21 Best Exercises on Gradable and Non-gradable Adjectives

Understanding the difference between gradable and non-gradable adjectives is important for ESL learners, but it can be confusing without enough examples and practice. That’s why I’ve put together this detailed post with 21 different exercises designed to help your students master this topic step by step.

Each exercise is unique and focuses on a different way of practicing adjectives—from choosing the right modifiers to rewriting sentences and using adjectives in context. You can use these directly in your lessons, as group activities, homework, or even test prep.

The post is easy to follow, and all exercises are ready to use without extra planning. Whether you’re teaching intermediate or advanced learners, this collection will give you a wide range of practical materials to build your students’ confidence.

If you prefer a printable format, there’s also a PDF download available—but everything you need is already here in the post.

What Are Gradable and Non-gradable Adjectives?

Gradable Adjectives describe qualities that can vary in intensity. You can use them with words like very, a bit, really, quite.
Examples: cold, tired, happy, interesting

• It’s very cold today.
• She was quite tired after work.

Non-gradable Adjectives describe absolute or extreme qualities. They are not used with very or quite. Instead, use absolutely, completely, totally.
Examples: freezing, exhausted, delighted, fascinating

• It’s absolutely freezing outside!
• I was completely exhausted after the trip.

Look at the following table for a better understanding of the difference between gradable and non-gradable adjectives.

Gradable Adjective	Example (gradable)	Non‑gradable Adjective	Example (non‑gradable)
cold	It’s really cold today.	freezing	It’s absolutely freezing outside!
tired	I’m very tired after the workout.	exhausted	I was completely exhausted after the trip.
angry	She was quite angry when she found out.	furious	He was furious when he found out the truth.
happy	I’m really happy with the result.	ecstatic	She was ecstatic about her promotion.
easy	This exercise is really easy.	effortless	That task was completely effortless.
difficult	This exercise is really difficult.	impossible	This problem is completely impossible.
big	The suitcase is extremely big.	enormous	The building is absolutely enormous.
small	This suitcase is extremely small.	tiny	This kitten is absolutely tiny.
good	The performance was really good.	excellent	The performance was excellent.
bad	That movie was really bad.	terrible	I heard the news—and it was absolutely terrible.
hungry	I’m quite hungry.	starving	I haven’t eaten all day; I’m starving.
interesting	The lecture was very interesting.	fascinating	That documentary was absolutely fascinating.
beautiful	The view is really beautiful.	breathtaking	The view was absolutely breathtaking.
hot	It’s very hot today.	boiling	The water is absolutely boiling.
clean	The room is quite clean.	spotless	The kitchen was completely spotless.

Also see: 25 Adjectives vs. Adverbs Exercises.

Exercise 1: Gradable or Non-gradable?

Write G for gradable or NG for non-gradable next to each adjective.

1. ___ angry
2. ___ furious
3. ___ hot
4. ___ boiling
5. ___ tired
6. ___ exhausted
7. ___ big
8. ___ enormous
9. ___ delicious
10. ___ tasty

Exercise 2: Match Gradable with Non-gradable Pairs

Draw a line to connect the gradable adjective with its extreme (non-gradable) form.

Gradable	Non-gradable
cold	terrified
scared	boiling
angry	starving
hungry	freezing
hot	furious

Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Modifier

Fill in the blanks using very, absolutely, or completely.

1. The weather is __________ freezing.
2. I’m __________ tired after the workout.
3. That movie was __________ fascinating!
4. She was __________ furious when she saw the mess.
5. He is __________ happy with the result.
6. I’m __________ starving!
7. It’s __________ cold today.
8. We were __________ delighted to hear the news.

Exercise 4: Make It Stronger

Rewrite the sentences using non-gradable adjectives instead of gradable ones. Add appropriate intensifiers if needed.

1. It’s very cold today.
   👉 ___________________________________________
2. She is very angry.
   👉 ___________________________________________
3. The meal was very tasty.
   👉 ___________________________________________
4. He’s very tired after work.
   👉 ___________________________________________
5. They are very scared of snakes.
   👉 ___________________________________________

Exercise 5: Spot the Mistake

Correct the errors in the use of modifiers and adjectives.

1. I am very starving.
   👉 ___________________________________________
2. She’s absolutely tired.
   👉 ___________________________________________
3. It’s completely hot outside.
   👉 ___________________________________________
4. We were very delighted.
   👉 ___________________________________________
5. He felt absolutely cold.
   👉 ___________________________________________

Exercise 6: Pair Speaking (Role-play or Discussion)

Work with a partner. Ask and answer using the prompts. Use gradable or non-gradable adjectives with proper intensifiers.

Prompts:

• How do you feel when you miss a flight?
• Describe the weather last weekend.
• Talk about the best meal you’ve ever had.
• Describe a time you were scared.
• How do you feel when you get great news?

Use structures like:

• “I was absolutely terrified!”
• “It was quite cold, but not freezing.”

Exercise 7: Write a Paragraph

Topic: Write a short paragraph (5–7 sentences) describing your most exciting day.
Use at least 3 gradable and 3 non-gradable adjectives with the correct intensifiers.

Exercise 8: Transform the Adjective

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence by changing the adjective to its non-gradable (extreme) form and adding the correct intensifier.

1. It was very tired after the trip. → It was __________ exhausted.
2. The soup was very hot. → The soup was __________ boiling.
3. He felt very happy. → He felt __________ delighted.
4. The child was very hungry. → The child was __________ starving.
5. The room was very cold. → The room was __________ freezing.
6. She was very surprised. → She was __________ astonished.
7. The news was very shocking. → The news was __________ astounding.
8. The test was very easy. → The test was __________ effortless.
9. The movie was very boring. → The movie was __________ mind‑numbing.
10. The teacher was very angry. → The teacher was __________ furious.
11. The cake was very delicious. → The cake was __________ mouth‑watering.
12. He was very scared. → He was __________ terrified.
13. The view was very beautiful. → The view was __________ breathtaking.
14. The game was very exciting. → The game was __________ thrilling.
15. She was very busy. → She was __________ overwhelmed.

Exercise 9: Antonym Matching

Instructions: Match each gradable adjective in Column A with its opposite in Column B (which may be gradable or non‑gradable).

A (Gradable)	B (Opposite)
1. happy	a. freezing
2. big	b. starving
3. hot	c. tiny
4. tall	d. thrilled
5. tired	e. energetic
6. loud	f. silent
7. easy	g. difficult
8. hungry	h. full
9. interesting	i. dull
10. cold	j. boiling
11. busy	k. idle
12. excited	l. bored
13. sad	m. delighted
14. fast	n. slow
15. clean	o. filthy

Exercise 10: Comparative & Superlative

Instructions: Fill in with the correct comparative or superlative form of the adjective in brackets.

1. My car is __________ than yours. (fast)
2. This puzzle is the __________ I’ve ever done. (difficult)
3. She’s __________ now after a good night’s sleep. (tired)
4. That building is the __________ in the city. (tall)
5. Coffee is __________ than tea for me. (strong)
6. This task is __________ than the last one. (easy)
7. That was the __________ match of the season. (exciting)
8. Today is __________ than yesterday. (cold)
9. He’s __________ speaker in the group. (confident)
10. That’s the __________ cake I’ve ever tasted. (delicious)
11. These shoes are __________ than my old ones. (comfortable)
12. That was the __________ mistake you could make. (big)
13. Summer is __________ than winter. (hot)
14. Of all the options, this is the __________ choice. (good)
15. This exercise is __________ than the previous ones. (challenging)

Exercise 11: Error Correction in Short Sentences

Instructions: Each sentence has one mistake in adjective use or modifier. Correct each.

1. She was very freezing after the walk.
2. He’s completely hungry right now.
3. That was absolutely easy.
4. I felt really exhausted. (trick: gradable “really” vs non‑gradable “exhausted”)
5. The water is quite boiling.
6. I am utterly tired today.
7. The house is very huge.
8. The soup is completely delicious.
9. He was very delighted to meet you.
10. The day was absolutely hot.
11. She felt really starving.
12. It’s very dead in here.
13. That book was quite fascinating.
14. I’m absolutely happy with the result.
15. He is totally angry with me.

Exercise 12: Fill the Scale (1–10)

Instructions: For each adjective, write a sentence describing someone or something at levels 1 (low) and 10 (high) intensity.

1. cold → “Level 1: ________” / “Level 10: ________”
2. tired
3. happy
4. hungry
5. hot
6. scared
7. busy
8. sad
9. loud
10. clean
11. thirsty
12. excited
13. surprised
14. difficult
15. boring

Exercise 13: Find & Classify in a Passage

Instructions: Read the short paragraph. Underline all adjectives, then classify each as G (gradable) or NG (non‑gradable).

“Jessica was absolutely thrilled when she saw the enormous cake at her party. It was very sweet and completely irresistible. The decorations were quite colorful, and the music was really loud. Her friends looked absolutely delighted, and the atmosphere felt freezing cool with the air conditioning blasting.”

Exercise 14: Multiple‑Choice Selection

Instructions: Choose the best modifier (A, B, or C) for the underlined adjective.

1. I was ___ tired after the trip.
   • A) really
   • B) absolutely
   • C) utterly
2. The water is ___ freezing.
   • A) quite
   • B) very
   • C) completely
3. That news made me ___ happy.
   • A) so
   • B) absolutely
   • C) terribly
4. The puzzle was ___ difficult.
   • A) completely
   • B) a bit
   • C) utterly
5. She’s ___ furious about it.
   • A) quite
   • B) totally
   • C) really
6. The movie is ___ boring.
   • A) completely
   • B) rather
   • C) quite
7. He was ___ starving by noon.
   • A) very
   • B) absolutely
   • C) really
8. This task is ___ easy.
   • A) utterly
   • B) a little
   • C) completely
9. The room felt ___ cold.
   • A) really
   • B) totally
   • C) very
10. The surprise was ___ astonishing.
    • A) quite
    • B) completely
    • C) very
11. She is ___ delighted with her gift.
    • A) really
    • B) absolutely
    • C) rather
12. He was ___ scared of heights.
    • A) utterly
    • B) quite
    • C) a bit
13. The cake tastes ___ delicious.
    • A) totally
    • B) very
    • C) completely
14. The result was ___ satisfying.
    • A) a bit
    • B) completely
    • C) very
15. It felt ___ hot in the room.
    • A) absolutely
    • B) quite
    • C) very

Exercise 15: Dialogue Gap‑Fill

Instructions: Fill each blank in the dialogue with an appropriate gradable or non‑gradable adjective plus intensifier.
A: “How was the concert?”
B: “It was __________ (exciting)!”
A: “Really? Was it __________ (loud)?”
B: “Yes, it was .”
A: “And the band?”
B: “They were __________ (fantastic).”
A: “Did you feel __________ (tired) after?”
B: “A bit, but not __________ (exhausted).”
A: “Would you go again?”
B: “ (absolutely)!”

Exercise 16: Adjective + Preposition Collocations

Instructions: Complete each with the correct adjective + preposition from the box:
(aware of, interested in, good at, famous for, afraid of, similar to, jealous of, proud of, bored with, keen on, opposed to, married to, full of, tired of, short of)

1. She’s very __________ learning languages.
2. He’s __________ his new job.
3. They’re __________ horror movies.
4. I’m __________ waiting here.
5. We’re __________ classical music.
6. She’s __________ spiders.
7. He’s __________ his success.
8. The city is __________ historic buildings.
9. I’m __________ people who lie.
10. They’re __________ their neighbors.
11. I’m __________ money.
12. The place is __________ tourists.
13. She’s __________ her partner.
14. I’m __________ my old phone.
15. He’s __________ politics.

Exercise 17: Sentence to Question Transformation

Instructions: Turn each statement into a question using the underlined adjective and proper modifier.

1. She’s absolutely exhausted. → __________?
2. The water is completely freezing. → __________?
3. He was quite surprised. → __________?
4. The book is very interesting. → __________?
5. They were totally thrilled. → __________?
6. The cake is really tasty. → __________?
7. The test was utterly difficult. → __________?
8. She’s a bit nervous. → __________?
9. The room was extremely hot. → __________?
10. He was completely bored. → __________?
11. The ride was really scary. → __________?
12. She’s somewhat tired. → __________?
13. That movie is absolutely fascinating. → __________?
14. He’s rather tall. → __________?
15. The concert was totally amazing. → __________?

Exercise 18: Sorting Adjectives

Instructions: Sort the 15 adjectives into two columns: Gradable vs Non‑gradable.

• hungry
• freezing
• interesting
• exhausted
• big
• enormous
• delicious
• mouth‑watering
• tired
• shattered
• cold
• boiling
• small
• tiny
• perfect

Exercise 19: Rewrite with Different Intensifiers

Instructions: Each sentence uses one intensifier. Rewrite it using a different, but equally strong intensifier.

1. She’s quite happy.
2. The test was absolutely impossible.
3. I’m really hungry.
4. That film was completely boring.
5. He was very scared.
6. The soup is totally delicious.
7. They’re utterly amazed.
8. She was so tired.
9. The music was really loud.
10. It’s quite cold today.
11. He’s absolutely delighted.
12. The hike was very challenging.
13. I’m completely drained.
14. The cake is really sweet.
15. She’s truly excited.

Exercise 20: Create Your Own Sentences

Instructions: Using the adjectives below, write one sentence each with the correct intensifier.

1. fascinated __________________________________________________
2. furious _____________________________________________________
3. starving ____________________________________________________
4. thrilled _____________________________________________________
5. freezing ____________________________________________________
6. exhausted __________________________________________________
7. delicious ___________________________________________________
8. terrified ____________________________________________________
9. fascinating _________________________________________________
10. overwhelmed ______________________________________________
11. delighted __________________________________________________
12. boiling _____________________________________________________
13. shattered __________________________________________________
14. mouth‑watering ___________________________________________
15. astonished _________________________________________________

Exercise 21: Identify in Context

Instructions: In each of the 15 short sentences, circle the adjective and label it G or NG.

1. The coffee is completely delicious.
2. I was very nervous before the exam.
3. The stadium was absolutely packed.
4. She felt quite calm.
5. The night was totally dark.
6. He’s really enthusiastic.
7. The ice was freezing cold.
8. She’s utterly disappointed.
9. The view was really amazing.
10. I’m somewhat excited.
11. The journey was completely smooth.
12. He was totally speechless.
13. The room felt quite cozy.
14. The news was absolutely tragic.
15. I’m really proud of you.

Download the worksheet (Gradable and Non-gradable Adjectives) with 21 exercises.

Conclusion

Teaching the difference between gradable and non-gradable adjectives doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. With these 21 ready-made exercises, you’ll have plenty of ways to help your students practice naturally and confidently.

Feel free to mix and match the activities based on your lesson goals. And if you want a clean copy for printing or offline use, don’t forget to grab the downloadable PDF.

Happy teaching!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are gradable and non-gradable adjectives?
Gradable adjectives describe qualities that can vary in intensity (like cold, happy, or tired), while non-gradable adjectives describe extreme or absolute states (like freezing, ecstatic, or exhausted).

How do I teach the difference between them?
Start by showing students how modifiers work differently. Use lots of examples and then let them practice with exercises like the ones in this post.

Are these exercises suitable for beginners?
The early exercises are easy and good for high beginners or pre-intermediate students. Later ones are better for intermediate and advanced learners.

Can I use these in online classes?
Yes! You can copy-paste the exercises into your slides or share screens to do the activities together.

Is there an answer key included?
The post does not include answer keys, but you can easily create your own by reviewing each exercise. Let me know if you’d like a separate answer key PDF.

Can I give these as homework?
Absolutely. Many of the exercises work well as homework or self-study tasks.

Can I download all the exercises as a PDF?
Yes. There’s a link to download a printable PDF version of all 21 exercises.

Are these activities suitable for speaking practice?
Yes. Several exercises can be adapted for speaking by asking students to use adjectives in their own sentences or compare ideas in pairs.

What level are these exercises for?
They’re best for pre-intermediate to upper-intermediate levels, but some can be simplified or extended as needed.

Can I share this resource with my colleagues?
Yes, feel free to share the blog post link with other teachers. Please don’t upload the PDF elsewhere—link back to this post instead.