If presents a lesson on zero conditional sentences which are used to describe things that are generally or always true. The zero conditional has an if-clause in the present tense and a result clause in the present simple or imperative. Examples are provided of zero conditional sentences as well as exercises for students to practice forming their own zero conditional sentences.

1. Instituto O’Higgins
English Department
Rancagua
Zero conditional
When we talk about things that are generally or always true, we can use:
If/When/Unless plus a present form PLUS present simple or imperative
If he gets there before me, ask him to wait.
When you fly budget airline, you have to pay for your drinks and
snacks.
Unless you need more space, a small car is big enough for one
person.
Note that we are not talking about a specific event but something which is
generally true.
In the condition clause, we can use a variety of present forms. In the result
clause, there can only be the present simple or imperative.
If you visit London, go on the London Eye.
If unemployment is rising, people tend to stay in their present jobs.
If you've done that, go and have a coffee.
When you go on holiday, take plenty of sun cream. It'll be very hot.
When I'm concentrating, please don't make so much noise.
When I've finished an article, I always ask Kate to read it through.
Notice that 'unless' means the same as 'if not'.
Unless he asks you politely, refuse to do any more work on the
project.
Unless prices are rising, it's not a good investment.
Unless you've been there yourself, you don't really understand
how fantastic it is.

2. I.- Make zero conditionals:
1. (I / wake up late / I / be late for work)
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2. (my husband / cook / he / burn the food)
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3. (Julie / not wear a hat / she / get sunstroke)
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4. (children / not eat well / they / not be healthy)
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5. (you / mix water and electricity / you / get a shock)
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6. (people / eat / too many sweets / they / get fat)
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7. (you / smoke / you / get yellow fingers)
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8. (children / play outside / they / not get overweight)
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9. (you / heat ice / it / melt)
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10. (I / speak to John / he / get annoyed)
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II.- Make zero conditionals:
1. (I / feel good the next day / I / go to bed early)
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2. (lots of people / come / Jenny / have a party)
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3. (she / buy expensive clothes / she / go shopping)
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4. (my daughter / pass her exams / she / work hard)
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5. (David / be sick / he / drink milk)
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6. (the river / freeze / it / be very cold)
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7. (I / like to visit the museums / I / be in a new city)
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8. (I / cycle to work / the weather / be fine)
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9. (my flatmate / clean it really well / she / clean the house)
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10. (everybody / be grumpy / it / rain a lot)
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3. III.- Complete the zero conditional sentences with the verb in brackets.
Use contractions where possible.
1. If you press that button, the light..............................(come) on.
2. It's easier to sleep if.............................. (you / not / be) stressed.
3. The teacher gets angry if.............................. (we / not / work) hard.
4. If.............................. (I / go) on a boat, I always feel sick.
5. His mother gets annoyed if.............................. (he / be) late.
6. If.............................. (I / not / know) a word, I look in my dictionary.
7. They play football if.............................. (they / not / have) any homework.
8. If you freeze water, .............................. (it / turn) to ice.
1. If you ............(heat) water to 100 degrees Celsius, it....... (boil).
2. If you .........(heat) the ice it ...........(melt).
3. You ........(bleed) if you ........(cut) your finger.
4. If you ...........(drop) a vase it ........(break).
5. You ............(drown) if you ............(jump) from a bridge to the river.
6. If you .............(want) to leave a message, .............(speak) after the tone.
7. If you ...........(give) a dog a bone, it ...........(bury) it.
8. The dog ...............(bite) you if you ..............(pull) its tail.
9. People............. (not/die) if they eat and drink
10.Phosphorus ..........(burn) if you ..........(expose) it to air.
V.- Choose the correct alternative.
1.If he ............. too much alcohol, he ....... a headache.
a. drinks/will get b. will drink/gets c. drinks/gets
2.If you ........ fire to petrol, it .........
a. sets/burns b. set/burns c. will set/burns
3. If you ........... too much you get fat.
a. eat b. will eat c. eats
4. If you .......... English regularly you speak fluently.
a. will practice b. practice c. is practicing
5. The tea ............ sweet if you add sugar.
a. be b. will be c. is
6. If she .........red and white, she ............ pink.
a. mixes/gets b. will mix/gets c. mix/get

4. 7. You ........... if you stay too long on the beach.
a. sunburn b. sunburned c. will sunburn
8. Unless you ........... an umbrella when it is raining you get wet.
a. uses b. will not use c. use
9. If you ............ to Italy by plain it ............ faster than by car.
a. goes/is b. go/is c. goes/be
10. If he ................ ice-cream on the sun it melts.
a. leaves b. leaving c. leave