Learn about Canada’s geography and Indigenous peoples while practising first and second conditional sentences.
Read the text carefully and answer the questions below.
Canada is the second-largest country in the world by area, stretching nearly 10 million square kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. To the north lies the Arctic Ocean, making Canada the only country that borders three oceans. Despite its enormous size, Canada has a relatively small population of around 40 million people. Most Canadians live within 200 kilometres of the border with the United States, where the climate is milder.
The country’s geography is incredibly varied. The Rocky Mountains run through western Canada, with peaks reaching over 3,900 metres. The central provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta contain vast prairies — flat grasslands that are ideal for farming wheat and canola. In the east, the Great Lakes form part of the border with the United States and hold about 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water.
Canada’s climate can be extreme. Winter temperatures in the northern territories regularly drop below minus 30 degrees Celsius, and some communities are so remote that they can only be reached by plane or by ice roads that form in winter. Summers in southern Canada, however, can be warm and humid, with temperatures above 30 degrees.
Indigenous peoples have lived in what is now Canada for thousands of years. There are three main groups: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. The Inuit traditionally live in the Arctic north and have developed remarkable skills for surviving in one of the harshest environments on Earth. First Nations peoples are found across the country and have diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. Today, there are over 70 distinct Indigenous languages still spoken in Canada, though many are in danger of disappearing.
Canada is officially bilingual, with both English and French as national languages. The province of Quebec is predominantly French-speaking, while the rest of the country mainly speaks English. This bilingual tradition goes back to the 18th century, when both Britain and France had colonies in what is now Canada.
Choose the correct verb form to complete each conditional sentence about Canada.
Type 1 (First Conditional) — real/possible situations in the future:
If + present simple, … will + infinitive
If you visit Canada in winter, you will need warm clothes.
Type 2 (Second Conditional) — unreal/imaginary situations:
If + past simple, … would + infinitive
If I lived in Canada, I would learn to ski.
Decide whether each sentence is Type 1 (real/possible) or Type 2 (imaginary), then choose the correct verb form.
1. If the temperature 1 below minus 20, the schools will close. (Type 1)
2. If I 2 in Quebec, I would speak French every day. (Type 2)
3. The ice road will melt if the weather 3 warmer in spring. (Type 1)
4. If we 4 Indigenous languages, many of them will disappear. (Type 1)
5. If Canada 5 a smaller country, it would be easier to travel across. (Type 2)
6. More tourists will visit the Rocky Mountains if the government 6 better roads. (Type 1)
7. If you 7 visit any Canadian city, which one would you choose? (Type 2)
8. If more young people 8 Inuktitut, the language would have a stronger future. (Type 2)
Complete each conditional sentence using the words in brackets. Use the correct conditional type.
Write your own conditional sentences about Canada. Use what you learned from the reading text.
Write two sentences about real or possible situations connected to Canada. Use: If + present simple, … will + infinitive
Write two sentences about imaginary situations. Use: If + past simple, … would + infinitive
Would you like to live in Canada? Write a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) explaining why or why not. Try to use at least one conditional sentence in your answer.
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