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🚨 EMERGENCY RULES ⏱ 12 Mins • B1 Grammar

Natural Disasters & Being Prepared: First Conditionals

Master conditional clauses (if, unless, as soon as) in safety and survival scenarios.

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For Teachers

Guide students through the 4 core rules using disaster-response scenarios, highlighting that present simple follows time/condition markers. Use the 12 staged practice items for individual drills, pair checking, and error review.

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For Learners

Study the summary table carefully and pay attention to commas when clause positions switch. Complete all 12 exercises step-by-step and use the bracketed clues whenever you feel unsure.

A family preparing an emergency kit with a torch, radio, and first-aid supplies in a cozy room

📋 Core Grammar Rules: Action & Preparedness

4 Key Patterns

Pattern 1

If + Present Simple + Will

Predicts a realistic future outcome.

Example:

If the alarm rings, we will leave the building.

Pattern 2

Unless (= If not)

Always followed by a positive verb to express an exception.

Example:

Unless the flood water goes down, the road will stay closed.

Pattern 3

When / As soon as

Defines an exact or immediate moment. Never use 'will' directly after.

Example:

As soon as the storm ends, the police will check every house.

Pattern 4

Clause Order & Commas

If the result clause comes first, do not insert a comma before 'if'.

Example:

We will see the path if we take a torch. (No comma)

Put It into Practice

12 targeted challenges graded from recognition to correction.

💡 Teacher's Tip: Look out for the single-word bracketed clue!

A clear diagram of an earthquake evacuation route leading to an outdoor assembly area

PART 1

Choose the Correct Sentence

1. Which sentence correctly states what to do during an earthquake?

Clue: [earthquake]

____ a. If an earthquake will happen, people will take shelter under strong desks. ____ b. If an earthquake happens, people will take shelter under strong desks. ____ c. If an earthquake happened, people will take shelter under strong desks.

2. Which sentence correctly describes reacting to an emergency alarm?

Clue: [alarm]

____ a. When the alarm warns us of danger, we will leave immediately. ____ b. When the alarm will warn us of danger, we will leave immediately. ____ c. When the alarm warned us of danger, we will evacuate immediately.

3. Which sentence has the correct punctuation and clause order to describe using a torch to escape?

Clue: [torch]

____ a. We will escape safely, if we carry a torch in the dark. ____ b. If we will carry a torch in the dark we will escape safely. ____ c. We will escape safely if we carry a torch in the dark.

PART 2

Rewrite Sentences with 'Unless'

Remember: Unless replaces if not. Write the complete transformed clause.

Question 4 Clue: [shelter]

Original: "If we do not find shelter, the severe storm will cause serious damage."

Unless ____ (e.g. we find shelter, the severe storm will cause serious damage)

Question 5 Clue: [sound]

Original: "If they don't sound the alarm, people will stay in danger."

Unless ____ (e.g. they sound the alarm, people will stay in danger)

Question 6 Clue: [team]

Original: "If the emergency team does not arrive, we will not escape."

Unless ____ (e.g. the emergency team arrives, we will not escape)

PART 3

Fill in the Blanks

Write the correct form of the verb in brackets based on conditional rules.

Question 7 Clue: [rain]

Write the verb in the present simple.

As soon as the rain ____ (stop), we will check the flood damage around the neighborhood.

Question 8 Clue: [city]

Write the verb in the present simple.

Unless the city ____ (fix) the damaged bridge, cars will fall into the flood water.

Question 9 Clue: [fire]

Write the verb in the present simple.

We will call the emergency services immediately if the fire ____ (spread) toward the houses.

PART 4

Error Correction in Emergency Messages

Find the single grammatical error in each emergency chat and write only the corrected verb form.

Question 10 Clue: [reach]

💬 Emergency SMS from Community Watch:

"Hi Leo, the flood water is rising fast near the river. As soon as the water will reach our street, we will move things we need upstairs to avoid damage."

Type the correct form to replace the incorrect phrase "will reach":

____ (Corrected word)

Question 11 Clue: [torch]

💬 Rescue Volunteer Group Message:

"Team: The storm knocked out power lines across town. Unless you don't bring a torch, you will face extreme danger moving through the streets."

Type the correct positive verb to replace "don't bring":

____ (Corrected word)

Question 12 Clue: [future]

💬 School Safety Drill Rules:

"Notice: If an earthquake strikes our area during school hours, we would leave the building and proceed immediately to the emergency shelter."

Type the correct form to replace "would leave":

____ (e.g. will leave)

Vocabulary Mastered: earthquake flood damage emergency alarm torch shelter danger warn escape

✓ 12 Exercises Ready

Natural Disasters & Being Prepared: First Conditionals

Natural Disasters & Being Prepared: First Conditionals

For Teachers

For Learners

📋 Core Grammar Rules: Action & Preparedness

Put It into Practice

Choose the Correct Sentence

Rewrite Sentences with 'Unless'

Fill in the Blanks

Error Correction in Emergency Messages

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