AMERICAN ENGLISH

CHECK YOUR ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR TOEFL

AMERICAN ENGLISH

This exercise looks at some common “American” words (words which are used in the U.S.A. and
Canada). You might find it useful if you have been learning “British” English (the English which is spoken in the United Kingdom and in other countries around the world). Generally, “American” words are understood by “British” English speakers (largely as a result of imported television programs and movies), but many North Americans are unfamiliar with some “British” English words. As a result, it is important to use the “American” words rather than the “British” words in the TOEFL.

Look at the sentences below, which all contain a “British” English word in bold. Decide what word North Americans would normally use in the same context. In some cases, the word will remain the same, but there will be a difference in spelling. Write your answers in the crossword grid on page 7. To help you, the word that you need has been put at the end of each sentence, with most of the letters removed, but with some of the letters included.

Across

2	The play is in two acts, with a short interval between the two. I _ T _ _ M _ _ _ _ _ N
6	If you make a mistake in your calculations, you'll need to do them again. _ V _ _
8	The post normally arrives before lunchtime. _ _ _ L
9	The government refused to recognise the new republic. _ E _ _ _ _ _ _ _
11	The theatre received an unexpected grant which helped to prevent it closing down. _ H _ _ _ _ _
13	The road outside the school is very busy, so students are advised to use the subway to cross it. _ N _ _ _ P _ _ _
16	The oil crisis resulted in a 28% rise in the cost of petrol. _ _ S
18	Take the lift to the top floor. _ _ _ V _ _ O _
20	Estate agents are some of the most unscrupulous people in the country. R _ _ L _ _ R _
24	The M40 is closed, so you will need to take the A40, which is the main road connecting London with Oxford. H _ _ _ W _ _
26	Their request for a $2 rise in the hourly rate was firmly rejected by the management. _ A _ _ E
27	The workshop will last for 6 hours, with a break for lunch at midday. _ E _ _ S _
29	(Informal) I really like Mr. Goldberg. He's a great bloke. _ U _
30	(At a school, college, or university) A staff meeting has been called for two o'clock. _ _ C _ _ _ Y
32	In my opinion, the best time of the year is autumn. _ _ L _
35	The automobile company's first attempt to design a family saloon that ran on diesel was a resounding failure. _ _ D _ N
36	The campus has a shop where students can buy stationery and essential items. _ _ O _ _
37	Government spending on defence was reduced by 23%. _ _ _ E _ _ _
38	He gave me just enough money to buy a return bus ticket to Portland. R _ _ _ D - _ _ _ P (2 words, which are hyphenated. Do not leave a gap or use a hyphen in the crossword grid)
40	He's a graduate of Berkeley College. _ _ _ M N _ _
41	These days it is not unusual to see children as young as five carrying a mobile phone to school. C _ _ _ _ _ _ N _

Down

1	The postcode for the company is MA 04532. _ I _ _ O _ _ (2 words: do not leave a gap between the words in the crossword grid)
3	Classes start at nine o'clock every morning Monday to Friday. T _ R _ _ _ _
4	There are several museums and galleries in the city, but most students prefer to spend their evenings at the cinema. _ _ V _ E _
5	Have you got any change for a $20 note? B _ _ _
7	Strict labour laws have had an adverse effect on small businesses. _ _ B _ _
10	I'm afraid we've got slightly behind schedule. _ _ T T _ _
12	Several flats were leased to private agencies, who in turn leased them to small companies. _ P _ _ T _ _ _ _ _
14	All travellers flying to the USA have to undergo strict security checks at the airport. _ _ A _ _ _ _ _ _
15	The Dean's office is on the ground floor. _ I _ _ _
17	The first thing the council did was dig up the pavement outside the front door.  _ _ D _ W _ _ _
19	My favorite film of all time has to be the classic 1959 comedy 'Some Like It Hot'. _ _ V _ _
21	The best way to get from one part of the city to another is to use the dual carriageway. _ _ E _ W _ _
22	(On the telephone, when you are calling someone) Hello, is that Harrison Keane? _ _ _ S
23	In the event of a marital divorce or separation, there is a clear need for dialogue between the parents and their children. _ _ A _ _ _
25	If you want to stop smoking, the best place to start is by going to your local chemist. D _ _ G _ _ _ _ _
28	Services on the underground start at five in the morning and finish at half past midnight. _ _ B _ _ Y
31	Before buying a house, it is essential to employ the services of a good solicitor.  _ T T _ _ _ _ _
33	You should use a pencil to do the test, and use a rubber to remove any mistakes.  _ _ A _ _ _
34	Most Americans tend to stay in the country for their holiday. V _ _ _ T _ _ _
39	You don't need to ask me for permission to use the toilet! B _ _ _ R _ _ _

ANSWER KEY

Across		Down
2	intermission	1	zip code
6	over (in the context of repeating something completely only. In other contexts, again is used in the same way as it is used in British English)	3	through
8	mail	4	movies (movie theater is also used)
9	recognize (note that in British English, this word can be spelt recognise or recognize)*	5	bill
11	theater*	7	labor*
13	underpass	10	gotten
16	gas	12	apartments
18	elevator	14	travelers*
20	realtors	15	first
24	highway	17	sidewalk
26	raise	19	movie
27	recess	21	freeway (expressway is also used)
29	guy	22	this
30	faculty**	23	dialog*
32	fall	25	drugstore
35	sedan	28	subway
36	store	31	attorney (lawyer is also used)
37	defense*	33	eraser
38	round-trip	34	vacation
40	alumnus	39	bathroom
41	cellphone

Note the following spelling differences between British and American English:

 Words which usually end in -ise in British English end with -ize in American English (recognize, realize, itemize, etc.)
 Words which end with -re in British English usually end with -er in American English (theater, center, liter, etc.)
 Words which end with -our in British English normally end with -or in American English (humor, labor, color, etc.)
 Words which end with -ogue in British English normally end with just -og in American English (dialog, catalog, etc.)
 Words which end in -ence in British English end with -ense in American English (pretense, defense, offense, etc.)
 Words which end with -amme in British English usually just end with -am in American English (kilogram, program,
telegram, etc.)

Words with a double L in the middle in British English (such as traveller or travelling) usually use a single L in American English (traveler, traveling, etc.), but some words that use a single followed by a consonant in British English use a do