Trouble Spots
SEVERAL, SOME: plusieurs, quelques
These are not synonyms (they do not mean the same thing despite their similarity in meaning).
When you would say "several" in English, use plusieurs.
When you would say "some" or "a few", use quelques.
Facile, non?
plusieurs: several
Elle a plusieurs courses à faire cet après-midi.
quelques: some, a few
Apportez quelques pullovers ce week-end; il fait froid dans la montagne.
Quelques minutes plus tard, le train est parti.