INTRODUCE
It’s important to read news about crimes and other dangerous incidents so you can be aware of what’s happening around you and stay safe.
PRESENT
STEP A EXPRESSIONS
I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.
1. If someone allegedly did something, it means that he/she is accused of doing it but there is no proof yet.
Why is one of the company’s directors being investigated?
He was allegedly involved in an illegal deal, but they won’t remove him from his position unless they find actual proof.
2. A suspect is a person who the police think might have committed a crime.
Did the police find out who broke into the café last week?
No, but they’re already talking to a few suspects.
3. The victim of a crime or an accident is the one who suffered because of it.
Did you hear about the purse-snatching last night?
Yeah! It’s scary, but luckily, the victim wasn’t hurt.
II. Now, talk about a crime that made the news recently. Use the expressions above.
STEP B PRONUNCIATION
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
he allegedly / hee-yuh-leh-jid-lee / |
/ hee-yuh-leh-jid-lee / punched another customer. |
UNDERSTAND
READING
Naoki’s reading the local news.
 |
Man Allegedly Attacked over Trash Argument
July 18 | Onizuka Sachie
A 28-year-old man was attacked by an unknown person in a Fukuoka neighborhood last Friday.
According to the victim, he was walking down a dark alley to his apartment when a man suddenly grabbed him from behind and hit him. The victim called for help, but the assault continued until a passerby came to his rescue and called the police. The victim received several injuries from the attack and is currently recovering at a nearby hospital.
The identity of the attacker remains unknown. However, the police already have some suspects, including one of the victim’s neighbors. According to some witnesses, the victim was involved in a heated argument with the suspect just a few days before the incident. The suspect allegedly shouted threats at the victim for putting his trash out on the wrong day and has been called in for questioning by the police.
TRIVIA
How many crimes do you know the English terms for? Here are some useful ones:
- assault – hurting someone
- murder – killing someone on purpose
- manslaughter – killing someone accidentally
- mugging – attacking and robbing someone in public
- burglary – illegally entering a place to steal from it
- arson – setting fire to something (especially buildings)
- kidnapping – forcibly taking someone and keeping him/her somewhere
PRACTICE
STEP A EXERCISE
Read the story below. Then, choose T for true and F for false. If F, give the correct answer.
Last night, somebody broke into Phillip’s home. The burglar is believed to have entered the house by climbing through the second floor window. He opened Phillip’s safe and took his money and other valuables. The police have called in Phillip’s gardener, Frank, for questioning. They’re also investigating Phillip’s driver, Patrick.
- The victim is Frank, Phillip’s gardener. ( T / F )
- There is only one suspect. ( T / F )
- The suspect allegedly entered the house through the second floor window. ( T / F )
- The victim lost his money and other valuables. ( T / F )
STEP B EXERCISE
Follow the instructions in parentheses using the expressions in the box. The form of some expressions may need to be changed.
- Tutor:
Hey, did you hear? Someone got mugged downtown last night!
- Student:
Yeah! It’s really bad. (Say that the person who was mugged lost all her money.)
- Tutor:
Really? Oh, no! Did the police catch who did it?
- Student:
(Say that the police haven’t caught the thief yet, but they’re investigating some people who might have done it.)
- Tutor:
That’s unfortunate. How did the thief escape?
- Student:
(Say that you’re not sure, but people say he escaped using a motorcycle that he also stole.)
- Tutor:
Wow! I hope the police find him soon!
CHALLENGE
Challenge 1
Your foreign friend is thinking about staying at the East Paramount Hotel when he/she visits Japan next month. You don’t know anything about the hotel, so you looked it up online. Read an article about the hotel. Then, tell your foreign friend about what you read.
Today's Expressions
- allegedly
- suspect
- victim
Guest loses valuables at premier Tokyo hotel
by Hisashi Kohei | May 19
A guest has filed a police report against some of the East Paramount Hotel’s staff for allegedly stealing from her.
Lucy Wang, a businessperson from China, called authorities last Monday after losing approximately $5,000 worth of valuables at the luxury hotel located in Tokyo. According to Wang, she went out during the second day of her stay to have lunch with some clients. She left several valuables in her room, thinking that they were safe. However, when she returned, she discovered that her laptop and some of her jewelry were missing.
After an initial investigation, authorities have taken in some suspects for questioning. Among those being interviewed by the police are two members of the hotel’s maintenance staff and the bellhop who carried Wang’s things to her room when she checked in. Wang’s missing belongings have yet to be found. The hotel has issued an apology for the incident and has offered its full cooperation to resolve the matter.
Challenge 2
Discuss your ideas.
If TimeAllows
1 CRIMES |
2 CRIMES IN THE NEWS |
3 BEING A CRIME VICTIM |
|---|---|---|
|
1 CRIMES
|
2CRIMES IN THE NEWS
|
3BEING A CRIME VICTIM
|
FEEDBACK
I can read and understand an article about a crime.
LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT
-
4
Very GoodCould complete the task with ease
-
3
GoodCould complete the task with some clarifications
-
2
FairCould complete the task with additional instructions
-
1
PoorCould somehow complete the task with difficulty
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
- RANGE
the ability to use a wide variety of vocabulary - ACCURACY
the ability to speak correctly - FLUENCY
the ability to speak smoothly without pauses or fillers - INTERACTION
the ability to manage a conversation
