The Reading / Listening - Winter Coats - Level 6

There has been a spate of muggings in cities across the globe as muggers are focusing on a new item to steal – luxury coats. In recent weeks, people in London, Washington DC and other metropolitan areas have been robbed of their coats at knifepoint. One man in Birmingham in the UK was slashed across his face as thieves made off with his jacket. Criminals are targeting coats that cost as much as $2,200 each. As well as literally stealing the coats off people's backs, thieves are breaking into people's vehicles. Professor David Wilson, a criminologist at Birmingham City University, warned that the muggings were the start of a new "luxury crime trend". He said the thefts were "worrying".

Professor Wilson warned those with high-end winter jackets to be careful. He said: "I would tell anyone wearing Canada Goose branded jackets to be careful and be aware of your surroundings and who is around you. You have to be vigilant for opportunists who might try to steal them." He added that: "Thieves used to target Rolex watches which go for thousands of pounds and then sell them online." A London Transport spokesperson said: "Canada Goose coats are targeted for robbery. It's a real concern to us because it really impacts the safety of young people on the network." She added that this "acquisitive crime" was "very concerning, intimidating and frightening".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Winter Coats - Level 4  or  Winter Coats - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/canada-goose-wearers-warned-luxury-31794767
  • https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/warning-over-fashion-label-bullring-28382742
  • https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12916253/The-rise-Canada-Goose-coat-muggings-Warning-crooks-targeting-owners-1-700-jackets-selling-profit-Lawless-Britains-latest-luxury-items.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. WINTER COATS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about winter coats. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       spate / muggers / luxury coats / recent weeks / thieves / stealing / criminologist /
       winter jackets / your surroundings / vigilant / opportunists / robbery / network / crime
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PRISON: Students A strongly believe muggers should go to prison for at least 20 years; Students B strongly believe that's too long. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CRIMINALS: How dangerous are these criminals? What harm do they do? What experiences have you had of them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How Dangerous?

Harm?

Your Experiences

Mugger

 

 

 

Burglar

 

 

 

Pickpocket

 

 

 

Shoplifter

 

 

 

Vandal

 

 

 

Trespasser

 

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. MUGGER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "mugger". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BRANDS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best brands at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Louis Vuitton
  • Apple
  • Disney
  • Lego
  • Mercedes
  • Adidas
  • Airbnb
  • McDonald's

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1.

spate

a.

An expert in the scientific study of crime and criminals.
      2.

mugger

b.

Relating to or about a large city.
      3.

metropolitan

c.

Stole
      4.

slashed

d.

A large number of similar things coming in quick succession.
      5.

made off with

e.

Exactly.
      6.

literally

f.

A person who attacks and robs another in a public place.
      7.

criminologist

g.

Cut with a wide, sweeping movement, typically using a knife or sword.

    Paragraph 2

      8.

high-end

h.

A person who takes advantage of chances or possibilities as and when they arise.
      9.

branded

i.

Sell for.
      10.

vigilant

j.

Having a frightening, overawing, or threatening effect.
      11.

opportunist

k.

Having a brand name.
      12.

go for

l.

Have a strong effect on someone or something.
      13.

impact

m.

Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
      14.

intimidating

n.

The most expensive of a range of products.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Muggers have been stealing expensive coats in cities worldwide.     T / F
  2. Some muggers have used knives to steal luxury winter coats.     T / F
  3. Muggers are only stealing coats that cost more than $2,200.     T / F
  4. A criminologist said the coat thefts have become a trend.     T / F
  5. A professor warned people who wear the Canada Duck brand coats.     T / F
  6. The professor said people with luxury coats should be vigilantes.     T / F
  7. London Transport asked people not to wear luxury coats on their trains. T / F
  8. London Transport said the coat thefts were worrying and scary.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. spate
  2. steal
  3. slashed
  4. literally
  5. worrying
  6. high-end
  7. surroundings
  8. vigilant
  9. crime
  10. intimidating
  1. threatening
  2. alarming
  3. lawbreaking
  4. thieve
  5. observant
  6. series
  7. expensive
  8. exactly
  9. environment
  10. knifed

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. There has been a spate
  2. London, Washington DC and other
  3. robbed of their coats
  4. thieves made off
  5. thieves are breaking into
  6. high-
  7. You have to be vigilant for
  8. Rolex watches which go
  9. it really impacts the safety
  10. concerning, intimidating
  1. for thousands of pounds
  2. at knifepoint
  3. people's vehicles
  4. opportunists
  5. of muggings
  6. of young people
  7. end winter jackets
  8. metropolitan areas
  9. and frightening
  10. with his jacket

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
knifepoint
literally
criminologist
spate
slashed
trend
item
breaking

There has been a (1) _____________________ of muggings in cities across the globe as muggers are focusing on a new (2) _____________________ to steal – luxury coats. In recent weeks, people in London, Washington DC and other metropolitan areas have been robbed of their coats at (3) _____________________. One man in Birmingham in the UK was (4) _____________________ across his face as thieves made off with his jacket. Criminals are targeting coats that cost as much as $2,200 each. As well as (5) _____________________ stealing the coats off people's backs, thieves are (6) _____________________ into people's vehicles. Professor David Wilson, a (7) _____________________ at Birmingham City University, warned that the muggings were the start of a new "luxury crime (8) _____________________". He said the thefts were "worrying".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
target
concern
end
vigilant
intimidating
branded
go
surroundings

Professor Wilson warned those with high- (9) ____________________ winter jackets to be careful. He said: "I would tell anyone wearing Canada Goose (10) _____________________ jackets to be careful and be aware of your (11) _____________________ and who is around you. You have to be (12) _____________________ for opportunists who might try to steal them." He added that: "Thieves used to (13) _____________________ Rolex watches which (14) _____________________ for thousands of pounds and then sell them online." A London Transport spokesperson said: "Canada Goose coats are targeted for robbery. It's a real (15) _____________________ to us because it really impacts the safety of young people on the network." She added that this "acquisitive crime" was "very concerning, (16) _____________________ and frightening".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  and other metropolitan areas have been robbed of their ______
     a.  coats at knifepoints
     b.  coat sat knife paint
     c.  coats at knifepoint
     d.  coats at knife paints
2)  One man in Birmingham in the ______
     a.  UK was sloshed
     b.  UK was slushed
     c.  UK was slashed
     d.  UK was splashed
3)  Criminals are targeting coats that cost as much ______
     a.  at $2,200 each
     b.  as $2,200 each
     c.  has $2,200 each
     d.  was $2,200 each
4)  stealing the coats off people's backs, thieves are breaking ______
     a.  into people's vehicles
     b.  unto people's vehicles
     c.  onto people's vehicles
     d.  as to people's vehicles
5)  warned that the muggings were the start of a new ______
     a.  luxury crime trendy
     b.  luxury crime trends
     c.  luxury crime trending
     d.  luxury crime trend

6)  I would tell anyone wearing Canada Goose branded jackets to be careful ______
     a.  and beware
     b.  and be a where
     c.  and beer where
     d.  and be aware
7)  of your surroundings and who is around you. You have ______
     a.  to be vigilante
     b.  to be vigilance
     c.  to be vigil ant
     d.  to be vege lentil
8)  He added that: "Thieves used to target Rolex watches which ______
     a.  come for thousands
     b.  go for thousands
     c.  grow for thousands
     d.  ago for thousands
9)  A London Transport spokesperson said Canada Goose coats are ______
     a.  targeted for rubbery
     b.  targeted four robbery
     c.  targeted for Ribery
     d.  targeted for robbery
10)  She added that this "acquisitive crime" was "very concerning, ______
     a.  intimidation and frightening
     b.  intimidating and frightening
     c.  intimidating and frightened
     d.  intimidation and frightened

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

There has been a (1) ____________________ in cities across the globe as muggers are focusing on a new item to (2) ____________________. In recent weeks, people in London, Washington DC and other metropolitan areas have been robbed of their (3) ____________________. One man in Birmingham in the UK was slashed across his face as thieves made off with his jacket. Criminals are targeting coats that cost as much as $2,200 each. As (4) ____________________ stealing the coats off people's backs, thieves are breaking into people's vehicles. Professor David Wilson, (5) ____________________ Birmingham City University, warned that the muggings were the start of a new "luxury crime trend". He said the (6) ____________________.

Professor Wilson warned those with (7) ____________________ jackets to be careful. He said: "I would tell anyone wearing Canada Goose branded jackets to be careful and be aware (8) ____________________ and who is around you. You have to (9) ____________________ opportunists who might try to steal them." He added that: "Thieves used to target Rolex watches (10) ____________________ thousands of pounds and then sell them online." A London Transport spokesperson said: "Canada Goose coats are targeted for robbery. It's (11) ____________________ to us because it really impacts the safety of young people on the network." She added that this (12) ____________________ "very concerning, intimidating and frightening".

Comprehension questions

  1. What has there been a spate of worldwide?
  2. Which two cities in the article were said to have coat muggings?
  3. What are muggers using to threaten people and steal coats?
  4. Who much do the coats cost that muggers are stealing?
  5. What kind of trend did a criminologist say we are at the start of?
  6. What is the name of the brand of coats mentioned in the article?
  7. Who did a professor say we needed to be vigilant for?
  8. What did the professor say muggers used to target?
  9. What did London Transport say the robberies impacted the safety of?
  10. What kind of crime did London Transport call the coat thefts?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What has there been a spate of worldwide?
a) cities
b) muggings / coat thefts
c) muggers
d) globes
2)  Which two cities in the article were said to have coat muggings?
a) Paris and Rio
b) New York and London
c) Washington DC and Paris
d) London and Washington DC
3) What are muggers using to threaten people and steal coats?
a) knives
b) the Internet
c) guns
d) blackmail
4) Who much do the coats cost that muggers are stealing?
a) exactly $2,200
b) more than $2,200
c) up to $2,200
d) around $2,200
5) What kind of trend did a criminologist say we are at the start of?
a) a coat-wearing trend
b) a luxury crime trend
c) a luxury trend
d) a criminal trend

6) What is the name of the brand of coats mentioned in the article?
a) Canada Goose
b) Canada Duck
c) Cameroon Goose
d) Cameroon Duck
7) Who did a professor say we needed to be vigilant for?
a) feathers
b) geese
c) opportunists
d) coats
8) What did the professor say muggers used to target?
a) Rolex watches
b) the rich and famous
c) bulls eyes
d) extreme wealth
9) What did London Transport say the robberies impacted the safety of?
a) young people
b) coat makers
c) geese
d) muggers
10) What kind of crime did London Transport call the coat thefts?
a) petty crime
b) goose-feather crime
c) network crime
d) acquisitive crime

Role play

Role  A – Louis Vuitton
You think Louis Vuitton is the best brand. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their brands. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Apple, Mercedes or Disney.

Role  B – Apple
You think Apple is the best brand. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their brands. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Louis Vuitton, Mercedes or Disney.

Role  C – Mercedes
You think Mercedes is the best brand. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their brands. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Apple, Louis Vuitton or Disney.

Role  D – Disney
You think Disney is the best brand. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their brands. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Apple, Mercedes or Louis Vuitton.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'luxury'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'coat'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • spate
    • recent
    • knifepoint
    • much
    • breaking
    • start
    • high
    • aware
    • vigilant
    • used to
    • real
    • frightening

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Winter Coats

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'mugger'?
    3. How safe are the streets where you live?
    4. How can we stop muggings?
    5. What crimes are you worried about in your town?
    6. Why do people buy $2,000 coats?
    7. What kinds of coats do you like?
    8. What luxury items do you like?
    9. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    10. What advice do you have for people wearing expensive coats?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'coat'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you do to stay safe on the streets?
    5. Have you had any bad experiences on the streets in your town?
    6. What punishment should be given to muggers?
    7. What is so good about luxury clothes and other items?
    8. How much better is a $2,000 coat than a $200 coat?
    9. Have you ever stolen anything?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the police?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    There has been a (1) ____ of muggings in cities across the globe as muggers are focusing on a new item to steal – luxury coats. In recent weeks, people in London, Washington DC and other metropolitan areas have been (2) ____ of their coats at knifepoint. One man in Birmingham in the UK was (3) ____ across his face as thieves made (4) ____ with his jacket. Criminals are targeting coats that cost as much as $2,200 each. As well as (5) ____ stealing the coats off people's backs, thieves are (6) ____ into people's vehicles. Professor David Wilson, a criminologist at Birmingham City University, warned that the muggings were the start of a new "luxury crime trend". He said the thefts were "worrying".

    Professor Wilson warned those with high-(7) ____ winter jackets to be careful. He said: "I would tell anyone wearing Canada Goose branded jackets to be careful and (8) ____ aware of your surroundings and who is around you. You have to be vigilant (9) ____ opportunists who might try to steal them." He added that: "Thieves used to target Rolex watches which (10) ____ for thousands of pounds and then sell them online." A London Transport spokesperson said: "Canada Goose coats are targeted for robbery. It's a real concern (11) ____ us because it really impacts the safety of young people on the network." She added that this "acquisitive crime" was "very concerning, intimidating and (12) ____".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     spite     (b)     spate     (c)     spat     (d)     spit    
    2. (a)     fobbed     (b)     robbed     (c)     dobbed     (d)     mobbed    
    3. (a)     slashing     (b)     slasher     (c)     slash     (d)     slashed    
    4. (a)     up     (b)     off     (c)     on     (d)     down    
    5. (a)     flattery     (b)     lottery     (c)     laterally     (d)     literally    
    6. (a)     broken     (b)     breakage     (c)     breaking     (d)     broke    
    7. (a)     end     (b)     start     (c)     finish     (d)     limit    
    8. (a)     do     (b)     have     (c)     be     (d)     take    
    9. (a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     for    
    10. (a)     go     (b)     tell     (c)     tick     (d)     amount    
    11. (a)     to     (b)     of     (c)     as     (d)     at    
    12. (a)     frightening     (b)     frighteners     (c)     frightens     (d)     fright

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. There has been a stape of muggings
    2. other teiaonptrmlo areas
    3. ldshaes across his face
    4. breaking into people's hsvelcie
    5. a gimnioilcotrs at Birmingham City University
    6. He said the tesfth were worrying

    Paragraph 2

    1. be aware of your odsrgunsnuri
    2. You have to be iivntlag
    3. noptsptiuors who might try to steal them
    4. it really ctamips the safety of young people
    5. tuisqiiacve crime
    6. very concerning, iimgniittnda and frightening

    Put the text back together

    (...)   wearing Canada Goose branded jackets to be careful and be aware of your surroundings and who is
    (...)   across his face as thieves made off with his jacket. Criminals are targeting coats that cost as
    (...)   areas have been robbed of their coats at knifepoint. One man in Birmingham in the UK was slashed
    (...)   Rolex watches which go for thousands of pounds and then sell them online." A London Transport
    (...)   much as $2,200 each. As well as literally stealing the coats off people's backs, thieves are breaking into people's
    (...)   on a new item to steal – luxury coats. In recent weeks, people in London, Washington DC and other metropolitan
    (...)   start of a new "luxury crime trend". He said the thefts were "worrying".
    (...)   vehicles. Professor David Wilson, a criminologist at Birmingham City University, warned that the muggings were the
    (...)     the safety of young people on the network." She added that this "acquisitive crime"
    (...)   spokesperson said: "Canada Goose coats are targeted for robbery. It's a real concern to us because it really impacts
    (...)   Professor Wilson warned those with high-end winter jackets to be careful. He said: "I would tell anyone
    (...)   around you. You have to be vigilant for opportunists who might try to steal them." He added that: "Thieves used to target
    (  1  )   There has been a spate of muggings in cities across the globe as muggers are focusing
    (...)   was "very, concerning, intimidating and frightening".

    Put the words in the right order

    1. been   of   cities   .   spate   in   a   muggings   There's
    2. on   to   are   new   focusing   items   steal   .   Muggers
    3. knifepoint   .   coats   their   at   of   People   were   robbed
    4. was   slashed   his   man   across   face   .   One
    5. crime   a   The   of   trend   .   new   start   luxury
    6. warned   of   their   surroundings   .   be   people   He   aware
    7. to   have   for   really   be   opportunists   .   You   vigilant
    8. which   Target   of   watches   for   thousands   go   pounds   .
    9. young   really   impacts   safety   people   .   of   the   It
    10. very   crime   this   concerning   .   acquisitive   was   added   She

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    There has been a spite / spate of muggings in cities across the globe as muggers are focusing in / on a new item to steal – luxury coats. In recent weeks, people in London, Washington DC and other / another metropolitan areas have been robbed of their coats on / at knifepoint. One man in Birmingham in the UK was slashed across his face as thieves made on / off with his jacket. Criminals are targeting coats that cost as much as $2,200 each / piece. As well as laterally / literally stealing the coats off people's backs, thieves are breeching / breaking into people's vehicles. Professor David Wilson, a criminologist / criminology at Birmingham City University, warned that the muggings were the start of a new "luxury crime trend". He said the thefts were "worried / worrying".

    Professor Wilson warned them / those with high-end winter jackets to be careful. He said: "I would tell anyone wearing Canada Goose blended / branded jackets to be careful and be beware / aware of your surroundings and who is around you. You have to be vigilant / vigilance for opportunists who might try to stole / steal them." He added that: "Thieves used to target Rolex watches which go at / for thousands of pounds and then sold / sell them online." A London Transport spokesperson said: "Canada Goose coats are targeted for robbery. It's a really / real concern to us because it really impacts the safety of young / youth people on the network." She added that this "acquisitive crime" was "very concerning, intimidation / intimidating and frightening".

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Th_r_  h_s  b__n  _  sp_t_  _f  m_gg_ngs  _n  c_t__s  _cr_ss  th_  gl_b_  _s  m_gg_rs  _r_  f_c_s_ng  _n  _  n_w  _t_m  t_  st__l  –  l_x_ry  c__ts.  _n  r_c_nt  w__ks  p__pl_  _n  L_nd_n,  W_sh_ngt_n  DC  _nd  _th_r  m_tr_p_l_t_n  _r__s  h_v_  b__n  r_bb_d  _f  th__r  c__ts  _t  kn_f_p__nt.  _n_  m_n  _n  B_rm_ngh_m  _n  th_  _K  w_s  sl_sh_d  _cr_ss  h_s  f_c_  _s  th__v_s  m_d_  _ff  w_th  h_s  j_ck_t.  Cr_m_n_ls  _r_  t_rg_t_ng  c__ts  th_t  c_st  _s  m_ch  _s  $2,200  __ch.  _s  w_ll  _s  l_t_r_lly  st__l_ng  th_  c__ts  _ff  p__pl_'s  b_cks,  th__v_s  _r_  br__k_ng  _nt_  p__pl_'s  v_h_cl_s.  Pr_f_ss_r  D_v_d  W_ls_n,  _  cr_m_n_l_g_st  _t  B_rm_ngh_m  C_ty  _n_v_rs_ty,  w_rn_d  th_t  th_  m_gg_ngs  w_r_  th_  st_rt  _f  _  n_w  "l_x_ry  cr_m_  tr_nd".  H_  s__d  th_  th_fts  w_r_  "w_rry_ng".

    Pr_f_ss_r  W_ls_n  w_rn_d  th_s_  w_th  h_gh-_nd  w_nt_r  j_ck_ts  t_  b_  c_r_f_l.  H_  s__d:  "_  w__ld  t_ll  _ny_n_  w__r_ng  C_n_d_  G__s_  br_nd_d  j_ck_ts  t_  b_  c_r_f_l  _nd  b_  _w_r_  _f  y__r  s_rr__nd_ngs  _nd  wh_  _s  _r__nd  y__.  Y__  h_v_  t_  b_  v_g_l_nt  f_r  _pp_rt_n_sts  wh_  m_ght  try  t_  st__l  th_m."  H_  _dd_d  th_t:  "Th__v_s  _s_d  t_  t_rg_t  R_l_x  w_tch_s  wh_ch  g_  f_r  th__s_nds  _f  p__nds  _nd  th_n  s_ll  th_m  _nl_n_."  _  L_nd_n  Tr_nsp_rt  sp_k_sp_rs_n  s__d:  "C_n_d_  G__s_  c__ts  _r_  t_rg_t_d  f_r  r_bb_ry.  _t's  _  r__l  c_nc_rn  t_  _s  b_c__s_  _t  r__lly  _mp_cts  th_  s_f_ty  _f  y__ng  p__pl_  _n  th_  n_tw_rk."  Sh_  _dd_d  th_t  th_s  "_cq__s_t_v_  cr_m_"  w_s  "v_ry  c_nc_rn_ng,  _nt_m_d_t_ng  _nd  fr_ght_n_ng".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    there has been a spate of muggings in cities across the globe as muggers are focusing on a new item to steal luxury coats in recent weeks people in london washington dc and other metropolitan areas have been robbed of their coats at knifepoint one man in birmingham in the uk was slashed across his face as thieves made off with his jacket criminals are targeting coats that cost as much as 2200 each as well as literally stealing the coats off peoples backs thieves are breaking into peoples vehicles professor david wilson a criminologist at birmingham city university warned that the muggings were the start of a new luxury crime trend he said the thefts were worrying

    professor wilson warned those with highend winter jackets to be careful he said i would tell anyone wearing canada goose branded jackets to be careful and be aware of your surroundings and who is around you you have to be vigilant for opportunists who might try to steal them he added that thieves used to target rolex watches which go for thousands of pounds and then sell them online a london transport spokesperson said canada goose coats are targeted for robbery its a real concern to us because it really impacts the safety of young people on the network she added that this acquisitive crime was very concerning intimidating and frightening

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Therehasbeenaspateofmuggingsincitiesacrosstheglobeasmuggersa
    refocusingonanewitemtosteal–luxurycoats.Inrecentweeks,people
    einLondon,WashingtonDCandothermetropolitanareashavebeenrob
    bedoftheircoatsatknifepoint.OnemaninBirminghamintheUKwasslas
    hedacrosshisfaceasthievesmadeoffwithhisjacket.Criminalsaretarge
    tingcoatsthatcostasmuchas$2,200each.Aswellasliterallystealingthe
    coatsoffpeople'sbacks,thievesarebreakingintopeople'svehicles.Prof
    essorDavidWilson,acriminologistatBirminghamCityUniversity,warn
    edthatthemuggingswerethestartofanew"luxurycrimetrend".Hesaidt
    hetheftswere"worrying".ProfessorWilsonwarnedthosewithhig
    h-endwinterjacketstobecareful.Hesaid:"IwouldtellanyonewearingC
    anadaGoosebrandedjacketstobecarefulandbeawareofyoursurround
    ingsandwhoisaroundyou.Youhavetobevigilantforopportunistswhom
    ighttrytostealthem."Headdedthat:"ThievesusedtotargetRolexwatc
    heswhichgoforthousandsofpoundsandthensellthemonline."ALondo
    nTransportspokespersonsaid:"CanadaGoosecoatsaretargetedforro
    bbery.It'sarealconcerntousbecauseitreallyimpactsthesafetyofyoun
    gpeopleonthenetwork."Sheaddedthatthis"acquisitivecrime"was"ve
    ryconcerning,intimidatingandfrightening".

    Free writing

    Write about winter-coat muggings for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Muggers should get at least 20 years in prison. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. WINTER COATS: Make a poster about winter coats. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. STREET SAFETY: Write a magazine article about spending more money to keep our streets safe. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on mugging. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to stop muggings. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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