So then we asked some British people what they like or don't like about America...
"Arriving at the airport. Immigration is slow, it takes hours to get through!" Geff, London
"The waste of electricity. I just can't understand why their homes are extremely hot in winter and very cold in summer ". Louise, Southampton
"The people, they're so generous. If they invite you home, you're sure of a big welcome!" Amin, Bath
"Going shopping. I love it. It's so cheap everywhere —food, clothes, hotels, petrol". Paul, Oxford
"I hate the insects. They are so big. In Texas the mosquitoes are enormous.”
Maria, Glasgow
"Lying on the beach in the sunshine. In California the sun shines all day, every day. It's great". Rose, Cardiff
"Driving on the right. It's very confusing. I keep looking the wrong way ". Linda, Liverpool
Make the conclusion about the image of the USA and the UK in the eyes of strangers.
Make the same image of Russia. Explain why this image is made and what is different in real life.
Divided by a Common Language (British English & American English)
George Bernard Shaw said that America and Britain were two nations divided by a common language. But how different is British English from American English? Some British and American people gave their definitions for some common words.
British English
American English
Something that you burn for heating and cooking
gas
Something you put in your car make it go
to
A school which is private
public school
A school that is open to everyone
A path which passes under a road
subway
A railway which runs under the ground.
Something that you wear under your trousers
pants
Something you wear to cover your legs, over your underpants
Clothing which you wear under your shirt.
vest
Clothing that you wear over your shirt and under your jacket
A list of things that you have bought or eaten in a restaurant and which tells you how much to pay.
.bill
Money which is made of paper
—'
Long sticks of potato which you cook in deep oil and eat hot with a meal.
chips
Very thin slices of fried potato which you eat cold before a meal or as a snack
Confused? British and American English have lots of words, which look the same but have different meanings. Nobody ever gets into serious trouble if they make a mistake, although you may get a strange look if you ask for the wrong clothes. But things get even more complicated! Here are some American English words, which the British don't use at all.
druggist someone who sells medicine in a shop. parking lot a place where you park the car. drugstore a shop where you can buy medicine, beauty products, school supplies, small things. main street the street in a town where all the shops are. stop lights lights, which control the traffic. faucet something you turn on and off to control water in a bath or a basin.
elevator a device which carries people from one floor to another in a building.
But most of the differences between British English and American English are minor and are only concerned with vocabulary, spelling and pronunciation. You can usually understand what words mean from the context. Good luck (British English) or break a leg (American English)!
Questions:
Decide if the speaker is using British English or American English, and cross out the incorrect answer. 1. We've decided to take our vacation in the autumn/fall this year. 2. At my son's high school the new term/semester starts next week. 3. I never eat biscuits or sweets/candy. v 4. Put that garbage in the dustbin/trashcan. 5. The trousers look nice with that waistcoat/vest. 6. The lorry/truck came past us on the highway. 7. My apartment is on the fourth floor but I 'm afraid there's no lift/elevator. 8. The people next door are on holiday/vacation. They 11 be away for a fortnight. 9. We left the car in the carpark/parking lot and took the subway to the centre. 10. My trainers are in the wardrobe/closet.
