Add any other necessary words.

       Ladies and gentlemen, I can now confirm that two dangerous criminals, Roberto Froliano and Walter Hacker, have escaped from Florida State Prison. Security arrangements at the prison are being investigated to find out exactly how they escaped, but they (1) …… (to think) have escaped through the air-conditioning system. Floriano (2) …… (to understand) be one of the engineers who installed the air-conditioning system 5 years ago. This afternoon a semi-automatic rifle was stolen from a pet shop near the main highway, so I must warn members of the public not to approach these men, as it (3) …… (to believe) they are armed. According to witnesses the two men (4) …… (to report) be still wearing prison clothes. It (5) …… (to think) they are heading in the direction of the Everglades swamp to make it harder for tracker dogs to find them. The public should not panic – it (6) …… (to expect) these two dangerous men will be recaptured within the next 24 hours.

       Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

 

1. Complete these extracts from radio reports using the correct verbs in the passive form.

hold catch arrest discover

 

“A man _1_ by police last night after he _2_ shoplifting in a local store. Several thousand pounds’ worth of  jewellery _3_ in his pockets. He _4_ in police custody  until he appears in court.”

To be in custody [ʹkʌstədi] - находиться под арестом, быть взятым под стражу

convict fine find stop

 

 

“Carl Hancock, a retired doctor, _5_ £500 after _6_ of drunken driving. His car _7_ by police officers on the motorway and he _8_ to have 150 milligrammes of alcohol in his blood, almost twice the legal limit.

 

1. Complete the following:

Last week there was a big bank …… in the West End. The …… broke into the bank in broad daylight. They were wearing …… and carrying guns. One of the …… made the customers lie on the floor while the others …… the tellers of all the cash. They managed to …… easily. A few minutes later the …… arrived. Somebody must have given the alarm signal.

       The police now have …… four suspects by the description of the two ……, but their testimony is not enough to bring them to ……. The prosecutor says that identification …… is necessary, so …… parade is assigned for tomorrow.

       The four suspects deny their ……. They claim to have an ……. But it has to be proved. Of course, it’s only in court that they decide whether the accused is ……. or …….

 

1. Pair Work

A a. Read about five laws in different countries. Two are true and three are false.

b. Tell B about each law, using your own words. Then discuss each one together and decide whether you think it’s true or false.

c. Listen to B’s laws and say whether you think they are true or false.

Things you probably didn’t know about the law in …

1. Singapore. If you are caught dropping litter on three different occasions, you could get a very embarrassing sentence. You could be arrested and sentenced to cleaning the streets on Sundays. While you are cleaning, you have to wear a big sign saying “I’m a litter bug” (= a person who frequently drops rubbish in the street).
2. Bolivia. Kidnapping is considered to be a very serious crime in this South American country. However, if you are found guilty of this crime, the length of your prison sentence will vary depending on whether the person you kidnapped was male or female. A kidnapper will get a much longer prison sentence if the victim is a woman.
3. The USA. The Arizona Desert is the only place on the planet where the Saguaro cactus grows. Cutting down one of these plants without a special permit is considered an act of vandalism under Arizona law, and you could be heavily fined if you are found guilty.
4. Brazil. If a man is caught wearing a skirt in this country, he can be charged with immoral conduct and fined. However, if this crime is committed at Carnival time – then the police usually turn a blind eye (= pretend they haven’t seen you).
5. The Netherlands. The Dutch are a nation of dog-lovers. If you are a dog-owner and you commit a crime and are sentenced to go to prison, you do not need to worry about what will happen to your pet in your absence. The dog will be looked after by the state until you are released from prison.

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B a. Read about five laws in different countries. Three are true and two are false.

b. Tell A about each law, using your own words. Then discuss each one together and decide whether you think it’s true or false.

c. Listen to A’s laws and say whether you think they are true or false.

Things you probably didn’t know about the law in …

1. France. The French are well-known for being very protective of their language and culture. Under French law 70% of music on the radio must be by French artists between 8.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m. Any radio station not obeying this law could be investigated, charged, and fined.
2. Japan. One of the most popular presents for children is a robot pet, for example a robot dog. As these pets have artificial intelligence, and behave like real animals, they are included in the Animal Protection Laws, and it is a crime to damage or mistreat one. If you are caught doing this you may be banned from ever owning a pet again, either real or robot.
3. Switzerland. Many Swiss people live in blocks of flats and each building has a president who is responsible for the smooth running of this building. If you visit this country and stay in a flat, be careful! If you need to go to the toilet after 10.00 p.m. it’s illegal to flush the toilet. If another neighbour hears you flushing, he or she can report you to the president of the building and you may even be fined by the police.

To flush the toilet – спускать воду в уборной

1. Scotland. In England, if someone has been charged with a crime and has to go to court, he or she is considered innocent until proved guilty. However in Scotland the opposite is true – a suspect is considered guilty until proved innocent.
2. England. One of the best ways to travel around London is on the Tube (the London Underground). But have you ever noticed that nobody ever whistles? This is because although you can read a book or talk to a friend while you’re travelling, it is against law to whistle. If a London underground employee hears you, you could be reported to the police and even charged.

 

1. Use the correct tense- and voice-forms of the verbs in brackets.

A violent crime (to occur) every 31 seconds. According to FBI figures, in a 24-hour period, there (to be) 53 murders, 1,400 assaults and 180 cases of rape in the United States. And the rate of these crimes (to continue) to grow.

       “It’s an old saying around here that the victim of the crime actually (to victimize) twice: once by the criminal and once by the criminal justice system,” (to say) the head of an agency that (to help) victims of crime. This agency (to put) together a book entitled “The Criminal Justice System”, which (to note) that the criminal (to have) only a 20% chance of being arrested.

       If criminals (to arrest), they (to advise) on their legal rights and (to give) medical treatment if they (to require) it. If they can’t afford to hire their own attorney, one (to give) to them at the government’s expense. Then they (to get) a hearing and a bail (to set). If their bail (to pay), they (to release) and (to tell) to appear on the set trial date.

       The trial itself (to offer) a number of options to the criminal. The defence (to have) the right to answer the changes that (to make), prove certain evidence to be inadmissible and postpone the trial’s proceedings.

1. Reading Comprehension. Read the story and choose the correct option.

George had stolen some money, but the police had caught him and he had been put in prison. Now his trial was about to begin, and he felt sure that he would be found guilty and sent to prison for a long time. Then he discovered that an old friend of his was one of the members of the jury at his trial. Of course, he did not tell anybody, but he managed to see his friend secretly one day. He said to him, Jim, I know that the jury will find me guilty of having stolen the money. I cannot hope to be found not guilty of taking it – that would be too much to expect. But I should be grateful to you for the rest of my life if you could persuade the other members of the jury to soften the punishment.

       “Well, George,” answered Jim, I shall certainly try to do what I can for you as an old friend, but of course I cannot promise anything. The other eleven people on the jury look terribly strong-minded to me.

       George said that he would quite understand if Jim was not able to do anything for him, and thanked him warmly for agreeing to help. The trial went on, and at last the time came for the jury to decide whether George was guilty or not. It took them five hours, but in the end they found George guilty, with a strong recommendation to soften the punishment.

       Of course, George was very pleased, but he did not have a chance to see Jim for some time after the trial. At last, however, Jim visited him in prison, and George thanked him warmly and asked him how he had managed to persuade the other members of the jury to soften the punishment.

       “Well, George,” Jim answered, as I thought, those eleven men were very difficult to persuade, but I managed it in the end by tiring them out. Do you know those fools had all wanted to find you not guilty.

 

 

1. Which of the following best describes the main idea of the story?
1. A friend in need is a friend indeed
2. Any crime should be punished
3. Good intention often has the opposite effect
4. It is always easy to persuade the members of the jury.

 

1. Why did George ask his friend to do him a favour?
1. His friend Jim knew the legislation
2. Jim could see his friend secretly as he worked in prison
3. Jim was the member of the Parliament
4. Jim was one of those who was to decide if George was guilty.

 

1. George said that he would be grateful to Jim for the rest of his life if:
1. Jim could persuade the jury to find him not guilty
2. Jim could persuade the jury to pardon him.
3. Jim could persuade the jury to make his punishment less severe.
4. Jim could persuade the jury to fine him.

1. How did Jim manage to meet George’s request?
1. He said that George had not stolen the money.
2. The members of the jury were tired and they agreed.
3. He had worked in prison for a long time and knew everybody there.
4. He was an experienced lawyer.

1. Which of the following was not mentioned in the text?
1. Why George had been put in prison.
2. What George asked his friend about.
3. How many members there were in the jury.
4. George’s reaction to the news.

 

1. Reading Comprehension. Read the story and choose the correct option.

Winter was coming, and Soapy, one of the many thousands of New York pickpockets, felt uneasy. He knew that the time had come for him to look for shelter. Soapy’s desires were not great. Three months in prison was what he wanted. There he was sure of a little food and a bed, safe from winter wind and the cold. For years prison had been his shelter during winter. Now the time had come again.

       Having decided to go to prison, Soapy at once set about fulfilling his desire. There were many easy ways of doing this. The pleasantest was to dine well at some expensive restaurant, and then, after saying that he could not pay, be quietly arrested by a policeman and sent to prison by the judge. But just as Soapy entered the restaurant door, the head waiter’s eyes fell upon his shabby trousers and boots. Strong hands turned him round and pushed him to the sidewalk.

       Soapy turned off Broadway. He had to think of another way of getting to prison. At a corner of Sixth Avenue he saw a brightly lit shop window. Soapy took a cobble stone and threw it at the glass and broke it. People came running around the corner, a policeman at their head. Soapy stood still, with his hands in his pockets, and smiling when he saw the policeman’s blue coat. “Where is the man that has done it?” shouted the policeman. “Do you think I have done it?’, said Soapy in a friendly way. The policeman didn’t understand Soapy’s hint. Men who break windows do not usually remain to speak to the policemen. They run away. Just then the policeman saw a man hurrying to catch a car. Club in hand, he rushed after that man. Soapy had failed again.

       At last he reached a street where there was little traffic and few pedestrians. At a quiet corner he suddenly stopped. There was an old church in front of him. Through the windows a soft light shone, and he heard the sweet music of the organ which made him approach the iron fence. The moon was above, cold and beautiful, and the music made Soapy suddenly remember those days when his life contained such things as mothers and roses, and collars. Soapy listened to the music and murmured to himself: “There is time yet. I will reform. I will become an honest man.” Soapy felt a hand on his arm. He looked quickly around into the broad face of a policeman. “Then come along,” said the policeman. “Thinking of robbing the church, eh?” “Three months’ imprisonment,” said the judge in the Police Court the next morning.

 

1. Why did Soapy feel uneasy when winter came?

a. He felt that he was a lost man and his time was up.

b. He was homeless and needed a place to stay in winter.

c. His pickpocketing business wasn’t good in winter.

d. He had no hopes for better life.

1. Why did Soapy break the shop window?

a. He wanted to be imprisoned for a minor offence.

b. He was drunk and couldn’t realize what he was doing.

c. It was his act of protest against his miserable life.

d. Neither of these reasons is right.

1. Why did Soapy fail in his second attempt to be arrested?

a. The policeman felt sorry for Soapy.

b. The policeman’s attention was distracted by the man, running after a bus.

c. The policeman was deceived by Soapy’s behavior.

d. All criminals always speak to the policemen in a friendly way.

1. What made Soapy stop in front of the old church?

a. The music was very loud.

b.  He was bewildered by the beauty of the old church.

c. The romantic atmosphere arose sweet memories in his heart.

d. He was thinking of robbing the church.

 

Cobble stone - булыжник

Club(n) - дубинка

To murmur – шептать, бормотать

To be bewildered [biʹwildəd] – быть смущённым, озадаченным, сбитым с толку.

 

1. Read the text and choose a, b, or c.