📝 Unit 10: Choices In Life
Future tense · all 3 conditionals · A-Level streams · brain drain · debate · 200-word essay
Task 1 — Conditional clauses fill-in (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Fill in the blanks in the following conditional clauses (first
conditional).
(1) If there are enough job opportunities, skilled workers ........... (stay)
in the country.
(2) If the governments take suitable actions, they ........... (reduce)
brain drain.
(3) If these actions ........... (not take) soon, the country will be
affected by brain drain.
(4) If the educated professionals ........... (leave) the country, they
will not be able to assist the future generation in their motherland.
(5) If we serve our own country after finishing our studies, we ...........
(develop) our motherland.
conditional).
(1) If there are enough job opportunities, skilled workers ........... (stay)
in the country.
(2) If the governments take suitable actions, they ........... (reduce)
brain drain.
(3) If these actions ........... (not take) soon, the country will be
affected by brain drain.
(4) If the educated professionals ........... (leave) the country, they
will not be able to assist the future generation in their motherland.
(5) If we serve our own country after finishing our studies, we ...........
(develop) our motherland.
(1) will stay
(2) will reduce
(3) are not taken (passive — better fit)
(4) leave
(5) will develop
5 marks.
(2) will reduce
(3) are not taken (passive — better fit)
(4) leave
(5) will develop
5 marks.
Task 2 — Complete the conditional clauses (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Complete each conditional clause. Pay attention to which type
each one is.
(1) If you devote some time for your studies daily, ...........
(2) If I were an educated professional in Sri Lanka, ...........
(3) If Nisali had run faster, ...........
(4) If Hasim had a bicycle, ...........
(5) If I saw a ghost, ...........
each one is.
(1) If you devote some time for your studies daily, ...........
(2) If I were an educated professional in Sri Lanka, ...........
(3) If Nisali had run faster, ...........
(4) If Hasim had a bicycle, ...........
(5) If I saw a ghost, ...........
(1) ... you will achieve good results. (Type 1)
(2) ... I would serve my motherland. (Type 2)
(3) ... she would have won the race. (Type 3)
(4) ... he would not have to walk five miles to school. (Type 2)
(5) ... I would scream and run away. (Type 2)
5 marks.
(2) ... I would serve my motherland. (Type 2)
(3) ... she would have won the race. (Type 3)
(4) ... he would not have to walk five miles to school. (Type 2)
(5) ... I would scream and run away. (Type 2)
5 marks.
Task 3 — Future tense (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Complete each sentence with simple future or future continuous.
(1) The school (reopen) ........... on September 2nd.
(2) We (answer) ........... our English paper at this time tomorrow.
(3) By Saturday, my brother (graduate) ........... from university.
(4) Don't call between 7 and 8 — I (have) ........... dinner.
(5) I (promise) ........... to write to you every week.
(1) The school (reopen) ........... on September 2nd.
(2) We (answer) ........... our English paper at this time tomorrow.
(3) By Saturday, my brother (graduate) ........... from university.
(4) Don't call between 7 and 8 — I (have) ........... dinner.
(5) I (promise) ........... to write to you every week.
(1) will reopen
(2) will be answering
(3) will have graduated (future perfect; acceptable simple future: will graduate)
(4) will be having
(5) promise / will promise
5 marks.
(2) will be answering
(3) will have graduated (future perfect; acceptable simple future: will graduate)
(4) will be having
(5) promise / will promise
5 marks.
Task 4 — Comprehension: Brain drain (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Read the brain-drain passage (above) and answer the questions.
(1) Define 'brain drain' in your own words.
(2) Name TWO causes of brain drain mentioned in the passage.
(3) Write the sentence that explains why developed countries do not feel
the loss much.
(4) Find ONE step the government can take to reduce brain drain.
(5) Underline the correct title for the passage:
(a) Why Sri Lanka is the best country in the world.
(b) Brain drain — its causes, effects and remedies.
(c) How to become a doctor abroad.
(1) Define 'brain drain' in your own words.
(2) Name TWO causes of brain drain mentioned in the passage.
(3) Write the sentence that explains why developed countries do not feel
the loss much.
(4) Find ONE step the government can take to reduce brain drain.
(5) Underline the correct title for the passage:
(a) Why Sri Lanka is the best country in the world.
(b) Brain drain — its causes, effects and remedies.
(c) How to become a doctor abroad.
(1) The emigration of well-educated and skilled professionals from their home country to another.
(2) Any TWO: better job opportunities, war / conflict, health risks, political instability, better salaries, more research opportunities.
(3) "The loss that occurs in more developed countries is not felt much because these countries generally see an emigration of those educated professionals with an immigration of other educated professionals."
(4) Increase job-advertisement and research opportunities at home; encourage highly-skilled workers to serve their own country.
(5) (b) Brain drain — its causes, effects and remedies.
5 marks.
(2) Any TWO: better job opportunities, war / conflict, health risks, political instability, better salaries, more research opportunities.
(3) "The loss that occurs in more developed countries is not felt much because these countries generally see an emigration of those educated professionals with an immigration of other educated professionals."
(4) Increase job-advertisement and research opportunities at home; encourage highly-skilled workers to serve their own country.
(5) (b) Brain drain — its causes, effects and remedies.
5 marks.
Task 5 — Match career to subject (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Match each career with the most suitable A-Level subject combination.
Careers: A — Doctor · B — Software engineer · C — Lawyer · D — Musician · E — Accountant · F — Architect
A-Level streams / subjects:
(1) Physical Science (Combined Maths + Physics + Chemistry) → ...
(2) Bio-Science (Biology + Chemistry + Physics) → ...
(3) Commerce (Accounting + Economics + Business Studies) → ...
(4) Arts (Music + Drama + a language) → ...
(5) Bio + Art (Biology + Art + Geography) → ...
(6) Arts (Languages + Logic + History) → ...
Careers: A — Doctor · B — Software engineer · C — Lawyer · D — Musician · E — Accountant · F — Architect
A-Level streams / subjects:
(1) Physical Science (Combined Maths + Physics + Chemistry) → ...
(2) Bio-Science (Biology + Chemistry + Physics) → ...
(3) Commerce (Accounting + Economics + Business Studies) → ...
(4) Arts (Music + Drama + a language) → ...
(5) Bio + Art (Biology + Art + Geography) → ...
(6) Arts (Languages + Logic + History) → ...
(1) B — Software engineer
(2) A — Doctor
(3) E — Accountant
(4) D — Musician
(5) F — Architect
(6) C — Lawyer
5 marks.
(2) A — Doctor
(3) E — Accountant
(4) D — Musician
(5) F — Architect
(6) C — Lawyer
5 marks.
Task 6 — Notice: career fair (40–50 words)
(5 marks)
Write a notice inviting Grade 11 students to an A-Level career
fair. Use 40–50 words.
fair. Use 40–50 words.
CAREER GUIDANCE SOCIETY — A-LEVEL CAREER FAIR
All Grade 11 students are invited to the annual A-Level career fair on
Saturday, 18th December 2026 from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. in the school
auditorium. Representatives from 14 universities and 6 private institutes
will answer your questions. Register with Mr. Perera by 16th December.
— Secretary.
50 words. 5 marks.
All Grade 11 students are invited to the annual A-Level career fair on
Saturday, 18th December 2026 from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. in the school
auditorium. Representatives from 14 universities and 6 private institutes
will answer your questions. Register with Mr. Perera by 16th December.
— Secretary.
50 words. 5 marks.
Task 7 — Short paragraph (50–60 words)
(5 marks)
Write a paragraph on ONE of the following. Use about 50–60 words.
(a) The biggest choice I am about to make
(b) Why I want to stay (or leave) Sri Lanka after my degree
(c) My A-Level stream
(a) The biggest choice I am about to make
(b) Why I want to stay (or leave) Sri Lanka after my degree
(c) My A-Level stream
MODEL — My A-Level stream (60 words)
After my O/Ls I will follow the Bio-Science stream. I love Biology and I
want to be a paediatrician. Chemistry will be difficult but my new tuition
class starts in January. The hardest part will be Physics: it is not my
favourite subject but it is compulsory. Three years of hard work — and a
lifetime of meaningful service.
5 marks.
After my O/Ls I will follow the Bio-Science stream. I love Biology and I
want to be a paediatrician. Chemistry will be difficult but my new tuition
class starts in January. The hardest part will be Physics: it is not my
favourite subject but it is compulsory. Three years of hard work — and a
lifetime of meaningful service.
5 marks.
Task 8 — Letter / debate speech (~100 words, 10 marks)
(10 marks)
Answer (a) OR (b). Use about 100 words.
(a) Write a letter to a friend about the A-Level stream you have chosen
and why.
(b) Write a 100-word speech in support of the motion 'Sri Lankan
graduates should serve their motherland first'.
(a) Write a letter to a friend about the A-Level stream you have chosen
and why.
(b) Write a 100-word speech in support of the motion 'Sri Lankan
graduates should serve their motherland first'.
(b) MODEL — Speech in support (105 words)
Good afternoon. We stand in support of the motion that 'Sri Lankan
graduates should serve their motherland first'. Three reasons drive our
argument.
Firstly, our universities are funded by Sri Lankan taxes. Every student who
leaves immediately is a taxpayer-funded gift to a foreign country.
Secondly, Sri Lanka faces a doctor-to-patient ratio of one to four thousand
in rural areas. We are needed here far more than in any developed country.
Thirdly, opportunities do exist — they need our hands to be created. We
thank you.
10 marks — three numbered reasons, statistics, formal close.
Good afternoon. We stand in support of the motion that 'Sri Lankan
graduates should serve their motherland first'. Three reasons drive our
argument.
Firstly, our universities are funded by Sri Lankan taxes. Every student who
leaves immediately is a taxpayer-funded gift to a foreign country.
Secondly, Sri Lanka faces a doctor-to-patient ratio of one to four thousand
in rural areas. We are needed here far more than in any developed country.
Thirdly, opportunities do exist — they need our hands to be created. We
thank you.
10 marks — three numbered reasons, statistics, formal close.
Task 9 — Article / essay (~200 words, 15 marks)
(15 marks)
Write on ONE of the following. Use about 200 words.
(a) An article: 'Choices in Life'.
(b) An essay on 'Advantages and disadvantages of studying in a foreign country'.
(c) A speech on 'Why I will stay (or leave) Sri Lanka after my degree'.
(a) An article: 'Choices in Life'.
(b) An essay on 'Advantages and disadvantages of studying in a foreign country'.
(c) A speech on 'Why I will stay (or leave) Sri Lanka after my degree'.
(b) MODEL — Studying in a foreign country (212 words)
More Sri Lankan students cross oceans for higher studies every year than
ever before. Going abroad to study sounds glamorous, but it comes with real
costs. Both sides deserve a fair look.
The advantages are real. Foreign universities often have better laboratories,
larger libraries and lecturers who are leaders in their field. Sitting in a
class with students from Korea, Kenya and Canada teaches you more about the
world than any geography textbook can. Living away from parents builds
independence — you learn to cook your own dinner, manage your own bills
and solve your own problems. Most degrees from reputable foreign
universities also open doors in the global job market.
The disadvantages, however, are also serious. The biggest is missing
family. A grandfather's seventy-fifth birthday or a younger sister's
wedding from 8,000 kilometres away leaves a wound that no scholarship can
heal. The climate can be cruel — Sri Lankan students in Canada speak of
suffering through their first –20°C winter. Costs are high, and a
part-time job often eats into study time. Finally, many bright graduates
never return, draining the country of the very talent it had invested in.
The best path, I believe, is to study abroad, gather knowledge — and bring
it home.
15 marks.
More Sri Lankan students cross oceans for higher studies every year than
ever before. Going abroad to study sounds glamorous, but it comes with real
costs. Both sides deserve a fair look.
The advantages are real. Foreign universities often have better laboratories,
larger libraries and lecturers who are leaders in their field. Sitting in a
class with students from Korea, Kenya and Canada teaches you more about the
world than any geography textbook can. Living away from parents builds
independence — you learn to cook your own dinner, manage your own bills
and solve your own problems. Most degrees from reputable foreign
universities also open doors in the global job market.
The disadvantages, however, are also serious. The biggest is missing
family. A grandfather's seventy-fifth birthday or a younger sister's
wedding from 8,000 kilometres away leaves a wound that no scholarship can
heal. The climate can be cruel — Sri Lankan students in Canada speak of
suffering through their first –20°C winter. Costs are high, and a
part-time job often eats into study time. Finally, many bright graduates
never return, draining the country of the very talent it had invested in.
The best path, I believe, is to study abroad, gather knowledge — and bring
it home.
15 marks.