三、语法填空
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入括号内单词的正确形式。
Animals are amazing creatures, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some are
1. (small) than others, while some are 2. (big).
The hummingbird is one of the 3. (tiny) birds in the world. It can fly backwards and forwards with great speed. Its wings beat so 4. (fast) that they are just a blur. In contrast, the ostrich is the 5. (large) bird. It can't fly, but it can run 6. (quickly) than many animals.
When it comes to strength, the ant might seem small, but it's incredibly strong. It can carry things that are many times 7. (heavy) than its own body. Among land animals, the elephant is known for its great strength. It is one of the 8. (powerful) animals on land.
In the ocean, the dolphin is very smart. It can learn tricks 9. (easily) than many other sea creatures. And the blue whale is the 10. (huge) animal on earth. It is even larger than the biggest dinosaurs that ever lived.

1. smaller
2. bigger
3. tiniest
4. fast
5. largest
6. more quickly
7. heavier
8. most powerful
9. more easily
10. hugest

【分析】本题为语法填空，核心考查形容词和副词的比较级、最高级的运用。解题思路是：先定位每个空的标志词（如than表比较，one of the/the表最高级），再结合括号内单词的词性，判断正确形式：出现than用比较级，出现one of the或the用最高级，so后接副词原级。
【解析】1. 句中出现than，需用形容词small的比较级smaller；2. 对应前文“Some are smaller”，此处用形容词big的比较级bigger；3. 固定结构“one of the + 形容词最高级 + 复数名词”，故用tiny的最高级tiniest；4. 句式“so + 副词原级 + that...”，修饰动词beat，用副词fast的原级fast；5. 句中出现the，表“最大的”，用large的最高级largest；6. 句中出现than，副词quickly是多音节词，比较级加more，即more quickly；7. 句中出现than，用形容词heavy的比较级heavier；8. 固定结构“one of the + 形容词最高级”，powerful是多音节词，最高级为most powerful；9. 句中出现than，副词easily的比较级为more easily；10. 句中出现the，表“最大的”，用huge的最高级hugest。
【答案】1. smaller 2. bigger 3. tiniest 4. fast 5. largest 6. more quickly 7. heavier 8. most powerful 9. more easily 10. hugest
【知识点】形容词比较级与最高级；副词比较级与最高级
【点评】本题是初中英语基础语法题，围绕比较级、最高级的核心规则命题，只要掌握“than用比较级，one of the/the用最高级”的基本规律，就能正确作答，属于基础题型。
【难度系数】0.2