WARM-UP

Answer briefly. No overthinking.

1. Do you follow crime news?

2. Do you trust the justice system?

3. What makes a crime story believable to you?

VOCABULARY

ESSENTIAL (A2–B1)

allegation – a claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong
Example: The company denied the allegation.

perpetrator – the person who committed a crime
Example: The perpetrator was arrested at the airport.

accomplice – a person who helps commit a crime
Example: The accomplice drove the getaway car.

motive – the reason for committing a crime
Example: Money was the main motive.

criminal record – a history of crimes
Example: His criminal record affected his career.

DEVELOPED (B2–C2)

conviction – a legal decision that someone is guilty
Example: The trial ended with a conviction.

premeditated – planned before the crime
Example: Prosecutors said the attack was premeditated.

to tamper with evidence – to change or destroy proof
Example: He tried to tamper with evidence.

to plead guilty / not guilty – to formally admit or deny a crime
Example: She chose to plead not guilty.

to be charged with – to be officially accused of a crime
Example: He was charged with fraud.

to be acquitted – to be found not guilty
Example: The suspect was acquitted.

to evade the law – to avoid being caught or punished
Example: The criminal evaded the law for years.

to commit a felony – to carry out a serious crime
Example: He was arrested for committing a felony.

to serve a sentence – to spend time in prison
Example: She served a sentence of five years.

life sentence – prison for the rest of one’s life
Example: The judge imposed a life sentence.

READING

INTRODUCTION

Crime cases often move from allegation to trial, but not every suspect ends with a conviction. This article looks at how justice systems decide guilt.

ARTICLE (ALL LEVELS)

Police arrested a perpetrator and his accomplice after a robbery. Both were charged with committing a felony.

The defense said the allegation was weak and claimed there was no clear motive.

DEVELOPED ARTICLE (B1–C2)

Prosecutors argued the crime was premeditated and accused the suspects of trying to tamper with evidence.

During the trial, one suspect decided to plead guilty, while the other pleaded not guilty and claimed he had tried to evade the law out of fear.

In the end, the court secured a conviction for one man, who will serve a sentence of 15 years, while the second defendant was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Because of the criminal record, the convicted man could later face a longer punishment, possibly even a life sentence if he reoffends.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

A1–A2

1. Who is the perpetrator in a crime?

2. What does it mean to be charged with a crime?

3. What happens when someone is acquitted?

B1–B2

1. Why is motive important in court cases?

2. What is the difference between an allegation and a conviction?

3. Why is premeditated crime treated seriously?

C1–C2

1. How does tampering with evidence affect a trial?

2. Why might someone choose to plead guilty?

3. How does a criminal record influence sentencing?

SPEAKING

A1–A2 — FOUNDATION

Language Support:
“He did…”
“He was…”
“The crime was…”

PERSONAL QUESTIONS

1. Do you follow crime stories?

2. Have you heard of a famous perpetrator?

3. Do you think accomplices are as guilty?

4. What crimes worry you most?

5. Do you trust police investigations?

6. Is jail a good punishment?

7. Should crimes always lead to conviction?

8. Can someone be falsely accused by an allegation?

9. Do people change after prison?

10. Should past crimes stay on a criminal record forever?

11. Is honesty important in court?

12. Should all crimes be punished equally?

13. Can fear be a motive?

14. Do movies show crime realistically?

15. Would you serve as a juror?

B1–B2 — EXPANSION

Language Support:
“In my opinion…”
“I think that…”
“One reason is…”

PERSONAL QUESTIONS

1. Why do people commit felonies?

2. Should premeditated crimes get longer sentences?

3. Is it ever right to plead guilty for a lighter punishment?

4. How serious is tampering with evidence?

5. Can prison help people change?

6. Should repeat offenders get harsher penalties?

7. Is justice always fair?

8. Why do criminals try to evade the law?

9. Should an accomplice get the same punishment?

10. How important is proof in trials?

11. What role does public opinion play?

12. Should minors be treated differently?

13. Does media influence allegations?

14. What makes a fair sentence?

15. Can rehabilitation work?

C1–C2 — DEPTH & REFLECTION

Language Support:
“This suggests that…”
“One implication is…”
“From a legal perspective…”

PERSONAL QUESTIONS

1. How reliable are criminal allegations before trial?

2. Should courts focus more on punishment or rehabilitation?

3. When is a life sentence justified?

4. How does bias affect convictions?

5. Should old criminal records ever be erased?

6. How does technology change identifying a perpetrator?

7. Is justice possible without absolute truth?

8. How should courts handle weak evidence?

9. Why do juries sometimes acquit guilty people?

10. How does motive shape sentencing?

11. Should plea deals exist?

12. How do legal systems differ across countries?

13. What ethical issues surround long sentences?

14. How can the law prevent premeditated crime?

15. What defines true justice in modern society?