Oct - Nov 2013

A. Do vs. Make

Do and Make are two verbs which frequently confuse students. Here we will learn about the difference between Do and Make and when to use each one.

When do you use DO?

DO is used as follows:

1. DO is used when talking about work, jobs or tasks. Note, they do not produce any physical object.

• Have you done your homework?
• I have guests visiting tonight so I should start doing the housework now.
• I wouldn't like to do that job.

2. DO is used when we refer to activities in general without being specific. In these cases, we normally use words like thing, something, nothing, anything, everything etc.

• Hurry up! I've got things to do!
• Don't just stand there – do something!
• Is there anything I can do to help you?

3. We sometimes use DO to replace a verb when the meaning is clear or obvious. This is more common in informal spoken English:

• Do I need to do my hair? (do = brush or comb)
• Have you done the dishes yet? (done = washed)
• I'll do the kitchen if you do the lawns (do = clean, do = mow)

When do you use MAKE?

Make is for producing, constructing, creating or building something new.

It is also used to indicate the origin of a product or the materials that are used to make something.

• His wedding ring is made of gold.
• The house was made of adobe.
• Wine is made from grapes.
• The watches were made in Switzerland

We also use Make for producing an action or reaction:

• Onions make your eyes water.
• You make me happy.
• It’s not my fault. My brother made me do it!

You make after certain nouns about plans and decisions:

• make the arrangements,
• make a choice

We use Make with nouns about speaking and certain sounds:

• make a comment
• make a noise
• make a speech

We use Make with Food, Drink and Meals:

• make a cake
• make a cup of tea
• make dinner

Compare Do and Make

A: You have to make a cake for Simon.

B: I’ll do it later.

Notice how in the response the verb DO is used. This is because the meaning is clear and to avoid saying “I’ll make it later.” which could sound repetitive.

Do vs. Make Comparison Chart

Common Expressions with Do and Make

The following expressions are set collocations (combinations of words that frequently appear together) that you need to learn:

Expressions with DO

The following words are normally used with Do:

• a dance
• a drawing
• a favor / favour
• a job
• a painting
• a project
• a service
• an assignment
• anything
• business
• chores
• damage
• everything
• exercises
• good
• harm
• laundry
• nothing
• research
• right (the right thing)
• something
• the gardening
• the housework
• the ironing
• the dishes
• the rest
• the shopping
• the washing
• well
• work
• wrong (the wrong thing)
• your best
• your hair
• your homework
• your job
• your nails
• your work

Expressions with MAKE

The following words are normally used with MAKE:

• a bet
• a cake
• a call
• a change
• a choice
• a comment
• a complaint
• a connection
• a cup of coffee / tea
• a date
• a decision
• a demand
• a difference
• a discovery
• a face
• a fool of yourself
• a fortune
• a friend
• a fuss
• a joke
• a line
• a list
• a living
• a loss
• a mess
• a mistake
• a noise
• a plan
• a point
• a profit
• a promise
• a reservation
• a sandwich
• a scene
• a sound
• a speech
• a statement
• a suggestion
• an appointment
• an announcement
• an attempt
• an effort
• an error
• an escape
• an excuse
• an impression
• an observation
• an offer
• breakfast
• clear
• dinner
• faces
• fun of someone
• lunch
• inquiries
• peace
• possible
• progress
• money
• room
• sense
• someone rich
• someone smile
• sure
• trouble
• war
• your bed
• your mind up

Exercises: Make or Do?

Fill in the gaps with MAKE or DO. Make sure you are using the right tense!

1. My uncle Martin  a lot of money with his company last year.           

2. You didn't  your homework yesterday. Why?

3.  me a favour. Can you pick up my suit from the dry cleaner's tomorrow?

4. Before going to the airport,  sure you have your ID with you.

5. I think Jane  a mistake in her presentation yesterday.

6. It won't  you any harm to eat more fruit and vegetables!                      

7. The police officer was only  his duty when he questioned you about the robbery.

8. David had just  me an offer I can't refuse. He's asked me to  a journey with him to Sydney!

9. It's always a pleasure to  business with that company.

10. Jerry has  fun of me because of my outfit!

11. Marge always  the housework before going shopping.                       

12. Can you  room for my suitcase in the wardrobe, please?

13. We  a difficult mathematics test last Friday.

14. Mark has to make up his mind! He has to  a choice now! Does he want to go to university or not?

15. I'm not in the mood to go to Ellen's party tonight. I think I'll  an excuse and I'll stay home.

16. You don't need to win the competition, just  your best!

17. I'd like to  an inquiry regarding room availability for the 22nd of October.

18. A hot cup of chocolate  me good whenever I feel low.

19. The hurricane  some terrible damage to the neighbouring house. It was a nightmare!

20. I think scientists have  an important discovery on how to cure AIDS.

B. Barilla screaming for help. Save the Pasta!

Listen to the following podcast and answer the questions below:

Podcast: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=2&t=1&islist=false&id=158565443&m=158589956

Transcript: open this file ONLY if you have some serious difficulties understanding the program and can not answer the questions below _ http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=158565443

1. Provide a 2-3 minute summary of the story: who are the actors, where is this taking place, what is interesting about the story
2. Was the problem?
3. What were some of the measures that the plant manager took in order to solve the issues?
4. They talk about an employee getting fired.  Why did he get fired?
5. Do you think that these measures could work in France? Why or why not?

Task: write a simple 3 minute speech where you play the role of the general manager at Barilla and announce a new policy at the company to prevent absenteeism.  Please make sure that to work in an insentive to employees that do not call in sick very often or not at all during a year. The speech should contain the following:

1. A clear explanation of the policy including citing WHY this is being put in place by the company
2. Examples of how this would work
3. Incentives for people that are not absent and possible penalties for those that do not abide by the new policy.
4. Effective date of the new policy

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Video Games Rock!!!!
You thought that video games were really bad for you. Think again!  Watch this fascinating video on the positive effects of video games on your brain. Yes, that's right.  Video games can be good for you unlike you hear on TV.  

 
For this exercise, please watch the majority of this video making sure to write as many notes as possible about this topic. Then, the task is as follows:

1. You have been assigned to lead a discussion about this topic in front of parents in your community.  You should spend no less than 8 minutes to explain this topic ensuring to give ample examples to the audience for them to understand it better.
2. You have been assigned by a group of parents that heard you speak about this topic, to lead a discussion with children between the ages of 9 - 13 about the pros and cons of playing video games.  While you do not want to encourage them to spend too much time playing video games, you want to transmit the message that video games have the potential to enhance the way our brain works.  Give kids good arguments for them to talk to their parents and convince them that video games are not bad for them.  You should spend around 8 minutes to build your case with kids and get them excited about this new discovery.

Additional reading about the topic: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/07/28/debate.kids.games/index.html?iref=allsearch

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Happy Halloween! There is nothing worse than getting bad candies or an apple as a treat in Halloween.  Read the following quick article about the best and worst candies to get in Halloween: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-15-best-and-worst-halloween-candy-2013-10

1. Have you ever gone trick or treating? Are you interested by this tradition?
2. Do you give out candies to the little "monsters" that come by your house trick or treating?
3. Have you or are you planning to take your kid(s) trick or treating around your neighborhood this year? Next year? If not, why not?
4. Make up your own list of the 10 best and worst candies to have here in France as a kid or a "grown" kid.  Give a reason for each of your choices