By the end of this exercise, you can talk about inventions and their effects using if-sentences (type 1 and 2).
Free Year 8 English practice: American inventions and surprising statistics, plus conditionals type 1 and 2 (if-clauses), B1 level.
Read the text and fill in each gap with the correct word.
The United States is often called a nation of inventors, and the numbers seem to 1 it. If you look at the patent statistics, you will find that Americans register more than 300,000 2 every year. Some of the world's most important inventions come from the USA: the 3, the telephone and the aeroplane.
Many inventions were born in simple 4. Thomas Edison's laboratory in Menlo Park 5 over 200 people. If an idea worked, Edison's team turned it into a 6 that factories could produce by the thousand.
Today, Silicon Valley continues this tradition. If a young programmer has a good idea, 7 will often give them millions of dollars. Experts say that if schools encourage 8, the next generation will invent things we cannot even imagine yet.
Choose the correct form. These if-sentences talk about real possibilities: if + present simple, will + verb in the main clause.
1. If you the museum in Menlo Park, you will see Edison's laboratory.
2. If more girls study science, there more female inventors.
3. You will learn a lot about electricity if you this experiment.
4. If a product is really useful, people it.
5. If the battery lasts longer, electric cars more popular.
6. The teacher will be happy if you your project on time.
7. If you are in the laboratory, you touch the machines without permission.
8. If you want to patent an invention, you that it is new.
Choose the correct form. These if-sentences talk about unreal or imaginary situations: if + past simple, would + verb in the main clause.
1. If I an inventor, I would build a robot that does homework.
2. If Thomas Edison lived today, he amazed by smartphones.
3. What would you invent if you enough money?
4. If there were no aeroplanes, travelling much longer.
5. If we telephones, communication would be much harder.
6. I would visit Silicon Valley if I to California.
7. If the internet disappeared tomorrow, the world working.
8. Would you buy a flying car if it real?
Your American partner school is making a wall newspaper called "The World Without …". Write 6–8 sentences for it: choose ONE invention and describe what life would be like without it. Finish with one thing you will invent if you get the chance. Use at least three if-sentences.
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