Vocabulary: exercise 4 - make and do

Prepare a list, or a set of cards, with do and make sentences, e.g.

1. I don't think we'll make it before closing time.
2. We'll just have to make do with what we've got.
3. What's your hand doing in my pocket?
4. He makes out that he's from a rich family.
5. They're going to do away with exams after the first semester.
6. They argue a lot, but they always kiss and make up.
7. It's a lovely cottage, but it needs doing up a bit.

Learners should re-write them without do or make. Possible answers:

1. I don't think we'll arrive there before closing time.
2. We'll just have to manage with what we've got.
3. Would you mind telling me why your hand is in my pocket?
4. He claims that he's from a rich family.
5. They're going to abolish exams after the first semester.
6. They argue a lot, but they always come round to a reconciliation.
7. It's a lovely cottage, but it needs renovating a bit.

In a subsequent lesson, or in private study time, they should look at their answers and try to convert them back to sentences with do or make. And then re-convert them. And so on, as long as it seems interesting and useful. Of course, they could also start with do-less and make-less sentences, e.g.

1. Coffee causes your blood pressure to rise.
2. Did you get good results in your exams?
3. Thanks, but I think we can dispense with your assistance for the remainder of the evening
4. We constructed a hut from planks of wood that we found.
5. That's irrelevant.
6. He was prosecuted for speeding – and he was only travelling at 200 km per hour.
7. Drink this – it'll have a beneficial effect on your health.

Possible answers:

1. Coffee makes your blood pressure go up.
2. Did you do well in your exams?
3. Thanks, but I think we can do without your help for the rest of the evening.
4. We made a hut with planks of wood that we found.
5. That's got nothing to do with it.
6. He got done for speeding – and he was only doing 200 km per hour.
7. Drink this – it'll do you good.

Class surveys are a popular way of practising all sorts of different language points. Here are some possible questions to practise do and make.