Make vs. Do – English Grammar Exercises for B1
Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence. Read the conversation carefully, as all questions are part of an encouraging speech given to a nervous friend right before they enter the exam room.
1 I know you are trembling right now, but just go in there and ______ your best!
(a) doing
(b) give
(c) do
(d) make
2 Don’t panic if you accidentally ______ a small mistake while speaking; the examiners completely understand.
(a) make
(b) have
(c) making
(d) do
3 You have already ______ all the necessary revision for this oral exam over the last two weeks.
(a) complete
(b) done
(c) doing
(d) made
4 Just breathe deeply and ______ sure you speak loudly and clearly so they can hear you.
(a) keep
(b) do
(c) make
(d) to make
5 I am absolutely confident that you will ______ a great job in that room today.
(a) did
(b) make
(c) achieve
(d) do
6 Even if you forget a specific word, just ______ an effort to keep the conversation flowing smoothly.
(a) make
(b) making
(c) do
(d) put
7 The examiner might ask a difficult question, but it won’t ______ you any harm to pause and think for a second.
(a) do
(b) cause
(c) make
(d) doing
8 Try not to ______ a fuss if you don’t know the answer immediately; just stay calm and polite.
(a) makes
(b) make
(c) show
(d) do
9 Remember, you don’t have to ______ everything perfectly. They just want to assess your communication skills.
(a) make
(b) do
(c) say
(d) done
10 If you smile and maintain eye contact, you will definitely ______ a good impression on the jury.
(a) build
(b) making
(c) make
(d) do
11 You have practiced so hard, and this solid preparation will ______ wonders for your confidence once you start.
(a) does
(b) do
(c) make
(d) bring
12 I promise you that the teachers are not trying to ______ things difficult for you on purpose.
(a) create
(b) make
(c) making
(d) do
13 As long as you ______ the talking naturally, the time will pass much faster than you expect.
(a) make
(b) keep
(c) doing
(d) do
14 Please don’t let your anxiety ______ a mess of all the excellent vocabulary you have learned.
(a) do
(b) make
(c) create
(d) makes
15 If you realize you misunderstood a question, you can always ______ an apology and ask them to repeat it.
(a) say
(b) to make
(c) do
(d) make
16 Stop worrying about your final grade; just focus entirely on ______ well in the present moment.
(a) making
(b) acting
(c) doing
(d) do
17 At the end of the day, no one can ask you to ______ more than what you are capable of.
(a) done
(b) make
(c) do
(d) achieve
18 I am sure you will ______ your parents proud today, regardless of the final score.
(a) make
(b) let
(c) do
(d) making
19 Before you walk through that door, promise me you won’t ______ any excuses to give up.
(a) find
(b) do
(c) made
(d) make
20 Ultimately, whether you pass or fail, taking this challenging exam will ______ a significant difference in your personal growth.
(a) do
(b) result
(c) makes
(d) make
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (c) do
- Why it is correct: “Do your best” is the standard collocation for putting in maximum effort. It focuses entirely on the action and dedication, not the outcome.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “make” is a Common Mistake. (a) “doing” is a Structural Error (needs the bare infinitive after “go in there and…”). (b) “give” is a Meaning Trap (you can “give it your best shot”, but not “give your best”).
2 (a) make
- Why it is correct: We “make a mistake” because we are producing an unintended error.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “do” is a Common Mistake. (c) “making” is a Structural Error. (b) “have” is a Meaning Trap.
3 (b) done
- Why it is correct: “Do revision” is a fixed phrase for the activity of studying.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “made” is a Common Mistake. (c) “doing” is a Structural Error (requires past participle “done” for Present Perfect). (a) “complete” is a Meaning Trap (you complete a course, but you do revision).
4 (c) make
- Why it is correct: “Make sure” means to confirm or ensure something happens.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “do” is a Common Mistake. (d) “to make” is a Structural Error (needs bare infinitive after “breathe deeply and…”). (a) “keep” is a Meaning Trap.
5 (d) do
- Why it is correct: “Do a job” refers to performing a task or action well.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “make” is a Common Mistake. (a) “did” is a Structural Error after “will”. (c) “achieve” is a Meaning Trap (“achieve a job” is unnatural).
6 (a) make
- Why it is correct: We “make an effort” because we are generating or producing energy to accomplish something.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “do” is a Common Mistake. (b) “making” is a Structural Error. (d) “put” is a Meaning Trap (“put effort into”, but not “put an effort”).
7 (a) do
- Why it is correct: “Do harm” refers to the effect or impact of an action.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “make” is a Common Mistake. (d) “doing” is a Structural Error after “won’t”. (b) “cause” is a Meaning Trap (you “cause harm”, but the strict idiom here with “you any harm” pairs best with “do”).
8 (b) make
- Why it is correct: “Make a fuss” means to create an unnecessary display of anxiety or complaint.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “do” is a Common Mistake. (a) “makes” is a Structural Error after “try not to”. (c) “show” is a Meaning Trap.
9 (b) do
- Why it is correct: “Do everything” refers to general, non-specific actions or tasks.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “make” is a Common Mistake. (d) “done” is a Structural Error. (c) “say” is a Meaning Trap (grammatically correct, but “do everything perfectly” covers the whole exam process, not just speaking).
10 (c) make
- Why it is correct: You “make an impression” because you create a feeling or image in someone’s mind.
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “do” is a Common Mistake. (b) “making” is a Structural Error. (a) “build” is a Meaning Trap.
11 (b) do
- Why it is correct: “Do wonders” is an idiom meaning to have a highly beneficial effect.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “make” is a Common Mistake. (a) “does” is a Structural Error after “will”. (d) “bring” is a Meaning Trap.
12 (b) make
- Why it is correct: “Make things difficult” means causing a situation to become hard (producing a state).
- Distractor Analysis: (d) “do” is a Common Mistake. (c) “making” is a Structural Error. (a) “create” is a Meaning Trap.
13 (d) do
- Why it is correct: “Do the talking” refers to performing the specific activity of speaking.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “make” is a Common Mistake. (c) “doing” is a Structural Error. (b) “keep” is a Meaning Trap.
14 (b) make
- Why it is correct: “Make a mess” means to create a disorganized or ruined situation.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “do” is a Common Mistake. (d) “makes” is a Structural Error after “let”. (c) “create” is a Meaning Trap.
15 (d) make
- Why it is correct: “Make an apology” is the collocation for producing a statement of regret.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “do” is a Common Mistake. (b) “to make” is a Structural Error after “can always”. (a) “say” is a Meaning Trap.
16 (c) doing
- Why it is correct: “Do well” refers to performing successfully in an activity.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “making” is a Common Mistake. (d) “do” is a Structural Error (needs Present Participle after the preposition “on”). (b) “acting” is a Meaning Trap.
17 (c) do
- Why it is correct: We use “do” for performing general actions (“do more”).
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “make” is a Common Mistake. (a) “done” is a Structural Error. (d) “achieve” is a Meaning Trap.
18 (a) make
- Why it is correct: “Make someone proud” means to cause someone to feel a certain emotion.
- Distractor Analysis: (c) “do” is a Common Mistake. (d) “making” is a Structural Error. (b) “let” is a Meaning Trap.
19 (d) make
- Why it is correct: You “make an excuse” because you are inventing or creating a reason.
- Distractor Analysis: (b) “do” is a Common Mistake. (c) “made” is a Structural Error. (a) “find” is a Meaning Trap.
20 (d) make
- Why it is correct: “Make a difference” means to create a significant change or impact.
- Distractor Analysis: (a) “do” is a Common Mistake. (c) “makes” is a Structural Error after “will”. (b) “result” is a Meaning Trap.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 Focus on the Process: “DO your best”
When you want to encourage someone, the focus should be on their effort, not the final product. Therefore, we use “Do” for executing actions, performing tasks, and dedicating effort.
- Examples in this context: do your best, do a great job, do well, do revision, do the talking.
- Note: “Do” is also used for the general impact of an action (do harm, do wonders).
2 Focus on the Creation/Result: “MAKE”
Use “Make” when an action produces a tangible outcome, a feeling, a choice, or a reaction. Even in an exam, you make things that didn’t exist before you opened your mouth.
- Examples in this context: make a mistake (producing an error), make an impression (creating a feeling), make a fuss (creating a display of emotion), make sure, make a difference, make someone proud.
The Ultimate Exam Tip: You DO the talking and DO your best, but you MAKE an impression and MAKE a difference!