1. Write the American English equivalents of the words in bold.
1) Why don’t you borrow mobile to call your mum? ________.
2) I’ll have to buy a new pair of trainers soon; these are almost worn out. ________.
3) Don’t forget to take a torch when we go camping; it’ll be dark at night. ________.
4) Taking the motorway will make our journey quicker. ________.
5) Would you like a biscuit with your tea? ________.
6) If everyone’s finished, I’ll ask the waiter for the bill . ________.
7) Her dog’s very well trained and always walks on the pavement . ________.
8) I’m too tired to walk up the stairs; let’s take the lift . ________.
Show answers
1) cell phone 2) sneakers 3) flashlight 4) highway
5) cookie 6) check 7) sidewalk 8) elevator
2. Complete the text with American English words. The first letters are giving.
This year, parents decided not to go away in the summer, but to wait until the 1 F______ to go on 2 v______ for a few days. They’d always wanted to have a city break, so they looked online for somewhere to stay and found accommodation near the center of Manhattan. The 3 a______ they rented was quite small, but the bedrooms were big and there was plenty of space in the 4 c______ for their clothes. There was also a small 5 y______ where they could eat breakfast outside. Of course the 6 t______ in New York is great for getting around; they could walk to most of the sights or take the 7 s______ for longer journeys across town.
Show answers
1) Fall 2) vacation 3) apartment 4) closet(s) 5) yard
6) transportation 7) subway
3. Circle the American English spellings.
1) In some US states, you only need to be fourteen to hold a driver’s licence / license .
2) In the neighbourhood / neighborhood of Beverly Hills, many homes are worth over $10 million.
3) The world’s first commercial flight took place in 1914; the airplane / aeroplane flew for 23 minutes.
4) New York’s oldest theater / theatre is the Lyceum, which opened in 1903.
5) The colors / colours of the US flag are the same as Australia’s and the UK’s
6) The international Erasmus organization / organisation has already helped over three million students study in different countries.
Show answers
1) license 2) neighborhood 3) airplane 4) theater
5) colors 6) organization
4. Listen to the different words being pronounced. Write A (American) or B (British).
1) advertisement ____
2) brochure ____
3) garage ____
4) tomato ____
5) vitamins ____
6) yoghurt ____
7) zebra ____
Show answers
1) A 2) B 3) B 4) A 5) B 6) A 7) A
5. Rewrite the American English sentences in British English using the correct vocabulary and spelling. Use a dictionary to help you.
1) It’s an offense to smoke on the subway.
________.
2) I bought this awesome purse for friend’s birthday.
________.
3) It seems tonight’s movie has been canceled.
________.
4) Can you get me a liter of water from the faucet, please?
________.
5) There’s a strange odor from the car – I hope the gas isn’t leaking.
________.
6) Sorry, I hadn’t realized you were waiting in the line.
________.
Show answers
1) It’s an offence to smoke on the underground.
2) I bought this great/fantastic/marvellous, etc. handbag for friend’s birthday.
3) It seems tonight’s film has been cancelled.
4) Can you get me a litre of water from the tap, please?
5) There’s a strange odour from the car – I hope the petrol isn’t leaking.
6) Sorry, I hadn’t realised you were waiting in the queue.
Extra exercises
1. Replaced the underlined American English words with British English words.
1) Could we have the check, please? ________.
2) Oh no! I can’t find cellphone. ________.
3) An apple is better for you than a bag of chips. ________.
4) Would you like a cookie? ________.
5) Shall we go by bus or take the subway? ________.
6) Have you got a flashlight? There’s no electricity. ________.
7) There’s been an accident on the highway. ________.
8) Did you get any gas before we left? ________.
Show answers
1) bill 2) mobile phone 3) crisps 4) biscuit
5) underground 6 torch 7) motorway 8) petrol
2. Complete the sentences with compound adjectives formed using the words in brackets.
1) I love listening to uncle. He’s got a very rich voice and a ________. laugh. (throat)
2) neighbour’s high forehead and ________. eyes mean he has a rather memorable face. (yet)
3) Your grandmother is absolutely tiny! She must be very ________. (bone)
4) There must be a rock concert tonight. There are hundreds of ________. men queuing outside the venue. (hair)
Show answers
1) deep-throated 2) low-set 3) thin-boned 4) longhaired
3. Complete the dialogues with the phrases below.
In other words It’s a kind of
It’s something you what it’s called
Dani We’re having a birthday party for little brother tomorrow.
John That’s nice. Is he going to have a – oh – I don’t know 1) _________ in English.
Dani Cake?
John No. 2) _________ box with sweets in it.
Dani A present?
John No! 3) _________ hang up high and the children hit it to get the sweets. 4) _________ , when they break it, the sweets fall out.
Dani Oh, a piñata! Yes, there’s going to be a piñata. It wouldn’t be a party without one!
Show answers
1) what it’s called 2) It’s a kind of 3) It’s something you
4) In other words
