UK vs US English

Learn the difference between UK and US vocabulary with this quick and easy exercise – Free pdf. download for teachers!

This exercise has been taken from my reading and activity book – ‘Aethelflaed and the Rock Star’ (Red) – for learners of English, available on Amazon in digital and paperback version from $0,99 / €0,99 on Amazon.

If she wants to study music, Aethelflaed has to earn some money over the summer, so she’s looking after the local rock star’s son. He’s a horrible little kid, but luckily he likes videogames, and so he gets on well with Aethelflaed’s brother. There is a language problem, however, because Moonzip usually lives in the USA, and so there are some differences with the vocabulary.

ARE YOU A TEACHER? GET THE PDF. FOR YOUR CLASSES HERE!

 

Do not look for the answers in the other column! If you need more help, look for the answers here:

EGGPLANT ; STORE* ; DIAPER ; CHRISTMAS PERIOD* ; FIRST FLOOR ; GAS ; TRUNK ; RESTROOM / WASHROOM ; FALL ; LIFT ; VACATION ; SHOPPING CENTRE ; FRIES* ; CENTRE ; CUPBOARD ; SNEAKERS ; CANCELLED ; MOTORWAY ; RUBBER ; RUBBISH / WASTE ; CRISPS* ; LORRY ; WASH YOUR HANDS & FACE* ; NEIGHBOR ; GARDEN* ; PANTS ; BISCUIT* ; PAVEMENT ; SOCCER ; BONNET ;

 

*See the comments in the answers page.

NOTE:

Other differences between American and British English:

 

  • UK: Traveller, Signalling, Cancelled…
  • US: Traveler, Signaling, Canceled…

 

  • UK: Centre, Theatre, Metre
  • US: Center, Theater, Meter….
  • UK: Colour, Favourite, Neighbour….
  • US: Color, Favorite, Neighbor…..

 

  • UK: Organisation, Realise, Recognised….
  • US: Organization, Realize, Recognized….

 

NOTE 2:
For academic use you can use both British or American English, but it is considered incorrect to combine them (in an official exam, for example), so “I’m traveling to my favourite city” or “I’m travelling to my favorite city” is a mistake.

NOTE 3:
I am English. In this website you will mostly read British English.

Answers!