Conditionals Test (36 Marks)

You are having a conversation with your friend about a future event that is quite possible. Which of the following sentences would you use to express this?

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
• If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
• If I were you, I would talk to the teacher.
• If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

Answer explanation

This sentence uses the first conditional to talk about a likely future event (rain), and the result (cancelling the picnic).

Your friend says, "If I had more time, I would travel around the world." What is the meaning behind this second conditional sentence?

• The speaker thinks they have enough time to travel the world.
• The speaker believes they are currently traveling the world.
• The speaker wishes they had more time, but they don't, so it's unlikely they'll travel the world.
• The speaker is planning a trip because they have enough time.

Answer explanation

The second conditional expresses an unlikely or unreal situation. The speaker is imagining having more time, but in reality, they don’t have it.

Imagine you are explaining a fact to your classmate, and you want to use the zero conditional. Which sentence would correctly demonstrate this?

• If you study harder, you will pass the test.
• If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
• If I were you, I’d call her.
• If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended.

Answer explanation

The zero conditional is used for facts or general truths. In this case, boiling water at 100°C is a scientific fact.

Your teacher says, "You can borrow the book as long as you return it by tomorrow." What kind of conditional structure is this, and what does it imply?

• It’s a second conditional, implying the speaker is not sure if the book will be returned.
• It’s a first conditional, emphasizing a future action that depends on a specific condition.
• It’s a zero conditional, expressing a scientific fact.
• It’s an unrealistic condition that can’t happen.

Answer explanation

This sentence uses the first conditional, with "as long as," meaning the action of borrowing depends on returning the book by tomorrow.

You’re planning a trip with your friend, and they say, "I’ll only go unless you come with me." What does your friend mean by using "unless"?

• Your friend will go even if you don’t come.
• Your friend will not go if you come with them.
• Your friend will go only if you don’t come.
• Your friend will not go if you don’t come with them.

Answer explanation

"Unless" works as a negative conditional, meaning that your friend will not go unless you come with them.

Imagine you are helping a friend fix their headphones, but it seems impossible. They ask for your advice. Which of the following conditional sentences is the most appropriate response?

• If you don’t repair your headphones, I will help you.
• If you can’t repair your headphones, you might need to buy new ones.
• If you repair your headphones, you would be happy.
• If you would repair your headphones, you could use them again.

Answer explanation

This sentence uses the first conditional to offer a realistic suggestion. If the friend cannot repair the headphones, the result might be that they need to buy new ones.

During a conversation, your friend says, "If I had enough money, I would buy a car." What does this sentence imply about your friend's current situation?

• They have enough money to buy a car.
• They don’t have enough money but would like to buy a car.
• They are planning to buy a car soon.
• They bought a car with enough money.

Answer explanation

The use of the second conditional indicates that your friend does not currently have enough money, but they wish they did so they could buy a car.

Suppose you’re discussing plans with a friend who says, "I’ll see you on Saturday night unless I have to babysit." Which of the following is true based on this statement?

• They will definitely see you on Saturday night.
• They won’t see you on Saturday night if they have to babysit.
• They will see you only if they have to babysit.
• They don’t want to see you on Saturday night.

Answer explanation

The use of "unless" indicates a condition that would prevent the meeting. If they have to babysit, they won’t be able to see you.

Imagine you’re talking about your favorite dessert. Which conditional sentence correctly describes what would happen if you didn’t keep ice cream in the freezer?

• If you didn’t keep ice cream in the freezer, it will melt.
• If you didn’t keep ice cream in the freezer, it would melt.
• If you don’t keep ice cream in the freezer, it melts.
• If you keep ice cream in the freezer, it will melt.

Answer explanation

This sentence uses the second conditional to describe an unreal or unlikely situation (not keeping ice cream in the freezer) and its consequence (melting).

Your teacher is discussing geography and mentions, "When it rains a lot, the animals move to higher ground." What type of conditional is this, and what does it express?

• First conditional; it predicts a possible future event.
• Second conditional; it imagines an unlikely scenario.
• Zero conditional; it states a general fact.
• Third conditional; it talks about a past event that didn’t happen.

Answer explanation

The zero conditional is used to express a general fact or a scientific truth. In this case, it explains the natural behavior of animals when it rains a lot.