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KS3 · Grammar

Y8.3 Conditional Tenses

Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

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Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

The Cliff-Top Path

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this Year 8 grammar worksheet pack; not derived from or based on any published work, past paper or copyrighted text.

Wednesday 9th September

If the tide comes in quickly, the cliff path becomes dangerous within minutes. Mr Kalu, our geography teacher, reminded us of this fact before we set off, and I could see why: the sea already looked restless against the rocks below.

'If we leave now, we will reach the headland before the weather closes in,' he said, checking his watch. Priya wasn't so sure. 'If I were in charge, I would wait for the ranger's forecast first,' she muttered to me, pulling her hood up against the wind.

Halfway along the path, the wind grew fiercer than any of us expected. If the ranger had warned us earlier, we would have taken the inland route instead, and none of us would have got quite so soaked. Still, nobody panicked. If you keep calm on an exposed path like this one, you generally make better decisions, Mr Kalu explained afterwards, and I think he was right.

By the time we reached the shelter at the headland, the rain had eased. 'If we had turned back at the first warning sign,' Priya said, half laughing, half relieved, 'we would have missed this view completely.' She had a point. Some risks, taken sensibly, turn out to be worth it.

Look at each sentence taken from the source text. Identify whether it is a zero, first, second or third conditional sentence.

(a)'If the tide comes in quickly, the cliff path becomes dangerous within minutes.'(1)

(b)'If we leave now, we will reach the headland before the weather closes in.'(1)

(c)'If I were in charge, I would wait for the ranger's forecast first.'(1)

(d)'If the ranger had warned us earlier, we would have taken the inland route instead.'(1)

(e)'If you keep calm on an exposed path like this one, you generally make better decisions.'(1)

Underline the if-clause (the conditional clause) in each sentence.

(a)If we leave now, we will reach the headland before the weather closes in.(1)

(b)If I were in charge, I would wait for the ranger's forecast first.(1)

(c)If the ranger had warned us earlier, we would have taken the inland route instead.(1)

(d)If we had turned back at the first warning sign, we would have missed this view completely.(1)

Which sentence is a zero conditional sentence?

A) If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the trip.
B) If water reaches 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
C) If I had more time, I would learn to sail.
D) If she had trained harder, she would have won the race.

Sort the sentences in the word bank into the correct column below, to show which conditional tense each one uses.

Word bank:
1. If metal is heated, it expands.
2. If we practise every day, we will improve quickly.
3. If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
4. If she had left earlier, she would have caught the train.
5. If plants do not get sunlight, they die.
6. If the bell rings, the lesson will end.
7. If he were taller, he could reach the shelf.
8. If we had studied harder, we would have passed the test.

Zero conditional	First conditional	Second conditional	Third conditional

(8)

Look at Priya's line: 'If I were in charge, I would wait for the ranger's forecast first.' Explain the effect of the second conditional here, referring to how sure or certain her statement sounds.

(2)

Look at this sentence: 'If the ranger had warned us earlier, we would have taken the inland route instead.' Explain the effect of the third conditional here, referring to what it suggests about hindsight or regret.

(2)

Which sentence correctly forms a first conditional sentence?

A) If it rain tomorrow, we will stay inside.
B) If it rains tomorrow, we will stay inside.
C) If it rains tomorrow, we would stay inside.
D) If it will rain tomorrow, we stay inside.

Complete each sentence with the correct present simple form of the verb in brackets, to make a zero conditional sentence.

(a)If water freezes, it ___ (turn) into ice.(1)

(b)If you drop a glass, it usually ___ (break).(1)

(c)If plants ___ (not/get) enough water, they wilt.(1)

(d)Ice ___ (melt) if the temperature rises above zero.(1)

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets, to make a first conditional sentence.

(a)If we ___ (leave) now, we will reach the headland in time.(1)

(b)If the rain continues, the ranger ___ (close) the path.(1)

(c)If you ___ (check) the forecast first, you will know what to expect.(1)

(d)We will turn back if the wind ___ (get) any stronger.(1)

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets, to make a second conditional sentence.

(a)If I ___ (be) in charge, I would insist on checking the forecast.(1)

(b)If the storm ___ (arrive) sooner, we would already be sheltering.(1)

(c)If we ___ (have) more time, we would explore the caves too.(1)

(d)Priya would relax if Mr Kalu ___ (agree) to wait.(1)

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets, to make a third conditional sentence.

(a)If the ranger ___ (warn) us earlier, we would have taken the inland route.(1)

(b)We would have missed the view if we ___ (turn) back at the first sign.(1)

(c)If Priya ___ (not/pack) a spare jumper, she would have been much colder.(1)

(d)The class would have arrived late if the coach ___ (break) down.(1)

Tick the option that correctly completes each sentence.

(a)If it rains tomorrow, we ___ the trip.(1)

will cancel
would cancel

(b)If I ___ you, I would double-check the forecast.(1)

was
were

(c)If we had left earlier, we ___ the storm completely.(1)

would avoid
would have avoided

(d)If metal expands when heated, it ___ true every time.(1)

is
will be

(e)If she trains regularly, she ___ improve.(1)

will
would

Combine each pair of sentences into one sentence, using the conditional type named and a suitable if-clause.

(a)The tide might come in. Then the path becomes dangerous. (first conditional)(2)

(b)Priya did not check the forecast. She got soaked in the rain. (third conditional)(2)

Each sentence below has a conditional tense error. Identify the error and rewrite the sentence correctly.

(a)If it will rain tomorrow, we will stay indoors.(2)

(b)If I was you, I would take a coat.(2)

(c)If we would have known about the storm, we would have left earlier.(2)

(d)The path is dangerous if the tide will come in quickly.(2)

Below is a paragraph with several errors, including some in the conditional tenses. Rewrite it correctly, correcting every error you can find.

'if the weather were bad, mr kalu will always change the plan he said if we would of listened to the early warning we would of missed the whole afternoon at the headland.'

(6)

Complete each sentence with your own idea, using the conditional type named correctly.

(a)If I have some free time this weekend, I ___ (complete with your own idea, using the first conditional).(1)

(b)If I were the head teacher, I ___ (complete with your own idea, using the second conditional).(1)

Write two sentences of your own about a decision made during a walk, trip or outdoor activity. Sentence 1 must use the third conditional. Sentence 2 must use the zero conditional.

(4)

Write a short diary entry or piece of advice (approximately 80-110 words) about a decision made when the weather turned bad on a trip or walk. Your writing must include: at least one first conditional sentence, one second conditional sentence and one third conditional sentence. Underline each of these three sentences in your answer.

(10)

Mark scheme · Y8.3 Conditional Tenses

Question 1

(a) B1 zero conditional cao
(a) Answer: zero conditional
(b) B1 first conditional cao
(b) Answer: first conditional
(c) B1 second conditional cao
(c) Answer: second conditional
(d) B1 third conditional cao
(d) Answer: third conditional
(e) B1 zero conditional cao
(e) Answer: zero conditional

Question 2

(a) B1 If we leave now underlined cao
(a) Answer: If we leave now
(b) B1 If I were in charge underlined cao
(b) Answer: If I were in charge
(c) B1 If the ranger had warned us earlier underlined cao
(c) Answer: If the ranger had warned us earlier
(d) B1 If we had turned back at the first warning sign underlined cao
(d) Answer: If we had turned back at the first warning sign

Question 3

B1 B
Answer: B

Question 4

B1 1 (If metal is heated, it expands) sorted under zero conditional cao
B1 5 (If plants do not get sunlight, they die) sorted under zero conditional cao
B1 2 (If we practise every day, we will improve quickly) sorted under first conditional cao
B1 6 (If the bell rings, the lesson will end) sorted under first conditional cao
B1 3 (If I won the lottery, I would travel the world) sorted under second conditional cao
B1 7 (If he were taller, he could reach the shelf) sorted under second conditional cao
B1 4 (If she had left earlier, she would have caught the train) sorted under third conditional cao
B1 8 (If we had studied harder, we would have passed the test) sorted under third conditional cao
Answer: Zero conditional: 1, 5. First conditional: 2, 6. Second conditional: 3, 7. Third conditional: 4, 8.

Question 5

B1 identifies that the second conditional presents a hypothetical, unreal situation, since Priya is not actually in charge
B1 links this to effect, e.g. the hypothetical distance makes her disagreement sound tentative or polite rather than a direct criticism of Mr Kalu's decision (oe)
Answer: The second conditional shows that Priya is imagining a situation that is not real, since she is not actually in charge; this hypothetical distance makes her disagreement sound tentative and polite, softening what could otherwise seem like a direct criticism of Mr Kalu's decision.

Question 6

B1 identifies that the third conditional imagines a different past that did not actually happen
B1 links this to effect, e.g. it conveys mild hindsight or frustration about the ranger's warning coming too late, without directly blaming anyone (oe)
Answer: The third conditional imagines a past that never happened, since the ranger did not warn them earlier; this creates a sense of hindsight, mildly suggesting frustration that things could have gone differently, without openly blaming the ranger.

Question 7

B1 B
Answer: B

Question 8

(a) B1 turns cao
(a) Answer: turns
(b) B1 breaks cao
(b) Answer: breaks
(c) B1 do not get cao
(c) Answer: do not get
(d) B1 melts cao
(d) Answer: melts

Question 9

(a) B1 leave cao
(a) Answer: leave
(b) B1 will close cao
(b) Answer: will close
(c) B1 check cao
(c) Answer: check
(d) B1 gets cao
(d) Answer: gets

Question 10

(a) B1 were (formal subjunctive form; was accepted informally) cao
(a) Answer: were
(b) B1 arrived cao
(b) Answer: arrived
(c) B1 had cao
(c) Answer: had
(d) B1 agreed cao
(d) Answer: agreed

Question 11

(a) B1 had warned cao
(a) Answer: had warned
(b) B1 had turned cao
(b) Answer: had turned
(c) B1 had not packed cao
(c) Answer: had not packed
(d) B1 had broken cao
(d) Answer: had broken

Question 12

(a) B1 will cancel ticked cao
(a) Answer: will cancel
(b) B1 were ticked cao
(b) Answer: were
(c) B1 would have avoided ticked cao
(c) Answer: would have avoided
(d) B1 is ticked cao
(d) Answer: is
(e) B1 will ticked cao
(e) Answer: will

Question 13

(a) B1 if-clause correctly formed with present simple (e.g. If the tide comes in)
(a) B1 main clause correctly formed with will + base verb (e.g. the path will become dangerous), cao
(a) Answer: If the tide comes in, the path will become dangerous.
(b) B1 if-clause correctly formed with past perfect (e.g. If Priya had checked the forecast)
(b) B1 main clause correctly formed with would not have + past participle (e.g. she would not have got soaked in the rain), cao
(b) Answer: If Priya had checked the forecast, she would not have got soaked in the rain.

Question 14

(a) B1 identifies that 'will' should not be used inside the if-clause of a first conditional
(a) B1 If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors. cao
(a) Answer: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
(b) B1 identifies that the hypothetical second conditional should use the subjunctive 'were' rather than 'was' after 'If I'
(b) B1 If I were you, I would take a coat. cao
(b) Answer: If I were you, I would take a coat.
(c) B1 identifies that 'would have known' should not be used inside the if-clause of a third conditional
(c) B1 If we had known about the storm, we would have left earlier. cao
(c) Answer: If we had known about the storm, we would have left earlier.
(d) B1 identifies that 'will' should not be used inside the if-clause of a zero conditional
(d) B1 The path is dangerous if the tide comes in quickly. cao
(d) Answer: The path is dangerous if the tide comes in quickly.

Question 15

Level 0 (0): No accurate corrections made; errors remain uncorrected or new errors introduced.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two errors corrected (e.g. capitalisation only), with limited overall accuracy.
Level 2 (3-4): Most errors corrected, including at least one 'would of' error, with an attempt to fix the sentence boundary.
Level 3 (5-6): All errors corrected accurately, demonstrating secure control of sentence demarcation, capitalisation and conditional tenses throughout.
Indicative content:
- Capital letter added for 'If' at the start of the sentence
- 'mr kalu' corrected to 'Mr Kalu' (proper noun requires capital letters)
- 'will' corrected to 'would' (the second conditional if-clause 'if the weather were bad' needs a matching 'would', not 'will')
- The missing sentence boundary after 'change the plan' corrected with a full stop and a capital letter for 'He', or a semicolon
- 'would of' corrected to 'would have' (both instances; 'of' is a non-standard spelling of the auxiliary 'have')
- Overall rewrite is fluent, grammatically accurate Standard English with correctly matched conditional tenses throughout

Question 16

(a) B1 a sensible first conditional main clause (will + base verb) that fits grammatically with the if-clause (oe)
(a) Answer: e.g. will visit my grandad.
(b) B1 a sensible second conditional main clause (would + base verb) that fits grammatically with the if-clause (oe)
(b) Answer: e.g. would start lessons later in the morning.

Question 17

B1 sentence 1 uses the third conditional tense correctly (if + past perfect, would have + past participle) (oe)
B1 sentence 1 is grammatically accurate and makes sense as an unreal past situation (cao)
B1 sentence 2 uses the zero conditional tense correctly (if + present simple, present simple) (oe)
B1 sentence 2 is grammatically accurate and expresses a general truth or habitual result (cao)
Answer: e.g. If we had checked the map earlier, we would have taken the shorter path. If you wear the right boots, you rarely slip on a muddy trail.

Question 18

AO5: Content and organisation (AO5)
- Level 1 (1-2): Simple description of the decision or the bad weather; little sense of a consistent voice or organisation.
- Level 2 (3-4): Some relevant, engaged description of the decision made; an attempt at a consistent diary or advice voice; ideas are mostly sequenced clearly.
- Level 3 (5-6): Clear, engaging and convincing description of the decision in a consistent, well-judged voice; well organised with a genuine sense of the writer's thinking and reactions.
AO6: Technical accuracy (conditional tenses) (AO6)
- Level 1 (1): Limited accuracy; the three required conditional sentences (first, second, third) are mostly missing or used incorrectly.
- Level 2 (2-3): Most of the three required conditional sentences are present and mostly accurate, with occasional errors.
- Level 3 (4): All three required conditional sentences are present, clearly marked and used accurately, alongside a controlled range of other sentence forms.

Conditional Tenses - Worksheets, Questions and Revision