Condition Clauses: If, Unless, and Provided That: correct answers
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Condition clauses set the rules for when an action can or cannot happen. While if introduces a basic condition, unless means "if not" (e.g., The machine will break unless you clean it), and provided that emphasizes a strict requirement or condition (e.g., You can keep the pet provided that it stays quiet). Choosing the correct word is essential for making sure your sentence's logic makes sense!
In this challenge, you will apply these rules to a variety of entertaining scenarios. You'll help a time traveler avoid erasing history, assist a secret agent with vault alarms, review an eccentric professor's syllabus, and even sign a landlord's unusual pet llama agreement. Along the way, you will practice identifying equivalent statements, such as swapping unless for if not.
You'll work through 12 questions featuring a mix of single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
Help the chief engineer complete the warning label on the space station's new espresso machine.
The zero-gravity espresso machine will overheat and spray hot foam everywhere _____ you remember to engage the magnetic cup holder.
The correct answer is unless.
"Unless" means "if not" or "except if." The sentence means the machine will explode if you do not remember the cup holder. Using "if," "provided that," or "as long as" would hilariously imply that the machine explodes when you do everything right!
Question 2
The cake will rise beautifully provided that you stir the batter exactly seven times counter-clockwise. Be careful, though! The mixture will explode into a cloud of purple smoke if you add the crushed dragon scales too early. Keep the oven door firmly shut unless you want the cake to escape and fly around the kitchen!
Provided that emphasizes a strict condition (the cake rises only if you stir it exactly seven times).
If introduces the direct cause of the explosion (adding scales too early).
Unless means "except if." You should keep the door shut except if your goal is to let the cake fly away!
Question 3
Help the spaceship's AI complete its critical safety report for the captain by choosing the correct condition clause for each blank.
Warning: The main engines will overheat if we maintain this excessive velocity for another hour.
Life support systems will remain completely stable provided that the external solar panels continue to receive direct starlight.
We must not open the outer airlock unless all crew members are safely secured in their pressure suits.
Warning: The main engines will overheat if we maintain this excessive velocity for another hour.
"If" introduces the condition that will cause the negative outcome (overheating). "Unless" would illogically mean the engines overheat only when they stop maintaining the velocity.
Life support systems will remain completely stable provided that the external solar panels continue to receive direct starlight.
"Provided that" means "as long as" or "on the condition that." It emphasizes that stability depends entirely on the solar panels getting light.
We must not open the outer airlock unless all crew members are safely secured in their pressure suits.
"Unless" means "except if." The airlock must stay closed except in the situation where everyone is secured.
Question 4
Complete the landlord's slightly unusual text message to his new tenant.
You are welcome to keep your pet llama in the apartment, _____ he doesn't practice his tap-dancing routines after 10 PM.
The correct answer is provided that.
"Provided that" means "on the condition that" or "only if." The landlord is allowing the pet only on the condition that it stays quiet at night. "Unless" would mean the llama is allowed only if it does practice late-night tap-dancing!
Question 5
Agent, listen carefully. The vault's alarm will sound unless you enter the correct passcode within ten seconds of opening the door. You may use the eastern ventilation shaft to escape, provided that you don't mind dodging the laser grid inside it. Finally, If you encounter the villain's guard dog, simply offer it a dog treat and walk away slowly.
Unless means "if you don't." The alarm will sound if you don't enter the passcode.
Provided that is used to say that one thing must happen or be true for another thing to happen (you can use the exit only if you are okay with the lasers).
If introduces a general possibility or condition. We use it here to tell the agent what to do in the specific event that she sees the dog.
Question 6
The correct answers are The zombie will break character unless you give him a prop brain and The zombie will break character if you do not give him a prop brain.
The conjunction unless means exactly the same thing as if... not.
Therefore, "unless you give him" means "if you do not give him."
"Provided that" means "on the condition that," which logically reverses the intended warning here. Using "unless" with a negative verb ("unless you don't") creates a confusing double negative that means "if you give him," which is also incorrect.
Question 7
You will pass this course provided that you submit all your assignments on time and participate in our debates. However, I will not accept late work unless it is accompanied by a doctor's note or a very persuasive handwritten apology.
Provided that means "on the condition that" or "only if," which perfectly sets a strict requirement for passing the course.
Unless means "except if" or "if not." The professor will not accept late work except if there is a doctor's note. Using "if" here would logically mean the professor punishes students for bringing a doctor's note!
Question 8
The correct answers are If you press the red button, the timeline will collapse and The timeline will collapse unless you keep your hands off the red button.
Condition clauses can appear at the beginning or the end of a sentence.
Let's look at the distractors:
- "Provided that you press..." means the timeline is only safe if you press it. This is the exact opposite of the warning!
- "Unless you press..." means "If you do not press the red button, the timeline will collapse." This implies you must press it to save the timeline, which is also dangerously incorrect.
Question 9
Complete the freelance graphic designer's email to a new client by choosing the correct condition word for each blank.
I will begin working on the initial sketches provided that the 50% upfront deposit has been paid.
Please note that I cannot release the final high-resolution files unless the final invoice is fully settled.
We can schedule a quick revision call next week if you feel the design needs further changes.
I will begin working on the initial sketches provided that the 50% upfront deposit has been paid.
"Provided that" means "on the condition that." The designer requires the deposit as a strict prerequisite before starting the work. "Unless" would mean they start working only if the deposit isn't paid, which is illogical!
Please note that I cannot release the final high-resolution files unless the final invoice is fully settled.
"Unless" introduces a negative condition ("if not"). The designer will not release the files if the invoice is not settled.
We can schedule a quick revision call next week if you feel the design needs further changes.
"If" introduces a simple condition. The call will happen in the event that the client wants changes.
Question 10
The correct answers are provided that you clean it immediately and if you clean it immediately.
Both provided that and if can be used to introduce a condition. Provided that is slightly more formal and emphasizes a strict restriction (meaning "only if").
"Unless" means "except if," which would mean you can borrow it only if you leave it dirty—a very strange rule for a protective roommate!
Question 11
Help the strict professor complete the syllabus rules for the semester by choosing the correct word for each blank.
You will automatically fail the final assignment unless you submit it before midnight on Friday.
You may request a deadline extension provided that you email me at least three days in advance.
I will deduct ten points if your essay exceeds the maximum word count.
You will automatically fail the final assignment unless you submit it before midnight on Friday.
"Unless" means "if not." The student will fail if they do not submit the assignment before midnight.
You may request a deadline extension provided that you email me at least three days in advance.
"Provided that" establishes a strict condition, meaning "on the condition that" or "only if." The professor allows extensions only on this specific condition.
I will deduct ten points if your essay exceeds the maximum word count.
"If" introduces a standard conditional clause. Exceeding the word count is the condition that triggers the point deduction.
Question 12
Choose the correct word to complete the frantic time traveler's warning.
_____ you touch anything in the year 1920, you might accidentally erase the invention of sliced bread!
The correct answer is If.
"If" introduces the condition that causes the disaster. Using "unless" would mean the disaster happens if you don't touch anything. "Provided that" and "as long as" usually introduce favorable or required conditions, which doesn't fit a warning about erasing sliced bread!