Solving Real Problems with Conditional Sentences.

Conditional sentences help you talk about results and decisions. In this mid-course checkpoint lesson, you use them to solve realistic problems. You read and listen to short scenarios at work, university and in everyday life, where people discuss what happens if something goes wrong and what they will or would do. You notice patterns for zero, first and second conditionals, and how they combine with modals to express consequences and suggestions. You then complete guided tasks transforming basic sentences into natural conditional ones. In small problem-solving tasks, you decide on the best solution and explain it using if-clauses. You also review key grammar from earlier lessons, recycling tenses and modals inside your conditional sentences. Finally, you create a short written or spoken advice piece for someone facing a difficult decision. This lesson strengthens your control of complex structures while integrating and reviewing language learned so far.

1. Setting the scene and zero conditionals.

In this lesson, you are working as a project assistant at a small events company called BrightWave Events. Your team is organising a one day conference for international clients, and it is only two weeks away. As you can imagine, a lot of things can go wrong. In this first part, we are going to look at how you talk about general rules and typical results when problems happen. This is where zero conditionals are really helpful. When we talk about things that are always true, or that usually happen in the same way, we often use sentences with if plus a present tense, followed by another present tense. For example, if registration is slow, people get annoyed. In a moment, you will read a short note from your manager about common problems at events. Your job is to notice the if sentences in the text and see how the pattern works. Then you will write one extra sentence about your own experience using the same structure. Focus on the meaning first, then look at the grammar. By the end of this block, you should feel comfortable recognising and building simple zero conditional sentences in a work style context.

Your role and today’s scenario.

Imagine you work at BrightWave Events, a small company that organises conferences. You are helping to prepare an important client event in two weeks. Your manager, Anna, has sent you a short note about typical problems and what usually happens.

When Anna talks about things that are usually true, she uses zero conditionals. These describe rules, habits or things that always or usually happen in the same way.

• Form: If + present simple, present simple
• Meaning: general truth, typical result

For example, outside work you might say:

• If I drink coffee late at night, I cannot sleep.
• If it rains, people stay at home.

In both sentences, we are not talking about one specific day. We are talking about what normally happens.

Now read Anna’s note about events.

Anna’s note: Typical event problems.

> At BrightWave, we try to predict what usually goes wrong. If the registration desk is slow, people get frustrated. If we do not give clear signs, guests get lost. If the sound system fails, everyone looks at us. If there is no vegetarian option, some participants complain. If the coffee is bad, people talk about it all day.

>

> On the other hand, if everything is ready on time, the day starts calmly. If our team smiles, guests relax quickly. If we answer questions clearly, people trust us.

Noticing the pattern.

Look at a few sentences from Anna’s note:

• If the registration desk is slow, people get frustrated.
• If we do not give clear signs, guests get lost.

You can see the pattern:

• If + present simple, present simple
• If the registration desk is slow, people get frustrated.

We can also move the if clause:

• People get frustrated if the registration desk is slow.

The comma disappears when if is in the middle.

Why this matters for problem solving.

Zero conditionals help you describe patterns. Before you make a decision, it is useful to say what normally happens:

• If we start late, the whole schedule moves.
• If we hurry, we can still prepare everything.

In later blocks, you will move from general rules to future results and then to imaginary solutions. For now, focus on spotting and building clear zero conditional sentences.

Practice & Feedback

Read Anna’s note again carefully. First, copy two full zero conditional sentences from her note. Try to choose sentences that feel most important for a successful event. Then, write one new zero conditional sentence about events or about your own life. For example, you might think about exams, travel, or your job. Follow this pattern: If + present simple, present simple. Use ideas from the note or your own experience, but do not change the structure. Write your three sentences clearly, each on a new line, so I can see which ones you chose and which one you created.

2. Talking about likely problems with first conditionals.

You have seen how Anna describes general patterns using zero conditionals. Now the situation becomes more concrete. Tomorrow morning, there is a planning meeting for the conference. You and Anna want to talk about specific possible problems on the day of the event and decide what you will do if they actually happen. This is when first conditionals are very useful. We use a first conditional to talk about a real, possible future situation and its likely result. The structure is often if plus present simple, and then will, or sometimes can or might, plus a base verb. For example, if the caterers are late, we will give people snack bags. In this block, you will listen to a short conversation between you and Anna. She is going through a list of possible problems and deciding how you will respond. Your task will be to show you understand the plan by answering a few questions in full first conditional sentences. As you listen, try to notice how Anna mixes conditionals with modal verbs such as will, can and might to talk about consequences and options.

From general rules to specific future problems.

In the first block, Anna talked about what usually happens at events using zero conditionals. Now you are looking at one specific conference and what might happen on that day.

For this, English normally uses the first conditional.

• Form: If + present simple, will/can/might + base verb
• Meaning: a real, possible future situation and its likely result

For example, Anna might say:

• If the caterers are late, we will give people snack bags.
• If the train strike continues, some speakers might arrive late.
• If we hurry, we can still print the programmes.

In these sentences, we are not describing a rule. We are talking about tomorrow or next week, and we believe the situation is really possible.

You will now listen to Anna and you in a planning conversation. You are going through a checklist of potential problems and decisions.

Key phrases to listen for.

As you listen, pay attention to these chunks from the lesson bank:

• If this happens, we usually...
• If you do that, you will...
• If we hurry, we can still...
• If everything goes well,...

You will hear Anna using similar ideas with will, can and might.

Your listening task.

After the audio, you will answer three questions about the conversation:

1. What will Anna do if the caterers are late?
2. What will the team do if the sound system does not work?
3. What can the team do if guests arrive very early?

You will answer using full first conditional sentences. For example:

• If the caterers are late, we will ...

This will help you connect meaning and form. Focus on understanding the scenario first, then build your sentences carefully.

Practice & Feedback

Listen to the conversation between you and Anna. Then answer the three questions below in full sentences, using a clear first conditional pattern. Start each answer with an if clause, for example: If the caterers are late, we will…. Try to use will, can or might, depending on what you hear in the audio. Do not just write single words. I want to see three complete first conditional sentences that show you understood the plan for the event. If you are not sure of every detail, make your best guess based on what you remember, but keep the structure correct.

3. Imagining different options with second conditionals.

You now have a clear picture of zero conditionals for general rules, and first conditionals for real future possibilities. But what happens when the real options all look bad, or when you start dreaming about ideal but unrealistic solutions? This is where the second conditional is powerful. In our event story, the client suddenly cuts the budget. You and your colleague Jamal are frustrated, and you start imagining different options. Some of your ideas are possible but difficult, and some are not realistic at all. You might say things like, if we had more money, we could invite a famous speaker, or if I were you, I would reduce the catering. Notice how these sentences sound more hypothetical, less certain. In this block, you will read a short chat between you and Jamal. He uses second conditional sentences to suggest ideas and give advice. Your job is to notice the form and then transform some simple advice sentences into more natural second conditional ones. This will help you talk about imaginary solutions and polite suggestions when you are solving problems.

When real options are not enough.

Sometimes in problem solving you want to talk about imaginary or less realistic options. For example, you know your budget will not increase, but you still want to imagine what you would do in an ideal world. Or you want to give advice about a difficult situation.

For this, English uses the second conditional.

• Form: If + past simple, would/could + base verb
• Meaning: unreal, hypothetical or very unlikely present/future situation, often used for advice

Examples from our event:

• If we had more time, we could prepare a better welcome pack.
• If we had more money, we would book a live band.
• If I were you, I would reduce the catering budget.

Chat with Jamal.

Read this short internal chat between you and your colleague Jamal after you hear about the budget cut.

> You: The client has cut the budget again. This is a nightmare.

>

> Jamal: Yes, it is tough. If we had more money, we could invite a really famous speaker.

>

> You: True. Right now we cannot.

>

> Jamal: If we moved the event online, we would save a lot of money on the venue.

>

> You: But the client really wants an in person event.

>

> Jamal: If I were you, I would cut some of the decorations. People care more about good content.

>

> You: Good point. We might do that.

Noticing the second conditional pattern.

Look at Jamal’s sentences:

• If we had more money, we could invite a really famous speaker.
• If we moved the event online, we would save a lot of money on the venue.
• If I were you, I would cut some of the decorations.

All of them use:

• If + past simple: had, moved, were
• would/could + base verb: would save, could invite, would cut

They are not about what will really happen. They are about imagined possibilities or advice.

Useful chunks:

• If we had more time, we could...
• If we had more money, we would...
• If I were you, I would...
• The best thing to do would be to...

You will now practise turning simple advice sentences into natural second conditional ones.

Practice & Feedback

Look at these three simple advice sentences about the event budget:

1. Move the event online. You will save money.
2. Cut the decorations. You will reduce costs.
3. Ask the client for more money. This will help.

Rewrite each one as one second conditional sentence. Imagine you are Jamal giving careful advice. Use patterns like If we moved the event online, we would... or If I were you, I would.... Try to use would or could in each sentence, and keep the meaning similar to the original idea. Write three new sentences, each on a new line, in a natural, polite style.

4. Choosing solutions with conditionals and modals.

You have now worked with zero, first and second conditionals separately. In real problem solving, we often mix them with modal verbs such as can, could, might and should to discuss options and make decisions. Back in our event story, your team has a short emergency meeting. The budget is smaller, the client is nervous, and there is a risk that the sound system will fail. You need to talk through different possibilities, from realistic plans to more imaginative ideas, and decide what to recommend. In this block, you will look at example sentences that combine conditionals with modals to express consequences, advice and suggestions. Then you will use them to write your own sentences about the conference, choosing between first and second conditionals depending on how realistic each option is. Think about what is likely, what is just possible, and what is more hypothetical, and let that choice guide your grammar.

Mixing conditionals and modal verbs.

In meetings, people rarely use conditionals alone. They usually add modal verbs like can, could, might and should to show possibility, ability, or advice.

Look at these examples from your emergency planning meeting at BrightWave Events:

• If we cut the decorations, we can stay within the new budget.
• If we cut the decorations, we might disappoint the client.
• If I were you, I would explain the situation honestly.
• If the situation gets worse, we should warn the client early.
• If we had more staff, we could manage two rooms at the same time.

Notice how different combinations change the meaning:

• can = ability or possibility
• might = a smaller possibility
• should = advice or recommendation
• would / could in second conditionals = unreal or hypothetical results

Choosing the right conditional.

Think about these two sentences:

• If we start the event earlier, we can finish before the train strike.
• If we started the event earlier, we could finish before the train strike.

The first feels more like a real plan (first conditional). The second feels more like an idea to consider, maybe not fully realistic yet (second conditional).

Useful chunks from the lesson bank:

• If we do not act now, ...
• If we had more time, we could ...
• In that case, we should ...
• The best thing to do would be to ...

The situation now.

Here are three concrete problems for your conference:

1. The budget is smaller than before.
2. There is a possible train strike on the event day.
3. The main speaker is very busy and might cancel.

You will write sentences suggesting solutions or predicting results using if-clauses plus modals. Decide whether each problem feels more real (use a first conditional) or more hypothetical (use a second conditional), and choose modals such as will, can, might, could or should to express your idea clearly.

Practice & Feedback

Write four or five conditional sentences about the three problems listed on the screen: the smaller budget, the possible train strike, and the busy main speaker. For each sentence, start with an if clause and include at least one modal verb such as will, can, might, could, should or would. Try to mix first and second conditionals. For example, you might use a first conditional for a realistic plan (If the budget is smaller, we will...) and a second conditional for a more imaginary solution (If we had more money, we could...). Focus on clear, natural ideas that fit the conference situation.

5. Chatting with your manager about a new problem.

You have practised individual sentences with conditionals, but in real life you often use them in fast messages and chats. Let us move back into the story. It is the evening before the conference. You are at home when you receive a message from Anna. There is another possible problem. The main speaker’s train might be cancelled because of the strike, and the client is worried. Anna sends you a quick chat message to ask for ideas. In this block, you will see the beginning of that chat. Your task is to continue the conversation in writing. You will write short, natural messages, using conditionals to explain consequences and suggest solutions. Imagine you are really messaging your manager: you want to sound professional but human, not like a textbook. This is also your chat style simulation for the lesson, so try to react to Anna’s worries, show empathy, and offer realistic options using if-clauses and modals.

Conditionals in quick messages.

In chats and messaging apps, we still use conditionals, but the style is often shorter and more informal. We may still write full sentences, or sometimes we leave out parts when the context is clear.

You are now on your work chat app. Anna has just messaged you.

> Anna: Hi, sorry to bother you in the evening. We might have a serious problem.

>

> Anna: There is news about the train strike again. Our main speaker is travelling by train tomorrow.

>

> Anna: If her train is cancelled, we will have a big gap in the programme. Any ideas?

You have a good relationship with Anna, so your tone can be friendly but professional. Conditionals will help you talk about possible consequences and suggest plans.

Useful chunks:

• If the situation gets worse, we should...
• If this happens, we usually...
• If we hurry, we can still...
• If I were you, I would...
• The best thing to do would be to...

Writing like a real chat.

In a chat, you do not need long paragraphs. You can send several short messages instead, for example:

> You: Oh no, that is stressful.

>

> You: If her train is cancelled, we could move her talk online.

>

> You: If we contact her now, she might be able to travel earlier.

Notice that these messages:

• react to Anna’s feelings,
• use conditionals to describe consequences and options, and
• stay polite and practical.

In the activity, you will write your own short messages continuing this chat.

Practice & Feedback

Imagine you are really replying to Anna in the chat above. Write three short chat messages as yourself. Separate them with line breaks or numbers (1, 2.

3). In your messages, first react to the situation (show you understand it is stressful), then suggest at least two concrete ideas using if-clauses and modals. For example, you might write something like If her train is cancelled, we could... or If we contact her tonight, she might.... Keep the tone friendly but professional, as you would with a manager you know well. Do not write one long email style text; keep it in a chat style.

6. Writing advice using different conditionals.

You have followed the whole story of the BrightWave conference, from general event rules to specific problems and last minute crises. You have met zero conditionals for general patterns, first conditionals for real future possibilities, and second conditionals for more hypothetical ideas and advice. You have also mixed them with modal verbs to give suggestions and discuss consequences. In this final block, you will create a short piece of practical advice for a new intern who will join the events team next month. Imagine they are nervous and want to know what to do if something goes wrong. Your job is to write a clear, friendly paragraph using a mix of conditional structures to guide them. You will see a short model and a simple checklist. Then you will write your own text, aiming for about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty words. Focus on giving useful, realistic advice first, and then think about where conditionals can make your ideas more precise and professional.

Bringing it all together.

You are now going to write a short advice text for a new intern at BrightWave Events. This is your chance to integrate all the conditional work from this lesson.

Here is a model paragraph:

> At events, things always go wrong sometimes. If you stay calm, people usually stay calm too. If something small goes wrong, do not panic. If the problem is serious, you should tell your manager quickly. If a guest is angry, listen carefully and try to understand. If you cannot solve the problem alone, you can ask a colleague for help. If you prepare a plan B for important moments, you will feel more confident. If I were you, I would write a list of emergency phone numbers before the event. If the situation gets worse, you should contact the client and explain honestly.

Noticing the mix of structures.

In the model you can see:

• Zero conditional for general truths: If you stay calm, people usually stay calm too.
• First conditional for likely results: If you prepare a plan B, you will feel more confident.
• Second conditional for advice: If I were you, I would write a list...

Modal verbs make the advice sound more precise and polite: should, can, will, would.

Mini checklist for your writing.

Before you write, plan your ideas:

• Who are you writing to? A new intern who is a bit nervous.
• What is your aim? To explain what to do if things go wrong at an event.
• Which grammar do you want to show? At least three conditional sentences (ideally different types) and some modal verbs.

Keep your tone friendly, supportive and professional. Imagine the intern will really read and use your advice.

Practice & Feedback

Write a short advice text for a new intern at BrightWave Events. Aim for 120–150 words. Explain what usually happens if there are problems, what they should do if something goes wrong on the day, and one or two pieces of advice using second conditionals, for example If I were you, I would… or The best thing to do would be to…. Try to include at least one zero conditional, one first conditional and one second conditional, and use modal verbs such as will, can, might, should, would or could. Write in a friendly, clear style, as if the intern will read this before their first big event.