9.

CONDITIONALS

TRUE IN THE PRESENT OR FUTURE

e.g. 1: If I don't eat breakfast, I always get hungry during class.
The simple present is used in the result clause to express a habitual activity or situation.
e.g. 2: Water freezes if the temperature goes below 32 °F / 0 °C.
Simple present is used in the result clause to express an established, predictable fact.
e.g. 3: If the weather is nice tomorrow, we will go on a picnic.
The simple future is used in the result clause when the sentence concerns a particular activity
or situation in the future.

UNTRUE IN THE PRESENT/FUTURE

e.g. 1: If I taught this class, I would not give tests.
In truth, I do not teach this class.
e.g. 2: If he were here right now, he would help us.
In truth, he is not here right now.
e.g. 3: If I were you, I would accept their invitation.
In truth, I am not you.
e.g. 4: If she did not eat so much, she would/could/might lose weight.
In reality, she eats a lot.

EXERCISE 1: Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses.

1. If I had enough apples, I (bake) ____________ an apple pie this afternoon.

2. I would fix your bicycle if I (have) _______ a screwdriver of the proper size.
3. I (make) ______ a tomato salad for the picnic tomorrow if the tomatoes in my garden are ripe.
4. Jack would shave today if he (have) _________ a sharp razor.
5. Sally always answers the phone if she (be) __________ in her office.
6. Sally would answer the phone if she (be) _________ in her office right now.

UNTRUE (CONTRARY TO FACT) IN THE PAST

e.g. 1: If you had told me about the problem, I would have helped you.
In truth, you did not tell me about it.
e.g. 2: If they had studied, they would/could/might have passed the exam.
In truth, they did not study. They failed the exam.

EXERCISE 2: Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses.

1. If I (have) ____________ enough money, I would go with you.

2. If I (have) ____________ enough money, I would have gone with you.
3. If the weather is nice tomorrow, we (go) _________ to the zoo.
4. If the weather were nice today, we (go) ____________ to the zoo.
5. If the weather had been nice yesterday, we (go) _____________ to the zoo.
6. Jim isn't home right now. If he (be) ________ at home right now, I (visit) _______ him.
7. Linda wasn't at home yesterday. If she (be) ____at home yesterday, I (visit) ______ her.

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EXERCISE 3: Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses.

1. It is too bad Helen isn't here. If she (be) ________ here, she (know) ________ what to do.
2. Fred failed the test because he didn't study. However, if he (study) ________ for the test, he (pass)
___________ it.
3. An aerosol spray will explode if you (throw) _____________it into a fire.
4. You should tell your father exactly what happened. If I (be) _______ you, I (tell) __________ him
the truth as soon as possible.
5. If I (have) ________ my camera with me yesterday, I (take) ________ a picture of Alex standing on
his head.
6. I'm almost ready to plant my garden. I have a lot of seeds. Maybe I have more than I need. If I
(have) ________more seeds than I need, I (give) ________ some to Nellie.
7. I got wet because I didn't take my umbrella. However, I (get, not) ___________wet if I (remember)
_____________ to take my umbrella with me yesterday.
8. I (change) _______________ the present economic policy if I (be) ________ the President of the
United States.
9. If the teacher (be) _________________ absent tomorrow, class will be cancelled.
10. George has only two pairs of socks. If he (have) ______ more than two pairs of socks, he (have to,
not) _____________ wash his socks so often.

MIXED CONDITIONALS
If-clauses can be mixed provided that they make sense within a context.
If Clause Main Clause
Type II If she had enough money, she could have done this trip to Hawaii. Type III
(She doesn’t have enough money) (so she didn’t go to Hawaii)
Type II If I were faster, I would have won the race. Type III
(I’m not fast) (so I didn’t win the race )
Type II If he loved you, he wouldn’t have cheated on you. Type III
(he doesn’t love you) (so he cheated on you )
Type III If I had taken an aspirin, I would feel better now. Type II
(I didn’t take an aspirin) (so I don’t feel better now )
Type III If you had arrived on time, I wouldn’t be shouting now. Type II
(you didn’t arrive on time) (so I’m shouting at you now)
Type III If they had finished the project, we would be on holiday now. Type II
(they couldn’t finish the project) (so we are still at work)

EXERCISE 4: Change the following statements into conditional sentences.

1. I'm hungry now because I didn't eat dinner.

But _________________________________________________________________.
2. The room is full of flies because you left the door open.
But _________________________________________________________________.
3. You are tired this morning because you didn't go to bed at a reasonable hour last night.
But ________________________________________________________________.
4. I didn't finish my report yesterday, so I can't begin a new project today.
But ________________________________________________________________.

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5. Helen is sick because she didn't follow the doctor's orders.
But ________________________________________________________________.
6. I'm not you, so I didn't tell him the truth.
But ________________________________________________________________.
7. I don't know anything about plumbing, so I didn't fix the leak in the sink myself.
But ________________________________________________________________.
8. I received a good job offer from the oil company, so I won't seriously consider taking the
job with the electronics firm.
But ________________________________________________________________.

Other Ways of Introducing Conditions

A. Unless
My leg's broken. I can't stand up unless you help me.
Unless means if not, therefore negation is not possible after it:
I can't stand up unless you don't help me.

B. As long as/ Provided that/ On condition that

Provided/providing/on condition that and as long as can replace if in conditional sentences
to emphasize a condition. These are usually used in the first conditional, and sound a bit
formal.
You can stay here as long as you keep quiet.
Provided/Providing (that) the bills are paid, tenants will not be evicted.

I can allow you to use my car on condition that you promise to drive carefully.

You can take my dictionary on condition that you bring it back by Friday.

C. Only if
Only if can be used to connect the main clause and the if-clause to express a more
restrictive condition.
Acetaminophen is dangerous to kids only if dosage is too high.

It is possible in all types of conditionals. Note that if the sentence starts with the
condition, the main clause is inverted.
Only if you really like Mozart is it worth coming tonight.
Only if "only if" is at the beginning of the sentence will we use inversion in the main clause.
Only if you enjoy walking on the ocean floor should you come to our summer camp.

D. Even if
Even if emphasises that something will happen whatever the condition is. It is possible in
all types of conditionals.
I will wear my red shirt even if you don’t like the idea.
Grammar quotes:
The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you are still a rat.
– Lily Tomlin

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 E. Suppose/Supposing (that) / What if
The meaning of these connectors is similar to that of if. They are used in informal or everyday
language.
Suppose/supposing you won the lottery, what would you do?
What if your pay check doesn't arrive in time?
What will happen if your pay check doesn't arrive in time?
What if he didn't come tomorrow?
What would happen if he didn't come tomorrow?
What if you hadn't learnt the news?
What would have happened if you hadn't learnt the news?

EXERCISE 5: Choose the correct answer

1. Most people you meet will be polite to you ____ you are polite to them.
a. unless b. if

2. I can't buy a car ____ I save enough money.

a. unless b. only if

3. Eggs will not hatch ____ they are kept at the proper temperature.
a. unless b. only if

4. Our kids are allowed to watch television after dinner ____ they have finished their homework.
Homework must come first.
a. unless b. only if

5. I'll give you a hand ____ you need it, but I hope I don't hurt my back.
a. unless b. if

6. I'm afraid the battery is dead. ____ I buy a new one, the car won't start.
a. Unless b. If

7. My sister can fall asleep under any conditions, but I can't get to sleep ___ the light is off and the
room is perfectly quiet.
a. unless b. if

8. There can be peace in the world ____ all nations sincerely lend their energy to that effort.
a. unless b. only if

9. I won't be involved in this project ____ you assure me that we won't be violating any laws.
a. unless b. if

10. Oscar won't pass this math course ____ he gets a tutor.
a. unless b. only if

EXERCISE 6: Choose the correct words in italics so that the sentences make sense.
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1. I'm going/not going to the park unless the weather is nice.
2. I'm going to the park unless it rains/doesn't rain.
3. I'll pass the course provided that I pass/don't pass the final examination.
4. Tom doesn't like to work. He'll get a job unless/only if he has to.
5. I always finish my homework even if/only if I'm sleepy and want to go to bed.
6. Grass grows provided that it gets/doesn't get enough water.
7. Even if the president calls, wake/don't wake me up. I don't want to talk to anyone.
8. Jack is coming to the game with us today if/unless his boss gives him the afternoon off.
9. Borrow/Don't borrow money from your friends unless you absolutely must.
10. I'll get tickets to the concert provided that there are still some/aren't any available.

WISH CLAUSES
We can use I wish or if only to express a wish. Jessica wishes she was slimmer. If only is stronger and
more emphatic than wish. We can use a clause with if only or we can add another clause after.
If only I wasn’t so fat. OR If only I wasn’t so fat, I would be able to get into these trousers.
If only I lived near my office. OR If only I lived near my office, I wouldn’t have to get up very early.

True statement Verb form following wish Wish/if only...would expresses a

A wish She will not tell me. I wish she would tell me. wish for something to happen, or
about the He isn’t going to be I wish he were going to be to stop happening.
future here. here.
I wish she would stop crying.
She keeps crying. I wish she could come
She can’t come tomorrow.
tomorrow.
A wish I don’t know Italian. I wish I knew Italian. Wish/if only... the past expresses
about the It is raining right now. I wish it weren’t raining right a wish for things to happen.
present now.
I can’t speak Japanese. I wish I could speak Japanese.
A wish John didn’t come. I wish John had come. Wish/if only... the past perfect
about the Mary couldn’t come. I wish Mary could have expresses a wish about the past.
past come.

EXERCISE 7: Complete the sentences with suitable verbs.

1. Our classroom doesn't have any windows. I wish our classroom __________ windows.
2. The sun isn't shining. I wish the sun ____________ right now.
3. I didn't go shopping. I wish I__________________ shopping.
4. I don't know how to dance. I wish I _____________ how to dance.
5. You didn't tell them about it. I wish you _________ them about it.
6. It is cold today. I'm not wearing a coat. I wish I ___________ a coat.
7. I don't have enough money to buy that book. I wish I __________ enough money.
8. The dog keeps barking outside. I wish it __________ making so much noise.

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9. I can't go with you. I wish I ____________ with you tomorrow.
10. My friend won't lend me his car. I wish he ________ me his car for my date tomorrow night.
11. Patricia isn't coming to dinner with us tonight. I wish she ________ to dinner with us.
12. The teacher is going to give an exam tomorrow. I wish he _____us an exam tomorrow.
13. You can't meet my parents. I wish you ____________ them.
14. Jerry didn't come to the meeting. I wish he ________ to the meeting.
15. I am not lying on a beach in Hawaii. I wish I _______ on a beach in Hawaii.

EXERCISE 8: Choose the best option.

1. I wish I _____________ with you last night.

a. went b. could have gone c. could go d. was going

2. My brother is in Antalya on vacation, but I wish he _____________ here now so that he could help
me repair my car.
a. were b. is c. had been d. would be

3. I wish you _____________ such a bad headache last night because I’m sure you would have
enjoyed the concert.
a. haven’t b. hadn’t had c. hadn’t d. haven’t had

4. She wishes we _____________ her the candy yesterday because she’s on a diet.
a. hadn’t sent c. didn’t sent
b. wouldn’t have sent d. weren’t sending

5. If only man had been a bit less greedy, more bird and animal species ________________ extinction.
a. might have been avoided c. might have avoided
b. might be avoided d. had avoided

6. It’s raining again. I wish it _______________ raining soon.

a. will stop b. could stop c. would stop d. stops

7. We’re giving a big party for Mary next Saturday. I wish you _______________ to the party as well.
a. will come b. could come c. can come d. able to come

8. We are going to be late. I wish you _______________.

a. hurry b. would hurry c. will hurry d. might hurry

9. I’m trying to study. I wish you_______________ that record player.

a. will turn down c. turned down
b. turn down d. would turn down

10. Mary stayed up late last night, so she feels tired today. She wishes she_______________ to bed
earlier.
a. had gone c. went
b. would have gone d. should have gone

EXERCISES (Conditionals)

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EXERCISE 1: Choose the best option.

1. Because Mr. Gleason worked only a month, the personnel director would not write a
recommendation for him even if he _____.
a. could ask b. asks c. asked d. will ask

2. It is not impossible to overcome the difficulties of learning a new language if one_____ the right
attitude.
a. has b. had c. will have d. would have

3. If the referee ___ that the other team committed a foul, our team ___the game.
a. saw/ will win c. seeing/ will have won
b. had seen/ would have won d. who saw/ would have won

4. You _____ with me now if you had listened to me more carefully.

a. wouldn't argue c. wouldn't be arguing
b. wouldn't have argued d. wouldn't have been arguing

5. _____ the snowstorm would be so treacherous, the hikers wouldn't have ventured into it without
proper equipment.
a. If they knew c. If they would know
b. If they know d. If they had known

6. If the library _____ over the holidays, it'll be very difficult to finish the research project.
a. is closed b. can close c. being closed d. is close

7. The economy wouldn't be so dependent on imports if the resources of forest and water power _____
more fully developed.
a. would b. did c. could d. were

8. Don't give up your job. You _____ on your research if you were worried about money.
a. wouldn't have had to concentrate c. wouldn't be able to concentrate
b. couldn't have concentrated d. shouldn't have concentrated

9. I wish he _____ to me more often but unfortunately he never does.

a. would write b. could be written c. was written d. had to write

10. He isn't old enough to drive a car, but he wishes he _____.

a. could b. would c. did d. were

EXERCISE 2: Choose the best option.

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1. After the recently-imposed taxes, everybody in the country wishes the country ___________
something without delay to relieve the economic situation; otherwise, many businesses will go
bankrupt.
a. does d. would do
b. has done e. had done
c. will do

2. Naturally, all of you now wish you ___________ university next year.
a. would attend d. can attend
b. could attend e. will be attending
c. had attended

3. Perhaps most of you wish you _______ more for the previous exam.
a. prepared d. could prepare
b. would prepare e. might prepare
c. had prepared
f.

4. But it’s no use worrying about what happened. Just look to the future. If you ___________ hard
enough this year, you _______ university next year.
a. studied/will be attending d. have been studying/would attend
b. will study/are attending e. had studied/might be attending
c. study/may be attending

5. If no one ________ me, I _______ the project in time.

a. A. helps/ couldn’t finish d. has helped/wouldn’t be able to finish
b. B. helped/didn’t finish e. had helped/wouldn’t have finished
c. will help/don’t finish

6. If you had not been careless, ________ now.

a. I won’t be trying to fix the radio d. I can’t do it by myself
b. you wouldn’t be injured e. you don’t have to study so hard
c. you had finished the work

7. I wish I hadn’t missed any classes. I ___________ difficulty on the test now.
a. didn’t have d. weren’t having
b. hadn’t had e. don’t have
c. wouldn’t be having

8. If he didn’t smoke so much, he ___________.

a. might get rid of his cough d. had no longer coughed
b. wouldn’t have coughed e. coughed a lot
c. won’t cough any more

9. They sent her to prison only because she refused to pay the fine. If she ___________ the fine, they
___________ her to prison.
a. couldn’t have paid/had sent d. pays/can’t send
b. paid/wouldn’t send e. hadn’t paid/might have sent
c. had paid/wouldn’t have sent

10. I’m very worried about my little daughter. She is always telling lies to me. I wish she
___________.

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 a. hasn’t told me so many lies d. won’t tell me lies any more
b. doesn’t tell any lies to me e. wouldn’t have told lies to me
c. weren’t telling lies to me

11. If you aren’t tall enough to reach the top, you ___________.
a. may reach there d. should have stood on a chair
b. can use a ladder e. had to persuade your brother to do it
c. would try another way

12. She would have a car if she ____________.

a. earned more d. doesn’t have to support her family
b. couldn’t spent all her money e. wants to buy one
c. has accepted that job offer

13. Jane: Why didn’t you come to the party last night?
Alex: I __________ but I had to take my sister to the airport and it took me a long time.
a. was able to come d. could come
b. had come e. would have come
c. should come

14. The world ___________ a nicer place if there ___________ no wars.

a. will become/were d. could be/had been
b. is/are e. may be/were
c. would be/were

15. She ___________ how important it was if they ___________ her to study regularly.
a. realized/told d. might have realized/ had urged
b. will realize/warned e. may realize/forced
c. could realize/would have said to

EXERCISE 3: Choose the best option.

1. My cousin ___________ in hospital now with his both legs in plaster if he ___________ that fast on
the way home after the party last Friday night.
a. wouldn’t have been/weren’t driving c. wouldn’t be/hadn’t been driving
b. wouldn’t be/hasn’t driven d. wouldn’t have been/had driven

2. If only we ___________ more money, we could afford to rent a bigger apartment.

a. had had c. had
b. have d. have had

3. I wish I ___________ her last year, for my life has been like hell since then.
a. didn’t meet c. had met
b. haven’t met d. hadn’t met

4. Hey, look at that tall man in the black suit! If only I _________ his name!
a. knew c. had known
b. know d. would know

5. I regret to tell you that we haven’t been able to finish the bridge; but it’s not our fault. We
_________ the construction by now if the last party of the necessary equipment __________ to the
construction site last month.
a. would finish/was sent b. would have finished/were sent

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 c. would have finished/had sent d. would have finished/had been sent

6. I _________ more fluent Spanish now if I ______________ the chance to spend a bit more time in
Madrid last summer.
a. might have spoken/had had c. could be speaking/had had
b. might be speaking/had d. would have spoken/had

7. If the current unemployment rate _________ ascending, I’m afraid we __________ to make even
more radical changes.
a. kept/will have c. keeps/will have
b. keeps/would have d. has kept/would have

8. My cousin always speaks of what he _________ if he ___________ the lottery at Christmas.

a. had done/won c. would do/had won
b. has done/would win d. would do/ won

9. What?! You turned down the offer made by that giant recording company?! You must be crazy! I
_________ it if they brought such an offer to me!
a. would accept c. will accept
b. had accepted d. will have accepted

10. Thank God, my sister helped me with the project last weekend. I __________ the project on time
unless she ____________!
a. could never deliver/helped c. wouldn’t have delivered/had helped
b. couldn’t have delivered/hadn’t helped d. would have delivered/had helped

11. I’m sorry I haven’t called you for a long time, but I’d have sent you a message at least if I
____________ your new telephone number.
a. knew c. have known
b. could know d. would know

12. If the boss had allowed us to choose our own teammates, I _____________ you and your brother
for the project last week.
a. would choose c. would have chosen
b. will have chosen d. had been choosing

13. I know you can speak Japanese, but what I am trying to say is that you ____________ far more
efficiently if you _____________ a bit more fluently now.
a. communicate/spoke c. could communicate/had spoken
b. could communicate/spoke d. communicated/could be speaking

14. The economic situation ____________ far more destructive now if the authorities ____________
the necessary precautions against this unexpected disaster.
a. would have been/had taken c. couldn’t have been/hadn’t taken
b. would be/had taken d. could be/hadn’t taken

15. I _____________ you again unless you want me to do so!

a. would have never called c. will never call
b. would never call d. couldn’t have called

RESTATEMENTS

CONDITIONALS

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1. She wishes that she had been polite to her boss this morning.
A. As usual, she wasn't very polite to the boss this morning.
B. Generally, she is polite to her boss, but this morning she was a bit rude.
C. The remarks her boss made to her this morning were unfair.
D. She was rude to her boss this morning, and now she regrets it.

2. She might not have been given the opportunity to record an album if she hadn’t already been
well known as an actress.
A. If she hadn’t been a famous singer, she would probably not have been given the chance to be a
successful actress.
B. If she hadn’t turned down the opportunity to become an actress, she couldn't have become famous
by recording an album.
C. One of the reasons she was given the chance to record an album is that she was already a famous
actress.
D. Until she recorded the album, she had been quite a well known actress.

3. Colleagues at work will often bully you if you are too passive.
A. It is best to be aggressive with him if you want to bully someone at work.
B. Not being assertive enough often means that you will get bullied by people at work.
C. You can't stop people bullying you no matter how polite you are to them.
D. If you were not so passive, your business partner probably wouldn't bully you so much.

4. At this precise moment, I wish I had never enrolled on this Celtic Myth course.
A. Right now, I regret my decision to take this Celtic Myth course.
B. Ever since I enrolled on this Celtic Myth course, I have been regretting it.
C. If only Celtic Myth didn't form part of this literature course.
D. If it had not been compulsory, I wouldn't have taken a Celtic Myth course.

5. When working on a computer, you should always take frequent breaks, or else you risk
straining your eyes.
A. If you work for a long period on a computer without taking a break, you will certainly damage your
eyes.
B. Many people suffer from eye strain because they don't take enough breaks when working on a
computer.
C. If you are suffering from eye strain as a result of working on a computer, try taking frequent breaks,
which may help.
D. Taking frequent breaks while working on a computer is good advice to avoid straining your eyes.

6. I'll give you the gardening contract on condition that you take all the leaves and branches
away.
A. If you agree to remove all the leaves and branches away, I'll give you the gardening contract.
B. You wouldn't get the gardening contract from me even if you agreed to remove all the leaves and
branches.
C. According to the gardening contract, you should have taken the leaves and branches away.
D. You won't be given any gardening contracts unless you agree to remove all the leaves and
branches.

7. If you had brought it to me this morning, I could have repaired it in time for the weekend, but
it's too late now.
A. This morning, I thought I could mend it before the weekend, but it looks doubtful now.
B. Unfortunately, I don't have time to mend this for you before the weekend, but you can drop it in any
morning next week.

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C. I would have been able to mend it in time for the weekend if I had been given it this morning, but
there isn't enough time now.
D. You should have brought it to me this morning for repair if you wanted it ready for the weekend,
but still, I will try my best.

8. I wouldn't have entered the golf championship if I hadn't believed I could win it.
A. I will enter the golf championship because I believe I have a chance of winning the event.
B. As I am quite good at golf, I decided to enter the golf championship.
C. Even if I didn't believe I could win the golf championship, I would have entered.
D. I was confident that I could win, so I entered the golf championship.

9. We had better stop doing business with him if he doesn't start behaving professionally.
A. He is so unprofessional that I don't understand why we still deal with him.
B. Unless his unprofessional behaviour stops, I advise we cease trading with him.
C. We won't deal with him because his behaviour is so unprofessional.
D. If he hadn't stopped being so unprofessional, we would have stopped dealing with him.

10. They were determined to go skiing the next day even if conditions were hazardous.
A. They really shouldn't have gone skiing the next day because the conditions had become very
dangerous.
B. Although the conditions were extremely dangerous, they ignored the advice and went skiing
anyway.
C. If they had known the conditions were going to be dangerous, they wouldn't have planned to go
skiing the next day.
D. Whether the conditions were to be very dangerous or not, they had made up their minds to go
skiing the next day.

11. My father took a photograph of the damage caused to his car in case there was a dispute
about the accident later.
A. It was lucky that my father had taken a photograph of the damage as there was a dispute about the
accident.
B. For fear that there might be a dispute about the accident at a later date, my father took a photo of
the damage to his car.
C. My father should have taken a photograph of the damage at the time of the accident, which would
have prevented this dispute.
D. When a dispute arose about the damage to his car because of the accident, my father showed the
photo he'd taken at the time.

12. I don't agree with testing products on animals unless it is required to aid medical research.
A. Animal testing should not be used if it causes animals suffering.
B. Medical science has been improved largely as a result of testing new products on animals before
they are used on humans.
C. The only time I think testing products on animals is justified is when it is necessary for medical
science.
D. Animal testing should only be carried out under strict medical supervision.

13. When picking up heavy loads, you should always bend your knees, or else you risk straining
your back.
A. You wouldn't have strained your back if you hadn't picked up that heavy object with your legs
straight.
B. Bending your knees when lifting heavy objects is good advice to avoid straining your back.
C. Lots of people strain their backs because they don't bend their knees before lifting heavy things.

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D. If you have to lift heavy loads very often, try keeping your knees bent as it might protect your back.

14. You can borrow my computer with pleasure, but on condition that you don't let anybody else
use it.
A. So long as you take good care of it, you can borrow my computer any time you like.
B. If you promise not to allow anyone else to work on my computer, it will be my pleasure to lend it to
you.
C. Of course you can borrow my computer, but you know, I wouldn't allow anyone else to use it.
D. On condition that you don't damage any of my files on it, I will allow you to work on my computer
with pleasure.

15. Initially, the school was refused a license because the fire escapes were inadequate.
A. If the fire escapes had met the required standard, the school wouldn't have been refused a license
initially.
B. The school should have prepared the fire escapes up to the required standard before applying for a
license.
C. The school should bring the fire escapes up to the required standard; otherwise, their application for
a license will be refused immediately.
D. Even if the fire escapes had met the required standard, the school would have been refused a license
initially.

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