Marley & Me: Zero Conditional

When I read the book, I thought a movie about Marley would be sensational. In fact, it is a great movie, but the ending is terrifying due to Marley's suffering and the family's loss. Those who have dogs should never see this movie, I guess. However, the scene I selected to practice the zero conditional is funny and entertaining. The couple have to leave Marley with a dog sitter while they take a brief week off. It is perfect to practice the zero conditional because they leave instructions and write about what to do when Marley performs certain actions.

A. Talk to a partner:

1- Do you have a pet? Tell your partner about it or about a friend’s pet you know.

2- What animals can be raised as pets?

3 – What are some unusual pets you know?

4 – What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a dog as a pet?


B. Marley’s owners are leaving him with a dog sitter. The first column is the condition the owners present and the second one is what they tell the sitter to do in those situations. Match both columns before you watch the segment.

Condition Clauses


1 - Marley jumps on you

2 - Marley looks starved

3 - Marley poops in the garden

4 - Marley tries to drink water from the toilet

5 - Marley wants to exercise

6 - A storm is arriving

7 - Marley is stressed

Result Clauses:

......... Feed him again.

......... Keep the toilet lid closed.

........ Give Marley sedatives.

........ Walk or run with him twice a day.

........ Knee him.

........ He chews the furniture.

........ Use the poop scooper and watch your step.

C. Watch the segment and check your answers.

D. Now rewrite the sentences using the zero conditional. Notice that we are talking about something which is generally true, not a specific event.

1 - ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2 - ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3 - …………………………………………………………………………………………………

4 - ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

5 - ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

6 - ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

7 - ………………………………………………………………………………………………….


Teacher’s Key

Correct answers:

B.
2, 4, 6, 5, 1, 7, 3

D. Possible answers:

1. If Marley jumps on you, knee him.

2. If Marley looks starved, feed him again.

3. If (when) Marley poops in the garden, use the poop scooper and watch your step.

4. If Marley tries to drink water from the toilet, keep its lid closed.

5. If Marley wants to exercise, walk or run with him twice a day.

6. If a storm is arriving, give Marley sedatives.

7. If Marley is stressed, he chews the furniture.

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - MARLEY & ME