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Theme: Houses around the world

What things are made of and what they are for

⏱️ 12 minutes • A1 Level

💡 How to use this lesson

For the Teacher:

Use this 12-minute guide to teach materials and purposes to A1 students. Check answers together after learners complete the 12 practice items below.

For the Learner:

Read the 4 simple rules and examples first to learn the key patterns. Next, complete the 12 practice tasks below step by step.

Grammar Rules & Patterns

Learn how to talk about materials and purposes using houses around the world.

Rule 1: Building Materials

To say what a thing is built from, use made of + the material.

✅ Right: made of metal

❌ Wrong: made off metal

Why this works (Examples):

• The spoon is made of metal.

• The hut is made of straw and bamboo.

Rule 2: One Thing vs Many Things

Use is made of for one thing and are made of for more than one thing. The word made never changes.

✅ Right: The doors are made of wood.

❌ Wrong: The doors are make of wood.

Why this works (Examples):

• The flat is made of brick.

• The sheds are made of iron.

Rule 3: Saying What a Thing is For

To say what a thing is used for, use is for + a verb with -ing. Never use for to or just the action word.

✅ Right: A key is for opening a lock.

❌ Wrong: A key is for open / for to open...

Why this works (Examples):

• A chimney is for sending smoke outside.

• A yard is for playing outdoors.

Rule 4: Asking Questions

In questions, keep of or for at the very end.

✅ Right: What is the box made of?

❌ Wrong: What is the box made? / What it is for?

Why this works (Examples):

• What is the igloo made of?

• What is a hut for?

Practice Tasks (12 Items)

Complete each task below. Check the hint in brackets for help!

Part 1: Choose the correct sentence

Task 1 (material)

Choose the correct sentence describing a small shed:

____ a. This small shed is made of iron. ____ b. This small shed is make of iron. ____ c. This small shed is made off iron.

Task 2 (purpose)

Choose the correct sentence about a chimney:

____ a. A chimney is for send smoke outside. ____ b. A chimney is for to send smoke outside. ____ c. A chimney is for sending smoke outside.

Task 3 (question)

Choose the correct question about an igloo:

____ a. What is an igloo made of? ____ b. What is an igloo made? ____ c. What an igloo is made of?

Part 2: Rewrite the sentence

Task 4 (purpose)

Rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets:

"A yard helps kids play outdoor games." (for)

____ (Type full sentence here...)

Task 5 (material)

Rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets:

"People use thick bamboo to build this hut." (made)

____ (Type full sentence here...)

Task 6 (purpose)

Rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets:

"A yurt has a round roof to keep warm." (for)

____ (Type full sentence here...)

Part 3: Fill in the blanks

Task 7 (material)

Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence:

My family's new flat ____ brick and glass.

Task 8 (question)

Fill in the missing words at the end of the question:

What is the straw hut ____ ?

Task 9 (purpose)

Fill in the missing words to express purpose:

A small shed ____ storing garden tools.

Part 4: Correct the error in a short message

Task 10 (material)

📱 Message: "Hi! My new yurt is make of straw."

Write the correct 2-word phrase to replace make of:

____

Task 11 (purpose)

📱 Message: "This big yard is for to play football."

Write the correct phrase to replace for to play:

____

Task 12 (question)

📱 Message: "What is the chimney for keeping?"

Type the correct question (keep for at the end):

____ (Type correct question...)

Grammar: What things are made of and what they are for

What things are made of and what they are for

💡 How to use this lesson

For the Teacher:

For the Learner:

Grammar Rules & Patterns

Rule 1: Building Materials

Rule 2: One Thing vs Many Things

Rule 3: Saying What a Thing is For

Rule 4: Asking Questions

Practice Tasks (12 Items)

Part 1: Choose the correct sentence

Part 2: Rewrite the sentence

Part 3: Fill in the blanks

Part 4: Correct the error in a short message

Related lessons

Reading: The Yurt - A Home on the Move

Speaking: Houses around the world

Vocabulary and Pronunciation: Houses Around the World

Writing: Houses Around the World

Can and Can't for Ability

There Is and There Are