Jump into our Conditional Sentences Quiz! It’s super for anyone who wants to master talking about “what ifs” and possibilities in English.
Conditional sentences mix “if” with reality and imagination, showing how one thing depends on another. There are different types, like real (things that can happen) and unreal conditions (more like dreams or unlikely scenarios). Getting them right is key to expressing wishes, possibilities, and choices clearly.
Taking this quiz will help you get comfy with all the “ifs” and “thens” of English, making sure you can chat about everything from likely events to big dreams. Whether you’re learning English or just brushing up, these questions have got you covered. Let’s start playing with possibilities!
1. What is a conditional sentence?
a) A sentence that expresses wishes or dreams
b) A sentence that always uses the past tense
c) A sentence that expresses a condition and its possible result
d) A sentence that connects two independent clauses
Answer:
c) A sentence that expresses a condition and its possible result
Explanation:
A conditional sentence usually consists of a 'if' clause (condition) and a main clause (result). It expresses a condition and its potential outcome.
2. Choose the sentence that is an example of a zero conditional.
a) If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
b) If you heat ice, it melts.
c) If I had seen him, I would have spoken to him.
d) If he were here, he would help us.
Answer:
b) If you heat ice, it melts.
Explanation:
The zero conditional is used for general truths or laws of nature. It often uses the simple present tense in both clauses.
3. Identify the first conditional sentence.
a) If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
b) If she is hungry, she will eat something.
c) If we had known, we would have called you.
d) If he were a bird, he could fly.
Answer:
b) If she is hungry, she will eat something.
Explanation:
The first conditional is used for real or likely situations in the future. It usually has the simple present tense in the 'if' clause and the simple future tense in the main clause.
4. What does the second conditional express?
a) General truths
b) Real situations in the future
c) Unreal or hypothetical situations in the present or future
d) Past situations that didn't happen
Answer:
c) Unreal or hypothetical situations in the present or future
Explanation:
The second conditional is used to talk about situations that are unlikely to happen or are imaginary, hypothetical, or contrary to reality.
5. Choose the sentence that is an example of the third conditional.
a) If it rains, I will stay at home.
b) If I were you, I would apologize.
c) If he had asked me, I would have said yes.
d) If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.
Answer:
c) If he had asked me, I would have said yes.
Explanation:
The third conditional is used to talk about situations in the past that did not happen and their imagined results. It uses the past perfect tense in the 'if' clause and the conditional perfect in the main clause.
6. Identify the second conditional sentence.
a) If it snows tomorrow, we will build a snowman.
b) If I were a millionaire, I would buy a yacht.
c) If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
d) If they had arrived earlier, they would have seen her.
Answer:
b) If I were a millionaire, I would buy a yacht.
Explanation:
This sentence is a second conditional, expressing an unlikely or hypothetical condition in the present or future and its possible result.
7. What is the structure of a first conditional sentence?
a) 'If' + past simple, would + base verb
b) 'If' + simple present, will + base verb
c) 'If' + past perfect, would have + past participle
d) 'If' + present continuous, will be + -ing form
Answer:
b) 'If' + simple present, will + base verb
Explanation:
The first conditional is formed with the simple present tense in the 'if' clause and the simple future tense ('will' + base verb) in the main clause.
8. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a zero conditional.
a) If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
b) If I knew the answer, I would tell you.
c) If she had seen him, she would have been surprised.
d) If it rains later, we will stay indoors.
Answer:
a) If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
Explanation:
The zero conditional is used for general truths or habitual actions and uses the simple present tense in both clauses.
9. Identify the third conditional sentence.
a) If I go to the party, I will bring snacks.
b) If I had gone to the party, I would have brought snacks.
c) If I were going to the party, I would bring snacks.
d) If I win the lottery, I will buy a house.
Answer:
b) If I had gone to the party, I would have brought snacks.
Explanation:
This sentence is a third conditional, talking about a past hypothetical condition and its possible outcome in the past.
10. What does the zero conditional typically express?
a) Real situations in the past
b) Imaginary situations in the future
c) General truths or habitual actions
d) Unlikely situations in the present
Answer:
c) General truths or habitual actions
Explanation:
The zero conditional is used for facts, general truths, and habitual actions. It often uses the simple present tense in both clauses.
11. Choose the sentence that is an example of the first conditional.
a) If he were taller, he would play basketball.
b) If you don't hurry, you'll miss the bus.
c) If they knew her, they would have invited her.
d) If you boil water, it evaporates.
Answer:
b) If you don't hurry, you'll miss the bus.
Explanation:
This is a first conditional sentence, used for real or likely future situations. It uses the simple present tense in the 'if' clause and 'will' in the main clause.
12. Identify the second conditional sentence.
a) If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
b) If I were a bird, I could fly.
c) If it rains tomorrow, I won't go to the beach.
d) If he had studied harder, he would have passed the exam.
Answer:
b) If I were a bird, I could fly.
Explanation:
This is a second conditional sentence, expressing an unreal or hypothetical situation and its possible result.
13. What is the structure of a second conditional sentence?
a) 'If' + simple present, will + base verb
b) 'If' + past simple, would + base verb
c) 'If' + past perfect, would have + past participle
d) 'If' + present continuous, will be + -ing form
Answer:
b) 'If' + past simple, would + base verb
Explanation:
The second conditional is formed with the past simple tense in the 'if' clause and 'would' + base verb in the main clause.
14. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a third conditional.
a) If it rains, I will stay at home.
b) If I knew her number, I would call her.
c) If I had known her number, I would have called her.
d) If I win the lottery, I will buy a car.
Answer:
c) If I had known her number, I would have called her.
Explanation:
This is a third conditional sentence, used for imaginary situations in the past and their possible past results. It uses the past perfect tense in the 'if' clause and the conditional perfect in the main clause.
15. What does the first conditional typically express?
a) General truths
b) Imaginary situations in the present or future
c) Real or likely situations in the future
d) Past situations that didn't happen
Answer:
c) Real or likely situations in the future
Explanation:
The first conditional is used to talk about real or possible situations in the future. It uses the simple present tense in the 'if' clause and the simple future tense in the main clause.
16. Identify the zero conditional sentence.
a) If it snows, school will be canceled.
b) If you freeze water, it turns into ice.
c) If he were rich, he would buy a mansion.
d) If they had arrived earlier, they would have seen the beginning.
Answer:
b) If you freeze water, it turns into ice.
Explanation:
This is a zero conditional sentence, expressing a general truth. It uses the simple present tense in both clauses.
17. Which sentence is an example of the second conditional?
a) If I get home early, I will cook dinner.
b) If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world.
c) If you call me, I will answer.
d) If she had studied, she would have passed.
Answer:
b) If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world.
Explanation:
This is a second conditional sentence, expressing a hypothetical situation and its possible result.
18. What is the structure of a third conditional sentence?
a) 'If' + simple present, will + base verb
b) 'If' + past simple, would + base verb
c) 'If' + past perfect, would have + past participle
d) 'If' + present continuous, will be + -ing form
Answer:
c) 'If' + past perfect, would have + past participle
Explanation:
The third conditional is formed with the past perfect tense in the 'if' clause and the conditional perfect ('would have' + past participle) in the main clause.
19. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a first conditional.
a) If I had enough money, I would buy a car.
b) If it snows tomorrow, we will go skiing.
c) If she knew the answer, she would tell you.
d) If they had arrived on time, they would have seen the show.
Answer:
b) If it snows tomorrow, we will go skiing.
Explanation:
This is a first conditional sentence, used for real or possible future situations. It uses the simple present tense in the 'if' clause and 'will' in the main clause.
20. What does the third conditional typically express?
a) General truths
b) Imaginary situations in the present or future
c) Real or likely situations in the future
d) Past situations that didn't happen and their imagined results
Answer:
d) Past situations that didn't happen and their imagined results
Explanation:
The third conditional is used for hypothetical situations in the past that did not occur and their possible outcomes.
21. Identify the first conditional sentence.
a) If you had told me, I would have helped.
b) If I were you, I would go there.
c) If it rains, I will take my umbrella.
d) If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
Answer:
c) If it rains, I will take my umbrella.
Explanation:
This sentence is a first conditional, used for real or likely situations in the future. It uses the simple present tense in the 'if' clause and 'will' in the main clause.
22. Which sentence is an example of the zero conditional?
a) If I win the lottery, I will buy a house.
b) If you boil water, it evaporates.
c) If she were here, she would help us.
d) If he had seen the accident, he would have called the police.
Answer:
b) If you boil water, it evaporates.
Explanation:
This is a zero conditional sentence, expressing a general truth. It uses the simple present tense in both clauses.
23. What is the structure of a zero conditional sentence?
a) 'If' + past simple, would + base verb
b) 'If' + simple present, will + base verb
c) 'If' + past perfect, would have + past participle
d) 'If' + simple present, simple present
Answer:
d) 'If' + simple present, simple present
Explanation:
The zero conditional is formed with the simple present tense in both the 'if' clause and the main clause.
24. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a second conditional.
a) If I were taller, I would play basketball.
b) If it rains tomorrow, I won't go to the park.
c) If you do not study, you will not pass the exam.
d) If he had called me, I would have answered.
Answer:
a) If I were taller, I would play basketball.
Explanation:
This is a second conditional sentence, expressing an unreal or hypothetical situation in the present or future and its possible result.
25. What does the first conditional typically use in its 'if' clause?
a) Past simple tense
b) Simple present tense
c) Past perfect tense
d) Future simple tense
Answer:
b) Simple present tense
Explanation:
The first conditional usually uses the simple present tense in the 'if' clause and the simple future tense ('will' + base verb) in the main clause.