Confusing words & false friends

Question 1

Aboard

Abroad

Answer 1

More and more people go abroad for their holiday.

In 2002, she became the first woman to travel aboard the space shuttle Discovery.

Question 2

Action

Activity

Answer 2

We decided to take immediate action when we realized there was a problem.
The environmental changes in the area are the result of human activity.

Question 3

Advice

Advise

Answer 3

Can you advise me on the best course of action to take?

He offered me some excellent advice.

Question 4

Affect

Effect

Answer 4

Diverting the course of the river will have a major effect on the local ecosystem.
Frequent traffic jams in the suburbs seriously affect journey times into the city.

Question 5

Appreciable

Appreciative

Answer 5

Widening the road made an appreciable difference to the flow of traffic.
The applause at the end of the concert was warm and appreciative.

Question 6

Avoid

Prevent

Answer 6

Rapid international action managed to prevent an environmental disaster from taking place.
There are areas in the city that are wise to avoid after dark.

Question 7

Beside

Besides

Answer 7

The company’s main office is beside the railway station.

Besides their regular daytime job, many people do extra work in the evening.

Question 8

Briefly

Shortly

Answer 8

Shortly before the earthquake began, many animals were seen to be behaving in an unusual
manner.
She spoke briefly but passionately about the need to help those in developing countries.

Question 9

Canal

Channel

Answer 9

A canal system joined the two main rivers, which made transporting goods much quicker.
When television first became popular in the early 1950s, there was only one channel.

Question 10

Conscientious

Conscious

Answer 10

Most people are conscious of the need to protect the environment.
Conscientious workers should be rewarded for their hard work.

Question 11

Considerable

Considerate

Answer 11

In my opinion, some people are not very considerate of those around them.
A considerable amount of money was spent on developing the product.

Question 12

Continual

Continuous

Answer 12

The computer system has given us continual problems ever since we installed it. Some days it works, other days it doesn’t.
The continuous noise from the new motorway has forced many people to move.

Question 13

Control

Inspect

Answer 13

New teachers often find it difficult to control their classes.
Environmental health inspectors regularly inspect commercial kitchens for cleanliness, especially those in restaurants.

Question 14

Criticism

Objection

Answer 14

I have no objection to people using their mobile phones on buses or trains.
Plans for the new stadium have attracted fierce criticism from local people.

Question 15

Damage
Harm
Injury

Answer 15

He suffered a serious injury which needed immediate hospital treatment.
The low levels of dangerous chemicals in the river were enough to cause harm to aquatic life.
A lot of damage was caused to buildings along the coast during the storm.

Question 16

During
For
While

Answer 16

The college closes for two weeks at the end of December.
He died while trying to cross the desert alone.
Many creatures stay underground during daylight hours.

Question 17

However

Moreover

Answer 17

The plan was good in theory. However, in practice it was extremely difficult to implement.
The plan was excellent. Moreover, it was clear from the beginning that it was going to attract a
lot of interest.

Question 18

Injured

Wounded

Answer 18

I believe that we should do more to help and support soldiers who have been wounded in combat.
Several workers were injured when the drilling platform collapsed.

Question 19

Job

Work

Answer 19

Everybody has the right to a decent job with good pay.

During the economic recession, a lot of people found themselves out of work.

Question 20

Lay

Lie

Answer 20

If you’re suffering from dehydration, you should drink plenty of water and sit or lie down for a while.
Before you begin the experiment, you should lay a large plastic sheet on the ground.

Question 21

Look at

Watch

Answer 21

We need to watch the situation carefully over the next few weeks and see how things develop.
We need to look at the problem carefully and decide if there is anything we can do about it.

Question 22

Loose

Lose

Answer 22

Some people are very competitive and hate to lose a game or competition.
The surface is mainly composed of loose soil and small stones.

Question 23

Make

Cause

Answer 23

The noise from traffic outside the school can make it hard to hear what the teacher is saying.
Hurricanes cause widespread damage in urban areas.

Question 24

Nature

Countryside

Answer 24

Thousands of nature lovers head for the national parks every weekend.
I’d rather live in the countryside than in a city.

Question 25

Per cent

Percentage

Answer 25

It is a myth that only ten Per cent of Americans hold a passport.
Only a small percentage of land is privately owned.

Question 26

Permission

Permit

Answer 26

I’m afraid we can’t permit photography in the museum.

We received permission to attend the meeting, as long as we didn’t interrupt.

Question 27

Personal

Personnel

Answer 27

My own personal view is that professional football players are paid far too much.
The company was in trouble until there was a change of personnel on the management team.

Question 28

Possibility / chance

Answer 28

We might go to Spain for our field trip. Another possibility is that we’ll go to Italy instead.
If we act now, we have a good chance of finding a cure for the disease.

Question 29

Practice

Practise

Answer 29

It’s important to practise your English whenever possible.

I think I need more practice before I take the exam.

Question 30

Priceless

Worthless

Answer 30

Priceless paintings by artists like Van Gogh and Rembrandt should not be in the hands of private
collectors.
As inflation spiralled out of control, paper money suddenly became almost worthless.

Question 31

Principal

Principle

Answer 31

Many people refuse to eat meat on principle.
She was appointed University principal in 2009.
The country’s principal food products are coffee and sugar.
I believe in the principle that healthcare should be free for everyone.

Question 32

Problem

Trouble

Answer 32

At night, the streets are full of people fighting and generally causing trouble.
I was wondering if you could help me with a little problem I’m having.

Question 33

Process

Procession

Answer 33

The highlight of the carnival is a huge procession along the town’s main street.
In some cases, applying for a visa can be a long and frustrating process.

Question 34

Raise

Rise

Answer 34

As prices rise, demand usually drops.

In response to the oil crisis, most airlines had to raise their fares.

Question 35

Remember

Remind

Answer 35

I can remember my first day at school really well.
Language teachers often remind their students that the best way to remember new words is to use them as much as possible.

Question 36

Respectable

Respectful

Answer 36

We all listened in respectful silence as she outlined her plans for the museum’s future.
Everybody wants to bring their children up in a respectable neighborhood.

Question 37

Tolerable

Tolerant

Answer 37

People need to be more tolerant of their neighbors, and not complain every time they make too much noise.
The local authorities say that the noise from passing trains is tolerable, but many living near the railway lines disagree.

Question 38

Treat

Cure

Answer 38

Many hospitals are so understaffed that they are refusing to treat patients with minor injuries.
The new drug was unable to cure the disease, and hundreds died as a result.