Conditional Sentences Test Exercises – Multiple Choice Questions With Answers – Advanced Level 20

Now shows an unreal present situation (we are not in Istanbul), so this is a second conditional: if + past simple, would/could + base verb. Use were for all persons in formal style: If we were in Istanbul now, we could go… Not had been, because that refers to the past, and not will be able to, because will belongs to real (first) conditionals.

The accident happened in the past, and If it hadn't been for (= without) your help is an unreal past condition. So the result needs could/would + have + past participle: we couldn't have survived. Not might have survived, because that gives the opposite meaning: the help is what saved us.

The speaker is criticising something that did not happen in the past, so we need should have + past participle (you should have phoned) in the result. The past perfect had left in the if-clause matches this past time frame. Not must have phoned, because must have is used for deductions about the past, not for criticism.

The children have already swallowed the pills, so this is an unreal past situation: a third conditional, if + past perfect (had taken care), would + have + past participle (wouldn't have swallowed). Would swallowed is ungrammatical, because after would we need the base form or have + past participle.

This is a third conditional about the past: if + past perfect, would + have + past participle. The meal made you ill, so both parts are negative: If you hadn't eaten…, you wouldn't have been ill. Not hadn't eaten / would have been, because that gives an illogical meaning.

The speaker did not realise the distance in the past, so this is a third conditional: if + past perfect (had realized), would + have + past participle (would have gone). The other options mix tenses that do not fit an unreal past situation.

Unless means if… not. The sentence means the balance of nature cannot be kept if everyone does not realize how important protection is. The present tense realizes fits the general present statement. The other options use past tenses or connectors (why, since, before) that do not fit the meaning or the tense.

Wish + past simple expresses a wish about the present: I wish I were in Canakkale now. (were is used for all persons). The result of this imaginary situation takes could + base verb: then I could go. Not would be, because we don't normally use would after I wish I for our own present state.

This is a mixed conditional: an unreal past condition (had read during the holiday) with a present result (now). The structure is if + past perfect, could/would + base verb: I could understand the lesson now. Not could have understood, because now shows a present result, not a past one.

Provided that means only if / on condition that: I will lend you the money only if you pay it back by next month. Not suppose, because it introduces an imaginary situation and cannot join a condition to a real offer like this.

But for means if it hadn't been for / without. It needs an unreal result, here about the past: I couldn't have finished (could + have + past participle). The present and future forms (can't, won't be able to) cannot be used for an unreal condition.

Wish + past perfect expresses regret about the past: I wish I had taken my bike (but I didn't). The clue is when I came here, which is past. Not took, because wish + past simple refers to the present.

This is a mixed conditional: an unreal past condition (hadn't participated during the year) with a present result (now). So we use if + past perfect and couldn't + base verb: you couldn't be so slim now. Not couldn't have been, because now shows the result is in the present.

You didn't tell me, and I came: this is an unreal past situation, so we use a third conditional, if + past perfect (had told), would + have + past participle (wouldn't have come). Not had told / won't come, because will cannot follow an unreal past condition.

This is a mixed conditional: the condition is in the past (last week), and the result is in the present (now). So we use if + past perfect (had taken) and would + base verb (wouldn't be ill now). Not wouldn't have been, because the clue now shows a present result.

Wish + past perfect expresses regret about a past action: I wish I hadn't eaten that oily meal (but I did, and now I have a stomachache). Not didn't eat, because wish + past simple refers to the present, and wish is not followed by shouldn't have.

If it weren't for (= without) introduces an unreal present or general situation, a second conditional. The result takes would + base verb: the new generations would be ignorant. Not would have been, because that refers to an unreal past.

If it hadn't been for (= without) introduces an unreal past condition, a third conditional. The result takes would + have + past participle: the new generations would have been ignorant. Not had been, because the main clause of a conditional needs a modal such as would.

Had you invited me is an inverted third conditional (= If you had invited me). It refers to an unreal past, so the result needs modal + have + past participle: I might have come. The other options use present or future forms, which do not fit an unreal past condition.

Only when at the start of a sentence causes inversion in the main clause: Only when they study regularly can they succeed. The inverted can they is the clue. Not On condition that, because it is not followed by inversion (On condition that they study, they can succeed).

This is a general truth about people, so we use a real conditional: if + present simple (are taken) and a present modal (can be). Here can means 'it is possible'. Not were taken / may be: a second conditional normally uses would/could/might in the result. Not had been taken / will be, because will cannot follow an unreal past condition.

If the election were held today is an unreal present condition, a second conditional. The result takes would + base verb: they would vote. Not would have voted, because that refers to an unreal past, and today shows the present.

This is a real present condition followed by advice. We use if + present simple (have) and an imperative in the main clause: encourage him to ask his doctor. Not had / encourage, because the situation is real and present, not imaginary.

They didn't read the instructions, so they didn't know: an unreal past situation. Use a third conditional: if + past perfect (had read), would + have + past participle (would have known). Not read / knew, because the result clause needs would.

The speaker didn't know what the river was like in the past, so this is a third conditional: if + past perfect (had known), would + have + past participle (would have chosen). Not must have chosen, because must have expresses a deduction, not a conditional result.

They had no idea, so they didn't tell the police: an unreal past situation. Use a third conditional: if + past perfect (had had, where the first had is the auxiliary and the second is the main verb), would + have + past participle (would have told). Not had / had told, because the result clause needs would.

This is a real condition followed by advice. The present perfect has made in the if-clause refers to a completed action. The main clause gives advice with shouldn't + base verb: you shouldn't embarrass him. The next sentence, But you can warn him later, fits this advice. Not makes / wouldn't embarrass, because the situation is real, not imaginary. Not mustn't have embarrassed, because mustn't have + past participle is not used for advice.

This is a real conditional about a possible situation: present simple in the if-clause (let), and a modal of possibility in the main clause (may have). Not have / will let, because we don't normally use will in an if-clause to talk about the future.

Had it not been for is the inverted form of If it hadn't been for (= without). The time clue before the year started shows an unreal past, so the result takes would + have + past participle: would have enrolled. Not Were it not / would enroll, because that is a second conditional for present or general situations.