Confusing Words

Confusing Words and False Friends Set A

Confusing words are two or more words which:

• A) have a similar meaning to each other but which are used in a different way

• B) are related to the same topic, but have a different meaning

• C) look similar, but have a different meaning

False friends are words in English which have a similar-looking word in another language, but which have a different meaning.

• Example 1 วิน (a motorcycle taxi) vs Win (overcome)

• Example 2 แฟน (a boyfriend/girlfriend) vs Fan ( a supporter or an electric device)

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Multiple Choice

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

• action / activity

• activity / action

Multiple Choice

3. Can you ................. me on the best course of action to take? He offered me some excellent ................. .

• advice / advise

• advise / advice

Multiple Choice

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

• affect / effect

• effect / affect

Multiple Choice

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

• appreciable / appreciative

• appreciative / appreciable

Multiple Choice

6. Rapid international action managed to ................. an environmental disaster from taking place.

There are areas in the city that are wise to ................. after dark.

• prevent / avoid

• avoid / prevent

Multiple Choice

7. The company’s main office is ................. the railway station. ................. their regular daytime job, many people do extra work in the evening.

• beside / Besides

• besides / Beside

Multiple Choice

8. ................. before the earthquake began, many animals were seen to be behaving in an unusual manner.

She spoke ................. but passionately about the need to help those in developing countries.

• Briefly / shortly,

• Shortly / briefly,

Multiple Choice

9. A ................. 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 .................

• canal / channel

• channel / canal

Multiple Choice

10. Most people are ................. of the need to protect the environment.

................. workers should be rewarded for their hard work.

• conscious / Conscientious,

• conscientious / Conscious,

Multiple Choice

11. In my opinion, some people are not very ................. of those around them.

A ................. amount of money was spent on developing the product.

• considerable / considerate

• considerate / considerable,

Multiple Choice

12. The computer system has given us ................. problems ever since we installed it. Some days it works, other days it doesn’t.

The ................. noise from the new motorway has forced many people to move.

• continuous / continual

• continual / continuous

Multiple Choice

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

• control / inspect

• inspect / control

Multiple Choice

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

• criticism / objection

• objection / criticism

Multiple Choice

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

• injury / damage / harm

• harm / injury / damage,

• injury / harm / damage,

Multiple Choice

16. The college closes ................. two weeks at the end of December.

He died ................. trying to cross the desert alone.

Many creatures stay underground ................. daylight hours.

• for / while / during

• during / for / while

• while / during / for

Multiple Choice

17. The plan was good in theory. ................., in practice it was extremely difficult to implement.

The plan was excellent. ................., it was clear from the beginning that it was going to attract a lot of interest.

• Moreover / However

• However / Moreover

Multiple Choice

18. I believe that we should do more to help and support soldiers who have been ................. in combat.

Several workers were ................. when the drilling platform collapsed.

• wounded / injured

• injured / wounded

Multiple Choice

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

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

• job / work

• work / job

Multiple Choice

20. If you’re suffering from dehydration, you should drink plenty of water and sit or ................. down for a while.

Before you begin the experiment, you should ................. a large plastic sheet on the ground.

• lie / lay

• lay / lie