Collins

English for Exams

VOCABULARY AND
GRAMMAR FOR
THE TOEFL TEST
Ingrid Wisniewska, PhD
Collins
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First edition 2013
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ISBN 978-0-00-749966-3
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atilthiththat

Conctonal sentences
Study the explanations and examples in the chart. Write your own examples based on each type of
conditional. Include some examples using negative verbs for one or both clauses.

OVERVIEW
Conditional sentences are used to talk about a result that depends on something else happening
first.

Explanation and structure Example

Zero conditional: a result that always or
usually happens
Condition: If + (present), Result: (present)
First conditional: a result that is possible and
likely
Condition: If + (present), Result: (will + verb)
Second conditional: a result that is possible
but less likely
Condition: If + (past), Result: (would + verb)
Third conditional: a result that is hypothetical,
a different result of something that has already
happened
Condition: ff + (past perfect), Result: (would +
have + past participle)
If you stay in a dorm on campus, you make
more friends.
You make more friends if you stay in a dorm
on campus.
If she takes a part-time job, she'll have less
time to study.
She'll have less time to study if she takes a
part-time job.
If I had more time, I would join an academic
study group.
I would join an academic study group if I had
more time.
If he had worked more on his assignment, he
would have passed the class.
He would have passed the class if he had
worked more on his assignment.
If I were* you, I'd talk to your academic
advisor.
I wouldn't take any extra classas if I were you.

Note:
If the condition is first, there is a comma. There is no comma if the result is first.
*Was and were are both correct as first and third person singular forms of the verb be in second
conditional sentences Was is more usual in spoken English; were is more usual in formal and
written English.
Conditional sentences can also be a mixture of different types. For example, if! had sent in my
application earlier, I would have a job now.

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 GRAMMAR: CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

WORD BUILDING
Practice Exercises
The root dorm- means sleep. A
A Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in
dormitory is a place to sleep. Be careful
parentheses. not to confuse this root with dom -
If you are absent from class too often, you which means home Example. domestic
policy(= home policy, not foreign
graduate. (not able to) policy). Use your dictionary to find the
He get a part-time job if meanings of these words: dormant,
domicile, domesticated.
he doesn't have enough money. (have to)
If she fails this class, she
enough credits. (not get)
We the test if we had studied harder. (not fail)

If they knew more about science, they better grades in

biology. (get)
He wouldn't have become a teacher if he to grad
school. (not go)
B Complete the sentences using the phrases in the box.

join an academic study group not get a grade not have enough money
get a discount on books not have so many classes not study harder
save your work onto a flash drive spend more time traveling

If you have a student ID,

if I don't get a part-time job,
if you moved off campus,
If she doesn't hand in her assignment on time,
He won't get a good grade
She will find the class easier
I would have more free time
You wouldn't have lost your assignment
C These are examples of types of topics in question 2 of the writing section (independent essay).
Complete each sentence with your own ideas.
If I could change one thing about my hometown,
if I could study a subject I had never studied before
If I could meet a famous person from history,
If I could go back in time,
If I could meet a famous singer or sportsperson,
If I were asked to choose one thing to represent my country,
If I could invent a new life-changing product,

If I were to travel for one year,

109
 GRAMMAR FOR THE TOEFL TEST

STUDY TIP

In the speaking section, for questions 3,4, 5, and 6, you will have to speak from your notes. Practice
making clear notes and speaking from them. Record your voice. This will help you to sound confident
and calm during the test. Remember to finish with a strong concluding sentence by using signpost words,
such as Finally ... In conclusion ... To summarize ... To conclude ... . Do NOT add any personal comments
at the end of the recording.

Test Practice
O A The following question is similar to question 3 in the speaking section of the test (campus matters).
Track 19 Read the announcement. Then listen to a conversation on the same topic. Take notes.

Announcement
Starting in the fall semester, all freshmen will be required to take an academic composition class in their
first year. This is so that all students become familiar with the standard of academic writing required in
their courses. It will also help students to understand the importance of academic rules, such as being
careful to avoid plagiarism.

The woman expresses her opinion of the announcement State her opinion and explain the reasons
she gives for holding that opinion.

110
 GRAMMAR: CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

OB The following question is similar to question 5 in the speaking section (campus conversation). Listen
Track 20 to a conversation between two students and take notes.
The speakers discuss two possible solutions to the student's problem. Describe the problem. Then
state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why

P1-06/ani

Solution

Soiteeicpn 2

fily Pec onvnendcraCcnn

eeason

Sap/9,01-6'n3 detail

eeason

Seippore;n3 detail

Write your spoken response (or record your response and write the transcript here). You have 60
seconds (125-150 words).

TEST TIP. Speaking section question 3 (campus matters)

In this question, you will read a short text about a college campus matter. It may be an announcement or
an article. First, you will read the text. Then you will listen to two students talking about the matter. Take
notes during the conversation as you will hear it only once. One of the students will either agree with or
oppose the information in the reading. Begin your answer by briefly describing the campus matter. Then
state the speaker% opinion including some supporting details.
111