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Part 1 Β· Episode 8 A2-B1

What Do You Do?

πŸ“ Present Simple (questions & negatives)

Charlie Chaplin Β· 1920s: Chaplin interview πŸ“– 4 min read

Episode 8: What Do You Do?

Present Simple: questions & negatives β€” Charlie Chaplin, 1920s (A2-B1)

Grammar Box

Meaning: We use do and does to make questions. We use don’t and doesn’t to make negatives. They help us ask and answer clearly.

Form: Do/Don’t + I/you/we/they + verb / Does/Doesn’t + he/she/it + verb

Example 1: Do you like coffee? (question)

Example 2: She doesn’t eat meat. (negative)

Common mistake: Wrong: Does he likes music? Better: Does he like music?

The Question

Luna practices interview questions. “Do you like coffee? I don’t eat meat. Does he work here?” She looks confused. “Why do we add ‘do’ and ‘does’? Can’t I just say ‘You like coffee?'” The watch glows. Professor Wisdom smiles. “Let’s meet a man who answered questions with silence.”

The Journey

They appear in a busy newspaper office. Typewriters clack everywhere. Reporters shout over phones. Cigarette smoke fills the air. In the corner sits a small man with sad eyes and a kind smile.

This is Charlie Chaplin. He is 35 years old. The whole world knows his face. His Little Tramp character makes millions laugh. But in real life, Charlie doesn’t say much. He came from poverty. His childhood was hunger and pain. Now he’s rich and famous. But he never forgets where he came from.

This is 1924. Silent films rule Hollywood. Chaplin is the biggest star. A reporter sits across from him. She asks questions. Charlie answers carefully. Every word matters to him.

“Do you enjoy making films?” the reporter asks. “I do,” Charlie says. “But I don’t enjoy fame much.” She writes quickly. “Do you miss England?” “I don’t miss the poverty. I do miss the people.” His voice is quiet but clear.

The reporter leans forward. “Does success change you?” Charlie thinks. “It doesn’t change who I am. It changes what people see.” He speaks slowly. Each sentence costs him something. “Do I work hard? Yes. Do I rest? Not really. Does money make me happy? No. Does making people laugh? Yes.”

Before films, Charlie performed on streets for pennies. People laughed at him, not with him. He was hungry most days. His mother went mad from stress. Now he makes $10,000 a week. But he still checks prices in shops. He still remembers being that hungry boy.

You can hear the reporter’s pen scratching paper. You can smell fresh ink and coffee. Charlie’s hands move as he talksβ€”small, precise gestures. Outside, Hollywood buzzes with life. Inside, this quiet man shares his truth. His eyes hold both sadness and hope.

The Insight

Professor Wisdom gestures to the interview. “Listen to their questions and answers. ‘Do you enjoy films? I do.’ ‘Does success change you? It doesn’t.’ For questions, we add ‘do’ or ‘does.’ For negatives, we add ‘don’t’ or ‘doesn’t.’ With I, you, we, theyβ€”use ‘do’ and ‘don’t.’ With he, she, itβ€”use ‘does’ and ‘doesn’t.’ The main verb stays simple. No ‘s’ added.”

Practice Zone

More Examples:

  1. “Do you speak Spanish?” β€” Question for you.
  2. “I don’t understand this word.” β€” Negative statement.
  3. “Does she work on Saturdays?” β€” Question about her.
  4. “He doesn’t like cold weather.” β€” Negative about him.
  5. “Do they live near here?” β€” Question about them.
  6. “We don’t eat meat.” β€” Negative about us.

Exercises:

  1. Fill in the blank: ___ you know her name? (Do / Does)

  2. Choose the correct:
    a) She don’t live here anymore.
    b) She doesn’t live here anymore.

  3. Make questions:
    – Statement: He plays guitar.
    – Question: _____?

  4. Make negatives: They watch TV every night. β†’ They ___ TV every night.

  5. Your turn: Write two questions and two negative sentences about your daily life using do/does/don’t/doesn’t.

Answer Key:

  1. Do (you = use ‘do’)
  2. b) She doesn’t live here anymore (she = use ‘doesn’t’)
  3. Does he play guitar? (he = use ‘does’ + base verb ‘play’)
  4. don’t watch (they = use ‘don’t’ + base verb)
  5. Check: Did you use ‘do/don’t’ with I/you/we/they? Did you use ‘does/doesn’t’ with he/she/it? Is the main verb in base form?

The Lesson

They return to Luna’s room. The watch stops glowing. Luna asks herself, “Do I understand now? I do. Do I need more practice? I don’t think so.” Professor Wisdom nods. “Questions open doors. Negatives set boundaries. Both help us speak our truth, like Chaplin did.”