British and American English (美式英文與英式英文)
You can write and speak in American English in the exam but all the questions are in British English. This confuses some students and they talk about the wrong things which causes other problems in the test. This is a list of common problem words.
US English
apartment
British English
flat
IELTS: Do you live in a flat or a house?
US English
school / college
e.g. I majored in math at school.
British English
university
e.g. I studied maths at university.
IELTS: What did you study at university?
US English
Elementary school
Junior / senior high school
British English
Primary school
middle / high school/secondary school
IELTS: Any question about schoolwants you to talk about studying from ages 7-18!
US English
vacation
British English
holiday
e.g. I went to Japan on holiday.
IELTS: What do you like to do on holiday?
US English
holiday(Christmas etc.)
British English
fesival
e.g. Easter is a popular festival.
British English
day off
I have a day off on Wednesday.(o)
I have a holiday on Wednesday.(x)
I have a holiday on Wednesday.(x)
US English
student(7-18)
British English
Pupil
student(18+)
IELTS: Should school pupils wear a uniform?
US English
gas
British English
petrol
US English
freeway
British English
motorway
IELTS: Is the solution to congestion to build more motorways?
US English
movie theater
British English
cinema
IELTS: Is the cinema popular in your country?
US English
movie
British English
film
theatre
( where people watch real actors, not films )
US English
candy
British English
sweet(s)
US English
cookie
British English
biscuit
US English
pants
British English
trousers
US English
fries
British English
chips
( long pieces of potato, thick or thin!, cooked in oil )
US English
chips
British English
crisps
US English
mail
British English
post
US English
line
e.g. Don't cut in line!
British English
queue
IELTS: Don't jump the queueat the post office!
