Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Quiz: British vs. American Version
In the American version, Mrs. Weasley sends Harry a scarlet sweater for Christmas. What does she send him in the British version?
- What Americans call a "sweater" is called a "jumper" in England. (And Ron got the maroon one.)
In the British version, Peter Pettigrew turns into a vole. In the American version, he turns into a rat. Why?
- Pettigrew turns himself into Scabbers, Ron's rat, in both versions.
The British version of the book has 317 pages. The American version has 435 pages. Why is the American version longer?
- The two versions are actually about the same length, but the illustrations and typesetting make the American version have more pages.
Which version contains the following paragraph?
Harry's eyes snapped open. He was lying in the hospital wing. The Gryffindor Quidditch team, spattered with mud from head to foot, was gathered around his bed. Ron and Hermione were also there, looking as though they'd just climbed out of a swimming pool.
- It's in chapter 9 of both versions.
Which version contains the following sentence?
"Actually, I think Malfoy is right," said Hermione.- Honestly!
Which version contains the following sentence?
'Good on you, Harry!' roared Seamus Finnigan.- In the American version, Seamus roars "Good for you, Harry!" rather than "Good on you." This is an example of a difference in idiom.
Which version has an illustration at the start of each chapter?
- The American version has illustrations by Mary GrandPré. The British version has no illustrations, apart from the cover
Which version has a picture of Buckbeak on the cover?
- In fact, there are two separate covers for the British version—one for kids, and one for grownups. Buckbeak the hippogriff is on both of those covers, plus the American cover.
At the start of chapter 6 of the British version, George Weasley passes some "new third-year timetables" over to Harry. What does he pass over in the American version?
Which version contains the following two sentences?
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had already had two Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, both of whom had lasted only one year. There were rumors that the job was jinxed.
- The British version spells two of the words "Defence," not "Defense," and "rumours," not "rumors." Also, the British version has "both of whom had only lasted one year," instead of "both of whom had lasted only one year."
