Mastering Conditional Sentences for TOEFL Success: Part 1

1- If I ___ you, I would study more for the TOEFL test.

A) am
B) was
C) were
D) would be

Correct Answer: C) were

Explanation: This is an example of the second conditional, which is used for hypothetical or unreal situations. The correct grammatical structure is “If + subject + were.”

2- If he ___ earlier, he wouldn’t miss the bus.

A) has arrived
B) arrived
C) had arrived
D) would arrive

Correct Answer: C) had arrived

Explanation: This is an example of the third conditional, indicating a past hypothetical situation where the condition was not met. The structure is “If + past perfect.”

3- ___ if it rains tomorrow?

A) What you do
B) What do you do
C) What will you do
D) What would you do

Correct Answer: C) What will you do

Explanation: This is a first conditional question form, which is used for real future possibilities. The structure is “If + present simple, will + base verb.”

4- She wouldn’t be tired if she ___ to bed earlier.

A) went
B) goes
C) had gone
D) would go

Correct Answer: A) went

Explanation: This is another second conditional example, expressing a hypothetical situation in the present. The correct form uses the simple past tense with “if.”

5- If you ___ him tomorrow, could you give him this message?

A) see
B) saw
C) have seen
D) would see

Correct Answer: A) see

Explanation: This sentence mixes the first conditional with a modal (could). It expresses a real possibility followed by a polite request.

6- ___ we had known about his financial situation, we would have helped him.

A) If
B) When
C) Unless
D) Since

Correct Answer: A) If

Explanation: This is a third conditional sentence, expressing a hypothetical past action that didn’t happen. The correct structure begins with “If.”

7- If she ___ the promotion, she will be very happy.

A) gets
B) got
C) will get
D) would get

Correct Answer: A) gets

Explanation: This is a first conditional sentence, used for real future possibilities. It uses the simple present tense with “if.”

8- ___ if they do not pass their TOEFL test?

A) What will they do
B) What did they do
C) What they do
D) What they did

Correct Answer: A) What will they do

Explanation: This question is formulated in the first conditional, anticipating a real future scenario. It uses “will” for future actions.

9- If he had studied harder, he ___ the exam.

A) passed
B) would pass
C) would have passed
D) will pass

Correct Answer: C) would have passed

Explanation: This is a third conditional sentence, reflecting on a hypothetical past. The correct form uses “would have” followed by the past participle.

10- I ___ visit France if I save enough money.

A) will
B) would
C) can
D) should

Correct Answer: A) will

Explanation: This first conditional sentence predicts a real and likely future action. It uses “will” to indicate a future decision based on a condition.

11- If I ___ enough time, I will attend the seminar.

A) have
B) had
C) would have
D) will have

Correct Answer: A) have

Explanation: This is a first conditional sentence, used for real and probable situations. It requires the simple present tense “have.”

12- ___ you have called her if you knew her number?

A) Will
B) Would
C) Had
D) Could

Correct Answer: B) Would

Explanation: This question implies a hypothetical situation in the past. The second conditional is appropriate here, using “would.”

13- If they ___ to the party, they would have met her.

A) go
B) went
C) have gone
D) had gone

Correct Answer: D) had gone

Explanation: This third conditional sentence reflects on a past possibility that did not occur. The correct form uses “had gone.”

14- If it ___ snow tomorrow, we will stay at home.

A) will
B) would
C) snows
D) snowed

Correct Answer: C) snows

Explanation: This is a first conditional sentence, used for likely events in the future. The structure is “If + present simple, will + base verb.”

15- He could understand the lecture if he ___ English better.

A) knows
B) knew
C) has known
D) would know

Correct Answer: B) knew

Explanation: This second conditional sentence deals with a hypothetical present condition. The correct structure is “If + past simple.”

16- If you ___ to my advice, you wouldn’t be in this situation.

A) listened
B) had listened
C) would listen
D) will listen

Correct Answer: B) had listened

Explanation: This third conditional sentence expresses regret about a past event that did not happen. The correct form uses “had listened.”

17- We ___ go out if the weather gets better.

A) will
B) would
C) can
D) should

Correct Answer: A) will

Explanation: This is a first conditional sentence predicting a likely future event based on a condition. “Will” is used for future actions dependent on a present condition.

18- If he were more attentive, he ___ so many mistakes.

A) doesn’t make
B) didn’t make
C) wouldn’t make
D) won’t make

Correct Answer: C) wouldn’t make

Explanation: This second conditional sentence speculates about a hypothetical situation in the present. The correct form is “wouldn’t make.”

19- ___ if you had the chance to study abroad?

A) What will you do
B) What would you do
C) What did you do
D) What do you do

Correct Answer: B) What would you do

Explanation: This hypothetical question uses the second conditional to ask about an unreal situation. “What would you do” is the appropriate form.

20- If she ___ about his background, she might not have agreed to the date.

A) knows
B) knew
C) had known
D) would know

Correct Answer: C) had known

Explanation: This third conditional sentence considers a past hypothetical condition that could have changed the outcome. “Had known” is the correct past perfect tense for this use.