Lesson #10 • 10 Practice Exercises Included
Comparative Structures & Proportional Quantifiers in Task 1 Mastering 'twice as much as', 'outnumbered by', 'threefold increase', and complex comparison syntax.
## Advanced Comparison Structures in IELTS
Comparing data accurately is the foundation of Task 1 Academic Band 8+ scoring.
### High-Scoring Comparison Formulas:
- **Multipliers**: *The UK figure was **nearly six times higher than** that of Germany.*
- **Proportions**: *Spain generated **double the proportion of** clean power compared to France.*
- **Relative Clauses with 'that of'**: *Expenditure on healthcare exceeded **that of** education.* (Avoid repeating 'expenditure on').
- **Verbs of Dominance**: *Outnumbered, eclipsed, surpassed, dwarfed, outstripped.*
"The expenditure in 2020 was double than in 2010."
"The expenditure in 2020 was double that of 2010."
Why: Use 'double that of' or 'twice as high as', not 'double than'.
"Male graduates were more higher than female graduates."
"Male graduates significantly outnumbered female graduates."
Why: Never use double comparatives ('more higher'). Use precise verbs like 'outnumbered'.
"The proportion of cars was four times larger compared to buses."
"The proportion of cars was four times as large as that of buses."
Why: 'four times as large as that of...' is the correct multiplier structure.
"Germany produced less emissions than UK."
"Germany produced fewer emissions than the UK."
Why: Use 'fewer' with plural countable nouns ('emissions') and 'less' with uncountables ('pollution').
"The cost of living in Tokyo is higher than Cairo."
"The cost of living in Tokyo is substantially higher than that of Cairo."
Why: Compare the 'cost of living' to 'that of Cairo', not the city itself (illogical comparison).
1 Select the sentence with correct multiplier phrasing:
Renewable energy production in 2020 was nearly six times higher than in 2010. Renewable energy production in 2020 was six times more higher than 2010. Renewable energy production in 2020 was six times double than 2010. Renewable energy production was six higher.
2 Choose the correct comparison avoiding redundant noun repetition:
Healthcare spending in the UK surpassed that of France. Healthcare spending in the UK surpassed healthcare spending in France. Healthcare spending in the UK surpassed France. Healthcare spending surpassed.
3 Which quantifier correctly completes: 'Germany generated ___ carbon emissions than the United States.'
fewer less least fewest
4 Fill in the blank: 'Domestic airline passengers ___ international travelers by three to one.'
outnumbered dwarfed than higher than exceeded of
5 Select the sentence with correct 'as... as' structure:
Spain generated twice as much clean energy as France. Spain generated twice as much clean energy than France. Spain generated twice more clean energy as France. Spain generated two times clean energy.
6 Choose the correct phrase to describe a 300% increase:
Sales experienced a threefold surge over the decade. Sales experienced three surge. Sales went up three times double. Sales tripled by three times.
7 Select the correct sentence comparing city populations:
The population of Tokyo is significantly larger than that of London. The population of Tokyo is significantly larger than London. The population of Tokyo is more larger than London. The population of Tokyo is double than London.
8 Fill in the blank: 'Electric car sales grew at a ___ faster pace than diesel vehicles.'
substantially more very double
9 Choose the correct contrastive comparison:
While Germany's share escalated to 45%, that of France rose by merely eight percentage points. While Germany's share escalated to 45%, France rose by eight percent. Germany escalated, France was small. Germany was 45% whereas France was eight.
10 Which verb means 'to make something appear small or insignificant by comparison'?
Dwarf / eclipse Cancel Decrease Equalize
Practice "Comparative Structures & Proportional Quantifiers in Task 1" in Targeted Tests Practice Comparatives