Grammar Assignment (Conditional Sentences)

1.If he (not absorb) in his own thoughts, he (may take) notice of her remark.

2.If he (not show) such a blatant disregard for company regulations by smoking while on duty, he (not sack) from the job.

3.You smoke like a chimney !!! I wish I (can bring) it home to you that smoking has a detrimental effect on your health.

4.The honeymoon for the government is over, so it’s high time they (start) to tackle the country’s many problems. But for the government’s lackadaisical attitude, we (can cushion) the blow of redundancies and (stem) the tide of mass youth unemployment long ago!

5.But for the interference of the journalists, the corruption scandal (can avoid).

6.But for the appalling weather last weekend, we (can stay) in the mountains for another couple of days.

7.a)It is obvious that he is having second thoughts about the offer. If he (turn down) such a generous offer, everyone (be) absolutely flabbergasted. b)On second thought, I accepted the offer. If I (turn) it down, everyone (be) absolutely flabbergasted at my decision!

8.If the government (take) the necessary precautions in time, the death toll (not reach) such a staggering figure.

9.If she (get) wind of the situation, she definitely (be) devastated.

10.If the home team (not squander) a number of chances in the first half, they (stand) a good chance of qualifying for Euro 2016.

11.If I (speak) German, I (stand) a much better chance of getting a job.

12.If you (interview) the Prime Minister, what would you ask?

13.If I (realize) the danger that we were exposed to, I (not embark) on that precarious journey.

14.You didn’t get the job? Tough luck again! But, dear, if you (not dress) in such a bizarre fashion, you (may produce) a better impression at the interview.

15.To stay afloat, the company had to operate on a shoestring budget, which proved to have most devastating consequences. If they (not to cut) so many corners when building the bridge, it probably (collapse).

16.His attitudes strike me as verging on blatant misogyny. If he (be) shrewd enough, he (employ) the best candidates, regardless of gender.

17.The applicants complained about being judged by the apparently arbitrary standards, with the employer heavily biased in favour of male candidates. If they (start) off with a level playing field, everyone (have) an equal chance.

Essential Vocabulary Finding Your Way to Knowledge (Upstream Proficiency, Units 1,2)

many-faceted; to spoon-feed; spoon-feeding; to absorb; to be absorbed in the subject; to be grade-conscious; to plummet; to sore; to edge up/down; savvy (=shrewd, perceptive), savvier, the savviest; savvy customers; to be politically-savvy, to be techno-savvy, to be reasonably techno-savvy, media-savvy; to be well-versed in; the core; the bottom line; rotten to the core; core subjects; the core curriculum / subject / skills; the core values / beliefs; a steep learning curve; absenteeism; truancy; to play truant; to be conspicuously absent from; to cite mitigating circumstances; to re-sit an exam; to take a mock exam; to be expelled from school; to drop out of school; to pass with flying colours; to meet the entry requirements; to be entitled to; to be eligible for; intrinsically flawed; arbitrary; to be light years ahead / better than; to face a bumpy ride; to be in for a bumpy ride; to anticipate a bumpy ride; to smooth a bumpy ride; visually / hearing / mentally / physically impaired; visually / mentally / physically challenged; autism; autistic;