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Grade 9 English Language Arts — Conditionals: zero, first and second

Choose the right verb forms for a zero, first or second conditional sentence.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Zero conditional — something that is always true. If you drop a stone into water, it ____.

    • a) sinks
    • b) would sink
    • c) will sink
    • d) sank

  2. 2.Which sentence is a zero conditional?

    • a) If I cut my hair short, I would look quite different.
    • b) If you cut an onion, your eyes water.
    • c) If you will cut the paper, I will fold it.
    • d) If you cut the rope, the boat will drift away.

  3. 3.Which form completes this second conditional? If the printer ____ working, we would write the notice by hand.

    • a) will stop
    • b) has stopped
    • c) stops
    • d) stopped

  4. 4.Each card is the result half of a conditional sentence. Sort by which kind of conditional it belongs to.

    Groups: First conditional · Second conditional

    • we would miss the train
    • the plants would die
    • we will miss the train
    • the plants will die
    • she would tell you the truth
    • she will tell you the truth

  5. 5.One of these conditionals breaks the three conditional patterns above. Which one?

    • a) If it will rain, we will stay at home.
    • b) If it rains, we stay at home.
    • c) If it rained, we would stay at home.
    • d) If it rains, we will stay at home.

  6. 6.First conditional — a real possibility in the future. If the bus ____ late, we will walk.

    • a) will be
    • b) had been
    • c) would be
    • d) is

  7. 7.Complete this second conditional with the past form of "know". Write one word. If she ____ the answer, she would put her hand up.

  8. 8.Complete this first conditional using the verb "get". Write two words. If you practice every day, you ____ better quickly.

Answer key — Grade 9 English Language Arts — Conditionals: zero, first and second

  1. 1. a) sinks
  2. 2. b) If you cut an onion, your eyes water.
  3. 3. d) stopped
  4. 4. we will miss the train → First conditional; we would miss the train → Second conditional; she will tell you the truth → First conditional; she would tell you the truth → Second conditional; the plants will die → First conditional; the plants would die → Second conditional
  5. 5. a) If it will rain, we will stay at home.
  6. 6. d) is
  7. 7. knew
  8. 8. will get