UNJBG FECH IETI American and British Culture

AMERICAN AND BRITISH ENGLISH LANGUAGE DIFFERENCES EXERCISES Fuente: http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/alle_words.htm 1. Write the text in American English. Choose the correct word. A trip to London Last week I drove to London by car. As there was an accident on the M25 I had to take a detour / diversion. I stopped in front of a theater / theatre to ask for directions. A young man told me to turn right at the crossroads / intersection and ask again at the gas station / petrol station. There a friendly sales clerk / shop assistant told me to take the second exit of the roundabout / traffic circle. After I had passed a pedestrian crossing / zebra crossing I saw a bookshop / bookstore and a large car park / parking lot. I parked my car there and walked to the center / centre of London. 2. Write the text in British English. Choose the correct word. A busy day Mrs Fisher was very busy today. She drove to a butchers shop / butchers shop for some ham. Then she went to the supermarket to get some icing sugar / powdered sugar and mashed potato / mashed potatoes. She needed diapers / nappies for her baby and some clothes pegs / clothespins. Then her daughter Sally saw the candystore / sweet shop and Mrs Fisher bought her some candy floss / cotton candy. At home she put everything into the closet / cupboard. Then she opened the faucet / tap, filled water into a pot and put it on the cooker / stove. 3. Decide whether the sentence is written in British or American English. 1) English is my favourite subject at school. a) British English b) American English 2) Have you seen Dick's new truck? a) British English b) American English 3) The park is in the center of our town. a) British English b) American English 4) Mr Barnes, our caretaker, found my key. a) British English b) American English 5) I like French fries, they're very crispy. a) British English b) American English 6) Have you seen the latest movie? a) British English b) American English 7) I've passed this test. So I'll get my driving licence very soon. a) British English b) American English 8) The accident happened because the blue car didn't stop at the traffic lights. a) British English b) American English 9) Tom told me to get off the Underground at Tower Hill. a) British English b) American English 10) We have to hand in our rsum by Friday. a) British English b) American English 4. Decide whether the sentence is written in British or American English. 1) What about another chocolate biscuit?

Pgina5

Prof. Anabella Mendoza del Valle

UNJBG FECH IETI American and British Culture

a) British English b) American English 2) We'll have to stop at the next gas station. a) British English b) American English 3) I got this book at the new bookstore. a) British English b) American English 4) He loves travelling by train. a) British English b) American English 5) There has been an accident on the sidewalk. a) British English b) American English 6) Put this box into the garbage can, please. a) British English b) American English 7) Ronny is in grade eight, not in grade seven. a) British English b) American English 8) Let's meet at the weekend. a) British English b) American English 9) His billfold is pure leather. a) British English b) American English 10) The lift is out of order. a) British English b) American English 5. Decide whether the sentence is written in British or American English. 1) Sales tax is not included. a) British English b) American English 2) The car had to stop because of a flat tire. a) British English b) American English 3) Shouldn't we take the tram? a) British English b) American English 4) It was the worst railroad disaster in the history of our country. a) British English b) American English 5) His sister attends the primary school in our town. a) British English b) American English 6) Cellphones are not allowed in the hospital. a) British English b) American English 7) Jim is our new neighbor. a) British English b) American English 8) Should we really put the bottles into the boot of the car? a) British English b) American English 9) Andy and Tom, would you read the dialog, please? a) British English b) American English

Pgina5

Prof. Anabella Mendoza del Valle

UNJBG FECH IETI American and British Culture

10) I think I'll change Mary's nappy. a) British English b) American English 6. Choose the correct answer: 1) We went on a two week vacation last month. a) British b) American c) Both 2) Could you pass me an eraser? I need to erase this mistake. a) British b) American c) Both 3) Why is there so much rubbish in here? a) British b) American c) Both 4) Excuse me, where is the rest room? a) British b) American c) Both 5) She gave him a kiss for his birthday. Shes rather mean! a) British b) American c) Both 6) Did you see that new programme last night? a) British b) American c) Both 7) He plays on a team in town. a) British b) American c) Both 8) The lights have gone out. Where is the torch? a) British b) American c) Both 9) Whats the dialing code for this town? a) British b) American c) Both 10) Put your luggage in the trunk. a) British b) American c) Both 11) Its very important that it be done. a) British b) American c) Both 12) He looked at me real strange. a) British b) American c) Both 13) Excuse me, where is the public toilet? a) British b) American c) Both 14) Eight thousand seven hundred and thirty a) British b) American c) Both 15) Honey, can you change the babys nappy? a) British b) American c) Both 16) Why is there so much garbage in here? a) British b) American c) Both 17) Whats the area code for this town? a) British b) American c) Both 18) Its in the town center. a) British b) American c) Both 19) I live on Washington street. a) British b) American c) Both 20) Take a left at the second crossroads. a) British b) American c) Both 21) Im staying in an apartment in the city. a) British b) American c) Both 22) Can I do that over? a) British b) American c) Both 23) Can I have the check? a) British b) American c) Both 24) He has probably arrived by now. a) British b) American c) Both 25) I called the attorney to get the information. a) British b) American c) Both 26) Well be away for two weeks.

Pgina5

Prof. Anabella Mendoza del Valle

UNJBG FECH IETI American and British Culture

a) British b) American c) Both 27) We had to stand in line for three hours to get into the concert. a) British b) American c) Both 28) Take a left at the second intersection. a) British b) American c) Both 29) (on the telephone) Hello, is this Peter? a) British b) American c) Both 30) Did you see that new program last night? a) British b) American c) Both 31) He took an airplane to Paris. a) British b) American c) Both 32) We had to queue for three hours to get into the concert. a) British b) American c) Both 33) She gave him a kiss for his birthday. Shes rather stingy! a) British b) American c) Both 34) He took an aeroplane to Paris. a) British b) American c) Both 35) Im hungry. Lets stop and get a bag of chips at the supermarket. a) British b) American c) Both 36) The committee meets tomorrow. a) British b) American c) Both 37) Well be away for a fortnight. a) British b) American c) Both 38) I live in Washington street. a) British b) American c) Both 39) Id like to call collect. a) British b) American

c) Both 40) Hes just gone home. a) British b) American c) Both 41) Honey, can you change the babys diaper? a) British b) American c) Both 42) One should get to know ones neighbours. a) British b) American c) Both 43) The committee meet tomorrow. a) British b) American c) Both 44) Hes gotten more difficult. a) British b) American c) Both 45) I booked a round trip. a) British b) American c) Both 46) (in a restaurant) Can I have the bill? a) British b) American c) Both 47) Could you pass me a rubber? I need to erase this mistake. a) British b) American c) Both 48) It looks as if its going to rain. a) British b) American c) Both 49) We went on a two week holiday last month. a) British b) American c) Both 50) He looked at me really strangely. a) British b) American c) Both 51) One should get to know his neighbours. a) British b) American c) Both 52) I wrote a check for the full amount. a) British b) American c) Both 53) Do you know how to change a tire? a) British b) American c) Both

Pgina5

Prof. Anabella Mendoza del Valle

UNJBG FECH IETI American and British Culture

54) I took the subway to work. a) British b) American c) Both 55) Will you visit her? I may. a) British b) American c) Both 56) Do you have this shirt in a different color? a) British b) American c) Both 57) (on the telephone) Id like to reverse the charges. a) British b) American c) Both 58) Hes got a new car. a) British b) American c) Both 59) Put your luggage in the trunk. a) British b) American c) Both 60) I booked a return ticket. a) British b) American c) Both 61) He just went home. a) British b) American c) Both 62) The lights have gone out. Where is the flashlight? a) British b) American c) Both 63) He works Monday to Friday. a) British b) American c) Both 64) I took the underground to work. a) British b) American c) Both 65) Eight thousand seven hundred thirty a) British b) American c) Both 66) Its in the town centre. a) British b) American c) Both 67) He works Monday through Friday. a) British b) American c) Both

Pgina5

80) I think we need some petrol. a) British b) American c) Both

Prof. Anabella Mendoza del Valle

68) Have you got this shirt in a different colour? a) British b) American c) Both 69) Its very important that it should be done. a) British b) American c) Both 70) (on the telephone) Hello, is that Peter? a) British b) American c) Both 71) Do you know how to change a tyre? a) British b) American c) Both 72) It looks like its going to rain. a) British b) American c) Both 73) I called the barrister to get the information. a) British b) American c) Both 74) He plays on a team in town. a) British b) American c) Both 75) I wrote a cheque for the full amount. a) British b) American c) Both 76) Can I do that again? a) British b) American c) Both 77) Im hungry. Lets shop and get a bag of crisps at the supermarket. a) British b) American c) Both 78) Have you got a problem? a) British b) American c) Both 79) Will you visit her? I may do. a) British b) American c) Both

UNJBG FECH IETI American and British Culture

8. Complete the chart. American English hood license plate one-way ticket restroom pack of cards faucet

Your Language

British English

queue

wash your hands dummy eraser band - aid check aerial bill dressing gown chest of drawers caretaker

Pgina5

Prof. Anabella Mendoza del Valle

elevator - potato chips - baggage - notebook - garbage can - subway - railroad - vacation movies - flashlight - truck - automobile - restroom - candies - pants - sneakers - purse - French fries - cookies - airplane - cell phone - fall - student - cab - gas station - mail box - eraser drugstore 7. Look at the list of British English words above and find the correct American English expression: British English American English lavatory chemist's lorry lift biscuits luggage car post box trousers cinema chips crisps rubbish bin petrol station handbag pupil mobile phone trainers sweets aeroplane torch autumn holiday taxi railway underground train rubber exercise book

UNJBG FECH IETI American and British Culture

cookie waistcoat drapes truck motorway van, lorry wardrobe nappy

kerosene apartment petrol automobile cab tin candy crazy drug-store fall first floor garbage can main road post math movies pants flashlight wallet potato chips railway round trip schedule sunglasses sidewalk shop stove subway vacation 9. What differences can you find between American and British Spelling? American English color British English humour theatre kilometer mom defense cosy dialog traveler check tire realize the cinema boot llft chemist('s)

rubbish

cheque jewellery

Pgina5

Prof. Anabella Mendoza del Valle

UNJBG FECH IETI American and British Culture

favourite

10.Analize these sentences, are they American or British? (a) I already took the trash out. (b) Ive got to put some petrol in the car. (c) I just spilt wine on my pants. (d) Take the elevator up to my apartment. (e) Have you changed the babys nappy yet?

Pgina5

Prof. Anabella Mendoza del Valle