TEACHER’S NOTES

ESL / EFL RESOURCES First vs. Second Conditional

Activity Type Introduction

Reading and writing This first vs. second conditional worksheet helps students learn
activity and practice the second conditional, in contrast with the first
conditional.

Language Focus Procedure

First conditional vs. Give each student a copy of the two-page worksheet.
second conditional
Students begin by reading statements made by different people
and circling '1st' if the sentence is in the first conditional or '2nd'
Aim if it is in the second conditional. Using that information, the
students then choose the sentence that is most likely true about
To learn and practice
each person.
using the second
conditional, in contrast Exercise A - Answer key
with the first conditional.
1. 1st, a 3. 2nd, b 5. 2nd, a 7. 1st, b
2. 2nd, b 4. 1st, a 6. 1st, b 8. 2nd, a
Preparation
Next, students complete sentences using the verbs in brackets in
Make one copy of the
the first or second conditional, as appropriate for the situation.
two-page worksheet for
each student. Exercise B - Answer key

1. rains / will bring 5. had / would want

Level 2. would be / saw 6. lend / will pay
Pre-intermediate (A2) 3. will miss / is 7. would get / visited
4. could talk / would ask 8. would be / didn't sleep

After that, students rewrite sentences, changing the first

Time
conditional into the second conditional.
30 minutes
Exercise C - Answer key

1. If I met an alien, I would shake its hand. If it had a hand.

2. I would fly to school every day if I could.
3. I would go see the dinosaurs if I could build a time machine.
4. If I learned to do magic, I would turn you into a frog.
5. I would want to see how the world changed if I lived a
thousand years.
6. If I was president, I would make a law against homework.
7. I would need a very big swimming pool if I got a pet
hippopotamus.
8. I f I was caught spying on the enemy, I would never give
away our secrets.

In the last exercise, students complete second conditional

sentences with their own ideas. When the students have finished,
review their sentences together as a class and provide feedback.

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 MIXED CONDITIONALS

ESL / EFL RESOURCES First vs. Second Conditional

A. Read the sentences said by different people. Circle 1st if the sentence is in the first
conditional or 2nd if it is in the second conditional. Then, tick the choice that is most
likely true about each person.

1. John said, "If I win the lottery, I will buy a new car." 1st / 2nd

a. John buys ten lottery tickets every week. b. John never buys lottery tickets.

2. Carol said, "If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car." 1st / 2nd

a. Carol buys ten lottery tickets every week. b. Carol never buys lottery tickets.

3. Charlotte said, "If I went to Antarctica, I would take photos of the penguins." 1st / 2nd

a. Charlotte is a scientist studying penguins. b. Charlotte is a dentist.

4. Oliver said, "If I go to Antarctica, I will take photos of the penguins." 1st / 2nd

a. Oliver is a scientist studying penguins. b. Oliver is a dentist.

5. Ethan said, "If our elephant was hungry, I would give it a bunch of bananas." 1st / 2nd

a. Ethan is a musician. b. Ethan is a zookeeper.

6. Hazel said, "If our elephant is hungry, I will give it a bunch of bananas." 1st / 2nd

a. Hazel is a musician. b. Hazel is a zookeeper.

7. Lily said, "If I see a bank robber, I'll stop him." 1st / 2nd

a. Lily is a teacher. b. Lily is a police officer.

8. Lucas said, "If I saw a bank robber, I'd stop him." 1st / 2nd

a. Lucas is a teacher. b. Lucas is a police officer.

B. Complete the sentences in the first or second conditional using the verbs in brackets.

1. If it ........................ (rain) tomorrow, I ........................ (bring) an umbrella.

2. I ........................ (be) very surprised if I ........................ (see) a cow on the roof.

3. I ........................ (miss) my meeting if the train ........................ (be) late.

4. If dogs ........................ (can talk), they ........................ (ask) for food all the time.

5. If I ........................ (have) a superpower, I ........................ (want) to be able to fly.

6. If you ........................ (lend) me $20, I ........................ (pay) you back tomorrow.

7. Your passport ..................... (get) full if you ..................... (visit) every country in the world.

8. You ........................ (be) extremely tired if you ........................ (not sleep) for a month.

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 MIXED CONDITIONALS

ESL / EFL RESOURCES First vs. Second Conditional

C. Rewrite the sentences changing the first conditional into the second conditional.

Example: If I see a talking bear at the train station, I'll take it home with me.

If I saw a talking bear at the train station, I would take it home with me.
...................................................................................................................................
1. If I meet an alien, I'll shake its hand. If it has a hand.

...................................................................................................................................
2. I'll fly to school every day if I can.

...................................................................................................................................
3. I'll go see the dinosaurs if I can build a time machine.

...................................................................................................................................
4. If I learn to do magic, I'll turn you into a frog.

...................................................................................................................................
5. I want to see how the world changes if I live a thousand years.

...................................................................................................................................
6. If I am president, I'll make a law against homework.

...................................................................................................................................
7. I'll need a very big swimming pool if I get a pet hippopotamus.

...................................................................................................................................
8. If I'm caught spying on the enemy, I'll never give away our secrets.

...................................................................................................................................

D. Complete the second conditional sentences with your own ideas.

If I left a sandwich in the refrigerator for a month

Example: ............................................................................................, I wouldn't eat it.

1. ....................................................................................., I'd buy 100 ice cream cones.

2. ..................................................................................................., I would be famous.

3. ..........................................................................................., I wouldn't come to class.

4. ................................................................................................, I'd need $1,000,000.

5. ............................................................................................., I would live in a castle.

6. ............................................................................................, I wouldn't say anything.

7. ........................................................................................, I'd move to a different city.

8. .............................................................................., I wouldn't do anything differently.

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