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Reading Worksheet

Plan B

B1 First Conditional: Real and Possible Future Situations Weather and Outdoor Events 25 minutes
Before You Read

Discuss these questions with a partner before you read.

  • Have you ever been to an outdoor music festival or event? What was it like?
  • What do you think is the worst type of weather for an outdoor event — rain, heat, or wind? Why?
  • If you were organising an outdoor event and it started to rain, what would you do?
  • Do you think outdoor events should have a 'Plan B'? Why is it important?
Key Vocabulary
Word Definition Example
exceed (v.) to go above a limit or level If the temperature exceeds 35°C, they will open extra shade areas.
forecast (n.) a prediction of future weather They check the forecast three days before the event.
evacuate (v.) to move people away from a dangerous place If there is a storm, they will evacuate the outdoor areas.
lightning (n.) a flash of light in the sky during a storm If lightning is spotted, they will close the site.
refund (n.) money returned to a customer Ticket holders will receive a full refund if the site closes.
cancel (v.) to decide that a planned event will not happen The fireworks will be cancelled if there is heavy rain.
Reading Text
Magazine Article ~285 words

Plan B

The Willowfield Summer Festival is one of the most popular outdoor events in the region. Every July, more than 8,000 people gather in Willowfield Park for a full day of music, food, and entertainment. But running a large outdoor event in July means one thing is always uncertain: the weather. We spoke to festival director Patrick Malone about the team's detailed emergency plans.

"Heat is our first concern," Patrick explains. "If the temperature exceeds 35°C, we will set up extra shade areas and hand out free water bottles. If the weather forecast shows a heat warning three days before the event, we will contact all ticket holders by email with safety advice."

Rain, however, is more likely. "If it rains on the day, the main stage will move inside to the sports hall next door. If we get heavy rain in the afternoon, the fireworks display will be cancelled. If the weather is poor but not dangerous, the festival will continue as planned — people can always bring umbrellas."

The most serious scenario is a storm. "If there is a storm warning, we will evacuate the outdoor areas immediately. If lightning is spotted within ten kilometres of the site, we will close the site entirely. If the site closes, ticket holders will receive a full refund."

Patrick also looks at the positive side. "If everything goes well, more than 8,000 people will enjoy a wonderful day. If this year is a success, we will expand the event next year and add a second stage."

He ends with a smile. "We cannot control the weather. But if we plan carefully, we will be ready for anything."

Notice the Grammar

Look at this sentence from the article: 'If the temperature exceeds 35°C, we will set up extra shade areas.' Underline the verb in each part. What tense is used after 'if'? What form is used in the result? Why do you think we use present simple (not future) after 'if'?

1 Reading for Gist

Answer these questions in a few words. You do not need to write full sentences.

  1. What kind of event is the Willowfield Summer Festival?
  2. Who is Patrick Malone?
  3. What is the main topic of the article?
2 Reading for Detail

Write short answers using information from the article.

  1. How many people usually attend the Willowfield Summer Festival?
  2. What will happen to the main stage if it rains on the day?
  3. At what distance does a lightning warning cause the site to close?
  4. What will happen to ticket holders if the site closes?  a) They will receive free tickets for next year. b) They will receive a full refund. c) They will be moved to an indoor venue. 
  5. What does Patrick say he wants to do if this year's event is a success?
3 True, False, or Not Given

Read each statement. Write T (True), F (False), or NG (Not Given). If the answer is False, write what is correct.

  1. If the temperature exceeds 35°C, the festival will be cancelled.
  2. If lightning is spotted within ten kilometres, the site will close.
  3. The Willowfield Summer Festival has been cancelled because of weather in previous years.
  4. If the weather is poor but not dangerous, the festival will continue.
  5. The fireworks display will be moved inside if there is heavy rain.
4 Vocabulary in Context

Answer these questions about words and phrases from the article.

  1. In paragraph 4, 'evacuate the outdoor areas immediately' means:  a) Decorate the outdoor areas. b) Move everyone out of the outdoor areas quickly because of danger. c) Close the ticket office in the outdoor areas. 
  2. Patrick says 'We cannot control the weather.' What does this tell you about his attitude to the plans he has described?
  3. Find a word in paragraph 3 that means 'a possible situation, especially a bad one'. 
  4. The article says ticket holders will 'receive a full refund'. In your own words, what does this mean?
5 Grammar in Context

Complete these activities about the first conditional.

  1. Find five first conditional sentences from the article. For each one, write the if-clause and the result clause.
    a)  b)  c)  d)  e) 
  2. Look at the sentence: 'If we plan carefully, we will be ready for anything.' Is this a real and possible situation, or is it imaginary? How do you know?
  3. Which sentence is a correct first conditional?  a) If it rains tomorrow, we would cancel the event. b) If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the event. c) If it will rain tomorrow, we will cancel the event. 
  4. Complete these first conditional sentences using the correct form of the verb. (a) If the temperature _____ (exceed) 35°C, we _____ (set up) extra shade. (b) If there _____ (be) a storm warning, we _____ (evacuate) the outdoor areas. (c) If this year _____ (be) a success, we _____ (expand) the event.
  5. Write three first conditional sentences about your own plans for next weekend. Use 'If the weather is good...' or a similar condition.
Personal Response — Discuss with a partner

Discuss with a partner. Share one idea with the class.

  1. Have you ever had plans ruined by bad weather? What happened? What did you do?
  2. Do you think outdoor festivals are worth the risk of bad weather? What could organisers do to make them safer?
  3. Write one first conditional sentence about something that might happen this week. Share it with your partner.

Answer Key

Plan B — B1 — First Conditional: Real and Possible Future Situations

Exercise 1 — Reading for Gist

  1. A large outdoor music and entertainment festival.
  2. The festival director.
  3. The festival's emergency weather plans / what the organisers will do in different weather situations.

Exercise 2 — Reading for Detail

  1. More than 8,000.
  2. It will move inside to the sports hall next door.
  3. Within ten kilometres.
  4. b)
  5. Expand the event next year and add a second stage.

Exercise 3 — True, False, or Not Given

  1. F — The plan is to set up extra shade and hand out water bottles — not to cancel the festival.
  2. T — Paragraph 4 states this directly.
  3. NG — The article discusses future plans but does not mention what has happened in past years.
  4. T — Paragraph 3 states this directly.
  5. F — The fireworks will be cancelled — not moved inside.

Exercise 4 — Vocabulary in Context

  1. b)
  2. It shows he is realistic — he accepts that nature is unpredictable. But by planning carefully, he can minimise problems. The plans are about preparation, not control.
  3. scenario
  4. It means they will get all their money back — the full price of the ticket will be returned to them.

Exercise 5 — Grammar in Context

  1. Any five 'if + present simple, will + infinitive' sentences from the article. Examples: 'If the temperature exceeds 35°C, we will set up extra shade areas'; 'If the weather forecast shows a heat warning, we will contact all ticket holders'; 'If it rains on the day, the main stage will move inside'; 'If we get heavy rain in the afternoon, the fireworks display will be cancelled'; 'If the weather is poor but not dangerous, the festival will continue'; 'If there is a storm warning, we will evacuate the outdoor areas'; 'If lightning is spotted within ten kilometres, we will close the site'; 'If the site closes, ticket holders will receive a full refund'; 'If everything goes well, more than 8,000 people will enjoy a wonderful day'; 'If this year is a success, we will expand the event'; 'If we plan carefully, we will be ready for anything'.
  2. It is real and possible — the speaker thinks it is realistic. We know because the first conditional uses present simple in the if-clause (not past simple), showing it is genuinely possible.
  3. b)
  4. (a) exceeds / will set up. (b) is / will evacuate. (c) is / will expand.
  5. Answers will vary. Answers will vary. Check: if + present simple, will + infinitive. Both clauses must be in the correct tense. The conditi

Notice the Grammar — suggested answers

Accept any five correct examples from the article that use the target grammar. Students should be able to explain why the grammar is used in each case.

Personal Response

Answers will vary. This section is for spoken discussion or short written response. There are no single correct answers.