Young innovators talk: if sentences and a role-play
Read the dialog on page 95 of your book (two friends and a student inventors’ competition). We use our own dialog about another invention. In plans and dialogs we use if sentences. For real plans we use the first conditional: If we brainstorm today, we will have a plan by Friday. For imaginary ideas we use the second conditional: If I had more time, I would make a bigger model. Remember the rules: if + present simple, will + verb; if + past simple, would + verb; were for all persons with be. Useful words: come up with an idea, a deadline is the last time for finishing, feedback is comments that help you to improve, and to make a difference is to change something for the better. In a role-play, ask questions, give ideas with if, and agree or disagree politely.
| Use | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A real plan | If + present, will + verb | If we start today, we will finish on time. |
| An imaginary idea | If + past, would + verb | If I had more time, I would add a small tap. |
| Asking for feedback | If I show you the plan, will you give feedback? | Yes, I will. |
Our teacher announced a competition for young inventors. What will we make?
If we make a rain-catching can for the school plants, we will save water.
Good idea. If we had more time, we would also add a small tap.
The deadline is in two weeks, so we should start soon. If we brainstorm today, we will have a plan by Friday.
I agree. Should we ask the science teacher for feedback?
Yes. Her feedback will help us to make a difference.
Inventors’ meeting. Pretend to be two young inventors with a class box that saves paper. Make a short dialog with four if sentences (two real, two imaginary). Act it out, record it if you can and listen to your own forms.