English 3: Zero, First And Second Conditionals 1
A quiz created by Ms Usher for English 3 students. Test your understanding of zero, first and second conditionals. If you are taking this quiz at the start of our conditionals work, you may use your notes. If you are using it for revision, don't even sneak a peek!
Questions and Answers
- 1.
What sort of conditional does this sentence use?When the sky is clear, the night is cold. (This sentence can also be written as: if the sky is clear, the night is cold).
- A.
Zero
- B.
First
- C.
Second
Correct Answer
A. ZeroExplanation
The sentence "When the sky is clear, the night is cold" uses a zero conditional. In a zero conditional, the sentence expresses a general truth or fact that is always true. In this case, it states that whenever the sky is clear, the night is always cold.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Why is this sentence a zero conditional? When the sky is clear, the night is cold.
- A.
It states an imaginary condition.
- B.
It states a general truth.
- C.
It states a possibility.
Correct Answer
B. It states a general truth.Explanation
The sentence "When the sky is clear, the night is cold" is a zero conditional because it states a general truth. The sentence expresses a cause-and-effect relationship that is always true. Whenever the sky is clear, it can be expected that the night will be cold. This relationship is not hypothetical or imaginary, but rather a statement of fact based on observation and experience.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What sort of conditional is this? If the fog comes in tonight, it will be more humid but warmer.
- A.
Zero
- B.
First
- C.
Second
Correct Answer
B. FirstExplanation
This sentence is an example of a first conditional. It presents a possible future condition (the fog coming in tonight) and the result that will happen if that condition is met (it will be more humid but warmer). The first conditional is used to express a real possibility or likelihood in the future.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Why is this sentence in the first conditional? If the fog comes in tonight, it will be more humid but warmer.
- A.
It is a general truth.
- B.
It is a possiblility, and refers to a specific time - 'tonight', rather than a general truth.
- C.
It is a possibility about a general truth.
- D.
It is a possibility.
Correct Answer
B. It is a possiblility, and refers to a specific time - 'tonight', rather than a general truth.Explanation
The sentence is in the first conditional because it expresses a possibility that is dependent on a specific condition happening in the future, which is the fog coming in tonight. The use of "if" indicates that the condition is not certain, and the use of "will" indicates the result that will happen if the condition is met. The mention of a specific time, "tonight," further emphasizes that the possibility is tied to a particular moment in time.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What sort of conditional is this? Go to the Post Office later and it will be really busy.
- A.
Zero
- B.
First
- C.
First using imperative condition
- D.
Second
Correct Answer
C. First using imperative conditionExplanation
This sentence is an example of a first conditional sentence using an imperative condition. The speaker is giving a command or instruction ("Go to the Post Office later") and stating a possible consequence of following that instruction ("it will be really busy"). The first conditional is used to express a possible future event or situation that is dependent on a specific condition being met. In this case, the condition is going to the Post Office later.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Fill in the blank. Use the verb 'to have' If you find a four-leafed clover, you ________ good luck.
Correct Answer
will haveExplanation
If you find a four-leafed clover, you will have good luck. This implies that discovering a four-leafed clover is believed to bring good luck. The use of "will have" suggests that the occurrence of finding the clover guarantees the possession of good luck.Rate this question:
- 7.
What sort of conditional is this? An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
- A.
Zero
- B.
First
- C.
Second
Correct Answer
A. ZeroExplanation
This sentence is an example of a zero conditional. The zero conditional is used to talk about general truths or facts. In this case, it is stating that if someone eats an apple every day, it will keep the doctor away. The zero conditional is often used to express cause and effect relationships that are always true.Rate this question:
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- 8.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Why is this saying a zero conditional?Choose two options.
- A.
It is considered to be a general truth.
- B.
It is imaginary.
- C.
It is a strong possibility.
- D.
It is stated in the present tense.
- E.
It is highly probable.
Correct Answer(s)
A. It is considered to be a general truth.
D. It is stated in the present tense.Explanation
This saying is thought to be a general truth by many, and as it is in the present tense, it is a zero conditional.Rate this question:
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- 9.
This is a piece of advice someone tells you the day before an exam:"If you drink too much coffee, you will feel nervous."What sort of conditional is it?
- A.
Zero
- B.
First
- C.
Second
Correct Answer
B. FirstExplanation
This conditional statement is a first conditional. It presents a possible cause and effect relationship between drinking too much coffee and feeling nervous. The use of "if" indicates that the condition (drinking too much coffee) must be met for the result (feeling nervous) to occur.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Why does the speaker choose the first conditional to give this piece of advice?"If you drink too much coffee, you will feel nervous."Choose the best option.
- A.
The speaker is very wise and knows everything about the effects of coffee. The speaker has seen the effects of coffee first-hand.
- B.
The speaker knows you well and has seen the effect of coffee on you! Therefore, he/she knows it is possible you will be nervous.
- C.
The speaker has amazing powers of prediction. He/she is psychic.
Correct Answer
B. The speaker knows you well and has seen the effect of coffee on you! Therefore, he/she knows it is possible you will be nervous.Explanation
The speaker chooses the first conditional to give this piece of advice because they have personal knowledge and experience of the effects of coffee on the individual they are speaking to. They understand the relationship between drinking too much coffee and feeling nervous based on their observations and familiarity with the person's reactions to coffee.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Rewrite this sentence. Leave now, and you’ll catch the next bus. Start the sentence with if you..... Use the words from the original sentence. If you need to add words like 'you', go ahead.
Correct Answer
If you leave now, you'll catch the next bus.Explanation
The correct answer is the same as the given sentence. It is a simple sentence transformation exercise where the sentence is rewritten starting with "if you" instead of "leave now". The rest of the sentence remains unchanged.Rate this question:
- 12.
What sort of conditional is this?If there is a bank holiday the next day, the shops are really busy.
- A.
Zero
- B.
First
- C.
Second
Correct Answer
A. ZeroExplanation
This is a zero conditional because it states a general truth or fact. It suggests that whenever there is a bank holiday the next day, the shops are always really busy. In a zero conditional, the if-clause expresses a cause-effect relationship that is always true and predictable.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Rewrite the zero conditional below as a first conditional. If there is a bank holiday the next day, the shops are really busy.If it is a bank holiday tomorrow, today the shops......
Correct Answer
will be really busy.
If it is a bank holiday tomorrow, today the shops will be really busy. - 14.
What sort of conditional is this? If I had the money, I would go on a very long luxury cruise around the world. I would go away for at least two years!
- A.
Zero
- B.
First
- C.
Second
Correct Answer
C. SecondExplanation
This is a second conditional sentence. It is used to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future. The speaker is expressing a desire to go on a luxury cruise, but acknowledges that they do not currently have the money to do so. The use of "If I had the money" implies that the condition is not true or likely to happen. The speaker then expresses the consequence of the condition with "I would go on a very long luxury cruise around the world."Rate this question:
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- 15.
Why is this sentence in the second conditional?If I had the money, I would go on a very long luxury cruise around the world. I would go away for at least two years! Choose two options.
- A.
It uses if + past tense + would + verb
- B.
It is possible
- C.
It is real and will happen - you will one day have that much money!
- D.
It is imaginary, and sadly improbable that you will ever have that much money.
- E.
It is imaginary but possible that you will have enough money one day.
Correct Answer(s)
A. It uses if + past tense + would + verb
D. It is imaginary, and sadly improbable that you will ever have that much money.Explanation
The sentence is in the second conditional because it follows the pattern "if + past tense + would + verb." This structure is used to talk about unreal or imaginary situations in the present or future. In this case, the speaker is imagining a scenario where they have the money to go on a luxury cruise around the world, but they acknowledge that it is sadly improbable that they will ever have that much money. Therefore, the correct options are "It uses if + past tense + would + verb" and "It is imaginary, and sadly improbable that you will ever have that much money."Rate this question:
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- 16.
Complete the sentence - fill in the blank. Use 'to try out'. If I were you, I _____________ the new British Council LearnEnglish website - it's very useful!
Correct Answer(s)
would try outExplanation
The correct answer is "would try out". This is because the phrase "if I were you" implies that the speaker is giving advice or making a suggestion to someone else. In this context, the speaker is recommending that the other person try out the new British Council LearnEnglish website because they find it very useful. Therefore, "would try out" is the appropriate phrase to complete the sentence and convey the intended meaning.Rate this question:
- 17.
Complete the sentence - fill in the blank with to vote for. If she had a vote, she ____________ for Nick Clegg in the elections.
Correct Answer(s)
would vote forExplanation
The correct answer is "would vote for" because it is in line with the conditional statement "If she had a vote." The phrase "would vote for" indicates a hypothetical situation where the person is expressing their preference for Nick Clegg in the elections.Rate this question:
- 18.
Fill in the blank. Use to own. If we _______ a cat, it would be harder to go away on holiday. Who would feed it while we were away?
Correct Answer(s)
owned
we ownedExplanation
If we owned a cat, it would be harder to go away on holiday because we would have the responsibility of feeding and taking care of the cat while we were away.Rate this question:
- 19.
Fill in the blank. Use have to. If we get a dog, you __________ walk it!
Correct Answer(s)
will have toExplanation
The correct answer is "will have to" because it indicates a future obligation or requirement. It implies that if the person gets a dog, they will be responsible for walking it.Rate this question:
- 20.
Fill in the blank with 'to win'.If Nick Clegg ______ the election, he would be the first Liberal Democrat Prime Minister for decades.
Correct Answer(s)
won
were to win
was to winExplanation
The correct answer is "were to win". This is because the sentence is in the subjunctive mood, indicating a hypothetical or unreal situation. "Were to win" is the correct form to express a hypothetical outcome in the past.Rate this question:
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