Question

Complete using the most appropriate option:
Very few toys in this shop are __________ as this one.
a) More expensive
b) As expensive
c) Most expensive
d) So expensive

Answer 1

Hint: The given question is about adjectives of comparison- positive, comparative, and superlative. Positive- when we are talking about an individual thing. Comparative- when we are comparing two objects. Superlative- when we are comparing three or more things.

Complete answer:
In the given sentence, we have to use the formula “as + adjective + as” to get the answer. It is used when we have to show that two groups of things being compared is unequal. The adjective here is “expensive”.
Option a- more expensive- It is wrong because of the comparative degree. We don’t need to use a comparative degree here because we are not comparing two things. Example of comparative degree- She is taller than her brother.
Option b- as expensive- It is the right answer because “as + expensive + as” fulfills the formula of “as + adjective + as”. We are showing that very few toys (let’s call them “item 1”) are not as expensive as a certain toy in question (let’s call it “item 2”). So item 1 and item 2 are unequal.
Option c- most expensive- It is wrong because the most expensive is a superlative degree. A superlative degree is used when we have to show that something is the best out of all the others.
Option d- so expensive as- It is incorrect because the formula to compare is “as + adjective + as”. We cannot use “so + adjective + as” since it is incorrect grammar.

Note:
 The key in the sentence is the usage of the word "as" after the blank. It is the biggest hint as to which degree of comparison is to be used because the sentence also has to be grammatically correct.