Do vs. Make

confused because they are both very popular in English.  Also,
they both replace other, less common, verbs.
Here are some explanations to show the difference between
do and make. 
Do
General Activities
Use "do" for general activities:

• I want to do something.
  
• What are you doing?
  
• What did you do yesterday?
  
• There is a lot to do in Toronto
  

Work 
Us "do" to talk about work:

• What do you do? (What is your job?)
  
• Who does the laundry in your house?
  
• I don't want to do any work today.
  
• I hate doing the cleaning.
  
• Have you done your homework?
  

Note that "do" can replace another more specific verb
(but only when the meaning is clear from the situation).
This is informal, but common in spoken English.

• Do the exam (write/take the exam)
  
• Do the dishes (wash the dishes)
  
• Do the laundry (wash the laundry)
  

Make 
Construction/Creating 
"Make" often expresses the idea of construction or creation:  

• I'll make a cake for Anthony's birthday.
  
• This car was made in France.
  
• Did you make this table yourself?
  

Now compare with "do":

• Do the shopping
  

 (We don't really create anything. We just "do" an activity.)

• Make a cake
  

 (We actually create something from nothing.)

In the next example, notice "make" is for creation (the cake)
and "do" is for the general activity, even though they are really
talking about the same thing:

• I must make Anthony's cake. I'll do it now.
  

Do and Make are used in many phrases in English.  These
charts show how you can use them differently.

MAKE
•        make an attempt
•        make a bed
•        make a change/changes
•        make a complaint
•        make a decision
•        make a demand
•        make an effort
•        make an exception
•        make an excuse
•        make a loss
•        make love
•        make a mistake
•        make money
•        make a noise/sound
•        make an offer
•        make peace
•        make a phone call
•        make a profit
•        make a suggestion
•        make war
•        make an appointment
•        make up
•        make food (e.g. lunch)
•        make a mess
•        make sure
•        make a choice
•        make a promise
•        make a point

DO 
•        do good
•        do harm
•        do well
•        do badly
•        do a favour
•        do business
•        do exercise
•        do the dishes
•        do the laundry
•        do homework
•        do the project
•        do the assignment
•        do damage
•        do anything
•        do something
•        do nothing
•        do your best
•        do research
•        do chores
•        do the cleaning
•        do your hair
•        do your nails