TEACHER’S NOTES

ESL / EFL RESOUR CES First Conditional Advice

Activity Type
Introduction
In Reading, writing,
this first conditional worksheet, students practice giving advice using the first conditional with
listening and speaking
'will' and other modal verbs.
activity
Procedure
Language Focus Give each student a copy of the two-page worksheet.
First conditional for Read through the introduction with the students about how
advice to form and use the first conditional.

The students then complete the first conditional sentences about

Aim giving advice with the words from the box.
To practice giving advice
using the first conditional Exercise A - Answer key
with 'will' and other
modal verbs. 1. She'll be able to do more at work if she hires an assistant.
2. If you report the crime to the police, they will help you.
3. He might understand if she explains why she has to leave.
Preparation 4. If you don't want to go with them, you should tell them.
5. If you don't tell your boss, he might blame someone else for
Make one copy of the the mistake.
two-page worksheet for
each student. Next, students put words in the correct order to make first
conditional sentences about giving advice, adding punctuation
and capitalization where needed.
Level
Intermediate (B1) Exercise B - Answer key

1. If you take extra water with you, you will be able to survive in
Time the desert. OR You will be able to survive in the desert if you
take extra water with you.
30 minutes
2. If you keep your clothes in the wardrobe, your room will look
much tidier. OR Your room will look much tidier if you keep your
clothes in the wardrobe.

3. If you decide to go to Australia, you should start saving

money now. OR You should start saving money now if you
decide to go to Australia.

4. If you take the train, you should get to London before 8

o'clock. OR You should get to London before 8 o'clock if you take
the train.

5. If we want to arrive before the storm starts, we have to

hurry. OR We have to hurry if we want to arrive before the
storm starts.

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 TEACHER’S NOTES

ESL / EFL RESOUR CES First Conditional Advice

Activity(continued)
Procedure Type
Reading,
Students writing,
then read an email to an advice columnist and underline the 'if' clauses and double
listening and speaking
underline the clauses with a future meaning.
activity
Exercise C - Answer key

Language Focus My friends told me that if I tell you my problem, you'll give me
First conditional for
advice. Please help me. My problem is that two men want me to
advice
marry them, and I can't choose. Will I be happy if I choose the

Aim first man? Or if I choose the second man, will I be happier?

To practice giving advice

using the first conditional The first man is very good looking, and he tells me that I am
with 'will' and other beautiful. He said that he'll always want to be with me if I stay
modal verbs.
beautiful even when I'm older. If we have children together, I'm
sure that our children will also be good looking. We have different
Preparation
Make one copy of the religions, but if we never talk about religion, we shouldn't have
two-page worksheet for any problems concerning it.
each student.

The second man is average looking, but he is very rich. He also

Level tells me that I am beautiful. He will buy me anything if I tell him
Intermediate (B1)
that I like it. If his business goes well, he might become even
richer. I will be very rich too if I marry him. If I'm rich, I won't
Time
have any problems. We don't have a lot in common, but if we're
30 minutes
rich, we'll be able to buy anything we want.

Finally, students take on the role of the advice columnist and

write
a response to the email, giving advice using the first conditional.

Students then read their reply to a partner who says whether

they agree with the advice given or not.

Afterwards, have a class feedback session to hear the students'

advice and discuss who gave the best response.

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 FIRST CONDITIONAL

ESL / EFL RESOUR CES First Conditional Advice

The first conditional is used to talk about something that will probably happen or
is likely to happen in the future. It can also be used to give advice. The structure is
made up of two clauses:

• A clause starting with 'if' in the present simple tense.

• A clause with a future meaning using 'will', 'be going to', a modal to talk about the future
such as 'might' or 'should', or other words that indicate a future time.

Either clause can be first in the sentence. If the 'if' clause is first, a comma separates the
clauses. Examples:

• If you work harder, you will have enough money to go to Tokyo.

• You will have enough money to go to Tokyo if you work harder.

A. Complete the first conditional sentences about giving advice with the words from
the box. Use the correct form of the verb in the sentences. You can use each word
only once.

report do explain help hire

might (not) tell (not) want should blame

1. She'll be able to more at work if she an assistant.

2. If you the crime to the police, they will you.

3. He understand if she why she has to leave.

4. If you to go with them, you tell them.

5. If you your boss, he might someone else for the

mistake.

B. Put the words in the correct order to make first conditional sentences about
giving advice. Add punctuation and capitalization where needed.

1. survive / take / be able to / extra water / you / will / with you / if / in the desert / you

2. much tidier / keep / look / in the wardrobe / you / if / your clothes / your room / will

3. you / saving / decide / to Australia / if / money now / you / should / to go / start

4. should / 8 o'clock / if / the train / take / get / you / to London / you / before

5. we / hurry / arrive before / have to / we / the storm / want to / if / starts

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 FIRST CONDITIONAL

ESL / EFL RESOUR CES First Conditional Advice

C. Rose is an advice columnist. People write to her about their problems, and she
gives them advice. Read the following email to Rose. Underline the 'if' clauses and
double underline the clauses with a future meaning.
Dear Rose,

My friends told me that if I tell you my problem, you'll give me advice. Please help me. My

problem is that two men want me to marry them, and I can't choose. Will I be happy if I

choose the first man? Or if I choose the second man, will I be happier?

The first man is very good looking, and he tells me that I am beautiful. He said that he'll

always want to be with me if I stay beautiful even when I'm older. If we have children

together, I'm sure that our children will also be good-looking. We have different religions, but

if we never talk about religion, we shouldn't have any problems concerning it.

The second man is average looking, but he is very rich. He also tells me that I am beautiful.

He will buy me anything if I tell him that I like it. If his business goes well, he might become

even richer. I will be very rich too if I marry him. If I'm rich, I won't have any problems. We

don't have a lot in common, but if we're rich, we'll be able to buy anything we want.

What should I do?

Confused in Cardiff

D. Now, take on the role of the advice columnist. Write a response to 'Confused in
Cardiff', giving advice using the first conditional.

E. Now, read your reply to a partner. Do they agree with your advice?

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