Grade 9 ESL Grading Rubric: Conditionals — 2nd cond., 1st cond., Ideas, Accuracy

Learning Objectives

• Form the first conditional (If + present simple, will / won't + verb) and use it for real future possibilities.
• Form the second conditional (If + past simple, would / wouldn't + verb) and use it for imaginary or unlikely situations.
• Use "If I were you, I would…" to give advice, and "unless" to mean "if … not".
• Choose the correct conditional for a situation and explain the difference in meaning.
• Use correct punctuation: a comma after the if-clause when it comes first.
• Use both conditionals in speaking and in a short written paragraph.

How to Use This Resource

• Share the rubric with students before the task so they know what success looks like.
• Circle one level per skill for each student; add the points (maximum 16).
• Record scores on the record sheet.

Differentiation

Support: Give a formula card: 1st = If + present, will + verb. 2nd = If + past, would + verb. Challenge: Mixed and third conditionals as an extension: "If I had studied, I would have passed." English language learners: Teach "I'll" and "I'd" contractions with pronunciation practice.

Teacher Tips

Ask "How likely is it?" — this is the key question for choosing first or second conditional. Personalize it: students' own plans (first) and dreams (second) make the grammar memorable.

What's Included

• 4 skills × 4 levels (Excellent, Good, Developing, Beginning)
• Task: Writing task: "If I could change one thing in my town…" — 100–120 words using first and second conditionals.
• Class record sheet
• Score bands: 14–16 = Excellent, 10–13 = Good, 6–9 = Developing, 4–5 = Beginning.

Additional Files

• Grade 9 ESL Grading Rubric: Conditionals — 2nd cond., 1st cond., Ideas, Accuracy (DOCX)

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