Make vs. Do – English Grammar Exercises for B1
Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence. Read the text carefully as all questions are part of a continuous report to a supervisor.
1 Good morning. I am here to report on the progress I have ______ so far for the upcoming project presentation.
(a) done
(b) making
(c) made
(d) achieved
2 First of all, I have ______ a lot of research on the topic of renewable energy over the past few days.
(a) done
(b) created
(c) made
(d) to do
3 To keep everything organized from the start, I ______ a detailed list of all the academic sources I need to read.
(a) making
(b) put
(c) did
(d) made
4 Every evening, I make sure to ______ my homework by reviewing at least three peer-reviewed articles.
(a) work
(b) do
(c) make
(d) to do
5 I really want to impress the committee, so I am ______ a huge effort to gather the most accurate data.
(a) pushing
(b) doing
(c) making
(d) make
6 Yesterday, I spent three solid hours ______ the math to ensure the statistical charts are absolutely correct.
(a) calculating
(b) doing
(c) making
(d) do
7 While analyzing the complex statistics, I ______ several pages of notes to highlight the key findings.
(a) did
(b) made
(c) was made
(d) created
8 My project partner is also ______ a great job with the visual design of the presentation slides.
(a) doing
(b) acting
(c) making
(d) does
9 Before we open the software, we always ______ a rough draft on paper to organize our main ideas.
(a) make
(b) draw
(c) making
(d) do
10 This is probably the most challenging assignment I have ever ______, but I am learning a lot from the process.
(a) did
(b) fulfilled
(c) done
(d) made
11 I will ______ sure that the final presentation does not exceed the strict fifteen-minute time limit.
(a) keep
(b) do
(c) to make
(d) make
12 There are still a few minor administrative tasks we need to ______ before the final rehearsal tomorrow.
(a) operate
(b) doing
(c) make
(d) do
13 Last night, my teammate ______ a brilliant suggestion about adding a Q&A session at the end of our talk.
(a) made
(b) told
(c) did
(d) has make
14 We were so busy that we literally ______ nothing else but work on this project all weekend.
(a) done
(b) had
(c) made
(d) did
15 I realized that using outdated statistics would ______ more harm than good to our overall argument.
(a) bring
(b) do
(c) doing
(d) make
16 Our main goal is to ______ a strong impression on the board of directors during the pitch.
(a) build
(b) to make
(c) do
(d) make
17 I can guarantee that we will ______ our absolute best to deliver a flawless and engaging presentation.
(a) do
(b) put
(c) make
(d) doing
18 Even with my heavy workload, I managed to ______ time to double-check all the references.
(a) do
(b) save
(c) made
(d) make
19 Learning how to present effectively is crucial for anyone who wants to ______ business in the corporate world.
(a) deal
(b) doing
(c) do
(d) make
20 Ultimately, I believe the extensive research we’ve conducted will ______ a real difference in our final outcome.
(a) make
(b) do
(c) create
(d) to making
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (c) made
- Explanation: “Make progress” is the standard collocation meaning to move forward or improve.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “done” is a common mistake (confusing the two verbs). (b) “making” is a structural error (requires past participle after “have”). (d) “achieved” is a meaning trap (“achieve success” is natural, but “achieve progress” sounds unnatural).
2 (a) done
- Explanation: We “do research” because it is a process of gathering information, an activity rather than creating a physical object.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “made” is a common mistake. (d) “to do” is a structural error after “have” (Present Perfect). (b) “created” is a meaning trap (you create a report, but you don’t create research).
3 (d) made
- Explanation: “Make a list” is correct because you are producing or creating something new.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “did” is a common mistake. (a) “making” is a structural error (needs Past Simple here). (b) “put” is a meaning trap (we say “put together a list,” not “put a list”).
4 (b) do
- Explanation: “Do homework” refers to performing a routine task or assignment.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “make” is a common mistake. (d) “to do” is a structural error (after “make sure to,” we need the bare infinitive, but wait, the gap is after “to”. Ah, “to to do” would be double “to”). (a) “work” is a meaning trap (we don’t “work homework”).
5 (c) making
- Explanation: “Make an effort” is the correct collocation for putting energy into achieving something.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “doing” is a common mistake. (d) “make” is a structural error (requires Present Continuous “am making”). (a) “pushing” is a meaning trap.
6 (b) doing
- Explanation: We “do the math” to mean performing calculations.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “making” is a common mistake. (d) “do” is a structural error (requires V-ing after “spent time”). (a) “calculating” is a meaning trap (“calculating the math” is redundant).
7 (b) made
- Explanation: “Make notes” (or take notes) means to write down information.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “did” is a common mistake. (c) “was made” is a structural error (passive voice used incorrectly). (d) “created” is a meaning trap (too formal/unnatural for notes).
8 (a) doing
- Explanation: “Do a job” refers to performing work or a specific role.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “making” is a common mistake. (d) “does” is a structural error after “is”. (b) “acting” is a meaning trap.
9 (a) make
- Explanation: We “make a draft” because we are constructing or producing a document.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “do” is a common mistake. (c) “making” is a structural error. (b) “draw” is a meaning trap (“draw a draft” is not the natural collocation, though “draw up a draft” exists).
10 (c) done
- Explanation: “Do an assignment” refers to completing an educational task.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “made” is a common mistake. (a) “did” is a structural error (needs past participle for Present Perfect). (b) “fulfilled” is a meaning trap (you fulfill requirements, not an assignment).
11 (d) make
- Explanation: “Make sure” is a fixed phrase meaning to ensure or confirm something.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “do” is a common mistake. (c) “to make” is a structural error after the modal “will”. (a) “keep” is a meaning trap (“keep sure” doesn’t exist).
12 (d) do
- Explanation: We “do tasks” because they are activities or chores to be completed.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “make” is a common mistake. (b) “doing” is a structural error after “need to”. (a) “operate” is a meaning trap.
13 (a) made
- Explanation: “Make a suggestion” means to offer an idea.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “did” is a common mistake. (d) “has make” is a structural error (should be “has made” or just “made”). (b) “told” is a meaning trap (we tell a story, but make a suggestion).
14 (d) did
- Explanation: “Do nothing” is used when referring to general, non-specific actions.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “made” is a common mistake. (a) “done” is a structural error (needs Past Simple). (b) “had” is a meaning trap.
15 (b) do
- Explanation: “Do harm” is a standard collocation referring to causing negative effects.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “make” is a common mistake. (c) “doing” is a structural error after “would”. (a) “bring” is a meaning trap.
16 (d) make
- Explanation: We “make an impression” because we create a feeling or image in someone else’s mind.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “do” is a common mistake. (b) “to make” is a structural error after “is to” (wait, “is to make” is grammatically fine, but the gap already has “to” before it in standard structures, or here “is to ___”. The sentence is “goal is to ___”. So we just need the bare verb “make”). (a) “build” is a meaning trap.
17 (a) do
- Explanation: “Do one’s best” means to perform with maximum effort.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “make” is a common mistake. (d) “doing” is a structural error after “will”. (b) “put” is a meaning trap (we “put in our best effort”, not “put our best”).
18 (d) make
- Explanation: “Make time” means to intentionally clear one’s schedule for a specific purpose.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “do” is a common mistake. (c) “made” is a structural error after “managed to”. (b) “save” is a meaning trap (saving time means doing something faster, not dedicating time to it).
19 (c) do
- Explanation: “Do business” refers to engaging in commerce or professional activities.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “make” is a common mistake. (b) “doing” is a structural error after “wants to”. (a) “deal” is a meaning trap.
20 (a) make
- Explanation: “Make a difference” means to have a significant effect on a situation.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “do” is a common mistake. (d) “to making” is a structural error after the modal “will”. (c) “create” is a meaning trap (logical, but not the fixed idiom).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 Using “DO” (Focus on the Process/Action):
Use “Do” for activities, tasks, and research where you are executing a process rather than creating a physical object.
- Examples in context: do research, do homework, do the math, do a job, do an assignment, do tasks, do business, do your best.
- Note: Also used for general actions (do nothing) and impacts (do harm).
2 Using “MAKE” (Focus on the Result/Creation):
Use “Make” when your action produces a tangible result, a document, a decision, or a communication.
- Examples in context: make progress, make a list, make an effort, make notes, make a draft, make sure, make a suggestion, make an impression, make time, make a difference.
Pro Tip for this Context: You DO the research (the heavy lifting and reading), but you MAKE the notes, lists, and drafts (the things you produce as a result of that research).