Question

Fill in the blank with the appropriate word:
Tom is the ________ of the two brothers.
A) elder
B) oldest
C) old
D) eldest

Answer 1

Hint: There is a comparison that is being drawn between Tom and his brothers in the given sentence. Therefore, the comparative degree of comparison must be used to fill in the blank.
Complete step by step solution: In the given question, the subject, Tom is being compared with his brother and hence, the topic of this question is degrees of comparison. Let us try to understand this concept.
Adjectives are words that are used to describe a noun. There are three levels of adjectives, degrees of comparison. The Positive Degree is used while describing one person or object. The Comparative Degree is used while comparing two persons or objects with one another. These adjectives usually have ‘-er’ added to the end of the word of most one and two syllable words. The highest form, Superlative Degree, is used while comparing more than two persons or two objects with one another.
In the above question, Tom is being compared with his brother. The comparison is hence between two people. Hence, the degree of comparison used is the comparative degree. Since words in this comparison usually end with ‘-er’, the correct answer is an option ‘A’ elder.
Option ‘B’ oldest and option ‘D’ eldest, are incorrect as since these words end with ‘-est’, these indicate the superlative degree.
Option ‘C’, old is incorrect as it indicates a positive degree.

Note:
To solve such questions with ease, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the degrees of comparison.