Question

Choose the option that fills the blank with the most suitable word:
Hilda was _____ from home so her friends dropped her off first.
A. Far
B. Farther
C. Farthest
D. As far as

Answer 1

Hint: The sentence suggests that Hilda was dropped off first. The blank suggests we are talking about the distance of Hilda’s home. This is an example of an adverb of a superlative degree. Let us look for an option that is in superlative form.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us analyse each option individually in detail to know the correct answer.

Far: The word far means at a distance. Far is an adverb of a positive degree. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “Hilda was far from home so her friends dropped off her first”. This option doesn’t completely justify the reason for dropping off Hilda first. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.
Farther: The word farther means at a comparatively more distance. Farther is an adverb of a comparative degree. Here, since we are not comparing the distance to a single other quantity, we cannot use the comparative form of the adjective. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “Hilda was farther from home so her friends dropped off her first”. This option doesn’t completely justify the reason for dropping off Hilda first. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.
Farthest: The word farthest means at the most distance. Farthest is an adverb of a superlative degree. By implying this option, the sentence becomes “Hilda was farthest from home so her friends dropped off her first”. This option completely justified the reason for dropping off Hilda first. Therefore, this is the correct option.
As far as This means up to a particular place but not further, or up to an extent, up to a degree. By implying this option, the sentence becomes, “Hilda was as far as from home so her friends dropped off her first”. This option doesn’t justify the reason for dropping off Hilda first. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note:
An adverb of a superlative form is used to show the degree or extent of action. It is either the least or the most. Example: He has the biggest house. She got the smallest assignment.