UI2_L17

Choose the option that best completes the sentence.

In general, when you study outside the classroom, you _______ more progress.

• will make

• would make

• make

Answer explanation

This is an example of the zero conditional, which refers to general truths or something that happens with a certain frequency.

Clause 1: If + present simple

Clause 2: present simple

In general, when you study outside the classroom, you make more progress.

Find more information about conditionals with present and past tenses on page 175 of your coursebook.

Complete the following sentence with the correct option.

My mom would always say: "If you ________ to go out with your friends, you have to finish your homework first."

• wanted

• want

• had wanted

Answer explanation

This is an example of the zero conditional, which refers to general truths or something that happens with a certain frequency.

Clause 1: If + present simple

Clause 2: present simple

If you want to go out with your friends, you have to finish your homework first.

Find more information about conditionals with present and past tenses on page 175 of your coursebook.

Which option does not complete the following sentence half?

If my dad gives me the money, ...

• I will be able to go to the concert.

• I might be able to go to the concert.

• I would be able to go to the concert.

Answer explanation

This is an example of the first conditional, which refers to the future consequence of a realistic possibility now or in the future.

Clause 1: If + present simple

Clause 2: will/might + infinitive



Use will when the consequence is more certain.

Use might when the consequence may or may not happen.

Find more information about conditionals with present and past tenses on page 175 of your coursebook.

Consider the following situation:

There is a chance that a few people in your class will win a prize. You ask your classmates about their plans concerning the prize.

How can you ask that?

• If you win the prize, what would you do with it?

• If you had won the prize, what will you do with it?

• If you win the prize, what are you going to do with it?

Answer explanation

In this case, we're talking about plans that depend on something that can realistically happen.

Clause 1: present simple

Clause 2: be going to + infinitive

If you win the prize, what are you going to do with it?

Find more information about conditionals with present and past tenses on page 175 of your coursebook.

Consider the following situation:

Your sister is always asking you for help. She sent you a message and asked for a favour again, but you're going out with some friends.

Which sentence represents your complaint?

• If I wanted to help her, I wouldn't.

• Even if I wanted to help her, I wouldn’t be able to do it now.

• If she asks me for help, I won't do it.

Answer explanation

This is an example of the second conditional, which is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality.

Clause 1: If + past simple

Clause 2: would + infinitive

Even if I wanted to help her, I wouldn’t be able to do it now.

=

I can’t help her now, which is OK because I'm not sure I want to anyway.

Find more information about conditionals with present and past tenses on page 175 of your coursebook.

Complete the following sentence with the correct option.

If I _____ hear people’s thoughts, I’d try to find out what they think of me.

• could

• want to

• can

Answer explanation

This is an example of the second conditional, which is used to imagine purely hypothetical situations (i.e. we can't hear other people's thoughts).

Clause 1: If + past simple

Clause 2: would + infinitive

If I could hear people’s thoughts, I’d try to find out what they think of me.

Find more information about conditionals with present and past tenses on page 175 of your coursebook.

Consider the following situation:

An old friend from university visited your city last weekend, but he didn't know you were living there. You saw the pictures on his profile and sent him a message.

Which sentence represents this message?

• We can arrange to meet if you were here.

• If you told me you were going to visit, we will go out.

• If I had known you were in town, I would have invited you to come to my place.

Answer explanation

This is an example of the third conditional, in which we express regret and talk about things we wish we could change about the past (but we can't).

Clause 1: If + past perfect

Clause 2: would have + past participle

If I had known you were in town, I would have invited you to come to my place. (= I didn't invite you because I didn't know you were in town)

Find more information about conditionals with present and past tenses on page 175 of your coursebook.

How can you complete the following sentence half?

If she had studied just a bit more, I’m sure ...

• she will pass the exam.

• she would’ve passed the exam.

• she had passed the exam.

Answer explanation

This is an example of the third conditional, in which we talk about an imaginary past.

Clause 1: If + past perfect

Clause 2: would have + past participle

If she had studied just a bit more, I’m sure she would’ve passed the exam. (= she didn't pass the exam because she didn't study enough)

Find more information about conditionals with present and past tenses on page 175 of your coursebook.