Adjective Degree: Correct Sentence Choice

Okay, guys, let's break down this question and figure out which sentence nails the proper use of context clues to show the degree of an adjective. We're essentially looking for the sentence that correctly illustrates whether something is just high, higher, or the highest. So, let's dive into each option and see what's what.

A. Ang bundok ay pinakamataas sa lahat.

This translates to "The mountain is the highest of all." Pinakamataas means highest, and the phrase "sa lahat" reinforces that we're talking about a superlative degree. This suggests the mountain tops every other elevation, making it the ultimate peak. Now, let's dig a bit deeper. Superlative adjectives, like pinakamataas, are used to compare three or more things. The phrase sa lahat indeed indicates a comparison against everything else, fitting the bill perfectly. Imagine standing at the foot of this mountain, looking up in awe because it's not just tall; it's the tallest thing you've ever seen. The sentence clearly conveys that the mountain surpasses all others in height, leaving no room for doubt. The context is crystal clear: we're dealing with the absolute highest point. Also, think about how you would use this in a conversation. You might say, "That mountain? It's pinakamataas sa lahat! Nothing else even comes close!" See how the emphasis reinforces the idea of supreme height? So, based on this thorough analysis, option A is a strong contender.

B. Mas mataas ang bundok kaysa sa burol.

This means "The mountain is higher than the hill." Mas mataas signifies higher, indicating a comparative degree. Here, we're directly comparing the mountain to a hill. The word kaysa (than) is our key indicator of comparison. It sets up a direct contrast between the two landforms. Let's think about this in a real-world scenario. Imagine you're hiking and you see a mountain looming in the distance, with a smaller hill in the foreground. You'd naturally say, "That mountain is mas mataas than that hill." The sentence explicitly tells us that the mountain's height exceeds that of the hill. There is a clear comparison being made. Also, consider the implications of using a comparative adjective. It implies that both the mountain and the hill have height, but the mountain possesses more of it. It's not just about being tall; it's about being taller. In terms of context, the sentence provides a straightforward comparison, leaving no ambiguity. We know the mountain is taller than the hill, end of story. You could also picture a graph showing the heights of various landforms. The mountain's bar would be higher than the hill's bar, visually representing the comparative relationship. So, while this sentence correctly uses a comparative adjective, we need to see if it's the best fit for the question.

C. Mataas ang bundok.

This translates to "The mountain is high." Mataas simply means high or tall. This is a positive degree, stating a quality of the mountain without comparing it to anything else. The sentence merely describes the mountain's height without providing any context for comparison or ranking. It's a simple statement of fact. Let's consider what this sentence doesn't tell us. It doesn't tell us how the mountain's height compares to other mountains, hills, or any other geographical features. It simply asserts that the mountain possesses the quality of being tall. In everyday conversation, you might use this sentence to point out a mountain's height in isolation. For example, if someone asks you to describe a particular mountain, you might say, "Mataas ang bundok." However, it lacks the comparative or superlative context that we're looking for in this question. The sentence offers no clues about whether the mountain is taller than something else or the tallest of all. It's a standalone observation about the mountain's height. Think of it as saying, "The sky is blue." It's a descriptive statement, but it doesn't provide any comparative information. So, while grammatically correct, this option doesn't fully address the question's requirement for contextual clues indicating the degree of the adjective.

D. Pinakamataas na bundok.

This translates to "Highest mountain." While pinakamataas means highest, this phrase is incomplete as a sentence. It's a noun phrase, not a complete thought. It's like saying "Tallest building" without any further context. The phrase identifies the mountain as the highest, but it doesn't tell us what it is in relation to. Is it the highest in the region? The highest in the world? We don't know! To illustrate the incompleteness, consider how you would use this phrase in a sentence. You might say, "That is the pinakamataas na bundok in the Philippines." See how the additional context completes the thought? Without that context, the phrase is simply a description without a clear relationship to anything else. It's like a title without a story. It hints at something significant, but it doesn't provide the full picture. Also, think about the lack of a verb. A complete sentence typically includes a subject and a verb. This phrase has a subject (mountain) but no verb, making it incomplete. So, while the adjective is in the superlative degree, the lack of a complete sentence makes this option unsuitable for the question.

Kaya ang sagot ay (Therefore, the answer is):

Based on our analysis, option A, "Ang bundok ay pinakamataas sa lahat," is the most accurate because it correctly uses the superlative degree (pinakamataas) and provides the necessary context (sa lahat) to indicate that the mountain is the highest of all. So the answer is A. Got it, guys?.