Zero - First - Second Conditional

If you touch a hot stove, you ___ burned.

• get

• got

• would get

• will get

Answer explanation

This sentence describes a general truth, which is typical of the zero conditional. The zero conditional is used when something is always true under certain conditions, such as in scientific facts or rules. Here, touching a hot stove results in getting burned every time, so we use the present simple form, “get.”

If people don’t drink enough water, they ___ dehydrated.

• get

• will get

• would get

• got

Answer explanation

This is another example of a zero conditional because it describes a common truth or natural consequence. Not drinking enough water leads to dehydration, a fact that applies universally. Therefore, the present simple “get” is used to express this general cause-and-effect relationship.

If you take this medicine, you ___ better tomorrow.

• will feel

• feel

• would feel

• felt

Answer explanation

This sentence uses the first conditional to talk about a likely result in the future based on a specific action in the present. Since the effect (feeling better) depends on the action (taking the medicine), we use the present simple for the condition (“take”) and “will feel” to show the probable outcome in the future.

If it rains this afternoon, we ___ the outdoor concert.

• cancel

• would cancel

• will cancel

• canceled

Answer explanation

This is also a first conditional sentence, describing a real possibility in the future. If it rains (a likely event), then there will be a consequence (canceling the concert). The structure here is present simple (“rains”) in the “if” clause and “will cancel” in the result clause to show the future effect.

If I had a faster computer, I ___ my work much quicker.

• finished

• would finish

• finish

• will finish

Answer explanation

This sentence uses the second conditional, which is used to discuss hypothetical or imaginary situations that are unlikely or unreal in the present. The speaker doesn’t have a faster computer, so they imagine what they “would” do if they did. The structure here is past simple (“had”) in the “if” clause and “would finish” in the result clause.

If I were you, I ___ that job offer.

• take

• will take

• would take

• took

Answer explanation

This is another example of the second conditional, used to give hypothetical advice. The phrase “If I were you” is a common expression for imagining oneself in another person’s situation. Since it’s an imagined scenario, we use “would take” to indicate what action the speaker would hypothetically choose in that situation.