Draw, run, drive, throw, collect, pay
(One word - many meanings)


    Let's begin with an activity. Please take a pencil and a piece of paper and try to write 6 sentences using these verbs: DRAW, RUN, DRIVE, THROW, COLLECT and PAY. Don't read the next paragraph of this lesson until you've written your 6 sentences. OK? Please write your sentences now.

    OK. Have you done that? Maybe the sentences you wrote were a little similar to the ones below:

    1. My little niece drew a very nice picture of a horse in her art class.
    2. John's really fit. He runs 10 or 12 marathons a year.
    3. Have you ever driven a sports car?
    4. Can you throw the ball to me, please?
    5. My uncle's been collecting stamps since he was a child. He's got a really huge collection.
    6. I paid a lot of money for this meal, so I hope they enjoy it.

    I think  phrases like draw a picture, run a marathon, drive a car, throw a ball etc. are the type of phrases that students will think of when they hear the words draw, run, drive etc. However, each of these verbs can be used with other meanings. For example, we can draw the curtains, drive someone crazy, throw a party. In the exercise below, you will have a chance to explore some of these uses and collocations. Please try the exercise and then click onto the link at the bottom to read some comments.

    Exercise

    Please fill in the blanks with an appropriate form of one of these verbs: draw, run, drive, throw, collect, pay. Some verbs will be used more than once.

    1. This noise is really _______ me crazy.
    2. My name's Jimmy Carter and I'm _______ for President.
    3. A truck comes round and _______ the garbage twice a week.
    4. It's getting dark. Let's switch on the light and _______ the curtains.
    5. Mr Wilson retired from his job at the school last year. Now he _______ a pub with his wife.
    6. Please _______ attention to everything this guy says. He's a really clever man.
    7. The soldiers _______ their swords and rushed towards the enemy camp.
    8. Jenny's _______ a party for her daughter's graduation next week. Have you been invited?
    9. I need to go down to the post-office and _______ a couple of packages. I'll be back soon.

    How did the exercise go? Please click here to check your answers and to read some comments.


    Please click on the link below if you want to try some of my other one-point lessons:
    Bob's Weekly One-Point Lessons: Archive

    © Robert E. Jones, 2005