Make or Do Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on Common English Expressions

1. The teenagers were ___________ such a noise that the neighbor called the police.

Doing

Making

Creating

Building

"Making noise" is a common English phrase, as "make" is used to indicate the production of something, in this case, sound or disturbance. "Doing" would imply an action, but not necessarily one that produces sound, while "creating" or "building" doesn’t quite fit the context.

Explanation

"Making noise" is a common English phrase, as "make" is used to indicate the production of something, in this case, sound or disturbance. "Doing" would imply an action, but not necessarily one that produces sound, while "creating" or "building" doesn’t quite fit the context.

2. Sorry, I've __________ a mistake. The restaurant isn't here but on another street.

Done

Made

Created

Developed

"Made a mistake" is the common expression for committing an error, where "make" signifies that an error has been committed. "Done" would indicate completing a task, while "create" or "develop" would imply something more intentional or constructive.

Explanation

"Made a mistake" is the common expression for committing an error, where "make" signifies that an error has been committed. "Done" would indicate completing a task, while "create" or "develop" would imply something more intentional or constructive.

3. He ___________ a promise to his grandmother that he'd never fight anyone ever again.

Made

Did

Gave

Created

The phrase "make a promise" is a fixed expression, with "made" indicating the act of committing to a promise. "Do" or "create" wouldn’t convey the intended meaning of this expression.

Explanation

The phrase "make a promise" is a fixed expression, with "made" indicating the act of committing to a promise. "Do" or "create" wouldn’t convey the intended meaning of this expression.

4. It's late, and we should go home. Let's ________ a move.

Make

Do

Prepare

Create

The phrase "make a move" is an idiomatic expression meaning to begin going somewhere or take action. "Make" is appropriate here because it indicates an action or initiation, while "do" would imply a task or duty.

Explanation

The phrase "make a move" is an idiomatic expression meaning to begin going somewhere or take action. "Make" is appropriate here because it indicates an action or initiation, while "do" would imply a task or duty.

5. So many chores to ______! I need to clean the bathroom and the kitchen, hoover and change all the beds.

Do

Make

Finish

Perform

"Do chores" is a standard phrase, as "do" is used for routine tasks or actions that require effort. In English, we use "do" for tasks like cleaning or organizing, whereas "make" would imply creating or producing something.

Explanation

"Do chores" is a standard phrase, as "do" is used for routine tasks or actions that require effort. In English, we use "do" for tasks like cleaning or organizing, whereas "make" would imply creating or producing something.

6. She ________a payment on her debt every month. Soon she'll have finished paying it off.

Does

Makes

Creates

Prepares

We commonly use the phrase "make a payment" to refer to paying money towards a debt or bill. "Makes" indicates a transaction or exchange of money, which is why it’s more appropriate than "does" or "creates."

Explanation

We commonly use the phrase "make a payment" to refer to paying money towards a debt or bill. "Makes" indicates a transaction or exchange of money, which is why it’s more appropriate than "does" or "creates."

7. If you don't speak English, you'll find it hard to _________ business in the UK.

Do

Make

Create

Perform

The phrase "do business" is standard English, where "do" is used to convey engaging in business activities. "Make business" would not be correct here, as "make" typically refers to creating or producing something.

Explanation

The phrase "do business" is standard English, where "do" is used to convey engaging in business activities. "Make business" would not be correct here, as "make" typically refers to creating or producing something.

8. Unfortunately, his business ________ a huge loss last year and had to close down.

Did

Made

Performed

Done

In financial terms, we say "make a loss" to describe the experience of losing money. "Made" here indicates the outcome of financial activity, which is why it’s more suitable than "do" or "perform."

Explanation

In financial terms, we say "make a loss" to describe the experience of losing money. "Made" here indicates the outcome of financial activity, which is why it’s more suitable than "do" or "perform."

9. John worked hard and _________ his best at his job, but he still wasn't promoted.

Did

Made

Created

Performed

"Did his best" is the correct idiom to describe putting in maximum effort. While "made his best" is grammatically possible, it's not the natural way to express this idea in English.

Explanation

"Did his best" is the correct idiom to describe putting in maximum effort. While "made his best" is grammatically possible, it's not the natural way to express this idea in English.

10. I called the hotel and ______a reservation for two people for Saturday the 16th.

Did

Made

Completed

Make

"Make a reservation" is the correct phrase in English, where "make" refers to the act of arranging something in advance. "Did" would imply completing a task, while "completed" would imply something already finalized.

Explanation

"Make a reservation" is the correct phrase in English, where "make" refers to the act of arranging something in advance. "Did" would imply completing a task, while "completed" would imply something already finalized.