6) Say it again

Re-express the following sentences from the Listening text, using the framework given.

1 The traditional life of the local fishermen is soon going to be a thing of the past.

The local fishermen are ………………………………………… of life.

2 The local people have come up with an answer.

The problem ………………………………………… the local people.

3 When the salmon are ready to reproduce they come to the river mouth.

The salmon ………………………………………… about to reproduce.

4 The decline of the world’s fisheries is not inevitable.

It is possible for us ………………………………………… declining.

Language Focus: Grammar

Conditionals (2)

1) Hypothetical conditions

These may refer to the past, present or future. The hypothetical result does not always relate to the same time period as the condition.

1 Read the examples below and underline the verb forms. Think about what time period – past, present or future – each refers to.

1. If government fishing quotas had been observed, fish stocks would not have collapsed.

2. If humans had to ay for the services they received free from nature, the bill would be $2.9 billion annually. (text, p. 99)

3. If efforts hadn’t been made to protect wild salmon stocks at Bristol Bay, Alaska, the salmon industry would no longer exist today.

4. If mankind were less shortsighted, we would not have done so much damage to the environment.

5. More species might have become extinct if environmental groups were not so active.

2 Which sentences have:

1. an if-clause referring to the present, and a result in the present?

2. An if-clause referring to the past, and a result in the past?

3. An if-clause referring to universal time (past/present/future), and a result in the past? (two examples)

4. An if-clause referring to the past, and a result in the present?

Grammar reference p. 219

2)

1 Think of as many present results as you can for each of the following hypothetical past conditions.

1 If the sea had not been over-fished, …

… stocks would still be abundant.

… species which feed on fish would not be threatened.

2 If the car had not been invented, ………………………………………

3 If I’d been born ten years earlier, ………………………………………

4 If it hadn’t been for my parents, I ………………………………………

2 Think of as many past results as you can for each of the following hypothetical conditions.

1 If species such as the panda or elephant were less appealing, …

… less effort would have been put into saving them.

…they might have become extinct by now.

2 If people had a greater awareness of environmental problems, we wouldn’t have ………………………………………

3 If I were Prime Minister/President of my country, I would have ………………………………………

4 If I were rich, ………………………………………

3) Open conditions

These describe events that are a real possibility. Various verb forms are possible, and time references can be mixed, as with hypothetical conditions.

1 Underline the verb forms in each clause in the following sentences and complete the notes.

1 If something the size of a barn door could slip away without being missed, the fate of little-known species is likely to be worse. (could + future)

2 If you stand on the tip of Cape Bonavista, Newfoundland today, you can look out on the remnants of the richest fishery on Earth. (present + …………)

3 If the world’s waters are pure for humans to drink but contain no fish, then we haven’t really solved our environmental problems. (………… + …………)

4 If we are to avoid the catastrophic effects of global warming, we must take action now. (………… + …………)

5 In the past, if men didn’t find animals to kill, they went hungry. (………… + …………)

6 If it will help, I will join an environmental group. (………… + …………)

2 Which of the completions a)-c) are grammatically possible? Tick all the possible options.

1 If people continue to hunt tigers,

a) they will have become extinct in ten years.

b) our children may never see one.

c) they must have died out by now.

2 If prehistoric tribes chose to settle in villages,

a) they would have been able to grow crops.

b) they couldn’t survive by hunting alone.

c) they needed to domesticate animals.

3 If he went to the meeting yesterday,

a) we’ll hear all about it tomorrow.

b) he had heard the news.

c) he’s probably still considering what to do.

4 If you’ll bring some food to the party,

a) I can do the rest.

b) you’ll have done your share.

c) I’ll bring something to drink.

5 If you’re going to make a fuss,

a) we won’t do it.

b) we’ve done something about it.

c) we’d better not do it.