waiting for you!

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Adjectives to describe objects and places / Adjetivos para describir
objetos y lugares

a. Opinion: interesting, peaceful, a. Opinión: interesante, tranquilo,

famous, important, useful, famoso, importante, útil,
excellent, nice, cheap, expensive, excelente, bonito, barato,
beautiful, comfortable. costoso, hermoso, cómodo.
b. Size: big, small, huge, heavy, b. Tamaño / medida: grande,
light, wide, high. pequeño, enorme, pesado,
liviano, ancho, alto.
c. Age: old, new, modern, ancient, c. Edad: viejo, nuevo, moderno,
old fashioned. antiguo, anticuado.
d. Shape: square, round, d. Forma: cuadrado, redondo,
rectangular, triangular, narrow. rectangular, triangular, angosto.
e. Color: blue, brown, gray, purple, e. Color: azul, café, gris, morado,
white, green, orange, red, yellow, blanco, verde, naranja, rojo,
pink. amarillo, rosado.
f. Material: iron, rubber, paper, f. Material: de hierro, de goma, de
plastic, stone, wooden, glass, papel, de plástico, de piedra, de
leather, cotton, woolen. madera, de vidrio, de cuero, de
algodón, de lana.

Useful expressions to describe objects and places / Expresiones útiles

acerca de descripción de objetos y lugares

A: What does A: ¿Cómo es el aspecto de

Cartagena look like? Cartagena?

B: It is an old, coastal B: Es una ciudad costera

city. It has beautiful antigua. Tiene hermosas
beaches. playas.

To answer this Para responder a esta

question remember the pregunta recuerde las
formulas: fórmulas:

It is + adjective + Esto es + adjetivo +

noun. Fuente: Fotolia sustantivo.
(s.f.)
It has + adjective + Tiene + adjetivo +
noun. sustantivo
A: What is Cartagena A: ¿Cómo es Cartagena?
like?
B: Es divertida y tranquila.
B: It is fun and relaxed.
Para responder a esta
To answer this question pregunta recuerde la
remember the formula: fórmula:

It is + adjective. Fuente: Fotolia (s.f.) Esto es + adjetivo.

A: ¿Cómo es el aspecto
A: What does Nevado del del Nevado del Ruíz?
Ruiz look like?
B: Es un nevado alto.
B: It is a high, snowcapped Tiene asombrosos
mountain. It has paisajes.
amazing landscapes.
Fuente: Fotolia (s.f.) Para responder a esta
pregunta recuerde las
To answer this question
fórmulas:
remember the formulas:
Fuente: Fotolia (s.f.) Esto es + adjetivo +
It is + adjective + noun. sustantivo.

It has + adjective + noun Tiene + adjetivo +

sustantivo.
 A: What is Nevado
A: ¿Cómo es el Nevado del
del Ruiz like?
Ruíz?
B: It is peaceful and
B: Es tranquilo y asombroso.
amazing.
Para responder a esta
To answer this
pregunta recuerde la
question remember
fórmula:
the formula:
Fuente: Fotolia (s.f.)
Esto es + adjetivo.
It is + adjective.

A: ¿Cómo es el aspecto de
A: What does your car
su carro?
look like?

B: It is small, old and B: Es pequeño, viejo y azul.

blue. It has new Tiene llantas nuevas.
wheels.
A: ¿Cómo es su carro?
A: What is your car like?
B: Es barato y cómodo.
B: It is nice and
comfortable. Para responder a estas
preguntas recuerde las
To answer this questions fórmulas:
remember the formulas:
Fuente: SENA Esto es + adjetivo +
It is + adjective + noun. sustantivo.
It has + adjective +
Tiene + adjetivo +
noun.
sustantivo.

2. Comparatives and superlatives / Comparativos y Superlativos

A. Nicole continues planning her trip. She is still looking for more information
about cities in Colombia. Let’s show her some facts. / Nicole continúa
planeando su viaje, por esta razón ella está buscando información sobre
ciudades en Colombia. Mostrémosle algunos datos.
 Barranquilla Medellin Bogota

Barranquilla is a big Medellin is bigger than Bogota is the biggest city

city. / Barranquilla es Barranquilla. / Medellín in Colombia. / Bogotá es
una ciudad grande. es más grande que la ciudad más grande de
Barranquilla. Colombia.

Villavicencio Cucuta Barranquilla

Villavicencio is a hot Cucuta is hotter than Barranquilla is the

city. / Villavicencio es Villavicencio. / Cúcuta hottest city in Colombia. /
una ciudad caliente. es más caliente que Barranquilla es la ciudad
Villavicencio. más caliente de
Colombia.

Cartagena Medellin Bogota

 Cartagena is a Medellin is more Bogota is the most
populated city. / populated than populated city in
Cartagena es una Cartagena. / Medellín Colombia. / Bogotá es la
ciudad poblada. es más poblada que ciudad más poblada de
Cartagena. Colombia.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

B. Making comparisons in English. / Haciendo comparaciones en inglés.

When you compare people, objects or places in English, you usually talk about
their similarities and differences. To do this you need to use comparative and
superlative forms. / Cuando usted compara personas, objetos o lugares en
inglés, usualmente habla sobre sus similitudes o diferencias. Para hacerlo
usted necesita usar comparativos y superlativos.

Let’s see how these adjectives are formed. / Revisemos como se forman
estos adjetivos.

Comparative adjectives / Adjetivos comparativos

Adjective / Adjetivo Add… / Añadir … Example / Ejemplo

Bogota is colder than Medellin. /

Cold / Frío Cold +er / Más frio
Bogotá es más fría que Medellín.

Mr. Spencer feels happier in

Cartagena than in Bogota. / El
Happy / Feliz Happier / Más feliz
señor Spencer es más feliz en
Cartagena que en Bogotá.

Bogota is more populated than

More + populated /
Populated / Poblado Medellin. / Bogotá es más
Más poblado
poblada que Medellín.
a. Forming comparative and superlative adjectives. / Formar adjetivos
comparativos y superlativos.

Adjective form / Comparative form / Superlative form /

Adjetivo en forma Forma comparative Forma superlativa
básica

Cold / Frío Colder / Más frío The coldest / El más frío

Example: Medellin is colder than Cartagena. Bogota is the coldest. /

Ejemplo: Medellín es más frío que Cartagena. Bogotá es la más fría.

Only one syllable adjective, with

one vowel and one consonant Superlative
Comparative form /
at the end / form / Forma
Forma comparativa
Adjetivo de una sílaba con una superlativa
vocal y una consonante al final

The biggest /
Big /Grande Bigger / Más grande
El más grande
Example: Medellin is bigger than Cartagena. Bogota is the biggest. /
Ejemplo: Medellín es más grande que Cartagena. Bogotá es la más
grande.

Two syllables adjective,

ending in –y / Adjetivo Comparative form / Superlative form /
de dos sílabas Forma comparativa Forma superlativa
terminado en – y
The windiest /
Windy / Ventoso Windier / Más ventoso
El más ventoso
Example: Spring is windier than summer. Autumn is the windiest /
Ejemplo: la primavera es más ventosa que el verano. El otoño es el más
ventoso.
 Two or more syllables
not ending in –y / Dos o Comparative form / Superlative form /
más sílabas no Forma comparativa Forma superlativa
terminando en – y
More interesting / The most interesting /
Interesting / Interesante
Más interesante El más interesante
Example: Daniel is more interesting than Julian. Daryl is the most
interesting. / Ejemplo: Daniel es más interesante que Julian. Daryl es el
más interesante.

Irregular adjectives / Comparative form / Superlative form /

Adjetivos irregulares Forma comparative Forma superlativa

Good / Bueno Better / Mejor The best / El mejor

Bad / Malo Worse / Más malo The worst / El peor
Example: Eating vegetables is better than eating fast food. / Ejemplo:
comer verduras es mejor que comer comida rápida.

Example: Cooking at home is the best way to eat healthy. / Ejemplo:

cocinar en casa es la mejor forma de comer saludable.

Example: Sleeping four hours is worse than sleeping five hours. Sleeping
more than eight hours is the worst. / Ejemplo: dormir cuatro horas es más
malo que dormir cinco horas. Dormir más de ocho horas es lo peor.

Contextualization / Contextualización

Read the conversation between Johana and Nicole. / Lea la conversación entre
Johana y Nicole.
 Hi,
Johana. What’s
up?

I’m planning
a trip with
some friends
That’s great!
around
Colombia.
 We can I am so
check on my excited about visiting
computer to Colombia! But first, I
choose the best need to decide which
place to visit. cities in Colombia I
want to go to.

World Tour
travel agency has Great idea!
a lot of
information on its
website.
 Let’s go for
Sure. a cup of coffee
Ok let’s go into and you can help
the coffee shop me plan my trip.
near my house.

In the coffee shop…

Look Nicole,
It seems very this is the website.
interesting. Let’s
check what’s on
the page.
Our travel agency World
Tour is pleased to
welcome you to a new
travel experience.
We offer the best tourist
packages to suit all
our customer’s budgets
and preferences.
 I am not
Thanks Johana. You’re
sure yet. I have
You helped me welcome. So,
to talk to my
to plan my trip. where are you
friends, but
going to travel?
Medellin sounds
good.

Ok.
It looks like
I’ll talk to you Ok. Good
a fantastic city.
later. I have to luck! Bye!
I hope you can visit
it soon and tell me go talk to my
friends about
about your trip!
the trip.

The end.
Fuente de imágenes: SENA
 Comprehension / Comprensión

A. Read the conversation again. Select (X) true or false about the statements. /
Lea la conversación nuevamente. Seleccione (X) verdadero o falso acerca de
las oraciones.

True False

1. Johana is planning a trip.

2. Nicole is travelling soon.

3. Nicole is excited about visiting Colombia.

4. World Tour is an expensive hotel.

5. Nicole and Johana went for a cup of

coffee.

6. World Tour does not have information

about traveling.
7. Nicole and Johana read a tourist guide.

8. Johana is traveling with Nicole.

9. Johana didn’t help Nicole.

10. Nicole liked the website.

B. Complete the sentences with comparative and superlative forms from the box.
/ Complete las oraciones con comparativos y superlativos de la caja.
 colder / the best / bigger than / windier / the hottest / the biggest /
the most important / the second biggest

1. We offer _________ tourist packages.

2. Bogota is ________ than Medellin.

3. Cartagena is probably _________ city.

4. Bogota is __________ city in the country.

5. Bogota is_______ than Medellin.

6. Bogota is one of _______________ cities in the country.

7. Medellin is _________________ city.

8. Bogota is _______ than Medellin.

Practice 1 / Práctica 1

A. Read and complete the texts about Johana and her friends with the words
from the box. / Lea y complete los textos acerca de Johana y sus amigos con
las palabras de la caja.

short brown / long straight black / shoulder length brown / short blonde
/ slim / brown / blue / brown / dark brown

What does Johana look like? She has

_____________ hair. She is _____ and
she has __________eyes.
 What does John look like? He has
_________ hair. He has _____ eyes.

What does Richard look like? He has

__________ hair. He has ______ eyes.

What does Nicole look like? She has

____________ hair. She has
_______eyes.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

B. Match each description with the image. / Relacione cada descripción con una
imagen.

It is a small blue car.

It is a white notebook.
 It is a red pencil.

It is an old watch.

It is a large red car.

It is a modern watch.

It is a yellow pencil.

It is a short dress.

It is a red notebook.
 It is a long dress.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

C. Take a look at pictures A and B. Then complete the sentences using the
comparative forms of the adjectives in brackets. / Observe las fotos A y B.
Luego complete las oraciones usando las formas comparativas de los
adjetivos en paréntesis.

Picture A Picture B

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Example: House B is in a more polluted (polluted) area than house A.

1. House B is ________ (noisy) than house A.

2. House A is _______ (quiet) than house B.

3. House A is ________ (good) for growing vegetables than house B.

4. House A is located in a ______________ (peaceful) location than house B.

 5. House A is _____________ (convenient) than house B for having a pet.

D. Choose the correct option. / Escoja la opción correcta.

Example: I am old / older / more old than my sister.

1. English is (easier / more easy / easy) than other languages.

2. Colombians are (happy / most happier / happier) than people from other
countries.

3. Cats are (more funny / funnier / the funnier) than dogs.

4. Mexican food is (spicier / spicy / spiciest) than Colombian food.

5. Riding bicycle is (the fast / the faster / faster) than walking.

6. Working out is (good / gooder / better) than smoking.

7. Eggs are (more cheapier / cheaper / the cheapest) than meat.

8. The country is (more quietest / quieter/ quiet) than the city.

9. Americans are (the tallest / the more tall / taller) than Colombians.

10. The traffic in Bogota is (worse / bad / worst) than in Medellin.

Practice 2 / Práctica 2
PACTICE 2 / PRÁCTICA 2
A. Study the following information about Johana, Nicole, John and Richard. Then,
complete the sentences using comparative and superlative forms of the
adjectives in brackets. / Estudie la información acerca de Johana, Nicole, John
y Richard. Luego complete las oraciones usando comparativos y superlativos
de los adjetivos en paréntesis.
 Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Example: Johana is older (old) than John.

1. Richard is _________ (young) than Nicole.

2. Johana’s hair is ___________ (straight) than Nicole’s.

3. Johana is ________ (old) than John, but Richard is ________ (old) than
Johana. Nicole is the _________ (old) of them all.

4. John is ________ (heavy) than Richard.

5. Nicole is ________ (light) than John.

6. Richard is ________ (light) than John. Nicole is ________ (light) than

Richard, but Johana is the __________ (light) of all.

7. Johana is ________ (tall) than John.

8. Nicole is _________ (short) than Richard.

9. Nicole is ________ (short) than Johana and John. Richard is

____________(tall) of the group.
 10. John looks _________ (happy) than the others.

B. Look at the following adjectives. Drag their comparative and superlative forms
in the correct box. / Observe los siguientes adjetivos. Arrastre su forma
comparativa y superlativa en el cuadro correspondiente.

More famous The most

Noisier than. Bigger than.
than. delicious.
More popular The most More beautiful More expensive
than. comfortable. than. than.
The most The most
The ugliest. The fattest.
crowded. modern.

Comparative form Superlative form

C. Choose the correct option. / Escoja la opción correcta.

Example: I am old / older / more old than my sister.

1. Bogota is the more big / bigger / biggest city in Colombia.

2. Reading is interesting / more interesting / interestinger than watching

T.V.

3. Cats are more good / gooder / better pets than dogs.

4. Taking a taxi is more expensive / the more expensive / expensive than

taking a bus.

5. Chocolate ice-cream is deliciouser / most delicious / more delicious that

vanilla ice-cream.
 6. The importantest / most important /more important thing in life is self-
esteem.

7. Chatting on line with a friend is more funny / funnier / the funnier than
meeting him/her personally.

8. Roses are the most beautiful / more beautiful / beautiful flowers.

9. Going to the cinema is the popularest / more popular / most popular free
time activity in my city.

10. A sofa is more comfortable / comfortablier / the more comfortable than

a chair.

Pronunciation practice / Práctica de pronunciación

Note: This practice must be completed using the multimedia version of the study
material. There you will find the corresponding sound files. / Nota: esta práctica
debe ser completada usando la versión multimedia del material de estudio. Allí
encontrará los archivos de audio correspondientes.

A. Listen to the following words. Pay attention to the pronunciation of the vowel
in each word. / Escuche las siguientes palabras. Preste atención a la vocal
de cada palabra.

Note: If there are more than two vowels in a word, pay attention to the vowel
in the underlined syllable. / Nota: si hay más de dos vocales en una palabra,
preste atención únicamente a la vocal en la sílaba subrayada.

ɜr ər ə e er
First Paper University Leather Where

Purple Better Important Best Square

Now, classify the words on the following list according to the vowel sound
you hear. / Ahora, clasifique las palabras en la lista de acuerdo con el sonido
que escuche.
 Pepper Best

Worse Hair

Rubber World

Elderly Famous

Popular Muscular

Dress Weather

Cotton Worst

Term Modern

Bigger Woolen

Leather Comfortable

Paper Elderly

Curly Comfortable

Muscular Better

ɜr ər ə e er

B. Listen to the following words. Pay attention to the pronunciation of the

underlined consonant in each word. Then, say them aloud. Try to imitate the
consonants sounds you hear. / Escuche las siguientes palabras. Preste
atención a la consonante subrayada en cada palabra. Luego, diga las
palabras en voz alta tratando de imitar los sonidos consonánticos
escuchados.

θ t ð d
Thick Fat This Bald

Athletic Height Another Toddler

Now, classify the words on the following list according to the consonant
sound you hear. / Ahora, clasifique las palabras en la lista de acuerdo con el
sonido de consonante que escuche.

Ancient The

Leather Overweight

Elderly Weather

Than Child

Modern Beard

Moustache Length

Thin Cotton

Old Light

Straight Blonde
 θ t ð d

C. Listen to the following words. Pay attention to the stressed syllable. /

Escuche las siguientes palabras. Preste atención a la ubicación de la sílaba
acentuada.

Leather Athletic Beautiful

Plastic Important Overweight

Now, classify the words on the list according to their stress pattern. / Ahora,
clasifique las palabras en la lista de acuerdo con su patrón acentual.

Famous
Muscular
Iron
Talkative
Peaceful
Elderly
Comfortable
Hazel
Expensive
Middle age
Rubber
Shoulder length
Narrow
Unshaven
Interesting
Average
 Useful
Medium
Woolen
Teenager

D. Listen to the pronunciation of the following sentences. Then, say them aloud.
Try to imitate the intonation pattern used. / Escuche la pronunciación de las
siguientes oraciones. Luego, dígalas en voz alta tratando de imitar el patrón
de entonación usado.

What does she look like?

Sleeping four hours is worse than sleeping five hours.

Barranquilla is the hottest city in Colombia.

What are you like?
Daryl is the most interesting.
Medellin is colder than Cartagena. Bogota is the
coldest.
Daniel is more interesting than Julian.
Eating vegetables is better than eating fast food.
 References / Referencias

• Fotolia. (s.f.). Chimborazo volcano at dawn on a sunny day. Consultado el 07

de septiembre de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/69064299

• Fotolia. (s.f.). Girls sun bathing on the beach. Consultado el 07 de septiembre

de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/63508480

• Fotolia. (s.f.). Osorno vulcan, Chile. Consultado el 07 de septiembre de 2014,

en http://co.fotolia.com/id/69700783

• Fotolia. (s.f.). Walled town of Cartagena, Colombia. Consultado el 07 de

septiembre de 2014, en http://co.fotolia.com/id/68788091

Document control / Control del documento

Name Position Dependence Date

Theme expert
Dirección de
Author Johana Asesor English
Formación August
Méndez Dot Works -
Profesional. 2014
Sarmiento Programa de
Dirección General
bilingüismo
Copy editor – Centro
Luz Clarena September
Adaptation Línea de Agroindustrial.
Arias 2014
Producción Regional Quindío