way2go! 7. Coursebook, Schulbuch

108 Unit 07 | You be the judge Mixed conditionals (or: talking about imaginary past and present situations) We often imagine what would have happened or what our lives would be like now if something had happened differently in the past. Read the information and do the task below. LANGUAGE 15 a M p. 45 Imaginary past situation … … influences the past. If Bonnie and Clyde had not lived such colourful lives, they would not have become legends. Imaginary past situation … … influences the present. If Bonnie and Clyde had not become legends, there would not still be a special Bonnie and Clyde Festival every year. See Grammar revisited, Mixed conditionals , p. 176. Look at the verbs in bold in the text below. Do they refer to the past or the present? The first Star Wars film, which introduced Darth Vader as the main villain, was very successful. If the first Star Wars film had not been so successful, the director would not have gone on to make several more Star Wars films, and there would not be a whole fictional Star Wars universe today. Consider the points below and make notes, then share your regrets with your partner. 18 Using the information above, write similar texts about these two situations: 1 Mahatma Gandhi went on the Salt March in 1930 to protest against British rule in India. He became world-famous for non-violent resistance and inspired Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Gandhi’s story still gives hope to oppressed people today. If Mahatma Gandhi had not gone on the Salt March … 2 Robin Hood was famous for stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. He inspired many legends. Today, his story is one of the best-known English folk tales, and he still appears in many books and films. If Robin Hood hadn’t been so famous … Regrets and wishes You can use I wish and If only to complain about things you are unhappy with in the present or things you regret about the past. Are the following sentences about the present or the past? 1 I wish/If only there hadn’t been a burglary. present / past 2 I wish/If only I had insurance. present / past You have just returned from a holiday abroad, and your house has been broken into. Tell your partner how unhappy you are about the situation using I wish and If only. Example: My home is a crime scene now. If only my home wasn’t a crime scene! b LANGUAGE 16 M p. 45 17 1 I don’t have insurance. 2 The place is such a mess! 3 I must find a new flat now. 4 I left my valuables on display through the window. 5 I did not upgrade the locks on my doors and windows. 6 I forgot to keep my wheelie bins out of reach of intruders. 1 a useless thing you bought 2 a holiday destination you hated 3 a stupid thing you said 4 sth. you don’t like about your timetable 5 sth. you hate doing at home 6 sth. you don’t like about your school building Examples: If only I hadn’t bought a phone that doesn’t work well. I wish our school had a bigger cafeteria. Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv