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False Friends - similar sounds, different meanings

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False Friends

Sometimes words in English and other languages sound the same and have the same meaning, very useful!

Unfortunately sometimes they sound the same or similar and have completely different meanings! These tricksters are called 'false friends'.

You may find the questions below very easy, or you may struggle depending on what your first language is. For each question, choose the sentence that matches the meaning of the word. Good luck!

Notes:
Sensible in Spanish means sensitive.
Magazine sounds like a word that means warehouse or depot in many languages.
Embarrassed sounds like a word that means 'pregnant' in Spanish
Bald sounds like a word that means courageous in Italian
Versatile in French means changeable or fickle.
Gift means poison in German.
Library sounds like a place where you buy books in Spanish and Italian.

Lesson by Caroline Devane

Which sentence uses the word in the correct way:

  • 1. Sensible:



  • 2. Magazine:



  • 3. Embarrassed:



  • 4. Bald:



  • 5. Versatile:



  • 6. Gift:



  • 7. Library: