Smart Choice Unit #8 (week 12)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to Ian's Blog once again.  I know we are nearing the end of the fall semester and everyone's eyes are firmly focused on the extra long winter break, but we still have four weeks to go, two units to study, five units to review, a final speaking and written test to go....so don't take your foot of the accelerator or your hands off the wheel just yet, we haven't arrived at our destination.  Destination "I passed English Conversation I & II" is just around the corner...

I know what you are thinking;  my life would be great if I didn't have to study English or take any tests, but that is just a fantasy.  You are probably also thinking,  If I had loads of money to enjoy the Winter Vacation instead of working, my life would be great.  But again, just a fantasy.


Smart Choice

Lets use the 2nd conditional in a more positive manner.  If I pass my course with an A*, I will be able to get my dream job.  The second conditional is nothing to be afraid of.  Just think of it as two parts, the if clause and the RESULT (consequence).

If + simple past  /  would/could/might +simple present tense

If I were taller, I could slam dunk this basketball.

If I won the lotto, I would make a generous donation to save the children.

If I had a dollar for everytime my students asked me that question, I would be a millionaire.


The degree of certainty can be incorporated into the statement by using wouldn't / could / might in place of would. 

or add an adverb to describe how the action is done.

If I had her phone number, I would probably phone her.



If you would like some more practice of the second conditional, you could download the workbook exercsies below...


Workbook Downloads

Pages 44, 45, 46, 47, 48.

Or go to this website  2nd Conditional exercises.


Extra

Episode 23

Truth or Dare (one of the funnier episodes) is all about the flatmates struggling to tell the truth in their daily life and the consequences of doing so.



Homework

1. Review Unit 8 and print or send the scoresheet to me.
2. Do the reading pages 68&69 (check next class).
3. Watch Extra Ep.24.
4. Pilot Nick

See you next week!