3a: Solving crimes

Discuss:

How do you feel when you manage to do something difficult?

I have to manage my own negative emotions and try to carry out the difficult challenge.

Do you enjoy a challenge?

Yes, I do. / No, I don't

What’s the most difficult thing you’ve ever done?

Driving cars.

Riding horses.

Swimming.

Diving.

Comprehension questions:

Do you think what he is doing is easy?

No, I don't

How do you think he feels?

Excited and a little afraid.

1 Warm-up

Have you ever read a crime or detective story?

Yes, I have. I once read a story about a group of people who wanted to rob a bank

What happened in the end? Did the police catch the criminals?

The police caught them in the end and they went to prison.

Did you like it? Why/Why not?

I liked it because it had a lot of action and a nice plot.

2 Vocabulary

A. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs. Then listen and check your answers.

1. The police caught the man who robbed the bank last week.

2. The police arrest two people last night, but they are not the bank robbers.

3. This morning a police officer arrested an old man who was shoplifter at the local supermarket.

B. Look at the words in the box and put them in the correct group. Then listen and check your answers.

3 Read

A. Below is a comic strip. Listen, read and choose the best title a, b or c.

a. Thieves at the Art Gallery
b. A Clever Hiding Place
c. The Mysterious Painting

Comprehension questions:

1. Who is Gary Bloom?

A famous artist.

2. What was stolen?

One of his paintings.

3. Who did the owner of the gallery call?

His old friend, Inspector Thomas Crane.

4. What was Harry Knight doing at the time of the theft?

He was watching the front door.

5. Where was Gary Bloom?

In the hall of the gallery.

6. Who was he arguing with?

His brother.

7. What was Mr Appleby doing?

He was hoovering in the next room.

8. Where was Alan Jones?

In his office.

9. What was he doing there?

He was talking on the phone to Bloom's agent about prices for the paintings.

10. Who stole the painting?

Mr Appleby.

11. Where was the painting?

In the hoover.

Post-reading

1. What do you think of the cleaner's idea to hide the painting in the hoover?

I think it was clever, but very wrong.

2. Do you know any famous detective characters?

Yes, Sherlock Holmes is my favourite.

B. Read again and answer the questions.

1. When was the painting stolen?

Just before the exhibition opening.

2. How much was the painting worth?

Over one million euros.

3. What’s the relationship between Alan Jones and Inspector Crane?

They are old friends.

4. How many people were in the gallery at the time of the theft?

Five.

5. When did Harry Knight start working at the gallery?

The day of the theft.

6. Why did Inspector Crane think it wasn’t necessary to interview anyone?

Because he knew who had stolen the painting.

7. What did they find in the hoover?

The stolen painting.

8. How did Inspector Crane find out who the thief was?

The floor was filthy despite the fact that Mr Appleby was cleaning it. Also, the hoover was brand new, so it was clear that something was wrong.

4 Grammar

Write questions. The words in bold are the answers.

1. did James buy from the shop.

2. sent you this postcard.

3. Pen did you take.

4. did the police catch last night.

5. did Danny call an hour ago.

6. car is Abdullah's.

7. book did you buy.

8. just called.

5 Speak

Talk in groups of four. One member of the group is a detective who is investigating a crime that happened at 10 o’clock last night.
He/She must ask the other members of the group questions. The other members must try to think of a good alibi.
Then the detective reports the alibis to the class to decide who has the best one.

A: Where were you at 10 o'clock last night?

B: I was at home.

A: Who were you with?

B: I was with John. Right, John?

C: Yes, that's right.

A: What were you two doing?

B: We were watching a documentary.

A: What was it about?

C: It was about some endangered animals.

A: What time did you leave, John?

C: At about 10:30.

A: Very well. What about you?

D: I was at the museum. I went to see a modern art exhibition.

A: Who were you with?

D: I was alone. But a lot of people saw me.

A: I see.... And what time did you go home?

D: Before 10.

A: And what did you do then?

D: I watched the news on TV.

A: OK, that's enough. I know who did it!