Imaginary Past: Third Conditional Quiz

If she had studied harder, she ______ the exam.

• would pass

• would have passed

• will pass

• passes

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'would have passed' because it indicates a hypothetical situation in the past. The sentence suggests that if she had studied harder, the result would have been different.

They would have arrived on time if they ______ the earlier train.

• had caught

• caught

• catch

• will catch

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'had caught' because it uses the past perfect tense, indicating a condition that was not met in the past. The sentence implies they would have been on time if they had taken the earlier train.

If I ______ more careful, I wouldn't have broken the vase.

• was

• were

• had been

• am

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'had been' because it indicates a past condition that did not occur. The sentence implies that if the speaker had been more careful in the past, the vase would not have been broken.

If we had known about the traffic, we ______ a different route.

• would take

• would have taken

• will take

• take

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'would have taken' because it indicates a hypothetical situation in the past. The sentence suggests that if the traffic had been known, a different route would have been chosen.

She ______ happier if she had chosen a different career.

• would be

• would have been

• will be

• is

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'would have been' because it indicates a hypothetical situation in the past. The sentence reflects on her potential happiness had she made a different career choice, which aligns with the past conditional structure.

If they ______ the instructions, they wouldn't have made a mistake.

• follow

• followed

• had followed

• will follow

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'had followed' because it indicates a past conditional situation. If they had followed the instructions, the mistake would not have occurred, highlighting a hypothetical scenario that did not happen.

If I had seen the sign, I ______ the wrong turn.

• wouldn't take

• wouldn't have taken

• won't take

• don't take

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'wouldn't have taken' because it indicates a hypothetical situation in the past. The sentence suggests that if the sign had been seen, the wrong turn would not have occurred.

If he ______ more time, he would have finished the project.

• had

• has

• had had

• will have

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'had had' because it indicates a past perfect conditional. The sentence implies that if he had possessed more time in the past, he would have completed the project.

If we ______ the weather forecast, we would have brought an umbrella.

• check

• checked

• had checked

• will check

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'had checked' because it indicates a past action that did not happen, leading to the consequence of not bringing an umbrella. The other options do not fit the conditional structure of the sentence.

If you ______ me, I would have helped you.

• ask

• asked

• had asked

• will ask

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'had asked' because it indicates a past unreal condition. The sentence implies that if the action of asking had occurred in the past, help would have been provided.