Collection of games

If it happened…

Level: intermediate and advanced

Age: any

Group size: whole class

Use: to practise conditional clauses (hypothetical)

While the class, with the teacher’s help, is imagining something that might happen, one learner is out of the room. On returning, he or she asks various learners What would you do if it happened? Until in due course it becomes clear what the imaginary event must be. Answers begin I would…

Examples

1. 
   I would visit Britain/move to a bigger house/take my mother for a long holiday/give presents to all my friends, etc. (Answers such as these would doubtless lead the questioner to guess If you won a lot of money.)
   
2. 
   I would stay here/ring up home to ask somebody to come/take shelter in a shop/run home very quickly/borrow somebody’s coat, etc. (Such answers might bring the guess If it began to rain hard.)
   

Answers should be so worded that the secret is not given away immediately, as it would be, for instance, if an umbrella were mentioned in connection with If it began to rain.

Both possible and impossible ‘happenings’ may be allowed, and some of the answers are bound to be a bit improbable. The teacher’s help should be directed towards ensuring that ‘happenings’ are chosen which enable as many suggestions are possible to be put forward.