Step 43: If It Rains…

📖 Read — The Family Picnic

The Millers are planning a picnic at the lake on Saturday. “If it rains, we'll stay home and watch movies,” says Mom. “If the sun comes out, we'll leave at nine. And if the car doesn't start, we'll take the bus!”

Ethan is thinking about his own rules. “If I drink coffee after six, I can't sleep. If I study a little every day, English gets easier.” Dad laughs. “And if you finish your homework early, you'll have more time for soccer.” — “Deal! Rain or shine, Saturday will be fun.”

🔊 Listen to the text

🧩 Grammar — Zero and First Conditionals

For things that are ALWAYS true, use the zero conditional: if + present simple, present simple — If you heat ice, it melts. For REAL future possibilities, use the first conditional: if + present simple, will + verb — If it rains, we'll stay home. Golden rule: never put 'will' in the if-part! ✗ If it will rain…

• If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
• If it rains on Saturday, we'll stay home.
• If I see Jack, I'll tell him.
• If we don't hurry, we'll be late.

🏗️ Key structures

• If it rains, we'll ___ — If it rains, we'll play games at home.
• If I ___, I ___ (always) — If I drink coffee at night, I can't sleep.
• If you ___, will you ___? — If you pass the test, will you celebrate?

⭐ Idiom & natural phrases

🔤 New words

🎧 Say it with me

If it rains on Saturday, we’ll stay home and watch movies. But if the sun comes out, we’ll leave at nine, rain or shine!

🔊 Listen & repeat

🎤 Your turn to speak

Make three if-sentences about your weekend and your habits: one zero conditional (always true) and two first conditionals (real plans).

Say it out loud three times. Even better: record it on your phone and listen — your ear is your best teacher.

✍️ Your turn to write

Write 4 if-sentences: two zero conditionals about things that are always true for you, and two first conditionals about next weekend.

Self-check: capital letters? Full stops? Did you use the grammar of this step?

📝 Quick check