30 Best Exercises on Adjectives for ESL Students of All Levels

Helping ESL students master adjectives through exercises on adjectives is one of the easiest ways to boost their speaking and writing skills. Adjectives bring color, detail, and personality to their sentences—whether they’re talking about a “happy dog,” a “cold day,” or a “beautiful memory.”

But it’s not just about knowing a list of adjectives. Many learners need help figuring out where to place them, how to compare things, and how to use them naturally in conversation or writing.

That’s where this post comes in.

You’ll find 30 carefully crafted exercises that guide your students from simple adjective recognition to writing original sentences and paragraphs filled with descriptive language. Each activity focuses on a key skill and is designed to be used in class, for homework, or even during self-study.

From CEFR level A1 to C2, there’s something for everyone. Let’s help your learners say more, describe better, and write with confidence—one adjective at a time.

What Are Adjectives?

Adjectives are words that describe or give more information about nouns. They tell us what kind, how many, or which one.

We use adjectives to make our sentences more interesting, clear, and detailed.

👉 Example:
Without adjective: She has a cat.
With adjective: She has a black cat.

Adjectives answer questions like:

• What kind? (a delicious cake)
• How many? (three apples)
• Which one? (that old car)

Where Do Adjectives Go?

Usually, adjectives come before the noun they describe:
👉 a big house, an exciting book

But they can also come after the verb “be” and other linking verbs like look, seem, or feel:
👉 The movie is boring.
👉 He feels tired.

Types of Adjectives

Here are a few common types of adjectives ESL students should know:

• Descriptive adjectives: beautiful, hot, tall
• Quantitative adjectives: some, few, many
• Demonstrative adjectives: this, that, these, those
• Possessive adjectives: my, your, their
• Interrogative adjectives: which, what, whose
• Comparative & superlative: bigger, best, more interesting

Why Adjectives Matter

Adjectives help students describe things, express opinions, and give details—skills that are important for speaking, writing, and everyday communication.

The exercises in this post start with easy identification and gradually build up to more complex tasks like writing and editing. Whether your students are beginners or advanced learners, these activities will help them use adjectives confidently and creatively.

Common Adjectives and How to Use Them

Adjective	Type	Example Sentence
big	Descriptive	They live in a big house.
happy	Descriptive	She looks happy today.
cold	Descriptive	It’s a cold morning.
old	Descriptive	I found an old photo of us.
beautiful	Descriptive	What a beautiful dress!
three	Quantitative	I have three sisters.
many	Quantitative	There are many books on the shelf.
some	Quantitative	We need some help with this.
this	Demonstrative	This bag is mine.
those	Demonstrative	Those cookies look delicious.
my	Possessive	My car is in the garage.
their	Possessive	We visited their new apartment.
which	Interrogative	Which color do you like?
better	Comparative	This book is better than the last one.
best	Superlative	She is the best player on the team.

More exercises on Adjectives:
1. Adjective Phrases
2. Adjective Clauses
3. Adjectives and Adverbs
4. Gradable and Non-gradable Adjectives
5. Adjective order

Exercise 1: Color It Right!

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Instructions:
Look at each sentence and choose the correct color adjective from the box. Write it in the blank.

Adjectives to use: red, blue, green, yellow, black, white, pink, orange, purple, brown

1. The apple is __________.
2. Her dress is __________.
3. I bought a __________ pen.
4. My cat is __________ and white.
5. The sun is __________.
6. His shoes are __________.
7. She has a __________ backpack.
8. I saw a __________ butterfly.
9. That flower is __________.
10. The chair is __________.

Exercise 2: Match the Adjective to the Picture

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Instructions:
Match each adjective to the correct picture description. Write the correct letter next to each number.

Adjectives: big, small, hot, cold, tall, short, old, young, happy, sad

Descriptions:
A. A child smiling and playing
B. A cup with ice in it
C. A huge elephant
D. A short man next to a tall woman
E. A crying baby
F. A steaming cup of tea
G. A baby learning to walk
H. A very old book
I. A tiny ant
J. A tall building

1. __________ big
2. __________ cold
3. __________ happy
4. __________ old
5. __________ small
6. __________ hot
7. __________ young
8. __________ tall
9. __________ sad
10. __________ short

Exercise 3: Complete the Sentence with an Adjective

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Instructions:
Choose the correct adjective from the box to complete each sentence.

Adjectives: fast, clean, strong, funny, tired, loud, sweet, wet, lazy, nice

1. My dog is very __________. He makes me laugh.
2. She is a __________ girl. Everyone likes her.
3. I feel __________ after running.
4. The baby is __________ and smiling.
5. That song is too __________. Turn it down.
6. He is __________. He never wants to work.
7. The floor is __________. Please walk carefully.
8. He is very __________. He can lift heavy things.
9. The bus is __________ today. It came quickly.
10. Your room is so __________! Good job.

Exercise 4: What’s the Opposite?

Level: A1 (Beginner)

Instructions:
Write the opposite of each adjective below.

1. big → __________
2. old → __________
3. tall → __________
4. hot → __________
5. loud → __________
6. happy → __________
7. clean → __________
8. fast → __________
9. young → __________
10. soft → __________

Exercise 5: Describe Your Day Using 5 Adjectives

Level: A2 (Elementary)

Instructions:
Think about your day. Write 5 adjectives that describe how your day was. Then use each adjective in a short sentence.

Example:
Adjective: exciting
Sentence: My day was exciting because we had a party at school.

Now it’s your turn:

1. Adjective: __________
   Sentence: _____________________________________
2. Adjective: __________
   Sentence: _____________________________________
3. Adjective: __________
   Sentence: _____________________________________
4. Adjective: __________
   Sentence: _____________________________________
5. Adjective: __________
   Sentence: _____________________________________

Exercise 6: Pick the Correct Adjective

Level: A2 (Elementary)

Instructions:
Choose the correct adjective from the two options in each sentence.

1. My brother is (tall / short) and plays basketball.
2. This book is (boring / exciting). I love the story!
3. It’s (warm / cold) today, so wear your coat.
4. Our teacher is very (kind / mean). She always helps us.
5. That cake is (sweet / salty). I want another slice.
6. Her dress is (clean / dirty). She just washed it.
7. My phone is (new / old). I got it yesterday.
8. The movie was (funny / serious). I laughed a lot.
9. This test is (easy / hard). I finished it quickly.
10. Their house is (big / small), but very nice.

Exercise 7: Adjective or Not? Circle the Words

Level: A2 (Elementary)

Instructions:
Look at the list of words. Circle only the adjectives.

1. run
2. beautiful
3. book
4. hungry
5. table
6. happy
7. swim
8. short
9. orange
10. write

Exercise 8: Describe the Animal (Short Writing)

Level: A2 (Elementary)

Instructions:
Look at the animal name. Write 3 adjectives to describe it. Then write 1 sentence using those adjectives.

Example:
Animal: elephant
Adjectives: big, gray, strong
Sentence: The elephant is big, gray, and strong.

1. Cat
   Adjectives: __________, __________, __________
   Sentence: _______________________________________
2. Dog
   Adjectives: __________, __________, __________
   Sentence: _______________________________________
3. Tiger
   Adjectives: __________, __________, __________
   Sentence: _______________________________________
4. Bird
   Adjectives: __________, __________, __________
   Sentence: _______________________________________
5. Fish
   Adjectives: __________, __________, __________
   Sentence: _______________________________________

Exercise 9: This or That? Comparative Practice

Level: A2 (Elementary)

Instructions:
Look at the two things. Choose the correct adjective and write a comparative sentence.

Example:
Apple / Lemon (sour)
Sentence: A lemon is more sour than an apple.

1. Bike / Car (fast)
2. Elephant / Dog (heavy)
3. Math / English (easy)
4. My room / My sister’s room (clean)
5. City / Village (noisy)
6. Monday / Friday (boring)
7. Mountain / Hill (tall)
8. Winter / Summer (cold)
9. Pencil / Marker (thick)
10. Your bag / My bag (big)

Exercise 10: Make a Sentence Using These Adjectives

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Instructions:
Use the given adjectives to create full, meaningful sentences. Use your own ideas!

1. friendly
2. delicious
3. slow
4. angry
5. lucky
6. brave
7. quiet
8. expensive
9. dangerous
10. cheerful

Exercise 11: Adjective Order Challenge

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Instructions:
Rewrite each sentence using the correct order of adjectives.

Adjective order hint: Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Color → Origin → Material → Purpose → Noun

1. She wore a red beautiful dress.
2. It’s a round small metal box.
3. They bought a new Italian amazing car.
4. He has a wooden old brown table.
5. We visited an ancient large Chinese temple.
6. She gave me a leather black lovely bag.
7. I found a plastic big ugly toy.
8. The museum has an ancient stone beautiful statue.
9. He painted a square modern blue canvas.
10. They stayed in a white small wooden cottage.

Exercise 12: Fill in the Blanks with Comparatives or Superlatives

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Instructions:
Complete each sentence with the correct comparative or superlative form of the adjective in brackets.

1. This hotel is __________ (cheap) than the one we stayed in last time.
2. That was the __________ (bad) movie I’ve ever seen.
3. My car is __________ (fast) than yours.
4. This book is __________ (interesting) than the last one.
5. That was the __________ (funny) joke of the night.
6. Her house is __________ (big) than mine.
7. It was the __________ (cold) day of the year.
8. He is __________ (tall) than his brother.
9. That test was the __________ (easy) of all.
10. Today is __________ (hot) than yesterday.

Exercise 13: Correct the Mistake

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Instructions:
Each sentence has one mistake with adjective usage. Find and correct it.

1. He is more taller than his father.
2. That was a delicious very cake.
3. She wore a silk red beautiful scarf.
4. My new phone is more better than the old one.
5. It’s the most fastest train in the country.
6. I prefer tea more than coffee.
7. They have a big old nice house.
8. The room was enough big for five people.
9. She is the baddest singer in the group.
10. I saw a small cute white puppy dog.

Exercise 14: Match the Opposites

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Instructions:
Match each adjective with its opposite by drawing a line or writing the correct letter.

Column A	Column B
1. kind	a. sad
2. tall	b. boring
3. expensive	c. cruel
4. new	d. clean
5. fun	e. old
6. happy	f. dirty
7. short	g. cheap
8. loud	h. quiet
9. full	i. empty
10. strong	j. weak

Exercise 15: Describe the Scene (Creative Writing)

Level: B1 (Intermediate)

Instructions:
Look at each situation. Write 3–4 sentences describing it using at least 3 adjectives in each sentence.

1. A busy market
2. A peaceful beach
3. A messy classroom
4. A cold winter morning
5. A fancy restaurant
6. A crowded bus
7. A haunted house
8. A sunny park
9. A stormy night
10. A quiet library

Exercise 16: Precision with Adjectives

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Instructions:
Choose the most precise adjective from the options in brackets.

1. The food was __________ (tasty / mouth-watering / good).
2. Her reaction was __________ (angry / furious / upset).
3. We took a __________ (big / enormous / great) risk.
4. The lecture was __________ (boring / tedious / long).
5. He looked __________ (tired / exhausted / sleepy).
6. She felt __________ (happy / thrilled / okay) after the interview.
7. The film was __________ (bad / awful / disappointing).
8. It was a __________ (hot / scorching / warm) day.
9. He is a __________ (clever / brilliant / smart) student.
10. The sound was __________ (loud / deafening / noisy).

Exercise 17: Combine and Transform

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Instructions:
Combine the sentences into one, using adjectives effectively to avoid repetition.

1. The house is big. The house is beautiful.
2. The child is young. The child is smart.
3. The man is strong. The man is tall.
4. The restaurant is expensive. The restaurant is popular.
5. The bag is heavy. The bag is old.
6. The story is funny. The story is strange.
7. The weather is cold. The weather is windy.
8. The car is fast. The car is red.
9. The view is amazing. The view is colorful.
10. The dog is friendly. The dog is playful.

Exercise 18: Adjective + Preposition

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Instructions:
Complete each sentence with the correct adjective + preposition combination.

1. She’s afraid __________ spiders.
2. He’s good __________ math.
3. They’re interested __________ learning French.
4. I’m tired __________ waiting.
5. She’s proud __________ her achievements.
6. We’re excited __________ the trip.
7. He’s famous __________ his cooking skills.
8. They’re angry __________ the delay.
9. I’m sorry __________ the mistake.
10. She’s responsible __________ the event.

Exercise 19: Rewrite with Emphasis

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Instructions:
Rewrite each sentence using an adjective and so / such to add emphasis.

1. The movie was amazing.
2. It’s a boring book.
3. She’s a talented singer.
4. The food was spicy.
5. He’s a smart boy.
6. That’s an unusual question.
7. The mountain was high.
8. They are good players.
9. That was a fast train.
10. It’s a quiet village.

Exercise 20: Adjective Story Builder

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Instructions:
Write a short story (5–7 sentences) using at least 8 adjectives. Use a variety of descriptive, emotional, and evaluative adjectives.

Topic options (choose one):
– A day in a mysterious forest
– Visiting your dream city
– An unforgettable school memory

Exercise 21: Fine-Tune the Tone

Level: C1 (Advanced)

Instructions:
Choose the adjective that best matches the tone of the sentence.

1. The ambassador gave a __________ speech. (diplomatic / blunt / aggressive)
2. His response was __________ and thoughtful. (rushed / measured / careless)
3. Their apartment felt __________ and empty. (cozy / bare / luxurious)
4. Her attitude was __________ despite the criticism. (grateful / indifferent / defiant)
5. The design looks __________ and outdated. (sleek / vintage / clunky)
6. He gave a __________ explanation of the concept. (vague / coherent / ridiculous)
7. The atmosphere was __________ after the argument. (tense / cheerful / lively)
8. His tone was __________ when discussing the issue. (sarcastic / honest / warm)
9. They made a __________ decision under pressure. (reckless / wise / lazy)
10. The scenery was __________ beyond words. (gorgeous / acceptable / pleasant)

Exercise 22: Upgrade the Adjective

Level: C1 (Advanced)

Instructions:
Rewrite each sentence by replacing the underlined adjective with a more advanced or vivid one.

1. The food was good.
2. She had a bad day.
3. It was a nice evening.
4. The test was hard.
5. They live in a big house.
6. He is a smart student.
7. That movie was funny.
8. I saw a beautiful painting.
9. It was a cold morning.
10. Her voice is loud.

Exercise 23: Adjective + Noun Collocations

Level: C1 (Advanced)

Instructions:
Match the adjectives to the nouns they commonly go with. Write the correct pair.

Adjectives:
A. unbreakable
B. heated
C. ripe
D. narrow
E. severe
F. groundbreaking
G. well-earned
H. bitter
I. remote
J. eager

Nouns:

1. debate
2. punishment
3. island
4. criticism
5. fruit
6. research
7. reputation
8. victory
9. glass
10. student

Exercise 24: Connotation Challenge

Level: C1 (Advanced)

Instructions:
Choose the adjective that carries a more positive or negative connotation based on the context.

1. She’s very __________. (slim / skinny)
2. He’s so __________. (frugal / stingy)
3. That idea is quite __________. (unique / weird)
4. They live in a __________ house. (cozy / cramped)
5. Her speech was __________. (inspiring / preachy)
6. He’s known for being __________. (confident / arrogant)
7. The food was __________. (exotic / strange)
8. She’s __________ in her opinions. (passionate / pushy)
9. The style is __________. (vintage / old-fashioned)
10. That joke was __________. (clever / sarcastic)

Exercise 25: Mini Essay – Description Mastery

Level: C1 (Advanced)

Instructions:
Write a short descriptive paragraph (6–8 sentences) about a memorable place you’ve visited. Use at least 10 adjectives from different categories (appearance, emotion, opinion, degree, etc.).

Try to create a vivid picture and capture the feeling of the place using precise and expressive language.

Exercise 26: Adjective Gradation and Nuance

Level: C2 (Proficient)

Instructions:
Replace the adjective in each sentence with one that expresses a slightly stronger or weaker degree, depending on the bracketed instruction.

1. The task was difficult. (make it slightly stronger)
2. She seemed happy. (make it slightly weaker)
3. That movie was boring. (make it stronger)
4. The room looked clean. (make it stronger)
5. He’s a good speaker. (make it weaker)
6. They gave a generous donation. (make it stronger)
7. Her response was rude. (make it weaker)
8. He’s tired after work. (make it stronger)
9. The car is fast. (make it stronger)
10. She’s a kind teacher. (make it stronger)

Exercise 27: Precision in Academic Writing

Level: C2 (Proficient)

Instructions:
Choose the most appropriate adjective for an academic context.

1. The results show a __________ improvement. (huge / notable / okay)
2. The theory is __________ in recent studies. (popular / dominant / cool)
3. This is a __________ issue in sociolinguistics. (big / major / huge)
4. Their analysis is __________ and clear. (good / logical / neat)
5. The findings are __________ with previous research. (aligned / matching / similar)
6. His explanation was __________ but lacking detail. (accurate / okay / true)
7. They presented a __________ model. (nice / innovative / working)
8. This idea is __________ in modern psychology. (trendy / widely accepted / hip)
9. The response rate was __________. (impressive / high / cool)
10. The method used is __________ for this type of research. (suitable / good / perfect)

Exercise 28: Transforming Adjective Phrases

Level: C2 (Proficient)

Instructions:
Rewrite each sentence using an adjective phrase to enhance variety and depth.

1. The girl was shy.
2. The room was cold.
3. The dog was aggressive.
4. The teacher was strict.
5. The actor was charming.
6. The solution was simple.
7. The landscape was beautiful.
8. The student was hardworking.
9. The sky was clear.
10. The food was spicy.

Example: “The shy girl sat alone” → “The girl, shy and reserved, sat alone.”

Exercise 29: Creative Contrast

Level: C2 (Proficient)

Instructions:
Describe the same thing twice—once using positive adjectives, and once using negative adjectives. Be creative.

Example:
Object: A crowded street
– Positive: “A lively, bustling street full of energy.”
– Negative: “A noisy, chaotic mess of people and cars.”

1. A rainy day
2. A large family dinner
3. A tiny apartment
4. A crowded bus
5. An old bookshop
6. A long lecture
7. A quiet village
8. A job interview
9. A modern city
10. A public park

Exercise 30: Adjective-Driven Story Starter

Level: C2 (Proficient)

Instructions:
Write a short story beginning with this sentence:

“It was an unusually bright, quiet morning, and something felt different.”

Use at least 12 distinct adjectives to set the scene, describe characters, and convey emotion. Keep it under 150 words.

Conclusion

Adjectives are the building blocks of clear and expressive communication. With the right practice, your students can move from basic descriptions to rich, detailed language that brings their ideas to life.

The 30 exercises above were designed to support different levels, skills, and learning styles. Whether your class is just starting with simple color words or writing advanced comparison paragraphs, these activities offer structured, engaging practice that you can use right away.

Feel free to adapt the tasks, mix them into your lesson plans, or assign them for extra practice. And if you’d like even more ready-to-use ESL materials like this, check out the other posts on the blog.

Thanks for helping your learners grow—and making grammar both fun and useful!

FAQs about Adjective Exercises

1. What is the best way to teach adjectives to beginners?
Start with simple, common adjectives like colors and sizes. Use pictures and real objects to help students connect words with meanings.

2. How can I help students remember adjective order?
Teach the typical order (e.g., opinion, size, age, color) with examples and practice through sentence building exercises.

3. How do comparative and superlative adjectives work?
Comparatives compare two things (bigger, more interesting). Superlatives show the highest degree (biggest, most interesting). Use plenty of examples and exercises.

4. Should adjectives always come before nouns?
Most often yes, but after linking verbs like “be,” adjectives come after the noun (e.g., The sky is blue).

5. How can I make adjective exercises fun?
Use games, role-plays, and creative writing tasks where students describe pictures or people they know.

6. What common mistakes do learners make with adjectives?
They often forget to match adjective forms or place adjectives incorrectly in sentences.

7. Can adjective exercises improve speaking skills?
Yes! Describing activities and objects helps students practice using adjectives naturally in conversation.

8. How many adjectives should a beginner learn at once?
Focus on 5 to 10 adjectives at a time to avoid overload and ensure good retention.

9. Are there exceptions to adjective rules I should teach?
Yes. Some adjectives don’t follow normal comparative forms (good → better), and some can’t be used before nouns.

10. Where can I find more exercises on adjectives?
Look for ESL websites, textbooks, and blogs like this one that offer ready-made exercises for all levels.