Mixed Conditionals Knowledge Quiz

B2 Level ESL Quiz

Test your understanding of Mixed Conditionals:

Past cause → Present result: If + had + past participle, would + base verb
Present cause → Past result: If + past simple, would have + past participle

Question 1

Which sentence shows a past cause with a present result?

a) If I studied more, I would pass the exam.

b) If I had studied more, I would be more confident now.

c) If I study more, I will pass the exam.

Correct Answer: b) If I had studied more, I would be more confident now.

Past action (had studied) causes present result (would be confident now). This is a mixed conditional.

Question 2

Which sentence shows a present cause with a past result?

a) If I were more careful, I would have avoided that mistake.

b) If I had been more careful, I would have avoided that mistake.

c) If I am careful, I will avoid that mistake.

Correct Answer: a) If I were more careful, I would have avoided that mistake.

Present characteristic (were more careful) affects past result (would have avoided). This is a mixed conditional.

Question 3

Choose the correct structure for this meaning: "A past action affects a present result."

a) If + past simple → would + base verb

b) If + past perfect → would + base verb

c) If + past perfect → would have + past participle

Correct Answer: b) If + past perfect → would + base verb

Past action (past perfect) with present result (would + base verb) is the classic mixed conditional structure.

Question 4

Choose the correct sentence.

a) If I had learned English earlier, I would have a better job now.

b) If I would have learned English earlier, I would have a better job now.

c) If I learned English earlier, I would have had a better job now.

Correct Answer: a) If I had learned English earlier, I would have a better job now.

Past action (had learned) affects present result (would have a job now). Never use "would have" in if-clause.

Question 5

Which sentence is incorrect?

a) If I were taller, I would have joined the basketball team.

b) If I had been taller, I would have joined the basketball team.

c) If I would have been taller, I would have joined the basketball team.

Correct Answer: c) If I would have been taller, I would have joined the basketball team.

Never use "would have" in the if-clause. This is incorrect grammar.

Question 6

What is the meaning of this sentence: If I had gone to bed earlier, I wouldn't be so tired now.

a) I went to bed early, so I'm not tired.

b) I didn't go to bed early, so I'm tired now.

c) I usually go to bed early, so I'm always tired.

Correct Answer: b) I didn't go to bed early, so I'm tired now.

Mixed conditional shows past action that didn't happen (didn't go to bed early) causing current state (tired now).

Question 7

Identify the correct mixed conditional.

a) If I were rich, I would have bought that house.

b) If I had been rich, I would buy that house.

c) If I would be rich, I had bought that house.

Correct Answer: a) If I were rich, I would have bought that house.

Present condition (were rich) affects past result (would have bought). This is a correct mixed conditional.

Question 8

Which sentence mixes present condition + past result?

a) If I were more organized, I would have finished the project yesterday.

b) If I had been more organized, I would finish the project now.

c) If I am more organized, I finish the project yesterday.

Correct Answer: a) If I were more organized, I would have finished the project yesterday.

Present characteristic (were organized) affects past result (would have finished yesterday).

Question 9

What does this sentence mean: If you had studied more, you would be a lawyer now?

a) You studied a lot, and you are a lawyer.

b) You didn't study enough, and now you aren't a lawyer.

c) You are studying now to become a lawyer.

Correct Answer: b) You didn't study enough, and now you aren't a lawyer.

Past action that didn't happen (didn't study enough) causes present result (not a lawyer now).

Question 10

Choose the correct version of the sentence:

a) If I had saved more money, I would travel now.

b) If I saved more money, I would have traveled now.

c) If I would save more money, I travel now.

Correct Answer: a) If I had saved more money, I would travel now.

Past action (had saved) affects present ability (would travel now). Perfect mixed conditional structure.

Review the explanations to master mixed conditionals!