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Differences between British and American English - Quiz 1

By Kenneth Beare, About.com

Choose whether the noted spelling, vocabulary word or phrase, or grammar is British English, American English. In some cases, the spelling, vocabulary word or phrase or grammar can be used in both British and American English. Each question has only one correct answer.

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Vocabulary 'vacation' - We went on a two week vacation last month.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'eraser' - Could you pass me an eraser? I need to erase this mistake.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'rubbish' - Why is there so much rubbish in here?

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'rest room' - Excuse me, where is the rest room?

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'mean' - She gave him a kiss for his birthday. She's rather mean!

  • British
  • American

Spelling 'programme' - Did you see that new programme last night?

  • British
  • American

Expression with preposition 'plays in' - He plays in a team in town.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'torch' - The lights have gone out. Where is the torch?

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'dialling code' - What's the dialling code for this town?

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'trunk' - Put your luggage in the trunk.

  • British
  • American

Grammar 'that it be done' - It's very important that it be done.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Grammar 'real strange' - He looked at me real strange.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'public toilet' - Excuse me, where is the public toilet?

  • British
  • American

Grammar 'seven hundred and thirty' - eight thousand seven hundred and thirty

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'nappy' - Honey, can you change the baby's nappy?

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'garbage' - Why is there so much garbage in here?

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'area code' - What's the area code for this town?

  • British
  • American

Spelling 'center' - It's in the town center.

  • British
  • American

Expression with preposition 'live on' - I live on Washington street.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'crossroads' - Take a left at the second crossroads.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'apartment' - I'm staying in an apartment in the city.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Expression with preposition 'do over' - Can I do that over?

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'check' - (in a restaurant) Can I have the check?

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Word order 'has probably arrived' - He has probably arrived by now.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'attorney' - I called the attorney to get the information.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'two weeks' - We'll be away for a two weeks.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'stand in line' - We had to stand in line for three hours to get into the concert.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'intersection' - Take a left at the second intersection.

  • British
  • American

Grammar 'this' - (on the telephone) Hello, is this Peter?

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Spelling 'program' - Did you see that new program last night?

  • British
  • American

Spelling 'airplane' - He took an airplane to Paris.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'queue' - We had to queue for three hours to get into the concert.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'stingy' - She gave him a kiss for his birthday. She's rather stingy!

  • British
  • American

Spelling 'aeroplane' - He took an aeroplane to Paris.

  • British
  • American

Vocabulary 'chips' - I'm hungry. Let's stop and get a bag of chips at the supermarket.

  • British
  • American

Grammar 'committee meets' - The committee meets tomorrow.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'fortnight' - We'll be away for a fortnight.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Expression with preposition 'live in' - I live in Washington street.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'call collect' - (on the telephone) I'd like to call collect.

  • British
  • American

Grammar 'has just gone' - He's just gone home.

  • British
  • American
  • Both

Vocabulary 'diaper' - Honey, can you change the baby's diaper?

  • British
  • American

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