B2 · Vocabulary
False Friends & Confusables
Lesson Handout
What are false friends?
⚠ False friends are words that look similar to a word in another language but have a different meaning in English. These are common sources of error.
Confusable pairs
⚠ These pairs look or sound similar in English and are confused by many learners.
More confusables
Summary
B2 · Vocabulary
False Friends & Confusables
Worksheet
Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
False friend or not? Choose the correct word (8 points)
1. She is a very ______ person — she always makes wise decisions under pressure.☐ sensible☐ sensitive
2. The study ______ that automation has a significant impact on employment levels.☐ shows☐ demonstrates actually
3. I went to the ______ to borrow some books on environmental law.☐ library☐ bookshop
4. He ______ felt embarrassed when he mispronounced the word in front of the class.☐ actually☐ eventually
5. The project failed many times, but ______ they found a sustainable solution.☐ eventually☐ actually
Affect or effect? Raise or rise? (8 points)
6. Deforestation ______ biodiversity on a massive scale.☐ affects☐ effects
7. The ______ of automation on the workforce has been significant.☐ effect☐ affect
8. Carbon emissions have ______ sharply over the last decade.☐ risen☐ raised
9. The company ______ awareness of mental health issues in the workplace.☐ raised☐ rose
10. She ______ to sign the new contract without reading it first.☐ refused☐ denied
11. He ______ having received the report, but his email clearly showed he had.☐ denied☐ refused
12. Could you please ______ me to send the report before 5pm?☐ remind☐ remember
13. I always ______ to check my carbon footprint before booking a flight.☐ remember☐ remind
Discover or invent? Economic or economical? (6 points)
14. Marie Curie ______ radium — it existed in nature before she found it.☐ discovered☐ invented
15. Alexander Graham Bell ______ the telephone — it did not exist before him.☐ invented☐ discovered
16. This is the ______ car on the market — it uses very little fuel.☐ most economical☐ most economic
B2 · Vocabulary
False Friends & Confusables
Answer Key
1. sensible
2. shows
3. library
4. actually
5. eventually
6. affects
7. effect
8. risen
9. raised
10. refused
11. denied
12. remind
13. remember
14. discovered
15. invented
16. most economical