The Second Conditional:

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The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then ‘would’ and the infinitive:

  • Example: if + past simple, …would + infinitive

When do you use the second conditional?

Typically it is use to talk about things in the future that will probably not happen.

For example:

  • If I won the lottery, I would travel the world
  • If I played hockey as a kid, I would have made it to the NHL

Also, we can use it to talk about something in the present that seems impossible.

For example:

  • If I were you, I would go to the gym more.
  • If I had a gym membership, I would go to the gym everyday!

 

The difference between these two examples is that in the second examples these sentences are a lot more unlikely to actually happen.

Second Conditional Quiz:

Practice: Complete the following sentences use the second conditional.

New Zealand Set to Ban Cigarettes

New Zealand will ban the sale of tobacco to its next generation, hoping to eventually phase out smoking.

People born after 2008 will not be able to buy cigarettes or tobacco products in their lifetime. The new law is expected to be in place in 2022. New Zealand’s Health Minister is resolved to ensure that young people never start smoking. They are determined to achieve a national goal of reducing its national smoking rate from 13% to 5% by 2025 and eventually to zero.

The government also introduced major tobacco controls, including cutting down where cigarettes can be sold. The number of shops authorized to sell cigarettes will be drastically reduced to under 500 from about 8,000 now. The move is part of a crackdown on smoking announced by New Zealand’s health ministry on Thursday.

New Zealand’s health ministry says smoking causes one in four cancers and remains the leading cause of preventable death for its population.

In 2017 the country adopted vaping — smoking e-cigarettes that produce a vapor that also delivers nicotine — as a pathway to help smokers quit tobacco. It has become more popular among younger generations. Health authorities warn that vaping is not harmless. Researchers have found hazardous, carcinogenic agents in e-cigarette liquids as well.

Adapted from this article.

Now that you’ve had a listen, let’s put your knowledge to the test:

Definition Match:

Combine the following words with their meaning.


New Zealand Set to Ban Cigarettes Quiz

True of false?

Wh Questions

What’s the importance of asking a question? Why do we need to ask questions to people? When is the best time to ask a question? Where do we usually ask questions? Who do we often ask questions to?

All of these are wonderful questions when we look at the context of questions. Here is a breakdown/review of the major indicators we use for questions:

1. Who:

Use “who” when you want to ask about a person or people.

Example: “Who is your teacher?”

2. What:

Use “what” when you want to ask about things, objects, actions, or activities.

Example: “What is your favorite color?”

3. Where:

Use “where” when you want to ask about a place or location.

Example: “Where do you live?”

4. When:

Use “when” when you want to ask about a specific time or moment.

Example: “When is your birthday?”

5. Why:

Use “why” when you want to ask for the reason or cause behind something.

Example: “Why are you late?”

Now, here are some quick activities you can do to refresh and practice your knowledge on questions and how to use them:

Asking Questions Quizz 1

 Fill in the Blank the following sentences:


Asking Questions Quizz 2

Multiple choice! Choose the right option among these 5: