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Here is the answer key and explanation for the exercise. Check your answers carefully and review the explanations for any incorrect responses. Practicing questions and correcting mistakes are essential for MDCAT success, as they strengthen your understanding and improve accuracy. Keep learning from your errors to enhance your performance!
Q.1
Correct option: D. could have spent / had chosen
Explanation: This is a third conditional sentence (unreal past). “Could have spent” shows the hypothetical result, and “had chosen” is the past perfect for the unreal condition. Other options mix incorrect tenses.
Q.2
Correct option: D. had asked / would have recommended
Explanation: Another third conditional. “Had asked” is the past perfect condition, and “would have recommended” is the hypothetical result. The other options use incorrect verb forms.
Q.3
Correct option: D. spoke / wouldn’t be studying
Explanation: This is a mixed conditional. “Spoke” (past simple) expresses an unreal present situation, and “wouldn’t be studying” shows the hypothetical present result. The other options don’t maintain this structure.
Q.4
Correct option: A. would be / didn’t treat
Explanation: A second conditional (unreal present). “Would be” shows the hypothetical result, and “didn’t treat” is the simple past for the unreal condition. The other options use incorrect tenses.
Q.5
Correct option: C. had been equipped / will have made
Explanation: This is a mixed conditional. “Had been equipped” (past perfect) sets up the unreal past condition, while “will have made” shows the hypothetical present result. The other options don’t match this structure.
Q.6
Correct option: B. hadn’t been built / would have come
Explanation: Third conditional structure. “Hadn’t been built” is the past perfect condition, and “would have come” is the hypothetical past result. The other options mix tenses incorrectly.
Q.7
Correct option: D. had listened
Explanation: “Wish + past perfect” expresses regret about the past. “Had listened” is correct here. The other options use incorrect verb forms after “wishes.”
Q.8
Correct option: A. pays / is
Explanation: First conditional (real possibility). “Pays” (present simple) for the condition, and “is” (present simple) for the result. The other options use inappropriate tenses.
Q.9
Correct option: C. should lose
Explanation: “Should lose” is used after “in case” to express a precautionary action. The other options either use incorrect tenses or don’t fit this precautionary context.
Q.10
Correct option: D. would be / were taken
Explanation: Second conditional (unreal present). “Would be” shows the hypothetical result, and “were taken” (subjunctive) is the unreal condition. The other options mix tenses incorrectly.
Q.11
Correct option: B. hadn’t been established / would be
Explanation: Mixed conditional. “Hadn’t been established” (past perfect) for the unreal past condition, and “would be” for the hypothetical present result. The other options don’t maintain this structure.
Q.12
Correct option: B. joined / would be able to save
Explanation: Second conditional. “Joined” (simple past) for the unreal condition, and “would be able to save” for the hypothetical result. The other options use incorrect verb forms.
Q.13
Correct option: C. had better inform / are being overcharged
Explanation: “Had better” gives strong advice, and “are being overcharged” is present continuous passive showing current action. The other options don’t match this context.
Q.14
Correct option: D. wouldn’t have been shown
Explanation: Third conditional. “Wouldn’t have been shown” is the hypothetical past result of the unreal condition (“if it had been released”). The other options use incorrect passive forms.
Q.15
Correct option: A. could stay
Explanation: “Wish + could” expresses present inability. “Could stay” fits here. The other options use incorrect modal verbs after “wish.”
Q.16
Correct option: D. weren’t
Explanation: “Wish + past simple” expresses a present unreal situation. “Weren’t” is the correct form here. The other options use incorrect verb forms.
Q.17
Correct option: C. were used
Explanation: “Wish + past simple” for present unreal situations. “Were used” is the passive form needed here. The other options use incorrect tenses or voices.
Q.18
Correct option: D. trusted / could go
Explanation: Second conditional. “Trusted” (simple past) for the unreal condition, and “could go” for the hypothetical result. The other options mix tenses incorrectly.
Q.19
Correct option: A. were / would be
Explanation: Second conditional (hypothetical present). “Were” (subjunctive) for the unreal condition, and “would be” for the result. The other options use incorrect verb forms.
Q.20
Correct option: A. will fail / don’t work
Explanation: First conditional (real future possibility). “Will fail” for the result, and “don’t work” (present simple) for the condition. The other options use incorrect tenses.
Q.21
Correct option: C. had watched / would have known
Explanation: Third conditional. “Had watched” (past perfect) for the unreal past condition, and “would have known” for the hypothetical past result. The other options mix tenses incorrectly.
Q.22
Correct option: A. hadn’t attempted
Explanation: “Wish + past perfect” expresses regret about the past. “Hadn’t attempted” is correct here. The other options use incorrect verb forms.
Q.23
Correct option: B. had / could afford
Explanation: Mixed conditional. “Had” (past simple) for the unreal present condition, and “could afford” for the hypothetical present result. The other options don’t maintain this structure.
Q.24
Correct option: D. would telephone
Explanation: “Wish + would” expresses a desire for someone to do something. “Would telephone” fits here. The other options use incorrect verb forms after “wishing.”
Q.25
Correct option: D. could stay
Explanation: “Wish + could” expresses present inability. “Could stay” fits here. The other options use incorrect modal verbs after “wishes.”
Q.26
Correct option: B. would like to visit
Explanation: “Would like to” expresses a polite future intention. The other options either refer to past actions (“have visited”) or hypothetical situations (“could have visited”), which don’t fit the context of a future plan.
Q.27
Correct option: C. might have decided / had known
Explanation: This is a mixed conditional. “Might have decided” shows a hypothetical past result, while “had known” is the past perfect condition. The other options mix tenses incorrectly.
Q.28
Correct option: D. would be
Explanation: This is an inverted second conditional (formal structure). “Would be” correctly expresses the hypothetical result. The other options use incorrect verb forms for this structure.
Q.29
Correct option: D. had to agree
Explanation: “Had to” shows obligation in the past after seeing the research. The modal options (“must have”, “would have”) suggest speculation rather than actual obligation.
Q.30
Correct option: B. have been / would have come
Explanation: Mixed time reference. “Have been” (present perfect) describes recent busyness affecting the present, while “would have come” shows a hypothetical past action that didn’t occur.
Q.31
Correct option: D. would come
Explanation: “Would” expresses hypothetical willingness in the past (but he can’t due to his mother’s hospital visit). The other options refer to actual future or present actions.
Q.32
Correct option: D. could have drowned
Explanation: “Could have + past participle” expresses a past possibility that didn’t happen. The other options either state certainty (“has drowned”) or present/future possibilities.
Q.33
Correct option: D. will be / fails
Explanation: First conditional structure. “Will be” (future result) and “fails” (present simple condition). The other options mix tenses incorrectly.
Q.34
Correct option: C. can’t have expected
Explanation: “Can’t have + past participle” expresses logical certainty about the past (it’s impossible that he expected). The other modals don’t convey this meaning.
Q.35
Correct option: A. wouldn’t give
Explanation: “Wish + would” expresses annoyance about a present situation. “Wouldn’t give” fits perfectly here. The other options use incorrect verb forms.
Q.36
Correct option: D. could go / think
Explanation: Mixed structure. “Could go” (hypothetical future) depends on “think” (present simple opinion). The other options use incorrect tense pairings.
Q.37
Correct option: D. hadn’t been / wouldn’t have witnessed
Explanation: Third conditional. “Hadn’t been” (past perfect condition) and “wouldn’t have witnessed” (hypothetical past result). This maintains perfect conditional structure.
Q.38
Correct option: B. persists / is recommended
Explanation: First conditional structure. “Persists” (present simple condition) and “is recommended” (present simple result). The other options use incorrect verb forms.
Q.39
Correct option: C. hadn’t changed / wouldn’t be singing
Explanation: Mixed conditional. “Hadn’t changed” (past perfect condition) affects the present result “wouldn’t be singing”. This shows how a past decision affects the present.
Q.40
Correct option: B. prefer / need
Explanation: Present simple for general truths about animal behavior. “Prefer” and “need” correctly describe habitual actions. The other options use incorrect tenses.
Q.41
Correct option: D. would
Explanation: “Wish + would” expresses a strong desire for something to happen. “Would” is the only correct modal here for this structure.
Q.42
Correct option: C. will cover / write
Explanation: First conditional structure. “Will cover” (future result) depends on “write” (present simple condition). The other options mix tenses incorrectly.
Q.43
Correct option: A. will agree / can give
Explanation: First conditional. “Will agree” (future result) depends on “can give” (present ability). Maintains proper conditional structure.
Q.44
Correct option: C. could have caught
Explanation: “Could have + past participle” expresses a missed past opportunity. Perfectly describes the situation of missing the earlier train.
Q.45
Correct option: D. don’t accept / will
Explanation: Mixed conditional. “Don’t accept” (present condition) and “will” (future result). This structure is correct for discussing future applications.
Q.46
Correct option: D. could make
Explanation: “Wish + could” expresses present inability. “Could make” fits perfectly to show the desired but impossible action.
Q.47
Correct option: A. Had / respected
Explanation: Inverted third conditional (formal). “Had respected” (past perfect) is the condition, with the implied result “she might not have been killed”.
Q.48
Correct option: B. are buying / should check
Explanation: Present continuous for current action (“are buying”) with modal advice (“should check”). This is the most natural combination for this context.
Q.49
Correct option: D. were
Explanation: “As though” takes the past subjunctive “were” for hypothetical comparison. This is the standard structure for unreal comparisons.
Q.50
Correct option: B. will have completed
Explanation: Future perfect “will have completed” suggests the action will be finished before checking. This is the correct tense for anticipating completed actions.
