The brave old lady and the hopeless crook

Mrs Johns, a 75-year-old widow, woke up with a start. Peering into the darkness, she was astonished (see) 1 to see a man in her room. It was easy (see) 2 ….. he was a burglar. At first, she was too afraid (move) 3 ……. Then she plucked up her courage and said, ‘We must talk about this over a cup of tea. Would you be so kind (help me) 4 ……….. downstairs? To her surprise, the man meekly obeyed. He was eager (help) 5 ………… and anxious (please) 6 ………….. the old lady. He prepared the tea and said he was sorry (have disturbed) 7 …………… her. He was too frightened (run away) 8 ……... After a cup of tea, he said he would be glad (give) 9 ……. Mrs Johns his name and address and left empty-handed. Of course, Mrs Johns informed the police, who commended her for her bravery. Later, during the trial, the judge said it was his duty (send) 10 ………… the man to prison, describing him as the most incompetent burglar he had ever met.

2. Read the text and put in the correct forms of the infinitive or – ing form. The first has been done for you.

THIS WAY! THAT WAY!

In a split second, when no one was paying attention, the two prisoners escaped from the back of the police van. They were handcuffed to each other. It was minutes before a policeman saw them (run) 1 running down the street. ‘We’ll follow,’ two policeman said. ‘Have the driver (bring) 2 ….. the van to the end of the road. Tell him (not let) 3 …… them get away. If we’re not very careful, we’ll have the whole neighborhood (complain) 4 …. that we’ve been careless.’ The prisoners were still running side by side. The policemen saw them (race) 5 ….. up the hill and (disappear) 6 …… round the corner. ‘We’ll never catch them now!’ one of them said. ‘I told you (not to leave) 7 ….. them unattended.’ the prisoners were running at top speed. Suddenly, they saw a lamp post in front of them ‘Go left! Go right!’ they each shouted at the same time. They ran on either side of the lamp post. It just took time for the police (find) 8 …. them, lying on the pavement, unhurt, dazed, and with silly grins on their faces.

UNIT 3

CRIMES

LEAD – IN

20 words and expressions in the list below are related to the topic “Crimes”. You have two minutes to tick them all.

common law; legal significance; criminal law; to commit a crime; to resolve disputes; remedies; felony; bailiff; theft; misdemeanor; to be empowered; robbery; barrister; murder; curriculum vitae; void contract; confidence trick; negotiation; mugger; grievous bodily harm; parental neglect; play truant; legislature; arson; matrimonial case; verdict; accomplice; prejudice; suspect; solicitor; homicide; injury; recorder; malicious; pickpocket; shoplifting; redress; probation; vandal; manslaughter; culprit; carjacking.

TASK 1

Match the key terms of Unit 3 in ‘Legal English’ to their Russian equivalents on the right.

a. Criminal law b. To commit a crime c. Felony d. Suspect e. Burglary f. Misdemeanor g. To prove somebody’s guilt h. Theft i. Robbery j. Arson

1. Фелония, тяжкое преступление 2. Подозреваемый 3. Кража со взломом 4. Уголовное право 5. Поджог 6. Доказать чью-л. вину 7. Кража 8. Мисдиминор, менее тяжкое преступление 9. Ограбление 10. Совершать преступление

TASK 2

Can you guess the meanings of the words from their definitions? Pick one of the variants: a or b. Consult the glossary if necessary. Give yourself 1 point for each correct answer.

1. To strike with a fist – a) punch; b) kick

2. To move or go in a furtive or stealthy manner – a) sneak; b) crawl

3. Secretly make plans to carry something out (an illegal or harmful action) – a) deal; b) plot

4. To leave somewhere very quickly in order to escape from danger – a) flee; b) hide

5. To rob the premises or a person – a) mug; b) foil

6. To mimic a document or any other thing – a) search; b) forge

7. Serious harm caused to human health, and which provides for criminal liability – a) frustration; b) serious bodily harm

8. An intent motivating criminal act – a) guilty mind; b) actus reus

9. A crime that involves great responsibility – a) misdemeanor; b) strict liability offence

10. The action or practice of driving fast and dangerously in a stolen car for enjoyment – a) drunk - driving; b) joyriding

TASK 3