After all that, Homer gives us games. People argue, and cheat, and make friends again.
The Iliad · C2+
Book Twenty-Three: The Funeral Games
Advanced comparison (the more… the less, nowhere near, by far, inferior to, the former / the latter, second to none, a cut above, head and shoulders above, neck and neck, pale in comparison): C2+ language for the funeral games of Patroclus.
🏇 Play the story too: in the gamebook, you are Antilochus, in the chariot race.Play the gamebook →
SOPHIA
MARCOS
Finally! Something fun!
The story
After Homer’s Iliad, Book Twenty-Three
Nestor told his son that the more you rely on skill, the less you need fast horses. His horses were nowhere near as fast as the others, but Diomedes, who was by far the best driver, won. Antilochus and Menelaus were neck and neck at a narrow place, and Antilochus forced his way past.
Menelaus was furious: his horses, he said, were not inferior to Antilochus’s. The two men argued over the mare; the latter, the older man, deserved her, and Antilochus apologised so gracefully that Menelaus gave her back.
In the footrace, Ajax son of Oileus was second to none, until he slipped in the dung. In wrestling, Ajax son of Telamon stood head and shoulders above everyone, but Odysseus had tricks. Achilles was a cut above every other host. And Antilochus joked that his speed paled in comparison with Achilles’.
Youth was stronger than sense. But you were never foolish before.
Comparatives and superlatives
PHILO
The more you use skill, the less you need speed. His horses were nowhere near as fast. Diomedes was by far the best.
SOPHIA
the + comparative…, the + comparative…. nowhere near as… as = not at all as. by far + superlative.
Inferior to; the former / the latter
DEMETRIA
His horses were not inferior to Antilochus’s. The latter, the older man, deserved the mare.
SOPHIA
inferior / superior / senior / junior to, and prefer A to B: never than. the former / the latter = the first / second of two.
Idioms of being the best
MARCOS
They were neck and neck! Ajax was second to none, and head and shoulders above everyone. Achilles was a cut above. My speed pales in comparison!
SOPHIA
neck and neck. second to none. head and shoulders above. a cut above. pale in(to) comparison (with).
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| the more…, the less… | two things changing together | The more you use skill, the less you need speed. |
| nowhere near as…; by far + superlative | big differences | By far the best driver. |
| inferior to; the former / the latter | Latin comparatives; reference | The latter deserved the mare. |
| neck and neck; second to none | competition | They were neck and neck. |
| a cut above; head and shoulders above; pale in comparison | being the best | My speed pales in comparison. |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. The ___ you use skill, the less you need speed.
2. His horses were nowhere ___ as fast.
3. Diomedes was by ___ the best driver.
4. My horses are not inferior ___ yours.
5. Antilochus or Menelaus? The ___, the older man.
6. In running, he was second to ___.
B · Write
Write the correct form of the word in brackets, or the missing word.
7. At the narrow place they were neck and .
8. Achilles was a cut the other judges.
9. Ajax stood head and above everyone.
10. My speed pales in with yours.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “I prefer racing than boxing.”
12. “The sooner we start, the better.”
13. “His horses were superior than mine.”
Now play Book Twenty-Three yourself!Play the gamebook →