Task 1. Does crime really pay?

Read these extracts from a book entitled Criminal Records and answer the questions.

HOPELESS HOLD-UPS

I. Two old ladies were walking in a Hamburg cemetery when a thief grabbed their suitcase. He ran away, unaware that he had stolen a dead cat! Later, the ladies explained that at the time of the incident they were on the way to bury their pet. They were convinced that the authorities would not let them, and they had decided to bury it after dark.

1. Do you think the first thief was surprised when he opened the suitcase? Why/Why not?

II. Everything was going smoothly as Raymond Burles tried to rob a Paris bank. He pointed a gun at the cashier and told him to hand over the money. Burles scooped £4,000 into a canvas holdall and zipped it up. Then he backed to the door ordering everyone to freeze. To his surprise no one took any notice – the staff and customers all jumped on him and pinned him to the floor. It was at this point that Burles realized that he had zipped up his gun in the bag along with the money.

Why was Burles arrested so easily?

III. Between the lines: «It’s hard to live in a studio apartment in San Jose with a man who’s learning to play the violin». That’s what she told the police when she handed them the empty revolver.

What facts does the story give you?

What has happened?

Why did it happen?

What are the possible relationships between the violin player and the woman? 5. How would you describe the woman’s mood?

What other information can you suggest?

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